PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between JD Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pico Rodrigo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). JD Smith has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Smith
vs
Rodrigo

190 cm
22
168 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

172 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Good low kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, JD Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pico Rodrigo!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Daniel Franklin and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smith shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Rodrigo actively working from the bottom here.

Rodrigo actively working from the bottom here.
Smith seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Rodrigo looking for subs from the bottom but Smith mounts him!
Rodrigo really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Smith is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Rodrigo has managed to escape the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith misses with a head shot.

Smith get's back to his feet.
Smith wants to clinch.
Smith fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rodrigo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Smith swivels and escapes.
Smith tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Smith instigates a clinch.
Smith misses with the head strike.
Rodrigo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Come on Smith - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Smith tries a body shot but Rodrigo blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a head punch that misses.
Smith stops a takedown attempt from Rodrigo.
JD Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pico Rodrigo.
Smith throws a punch but it's blocked by Rodrigo.
Smith has a couple of punches blocked by Rodrigo.
Smith misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rodrigo blocking some punches.
Smith really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rodrigo blocks an uppercut.
Rodrigo goes for a takedown in the clinch but Smith prevents it.
Smith fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rodrigo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rodrigo blocks a body shot from Smith.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Smith stops a takedown attempt from Rodrigo.
Smith swings wildly with an uppercut but Rodrigo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smith leaning against his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

JD Smith dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Smith is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Smith closes the distance but Rodrigo moves to the side

and Rodrigo counters with a flying knee that drops Smith!

Smith is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Rodrigo drops back looking for a leg! Smith is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Smith manages to kick Rodrigo off! Rodrigo jumps back into Smith's guard.
Oh Smith is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Smith seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Rodrigo slips nicely into half guard.
Smith seems to have got his legs back now.

Rodrigo is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Smith is just riding it out for now. Rodrigo eventually gives up the hold.

Rodrigo is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is looking for a sweep. Rodrigo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Smith is positioning himself well to prevent Rodrigo advancing to mount.

Smith is defending against the submission attempts here by Rodrigo.
Smith is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rodrigo is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Rodrigo is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Smith has managed to free his arm - good work.

Rodrigo is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Smith is trying to stand.
Smith is positioning himself well to prevent Rodrigo advancing to mount.

Rodrigo is looking for submissions but instead, Smith has regained full guard.

Smith has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Rodrigo off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rodrigo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Smith is looking to clinch but Rodrigo is avoiding it.
Rodrigo swats away the attempt to clinch by Smith.

Smith gets a clinch.
Rodrigo changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Smith fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Smith clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigo looking for a takedown.
Smith lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Rodrigo wants to take the fight to the mat but Smith manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
JD Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pico Rodrigo.
Rodrigo blocking some punches.
Smith is defending well against a takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rodrigo is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Smith gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pico Rodrigo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Smith gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Smith swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rodrigo has Smith pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Smith manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Smith misses with some punches.
Smith avoiding damage.
Rodrigo blocks an elbow strike.
Smith doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigo being controlled against the cage.
Smith swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Smith has a couple of punches blocked by Rodrigo.
Smith tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rodrigo's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rodrigo drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Smith has a couple of punches blocked by Rodrigo.
Rodrigo changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Smith fights it off and pushes away nicely.
JD Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pico Rodrigo.

Smith closes the distance and pushes Rodrigo back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Smith fails to land.
Smith misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rodrigo is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Smith is defending well.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Smith just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rodrigo's brow.
Rodrigo drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rodrigo has Smith pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Smith manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands with a right to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rodrigo.
Smith misses with the head strike.
Smith is defending well against a takedown attempt.
The referee calls for Smith to work.
Smith missing with knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
JD Smith showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Smith has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... JD Smith!