PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Randy Lavell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Lavell
vs
Smith

179 cm
23
176 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Randy Lavell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Paul Smith!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Josh West and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lavell loads up on a big right hand but Smith slips the punch.
Lavell fails in his attempt to clinch.

Smith darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Smith seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Lavell is trying to control but can't.
Lavell won't allow Smith to pass to mount.
Smith looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Paul Smith.

Smith shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Lavell manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Lavell is working an open guard so Smith takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Smith is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Smith prevents Lavell from standing back up.
Lavell avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Smith.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lavell is looking to escape.
Smith content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Lavell trying to hold on to Smith's head to control him but Smith postures up.
Smith throwing shots but Lavell is blocking nicely.
Smith takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A chopping leg kick lands by Smith.
Lavell blocks a head kick by Smith.

Lavell gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lavell is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Smith is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Smith passes Lavell's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Lavell wants to get back to his feet.
Lavell is breathing heavily.
Lavell is trying to escape back to his feet but Smith uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Smith works to advance to full mount. Lavell defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Smith is landing with some decent strikes but Lavell is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Lavell tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Smith looking to control and managing it successfully.
It looks like Smith might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith working for a submission but Lavell is keeping him at bay.
Lavell is trying to escape the mount.
Smith controlling the pace for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lavell has given up his back here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Smith scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Lavell tries to roll over but Smith keeps him under control.
Smith is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Lavell!
Lavell wants to hold on but Smith pushes him away.

Smith wants to finish this one by submission but Lavell is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Smith.
Smith tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Paul Smith has got the better of the ground game so far.

Smith looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Smith looking for a guillotine from mount but Lavell is having none of it.
Smith cracks Lavell with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith working for a guillotine from mount but Lavell is in no mood to give up.
Lavell tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Lavell is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Lavell wants to hold on but Smith pushes him away.
Smith tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Lavell has given up his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

Smith has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Lavell! Can he survive? No! He's out! Smith gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:43 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Paul Smith!
An out of breath Paul Smith thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.