PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Phil Michaels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matthew Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Michaels comes to the cage accompanied by Take A Look Around - Limp Bizkit. Smith has chosen Big and Red by EC as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Michaels
vs
Smith

195 cm
25
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
18
187 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Phil Michaels!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matthew Smith!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Cecil Peabody and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Michaels lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Michaels throws a series of punches but Smith avoids them all with ease.
Michaels closes the distance looking to clinch

and Smith counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Michaels's guard now.
Smith must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Smith drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Michaels dives on top into guard.

Smith had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Michaels defends it easily.

Smith is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Michaels won't allow Smith to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michaels wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.

Smith throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Michaels escapes and throws Smith's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Michaels is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Smith has escaped the position, nice work there.

Michaels tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Smith is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Michaels tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Michaels wants to lay and pray for a moment but Smith keeps working.
Michaels tries to advance to mount but Smith denies him.
Michaels content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Smith is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Michaels taking a breather here.
Michaels taking a break here but Smith is having none of it and regains half guard.

Smith has one foot on Michaels's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith gets caught napping as Michaels dives in and scores a takedown. Smith manages to retain guard.
Michaels trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Michaels is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Smith is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Michaels trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Smith working for a triangle but Michaels defends it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Michaels drops back, looking for a kneebar! Smith looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Smith looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Smith!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Phil Michaels will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Smith avoids a punch combination nicely.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but Michaels shows good takedown defense.
Michaels rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smith moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Michaels gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

so Smith counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Smithis looking to pass into half guard but Michaels pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Michaels is in guard.
Michaels slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Michaels goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Smith has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Michaels but great work by Smith.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Michaels rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Smith's guard! Nice work there by Michaels!
Michaels trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Matthew Smith has got the better of the ground game so far.
Michaels's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Michaels wants to pass the guard but Smith is keeping the position.

Smith has his foot on Michaels's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Michaels works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Michaels tries to free his leg and advance position but Smith is retaining full guard.
Michaels controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Smith escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Michaels gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Smith is breathing heavily.

Smith looking for a guillotine here but Michaels defends easily.
Smith looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michaels throwing strikes but missing.
Smith is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Michaels wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Phil Michaels has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Smith keeps the fight on the outside.

Michaels closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Michaels wants a takedown but no success here.
Smith is trying to drag Michaels to the mat but Michaels just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Smith works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Matthew Smith will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Michaels misses with a few strikes there.
Michaels scores with a jab to the head.
Michaels misses with a two punch combination.
Michaels swings for the body but Smith moves out of range.
Michaels tries to clinch but Smith moves away

and Smith counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Smith has gone for a leg lock! Michaels slips out almost immediately though and dives into Smith's guard.

Smith looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Michaels trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Smith is trying to control the position but Michaels postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michaels looking to sit in guard and control but Smith gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Michaels wants to get back to his feet but Smith is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Michaels works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Smith preventing the sweep.

Smith drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Michaels dives on top into guard.
Smith wants to sweep but no luck.
Smith takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith keeping full guard, as Michaels tries to pass.
Michaels looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Smith is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Michaels looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is trying to control the position but Michaels postures up.
Michaels wanted to stand there but Smith had control of the position.

Smith had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Michaels defends it easily.
Michaels trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Michaels wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Michaels stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smith swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Michaels trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.

We're going to have a standup here because Phil Michaels wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Michaels feints a jab promting Smith to slip. Michaels then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Smith slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Phil Michaels seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Smith is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Michaels's half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Phil Michaels.
I think Michaels 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight for Phil Michaels!
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight for Matthew Smith!
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight for Phil Michaels!

Phil Michaels wins by split decision!
Phil Michaels is the new light heavyweight champion!
A very excited looking Phil Michaels made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.