PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Norbert Schwager (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ruslan Smirnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Schwager
vs
Smirnov

175 cm
23
142 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

167 cm
27
142 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Experienced

Black Hand Fight Gear & Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Norbert Schwager!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ruslan Smirnov!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Valeri Chadov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Schwager tests Smirnov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Schwager misses with a jab, cross combination.
Smirnov tries for a takedown but Schwager circles away easily
and Schwager makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Smirnov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Schwager.
Smirnov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Smirnov.
Smirnov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Schwager counters with a left and a right that stings Smirnov.
Norbert Schwager has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ruslan Smirnov.
Smirnov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Norbert Schwager seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Schwager throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov checks a low kick from Schwager.
Schwager throws a leg kick but Smirnov sees it coming and moves out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Schwager misses the target.
Schwager throws a right and a left that Smirnov avoids nicely.
Schwager scores with a jab to the jaw.
Schwager pivots, looking for a leg kick but Smirnov is out of range and Schwager settles back down.
Norbert Schwager is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schwager throws out a powerful jab.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Smirnov.
Smirnov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Schwager dips to his left and cracks Smirnov with an uppercut!

It looks like Ruslan Smirnov has been cut.
Schwager pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Smirnov back to the cage. Schwager follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schwager throws out a loose jab but Smirnov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Schwager connects with a single shot there.
Schwager thows a body shot but no joy.
Schwager ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Schwager lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Smirnov circles away quickly and effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Norbert Schwager dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ruslan Smirnov's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Schwager throws a series of strikes that have Smirnov backpedaling.
Schwager misses with an uppercut. Smirnov saw that one coming.
Smirnov shoots for a double leg takedown but Schwager sprawls well. He's pushed Smirnov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Schwager jabs at Smirnov's body.
Norbert Schwager is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Schwager will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Smirnov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Schwager to the ground. Smirnov is now in Schwager's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schwager wants to stand up but Smirnov is controlling him.
Smirnov looking to pass the guard.
Smirnov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Schwager is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Schwager knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Smirnov on the ground.
Smirnov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov controls from within his opponent's guard.
Schwager wants to stand and escape but Smirnov is having none of it.
Smirnov wants to pass the guard but Schwager is keeping the position.
Schwager working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Smirnov.
Smirnov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Smirnov won't allow Schwager to get back to his feet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Smirnov wants to control from the top but Schwager keeps moving.
Smirnov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Schwager is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Smirnov is controlling him.
Smirnov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Schwager swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Schwager is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Smirnov is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov distracts Schwager with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Smirnov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Smirnov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Smirnov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Schwager's head.
Schwager is looking to stand up but Smirnov isn't so interested in that idea.
Smirnov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Smirnov pushes down on Schwager's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Schwager is looking to escape.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smirnov is working for a kimura but Schwager is defending it quite comfortably.

Smirnov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Schwager sees it coming and defends easily.
Smirnov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Smirnov winds up and cracks Schwager with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Smirnov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Smirnov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Smirnov controlling the pace.
Schwager wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruslan Smirnov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ruslan Smirnov's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Smirnov.
Schwager lands a nice hook to Smirnov's body. Smirnov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Schwager smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Smirnov checks a low kick from Schwager.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Schwager.
Smirnov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Schwager moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A punch lands to the side of Smirnov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Smirnov shoots in and drives through. Schwager sprawls well.
Schwager will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schwager thows a leg kick but Smirnov checks it
letting Smirnov counter with a right hand.
Smirnov tries for a takedown but Schwager circles away easily
and Schwager counters with a one-two to the body.
Norbert Schwager has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ruslan Smirnov.
Schwager swings for the body but Smirnov moves out of range.
Schwager lands a right hook to the body.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schwager throws a combination. Smirnov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Smirnov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Schwager counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Smirnov moves out of range as Schwager strikes.
Schwager scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Schwager sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Smirnov somewhat.
Norbert Schwager is winning the standup battle so far.
Schwager feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Smirnovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

Smirnov is rocked!

That has opened up Ruslan Smirnov's cut even more.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Smirnov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Schwager is looking to escape.

Schwager has one foot on Smirnov's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Schwager misses with a straight left.

And that's the end of the fight!
Norbert Schwager showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Schwager 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:28
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Norbert Schwager!
A victorious Norbert Schwager thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.