PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Robin Locksley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitaliy Smekhov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Locksley
vs
Smekhov

190 cm
24
210 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

174 cm
20
198 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Great elbows
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Robin Locksley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vitaliy Smekhov!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Konstantin Menshow and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smekhov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Smekhov shoots in for a takedown but Locksley shows good takedown defense.
Smekhov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Smekhov.
Robin Locksley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vitaliy Smekhov.
Smekhov fails with a takedown attempt.
Locksley misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Smekhov darts in and clinches Locksley up against the cage.
Locksley tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Smekhov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Vitaliy Smekhov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Locksley tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Smekhov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Locksley's waist but Locksley gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Smekhov off to one side.
Locksley keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Smekhov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Locksley.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smekhov misses with a two punch combination.
Locksley's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Locksley duly obliges.
Smekhov wants to clinch up but Locksley keeps it at a distance.
Smekhov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Smekhov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Locksley's head backwards.
Locksley throws a wild body kick that Smekhov sees coming a mile off.
Smekhov misses with a double jab.
Smekhov misses with a straight right.
Locksley stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Locksley wants it to stay on the feet.
Smekhov looks gassed!
Smekhov looks to land a combination but Locksley avoids it well.
Smekhov fails with the takedown.
Smekhov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Locksley ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Locksley shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Smekhov defends it nicely.
Locksley tries to clinch but Smekhov moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smekhov stuffs the takedown attempt from Locksley. Locksley gets slowly back to his feet.
Locksley gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Smekhov counters with a one-two to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Locksley fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Smekhov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Smekhov should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Smekhov looking for a takedown.
Smekhov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Locksley smiles and moves away.
No luck for Locksley with that takedown attempt.
Locksley fails to land the takedown.
Smekhov shoots in but no luck this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Locksley shoots in and drives through. Smekhov sprawls well.
Locksley shoots for a takedown but Smekhov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Smekhov shoots in for a double leg but Locksley sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Locksley tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Smekhov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A cross from Smekhov lands.
Smekhov throws a low kick but Locksley avoids it.
Locksley tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smekhov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The fight stays on the outside here - Locksley looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Locksley fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Locksley throws the left hand but Smekhov avoids the punch easily.
Smekhov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Locksley is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Left hook, right uppercut from Smekhov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smekhov misses with a series of wild punches.
Locksley looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Smekhov displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Locksley rushes Smekhov and presses him up against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Locksley escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Locksley slips a jab from Smekhov.
Locksley fails with a takedown attempt.
Locksley tries to clinch but Smekhov moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Locksley tries to clinch but Smekhov is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitaliy Smekhov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Locksley defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Smekhov.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Smekhov. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Locksley tries to clinch but Smekhov is having none of it.
Smekhov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Locksley just misses with a punch to the body.
Smekhov misses with a body shot.
Locksley doesn't manage to clinch there - Smekhov circles away.
Horrible takedown by Locksley or perhaps it was just good defense by Smekhov which made him look bad.
Locksley tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Smekhov.
Locksley stuffs the takedown attempt from Smekhov. Smekhov gets slowly back to his feet.
Robin Locksley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vitaliy Smekhov.
Smekhov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Locksley.
Smekhov is breathing heavily.
Smekhov shoots for a double leg takedown but Locksley sprawls well. He's pushed Smekhov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Locksley closes this distance looking for a takedown but Smekhov circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Smekhov.
Smekhov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Locksley shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Smekhov but Smekhov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A nice combination there by Smekhov.
Locksley is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Smekhov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Locksley fails with a takedown attempt.
Smekhov slaps away a takedown attempt from Locksley, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Locksley misses with a few strikes there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smekhov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Smekhov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Locksley trying to control but Smekhov postures up.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Locksley moves into full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Locksley is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Smekhov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smekhov trying to control but Locksley is working from the bottom.
Locksley is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Locksley will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Smekhov trying to hold on to Locksley's head to control him but Locksley postures up.
Smekhov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Locksley's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Locksley's back!
Smekhov not allowing Locksley to control his hands.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Locksley can't escape the position.
Smekhov is trying to stick to Locksley's back but Locksley is turning into Smekhov. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Smekhov's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Locksley.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Locksley wants to stand and escape but instead Smekhov has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Smekhov scoring with some ground and pound.
Smekhov works over Locksley with some ground and pound from guard.
Smekhov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Smekhov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Smekhov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smekhov postures up in Locksley's guard and throws a big left but Locksley blocks it.
Smekhov wants to pass the guard but Locksley is keeping the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smekhov trying to control the position from guard on top but Locksley is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Smekhov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitaliy Smekhov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Locksley's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Locksley tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Smekhov was well out of range. Poor timing from Locksley.
Smekhov misses with a takedown attempt - Locksley sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Smekhov misses with a double jab

and Locksley counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Smekhov tries for a takedown. No joy.
Smekhov jumps guard but Locksley stands there with Smekhov around his waist. Smekhov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Robin Locksley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vitaliy Smekhov.
Locksley fails to pull guard.
Smekhov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Locksley walks away with a smile on his face. Smekhov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Smekhov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Locksley moves in looking to clinch but Smekhov pushes him off.
A head kick misses from Locksley.
Smekhov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Locksley slips a jab and a cross from Smekhov.
Smekhov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Locksley is fending him off so far but Smekhov persists. Nope, Locksley circles away and we're back to standing.
Locksley avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Locksley has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smekhov throws a series of punches but Locksley moves out of range.
Locksley tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Locksley shoots in for a double leg but Smekhov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Locksley shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Smekhov pinned against the cage. Smekhov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Smekhov slips under a jab.
Locksley shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Smekhov but Smekhov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Smekhov throws a series of punches but Locksley moves out of range.
Smekhov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Locksley swivels and escapes.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Locksley.
Locksley wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Locksley throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Locksley tries to clinch but Smekhov is having none of it.
Smekhov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Locksley tries to clinch up but Smekhov circles away and keeps his distance.
Smekhov lands a head shot.
Smekhov throws a jab but it's blocked by Locksley.
Smekhov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Locksley misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Smekhov misses with a series of wild punches.
Locksley fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smekhov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Locksley sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Locksley shoots in for a takedown but Smekhov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Locksley throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Smekhov.
Smekhov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Smekhov forces Locksley back against the cage and clinches.
Locksley lands with a light punch inside.

Locksley escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vitaliy Smekhov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Locksley is trying hard to land a takedown here. Smekhov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A right-left combo lands from Smekhov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smekhov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Locksley looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Smekhov scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Locksley tries for a takedown but Smekhov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Smekhov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Smekhov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Smekhov has a takedown stuffed.
Locksley thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Smekhov if he has to take too many more of those.
Locksley fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Smekhov drives through with a takedown into guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smekhov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Robin Locksley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Smekhov trying to control the position from guard on top but Locksley is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Vitaliy Smekhov.
I've got Smekhov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vitaliy Smekhov!
Vitaliy Smekhov seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.