PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Along Recto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and JD Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Along Recto could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to JD Smith's chin.

Recto
vs
Smith

162 cm
20
170 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

190 cm
24
168 lbs
2 - 3 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Knockout power

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Along Recto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, JD Smith!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Recto doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Smith counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Smith trying to control from half guard but Recto is working away.
Smith is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Recto actively working from the bottom here.
Smith with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Recto is trying to control but can't.
Smith keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Recto wants to get back to full guard.

Recto looking for submissions off his back.

Recto actively working from the bottom here.
Smith trying to pass the guard but Recto defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Recto manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Smith is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Recto is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Recto had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Smith defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Recto is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Smith is aware though and is defending well.

Recto looking for a guillotine here but Smith defends easily.

Recto working for a triangle but Smith defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Smith stands up from Recto's guard - Smith perhaps looking for a knockout.
Smith throws a leg kick but Recto moved away.
Recto shoots for a takedown but Smith saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Recto with a poor takedown
and Smith counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Along Recto. That's going to take a lot out of him.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Smith scores a takedown into full mount!
Recto regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Smith decides to stand and escape the position.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Recto.
Recto loads up on a big right hand but Smith slips the punch.
Smith jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Recto throws a sloppy head kick and Smith moves out of range easily.
Recto misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Recto.
Recto shoots in for a takedown but Smith shows good takedown defense.
Recto blocks a leg kick.
Smith displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Recto.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Recto takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Recto tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Smith smiles and moves away.
Smith tries to land a leg kick but Recto saw it coming and moves away.
Smith misses with a body kick.

Smith takes the fight into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith stalling against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Recto takes an elbow to the forehead.
Smith working Recto over with knees to the body.
Smith misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but JD Smith will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Smith darts in and clinches Recto up against the cage.
Recto is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Smith to keep the fight standing.
Smith stalling against the cage.
Recto jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Smith walks away with a smile on his face. Recto gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Smith drives through and clinches with Recto against the cage.
Recto tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Smith just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Along Recto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Recto fails to pull guard.
Smith displaying some good clinch control by pressing Recto up against the cage.

Recto drags the fight down to the ground.

Recto looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Recto is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Smith defends well.
Recto is controlling Smith's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

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

Smith got a little sloppy there for a moment and Recto has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Smith has managed to get both his arms back between Recto's legs - danger averted.
Smith controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Recto had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Smith defends it easily.
Smith trying to control but Recto is working from the bottom.
Recto is trying to control the position from the bottom.
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!

Recto is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Smith defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Recto is looking for a triangle but Smith pushes his legs off easily.
Recto has a closed guard, preventing Smith from standing up.

Recto escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Smith gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Smith throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Recto looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Smith really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Recto. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Recto has control of Smith's left arm, preventing Smith from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Recto looking to control.

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

Recto escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Smith gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Smith wants to stand but Recto has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Smith wants to control from the top but Recto keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Recto striking off his back but it's not causing Smith any problems.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Along Recto dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Nice takedown defense from Smith. No joy for Recto on that attempt.
Smith throws a right and a left that Recto avoids nicely.
Recto blocks the body kick.
Smith throws a hook but Recto blocks it.
Smith misses with a body shot.
A slow jab from Smith misses its intended target.

Smith moves into the clinch successfully.
Recto jumps guard but Smith stands there with Recto around his waist. Recto gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Smith.
Recto tries to pull guard but Smith holds him up against the cage and eventually Recto drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Along Recto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Recto tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Smith pushes off an throws an elbow but Recto leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Smith is trying to stall.
Recto jumps guard but Smith stands there with Recto around his waist. Recto gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Recto jumps guard but Smith stands there with Recto around his waist. Recto gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Recto tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Smith smiles and moves away.
Smith connects with a right hand. Recto shakes it off.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Recto is defended easily by Smith.

Smith fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Recto, pushing him back against the cage.
Smith lands an elbow inside.
Recto tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Smith just stands there and leans against the cage.
Recto tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Smith just stands there and leans against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Recto is trying to pull guard but Smith turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Smith leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith misses with an elbow over the top.
Recto on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Smith misses with the head strike.
Smith throws an elbow that misses.
Smith lands a knee to the head.
Recto tries to pull guard but Smith won't allow it.
Recto jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Smith walks away with a smile on his face. Recto gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Smith misses with a straight left.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch but Recto swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Recto takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A head kick misses from Smith.
Recto shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Smith defends it nicely.

Smith moves into the clinch successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Recto avoids it.
Knees to the body from Smith.
Come on Smith - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Smith lands a good knee to the midsection. Recto won't want to take too many of those.
Recto tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Recto fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Recto fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Smith controlling the action here for a moment.
Smith is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Recto tries to pull guard but Smith holds him up against the cage and eventually Recto drops back down to his feet.
Smith pressing his opponent against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Recto tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Smith leaning his opponent against the cage.
Recto is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Smith to keep the fight standing.
Recto tries to pull guard but Smith won't allow it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Recto jumps guard but Smith turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
JD Smith seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Recto avoiding damage as Smith throws knees to the body.
Recto jumps guard but Smith stands there with Recto around his waist. Recto gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Smith content to slow the pace in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
JD Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Smith has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29

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