PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Chancho Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vasilij Zajtsev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smith comes to the cage accompanied by Method Man- I came to bring the pain . Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Smith
vs
Zajtsev

180 cm
28
146 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

165 cm
28
155 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Chancho Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vasilij Zajtsev!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zajtsev shoots in and drives through. Smith sprawls well.
Smith lands with a hook. Zajtsev tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A combination from Zajtsev does no damage.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but Zajtsev shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Smith scores with a nice strike.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Smith.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but Zajtsev shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chancho Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Smith shoots in and gets a takedown into Zajtsev's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Zajtsev doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Zajtsev will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Smith will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Zajtsev is keeping the position.
Smith stops Zajtsev from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

Zajtsev is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Zajtsev looking for a guillotine here but Smith defends easily.
Smith passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith is working for a submission of some sort.
Zajtsev wants to control but Smith is keeping busy.
Zajtsev moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Smith keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Zajtsev's head.
Zajtsev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Zajtsev is looking for a triangle but Smith pushes his legs off easily.

Zajtsev is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Smith is aware though and is defending well.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Zajtsev is keeping the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zajtsev throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Smith looking to pass the guard.
Smith connects with a couple of short punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zajtsev lands a couple of decent looking body shots there.
Zajtsev is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Zajtsev wants to stand and escape but Smith is having none of it.
Zajtsev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Smith forces his way into half guard.
Zajtsev is trying to maintain the position but Smith is very close to passing his half guard.
Zajtsev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Smith is working for a submission of some sort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Zajtsev is trying to control but can't.
Zajtsev connecting with a few gentle strikes.

Smith is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Zajtsev defends it well.
Smith wants to free his trapped foot but Zajtsev is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Zajtsev moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Zajtsev looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Smith tries to free his leg and advance position but Zajtsev is retaining full guard.

Zajtsev 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.
Zajtsev trying to strike off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Zajtsev is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Zajtsev has escaped and now he's on top!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smith looking for a sweep. Not yet Smith, not yet.
Smith is working hard here to advance position.
Zajtsev trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Smith wants to improve his position but instead Zajtsev has moved into half guard.

Zajtsev is trying to work for a kimura but Smith is defending well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Smith actively working from the bottom here.
Smith really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Zajtsev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vasilij Zajtsev 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.

A combination from Smith does no damage.
Smith getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Smith misses with a two punch combination.
Zajtsev has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Zajtsev is rocked!
Smith blocks a jab.
Zajtsev is still on wobbly legs! Can Smith finish him?
Smith cracks the inside of Zajtsev's front leg.
Smith fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zajtsev avoids it really well and circles away.
Zajtsev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Smith shoots for a takedown but Zajtsev saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Smith slips a jab and a cross from Zajtsev.
Jab, jab by Zajtsev - just one landing.

It looks like Chancho Smith has been cut.
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!
Zajtsev lands a nice looking body shot.
Zajtsev misses with a hook. Smith ducked under it nicely.
Zajtsev throws a nice looking combination but Smith bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Smith shoots in and bounces Zajtsev off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Smith avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Zajtsev is keeping the position.

Zajtsev had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Smith defends it easily.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Vasilij Zajtsev has got the better of the ground game so far.
Smith stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zajtsev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Zajtsev seems to have recovered his senses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Zajtsev is looking for a triangle but Smith pushes his legs off easily.

Zajtsev 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zajtsev trying to keep a closed guard but Smith is proving a slippery customer.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Zajtsev throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Smith throwing strikes but missing.

Zajtsev had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Smith defends it easily.
Zajtsev keeping full guard, as Smith tries to pass.
Smith in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zajtsev is looking for a triangle but Smith pushes his legs off easily.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Zajtsev looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Smith pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zajtsev is keeping the position for now.

Zajtsev throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith landing with the ground and pound.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Zajtsev has wrist control.

Smith gets to his feet. Zajtsev looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Zajtsev cracks Smith with a right hand to the side of the head.
Smith misses with a few strikes there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zajtsev fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Zajtsev takes a swing at Smith's ribcage but misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Smith looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zajtsev cracks Smith with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt - Zajtsev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chancho Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Smith on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Zajtsev throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Vasilij Zajtsev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zajtsev connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

Smith is rocked!
Smith throws an overhand right that lands on Zajtsev's shoulder, as Zajtsev tries to avoid the shot.
Smith stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Smith wants it to stay on the feet.
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!
Zajtsev will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Chancho Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Smith fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zajtsev avoids it really well and circles away.
Zajtsev scores with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zajtsev misses with a few strikes there.
Zajtsev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Zajtsev lands a body shot.
Zajtsev with a hook.
Zajtsev on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Smith wants to clinch up but Zajtsev keeps it at a distance.
Zajtsev throws a looping overhand right but Smith ducks down to avoid it.

Smith has taken the fight to the clinch.
Smith changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Zajtsev fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Zajtsev lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Smith circles away quickly and effectively.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sloppy strikes from Zajtsev. Those never looked like landing.
Smith tries to clinch but Zajtsev is having none of it.
Zajtsev lands with a slapping head kick.
Smith lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Smith looks for a takedown but Zajtsev sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasilij Zajtsev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Chancho Smith's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

A left and a right from Zajtsev both land. Nice combination.
Zajtsev loads up on a big right hand but Smith slips the punch.
Zajtsev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Smith misses with a two punch combination.
Smith tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Zajtsev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Smith tries to keep at a distance but Zajtsev has taken the fight into the clinch.
Smith prevents Zajtsev from breaking the clinch.
Zajtsev can't break the clinch.

Zajtsev jumps guard and drags Smith to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Smith is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Zajtsev keeping full guard, as Smith tries to pass.
Smith lands a couple of digs.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smith postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zajtsev trying to control the position.
Smith tries to free his leg and advance position but Zajtsev is retaining full guard.

Zajtsev is looking for a triangle but Smith pushes his legs off easily.
Zajtsev striking off his back but it's not causing Smith any problems.

Zajtsev is looking for a triangle but Smith pushes his legs off easily.

Zajtsev is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Smith chips away with some ground and pound.
Smith postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Zajtsev is keeping the position.
Smith postures up in Zajtsev's guard and throws a big left but Zajtsev blocks it.
Chancho Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zajtsev looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
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!
Smith stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zajtsev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Smith postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Zajtsev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Smith.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Zajtsev has wrist control.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Zajtsev is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Zajtsev bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Smith's guard.
Zajtsev stopping the sweep attempt from Smith.
Zajtsev wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zajtsev thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Zajtsev throwing strikes from guard but Smith blocks nicely.

Smith looking for a guillotine here but Zajtsev defends easily.

Smith has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Zajtsev can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Smith is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Zajtsev is aware though and is defending well.
Vasilij Zajtsev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith is working an open guard so Zajtsev takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Left hook, right uppercut from Zajtsev.

Zajtsev shoots in and bounces Smith off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Smith utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Smith throwing his legs up looking 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!
Zajtsev controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Zajtsev passes Smith's left leg - he's now in half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Smith actively working from the bottom here.

Zajtsev is looking for a kimura but Smith is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Zajtsev to get the leverage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vasilij Zajtsev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Zajtsev has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vasilij Zajtsev!
Vasilij Zajtsev thanked the fans post fight for their support.