PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dante Hicks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aaron Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hicks
vs
Smith

191 cm
27
280 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

195 cm
33
249 lbs
15 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dante Hicks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Aaron Smith!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Micheangelo Fripello and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Hicks is looking to clinch.
A combination from Smith does no damage.
Smith misses with a wild combination.
Smith misses with a combination
and Hicks counters with a stiff right hand.
Smith misses with a double jab.

Hicks shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Smith blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hicks.
Hicks prevents Smith from standing back up.
Hicks working the head and body with strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hicks misses with a head shot. Smith uses the momentum to regain guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Smith throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Hicks throws a big elbow that misses.
Smith avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Smith is looking to stand up but Hicks isn't so interested in that idea.
Smith working a defensive guard here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hicks accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hicks working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hicks in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Smith working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hicks doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hicks manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Smith keeping full guard, as Hicks tries to pass.
Hicks passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to roll over but Hicks keeps him under control.
Hicks thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Smith tries to kick Hicks off but Hicks keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Hicks working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith is looking for a sweep. Hicks is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hicks takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hicks is controlling the pace.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hicks landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks lands strikes from half guard.
Hicks looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Smith with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Smith wants to get back to full guard.
Smith wants to control but Hicks is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hicks looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Hicks winds up and cracks Smith with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Smith is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hicks lands a big elbow - Smith is out of it! He's waving his arms around but his eyes are closed and he's not intelligently defending himself - the ref has no choice but to jump in and stop the fight! This one is in the books! A TKO win for Hicks!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:40 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Dante Hicks!