PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ruslan Smirnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jacek Kowalski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Jacek Kowalski enters the cage!

Smirnov
vs
Kowalski

167 cm
29
142 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

174 cm
22
145 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Good gas tank

Go 2 Sleep Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ruslan Smirnov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jacek Kowalski!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smirnov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Smirnov looks to throw the jab but Kowalski is out of range.
Smirnov misses with a straight left.
Smirnov shoots in for a double leg but Kowalski sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Smirnov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Smirnov shoots in looking for a takedown. Kowalski tries to sprawl out of it but Smirnov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kowalski manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Smirnov manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Kowalski on his heels. He'll look to pass Kowalski's guard now, I'm sure.
Smirnov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kowalski is keeping the position for now.
Kowalski is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov looking to pass the guard.
Kowalski has control of Smirnov's left arm, preventing Smirnov from doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Ruslan Smirnov just wasn't active enough.
Kowalski tries to close the distance and clinch but Smirnov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Smirnov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kowalski's waist but Kowalski gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Smirnov off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruslan Smirnov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smirnov shoots in looking for a takedown but Kowalski manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Smirnov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smirnov gets the takedown into side control.
Smirnov controls the position.

Smirnov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Smirnov controls the position.
Smirnov misses with the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski prevents Smirnov from improving position.
Smirnov is trying to ground and pound but Kowalski uses the momentary lack of control by Smirnov to regain half guard.
Smirnov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kowalski trying to control but Smirnov postures up.
Smirnov tries to pass to full mount but Kowalski defends it.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Smirnov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kowalski counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Smirnov's guard now.
Smirnov trying to control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kowalski throwing strikes from guard but Smirnov blocks nicely.
Smirnov keeping full guard, as Kowalski tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruslan Smirnov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kowalski scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kowalski looks to score with a jab to the body but Smirnov is just out of range.

Kowalski drives through with a takedown into Smirnov's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Smirnov keeping moving, preventing Kowalski from controlling successfully.
Kowalski tries to free his leg and advance position but Smirnov is retaining full guard.
Kowalski won't allow Smirnov to get back to his feet.
Kowalski wants to control from the top but Smirnov keeps moving.
Kowalski stopping the sweep attempt from Smirnov.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jacek Kowalski has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Kowalski drives through and clinches with Smirnov against the cage.
Kowalski drops down looking for an ankle pick but Smirnov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Smirnov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Smirnov throws a body punch but Kowalski moves out of range.
Smirnov throws a right hand that misses

so Kowalski counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kowalski looking to pass the guard.
Smirnov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski trying to control the position from guard on top but Smirnov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kowalski pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Smirnov is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smirnov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kowalski in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kowalski is looking to pass into half guard but Smirnov pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Smirnov is in guard.
Kowalski keeping moving, preventing Smirnov from controlling successfully.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Ruslan Smirnov has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Smirnov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kowalski counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Kowalski postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kowalski slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Kowalski avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Smirnov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kowalski defends well.
Kowalski trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kowalski trying to control the position from guard on top but Smirnov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov pulls Kowalski in close to his closed guard and prevents Kowalski from doing any damage or advancing position.
Kowalski preventing the sweep.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Kowalski trying to control the position from guard on top but Smirnov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Jacek Kowalski wasn't active enough on the ground.
Kowalski moves out of range as Smirnov strikes.
Smirnov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kowalski counters with a stiff right hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kowalski bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kowalski tries for a takedown but Smirnov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Smirnov shoots and misses

and Kowalski counters with a single leg into guard. Smirnov didn't expect that.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacek Kowalski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kowalski tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smirnov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Smirnov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kowalski defends it nicely.
Smirnov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kowalski as he jumps to the side.
Smirnov takes one to the chin there.
Smirnov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kowalski swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruslan Smirnov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kowalski shoots for a takedown but Smirnov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ruslan Smirnov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smirnov misses the jab.
Smirnov throws a lazy uppercut

and Kowalski counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Smirnov looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Kowalski is defending well. Smirnov quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Kowalski has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Smirnov celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ruslan Smirnov!
Ruslan Smirnov retains his bantamweight title!
Ruslan Smirnov decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.