PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Piotr Sminosic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zombo Axe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sminosic comes to the cage accompanied by R.E.M - Losing my Religion. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Sminosic
vs
Axe

203 cm
25
272 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

180 cm
27
255 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Piotr Sminosic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Zombo Axe!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Summer Carpenter and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Axe's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Sminosic connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Axe scrambles back to his feet.
A nice combination there by Sminosic.
Axe showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sminosic.
Axe looks to throw the jab but Sminosic is out of range.
Axe takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Sminosic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Axe connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Piotr Sminosic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A nice combination there by Sminosic.
Sminosic throws a series of punches but Axe avoids them all with ease.
Sminosic moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Sminosic moves out of range as Axe strikes.
Sminosic cracks Axe with a good jab.
Sminosic blocks a jab.
Some wild striking there from Sminosic.
Axe wants to clinch.
Sminosic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Axe fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Sminosic to the ground. Axe is now in Sminosic's guard.
Sminosic is looking to stand up but Axe isn't so interested in that idea.
Axe is stalling in the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sminosic wants to stand but Axe is controlling the position.
Sminosic will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Axe trying to control but Sminosic is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Zombo Axe hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Sminosic throws a series of punches but Axe avoids them all with ease.
A punch combination from Sminosic misses.
Sminosic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Some wild striking there from Sminosic.
Sminosic throws a right hand that Axe ducks under and follows up with a left that Axe also avoids with ease.
Sminosic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Axe counters with an outside leg kick.
Some wild striking there from Sminosic.

Axe gets a takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Axe is keen to just control but Sminosic is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axe wants to pass to mount but Sminosic is defending the position.
Axe stalling away here and it's allowed Sminosic to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Axe stops Sminosic from standing up.
Axe trying to control but Sminosic is working from the bottom.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sminosic is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Axe is controlling him.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Zombo Axe.
Sminosic swinging wildly here.
Axe throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sminosic.
Sminosic misses with a double jab
letting Axe counter with a right hand.
Sminosic swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Axe counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Axe has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Sminosic is breathing heavily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sminosic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Axe shoots in but Sminosic avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sminosic misses with a series of wild punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zombo Axe dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Axe slips under a jab from Sminosic.
Sminosic throws a nice looking combination but Axe bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Axe cracks Sminosic with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Sloppy strikes from Sminosic. Those never looked like landing.
A punch combination from Sminosic misses.
Sminosic throws a right hand that Axe ducks under and follows up with a left that Axe also avoids with ease.
Sminosic throws a left and a right that both miss
and Axe makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Sminosic misses with a double jab
and Axe counters with a thumping low kick.
Sminosic swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Axe counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sminosic throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Axe counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sminosic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Axe counters with a nice low kick that buckles Sminosic's knee momentarily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Axe misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sminosic rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Axe moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Good leg kick by Axe there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Axe throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sminosic leaves Axe with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Axe shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sminosic as he jumps to the side.
Axe shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sminosic defends it nicely.
Piotr Sminosic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zombo Axe.
Axe lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Sminosic swinging wildly here.
Axe misses with a jab, cross combination.
Axe ducks right into an uppercut from Sminosic.
Sminosic misses with a double jab
and Axe counters with an inside leg kick.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Axe. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Axe jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sminosic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Axe takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Zombo Axe seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sminosic walks into a jab.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Axe lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Axe landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Sminosic looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Sminosic is looking to break free of the clinch but Axe has double underhooks.

Sminosic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sminosic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sminosic throws a left and a right that both miss
and Axe counters with a left and a right that stings Sminosic.
Axe tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sminosic swivels and escapes.
Sminosic lands a jab-cross combination.
Sminosic throws a combination that misses

and Axe counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Axe.
Sminosic is trying to force a seperation but Axe has the dominant position.

Axe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A punch combination from Sminosic misses.
Sminosic throws a right and a left that both miss.
Axe lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sminosic at a distance.
Sminosic throws a series of punches but Axe avoids them all with ease.
Axe lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sminosic fails to land with a series of punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A punch combination from Sminosic misses.
Piotr Sminosic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Axe with a hook.
Axe misses with a two punch combination.
Axe connects with the punch.
Sminosic moves out of range as Axe strikes.
Axe lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Axe.
Sminosic looks to land a combination but Axe avoids it well.
Axe dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sminosic swinging wildly here.

Axe rushes Sminosic and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Axe has Sminosic pushed against the cage.
Sminosic is trying to push Axe away but Axe has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zombo Axe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Axe shoots in and drives through. Sminosic sprawls well.
Sminosic lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Sminosic misses with a jab, cross combination.
Axe drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Sminosic looks to land a combination but Axe avoids it well.
Axe loads up on a big right hand but Sminosic slips the punch.
Sminosic misses with a combination
and Axe cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Axe throws a jab but it's blocked by Sminosic.
Sminosic misses with a two punch combination.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Sminosic, as that shot connected.
Sminosic misses with a double jab
letting Axe counter with a right hand.
Axe chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sminosic throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Sminosic takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Axe fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sminosic avoids it really well and circles away.
Axe connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Axe moves out of range as Sminosic strikes.
Axe looks to land a left hand but Sminosic moved out of range nicely.
Axe is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sminosic.
A punch combination from Sminosic misses.
Axe staying out of range there.
Sminosic throws a left and a right that both miss
and Axe counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Axe fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Axe lands with a nice body punch.
A nice inside leg kick there by Axe. That's going to slow Sminosic down.
Axe fails in his attempt to clinch.
A cross from Axe lands.
Sminosic misses with a looping left.
Sloppy strikes from Sminosic. Those never looked like landing.

Axe fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sminosic, pushing him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Axe manages to break the clinch.
Sminosic rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Axe moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sminosic avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sminosic misses with a right hand
and Axe counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sminosic takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Axe moves into the clinch successfully.
Axe just leaning against Sminosic, taking a breather.
Axe tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Sminosic tries to break free but Axe pushes him back against the cage.
Axe lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Axe.
Axe stalling in the clinch but Sminosic improves position.
Sminosic struggles to land a body shot inside as Axe controls his hands.

Axe breaks from the clinch.
Sminosic is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Sminosic misses with a series of wild punches.
Sminosic throws a series of punches but Axe avoids them all with ease.
Nice defenses there by Sminosic.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sminosic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Axe with a jab.
Sminosic misses with a combination
and Axe makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Sminosic is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Sminosic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Axe fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Piotr Sminosic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zombo Axe.
Axe showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sminosic.
Axe moves in looking to clinch but Sminosic pushes him off.
Sminosic misses with a two punch combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A punch combination from Sminosic misses.

Axe gets a double leg takedown into Sminosic's guard.
Axe wants to control from the top but Sminosic keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zombo Axe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Axe 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zombo Axe!