PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dan Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Helio James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James has chosen Limp Bizkit Eat You Alive as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Smith
vs
James

182 cm
34
197 lbs
19 - 9 - 0

190 cm
34
197 lbs
26 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc
Hell's Balls Recovery (160)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dan Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Helio James!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Andrew Berry and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but James moves away.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch up but James swats him away and circles back towards the center.
James lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

It looks like Dan Smith has been cut.
James moves out of range as Smith strikes.
Smith misses with a hook.
Smith with a nice cross.
James fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Smith manages to avoid it.
James scores with a kick to the midsection.
James throws a push kick but Smith slaps the foot to one side.
James scores with a shot to the body.
James lands a jab to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before James has time to react.
Smith ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
James lands with an uppercut that bounces Smith off the cage and back into range.
Decent striking displayed by James there.
James fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Smith avoids it really well and circles away.
James attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
James throws a leg kick but Smith sees it coming and checks it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James lands a nice looking body shot.
James takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Smith blocks the body kick.
James throws a big shot that misses.
A jab from Smith misses.
James ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
James uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Smith.
James shoots in for a takedown but Smith shows good takedown defense.
James will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
James ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Smith pushes James up against the cage in a clinch.
James pushes Smith back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
James blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smith.
James softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
James lands with a light punch inside.
Smith blocks a body shot from James.
Smith scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of James backwards.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, James creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
James throws a punch but it's blocked by Smith.
A short right from James.
Smith struggles to land a body shot inside as James controls his hands.
A short right from James on the inside.
James lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Smith.

James manages to break the clinch.
Smith throws a big shot that misses.
Smith misses with an uppercut. James saw that one coming.
James just misses with a punch to the body.
James bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Smith's head.
James swinging wildly here.
Smith on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Smith throws out a loose jab but James uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smith stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Smith wants it to stay on the feet.
Dan Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Helio James.
Smith moves away from the strike by James.
Smith misses with a straight left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Smith throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A slow jab from Smith misses its intended target.
James lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Smith at a distance.
Smith looks to score with a jab to the body but James is just out of range.
Smith throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nice takedown defense from Smith. No joy for James on that attempt.
Smith rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and James counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Smith's guard now.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
James trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
James trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
James might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Smith haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
James loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith keeping moving, preventing James from controlling successfully.
Smith controls James momentarily but James frees himself.
James controlling from the top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Helio James.
A telegraphed right hand from Smith misses the target.
James scores with a nice strike.
James keeps the fight on the outside.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
James thuds a left hand into Smith's body.
James scores with a spinning back kick!
James slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
James slips a straight right by Smith.
Smith misses with a wild combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Helio James dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dan Smith's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
James misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smith.
James just misses with a punch to the body.
Smith is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by James.

James drives through and clinches with Smith against the cage.
Smith blocks an uppercut.
James working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
James lands a shot to the body.
Smith has a couple of punches blocked by James.
A short right from James on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smith.
Smith lands with a left to the head.
Smith prevents a body shot from James.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Smith takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Smith is really struggling to find his range with his punches. James's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Smith throws a lazy uppercut

and James counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
James pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Smith is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Smith is looking to stand up but James isn't so interested in that idea.
James postures up in Smith's guard and throws a big left but Smith blocks it.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells James's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
James 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
James postures up.
Smith keeping full guard, as James tries to pass.
James has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
James content to stall in guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
James takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Smith looks to score with a jab to the body but James is just out of range.
Smith misses with a straight right.
Dan Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith misses with an uppercut.
Smith keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Dan Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Smith takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
James connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Smith tries to clinch up.
James lands with a nice body punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Smith takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
James closes the distance but Smith moves to the side
and Smith counters with a lovely straight right hand!
James displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Smith throws out the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James lands a right hook to the body.
James looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Smith takes a swing at James's ribcage but misses.
A swing and a miss from Smith.
James throws a quick inside leg kick.
James misses with a body shot
and Smith counters with a series of strikes. James will be more careful next time no doubt.
Smith connects with a looping right hand.
Nice shot lands for James.
James tries to clinch there but Smith circles away.
James will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
James is looking to slow Smith down with leg kicks.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but James paws at him with a jab and circles away.
James has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Smith moves into the clinch successfully.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
James goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Smith misses with a punch on the inside.
Smith cracks James with a nice body shot.
Smith gets through James's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Smith lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Smith struggles to land a body shot inside as James controls his hands.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Smith creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
James tries a body shot but Smith blocks it.
James lands a right hand that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
A left hand lands to the body for Smith.
Smith scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Smith lands with a left to the head.
Smith working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
James swings wildly with an uppercut but Smith uses good head movement to avoid it.
James swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Smith lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt James or not.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
James misses with a hook to the ribs.
Smith misses with a short punch on the inside.
Smith lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Nice body punch from Smith.
James is breathing heavily.
James tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Helio James will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Dan Smith's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

James takes one on the button.
Smith is looking to clinch.
Smith takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
James scores with a hook to the body. Smith takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
James on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Smith throws an uppercut from half a mile away. James sees it coming and avoids it easily.
James cracks Smith with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
James waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Smith.
Smith waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract James.
James takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A big left from Smith misses.
James cracks Smith with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Smith clinches up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
James goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
James tries to throw a body punch but Smith avoids it by throwing James back against the cage.
James's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
James lands an uppercut.
Smith blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith throws a punch but it's blocked by James.
Smith softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Helio James seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Smith throws an uppercut from half a mile away. James sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Smith throws a lazy right hand but James sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Smith tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but James was well out of range. Poor timing from Smith.
Smith throws a shot from downtown. James moves away and avoids it.
Smith is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Smith sizes up James with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Smith looks to land a left hand but James moved out of range nicely.
James walks into a jab.
Smith scores with a jab.
Smith throws a big shot that misses.
James lands with a nice body punch.
Smith misses with a looping right.
James ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smith moves away.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Smith moves into the clinch.
James misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Smith's elbow.
James misses with a body punch.
James struggles to land a body shot inside as Smith controls his hands.
James lands a nice uppercut.
Dan Smith has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Smith goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
James misses with a shot to the kidneys.
James prevents Smith from breaking the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from James.
Smith misses with the head strike.
James tries a body shot but Smith blocks it.
Smith tries a body shot but James blocks it.
A hook to the body from Smith.
Smith is leaning against James and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Smith blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Smith lands a shot to the body.
James takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Smith pushes James back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Smith lands with a short head shot on the inside.

James breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Smith coming out on top.
Smith keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
James takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Smith misses with a hook

and James counters with a nice double leg into side control. Smith won't be happy with that.
Smith dodges the ground and pound from James.
James wants to control but Smith is keeping him busy.
James working the ground and pound.
Sloppy strikes there by James.
Smith tries to get back to half guard but can't.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
James landing strikes.

James swings around for an armbar but Smith sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into James's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

James looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Smith passes into half guard.
Smith trying to pass the guard but James defending well.
Smith wants to get back to his feet.
James slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Dan Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Helio James has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
James manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Smith manages to get himself to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Dan Smith.
I think James 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Helio James!
Our winner, Helio James, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.