PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tony Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrei Arlovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Arlovski has chosen Pitbull-dont stop the party as his entrance music. Andrei Arlovski is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Smith
vs
Arlovski

225 cm
22
250 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

193 cm
26
245 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Tony Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Andrei Arlovski!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Paul Gruel and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smith shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Smith was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Smith wants to stand but Arlovski is controlling his arm.
Smith taking a breather here.
Arlovski is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Smith tries to move to mount but Arlovski blocks the move with his legs.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Smith lands a big elbow.
Smith content just to control the position here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Smith controlling the pace for now.

Smith has hold of Arlovski's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Arlovski manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Arlovski wants to get back to his feet.
Smith manages to capitalize on a mistake by Arlovski to take his back!
Arlovski is trying to break free.

Smith is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Arlovski knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Arlovski for a finish.

Arlovski defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith not allowing Arlovski to control his hands.
Smith looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Smith has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The referee is taking a good look at Arlovski as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Smith!
Arlovski is trying to break free.
Good control from Smith.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Arlovski knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Arlovski for a finish.
Arlovski just trying to survive but Smith is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
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.

Smith is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Arlovski has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Smith is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Arlovski knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Arlovski for a finish.
Smith will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Arlovski just trying to survive but Smith is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith is trying to stick to Arlovski's back but Arlovski is turning into Smith. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Smith's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Arlovski.
Smith looking for a sweep. Not yet Smith, not yet.
Smith is working hard here to advance position.
Smith seems keen to control Arlovski's posture.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Smith is on top in guard.
Arlovski can't keep his opponent in guard - Smith advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Smith stops Arlovski from getting back to his feet.
Smith prevents Arlovski from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Smith dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Arlovski throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.

Smith fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Arlovski to the ground. Smith is now in Arlovski's guard.
Arlovski 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.
Smith 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.
Smith wants to stand but Arlovski has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Smith controlling from the top position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Smith is in close to Arlovski's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Smith advances position into side control!
Arlovski is looking to regain half guard here but Smith keeps moving and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith wants to stand but Arlovski has his arm trapped.
Tony Smith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Arlovski is trying to control Smith's posture but Smith avoids it.
Smith controlling the position from side mount.
Smith advances nicely into full mount.
Arlovski really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Smith. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Smith working Arlovski over with strikes here.
Smith is looking to stand but Smith has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Smith looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands a big shot there that rocks Arlovski but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Smith controlling from the full mount.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith avoids the attempt from Arlovski to control.
Smith content just to control the position here.
Smith seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Arlovski for as long as he can get away with.
Smith's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Smith pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith working for a submission but Arlovski is keeping him at bay.
Arlovski gets back to half guard.

Smith is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Smith thows a huge punch but Arlovski dodges it nicely.
Arlovski wants to improve his position but Smith is controlling well.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Smith lands a nice short elbow.
Smith looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Smith working over Arlovski with some ground and pound. Arlovski looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Smith is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Arlovski!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Smith tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Smith lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
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 controlling from mount.
Arlovski manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Smith keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Arlovski is trying to control but Smith passes into side control!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A lull in the action here as Smith stalls from top position.
Smith has knee on belly and moves into mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Smith dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Arlovski blocks a head kick by Smith.
Smith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Smith looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Smith lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Smith is pressing down on Arlovski's thigh, looking to free his foot. Arlovski is holding on for now.
Arlovski is trying to control but Smith passes into side control!
Arlovski can't do much from the bottom here.
Arlovski looking for a sweep but Smith has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Arlovski looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Arlovski's body.
Smith is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Arlovski can do to turn this around?
Smith scores with punches and elbows.
Arlovski tries to escape but Smith has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Smith has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Arlovski! Can he survive? No! He's out! Smith gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:51 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Tony Smith!