PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Vedad Zilic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Zilic
vs
Smith

175 cm
23
170 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

187 cm
22
172 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vedad Zilic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Frank Smith!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Tiny Johnson and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Zilic. No joy for Smith on that attempt.

Smith scores with a takedown into Zilic's guard.
Zilic might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Zilic keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.

Zilic working for submissions but it's allowed Smith to get to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Zilic manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Smith is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Zilic is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Zilic has escaped and now he's on top!
Smith 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.

Smith kicks Zilic off and gets to his feet.
Frank Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fighters circling - Smith throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zilic tries to clinch there but Smith circles away.
Zilic keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A punch combination from Smith misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Zilic moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
Smith will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Vedad Zilic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Smith.

Smith shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Zilic is breathing heavily.

Zilic pushes Smith off and gets back to his feet.

Smith moves into range and clinches up with Zilic.

Smith works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Smith looking to sit in guard and control but Zilic gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Zilic not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zilic is one step ahead there.

Smith pushes Zilic off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Zilic tries to keep at a distance but Smith has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
Smith stuffs the takedown attempt from Zilic. Zilic gets slowly back to his feet.
Zilic takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Smith tries for a takedown but Zilic circles away easily

and Zilic counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Zilic.

Zilic avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Smith is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Smith dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Smith fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Smith looks for a takedown but Zilic sprawls well.
A leg kick checked by Zilic.
Smith uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Zilic has time to react.
Smith misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith tries to clinch up but Zilic circles away and keeps his distance.

Zilic looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Zilic prevents Smith from standing back up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith wants to get back to full guard but Zilic has passed into side control.
Smith is working to get back to half guard.

Zilic stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Zilic circles away from the clinch attempt.
Smith throws a series of punches but Zilic avoids them all with ease.
Vedad Zilic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Smith throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Zilic fails with the takedown.
Smith doesn't manage to clinch there - Zilic circles away.
Smith throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zilic.
Smith shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Zilic counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Zilic.
Vedad Zilic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Smith.
Zilic wants to pass the guard but Smith is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith looking to control.
Zilic wants to stand and escape but instead Smith has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Smith gets to his feet. Zilic looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Smith looks to clinch

and Zilic counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Zilic.
Smith wants to get back to his feet but Zilic is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zilic passes into half guard.

Zilic postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Smith to stand up.
Zilic defending well as Smith loads up on a big left hand.
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.
Smith moves in looking to clinch but Zilic pushes him off.
Zilic has his takedown stuffed
letting Smith counter with a right hand.
Smith throws a predictable looking body shot

and Zilic counters with a nice double leg into side control. Smith won't be happy with that.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vedad Zilic dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Smith shoots and misses

and Zilic counters with a shoot takedown. Smith fights it but they end up in guard.
Smith wants to stand up but Zilic is controlling him.
Smith can't keep his opponent in guard - Zilic advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Smith kicks off Zilic and gets to his feet.

Smith scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Smith is just content to waste time from the top position. Zilic takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Smith passes into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith stops Zilic from getting back to his feet.
Zilic wants to get back to full guard but Smith has mounted him!

Smith stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Zilic closes the distance and clinches up with Smith, looking for a takedown. Zilic pushes Smith against the cage but Smith circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch but Zilic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Smith swings for the body but Zilic moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Smith throws a right hand that Zilic ducks under and follows up with a left that Zilic also avoids with ease.

Smith looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Zilic!

Smith swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Zilic is now in Smith's guard. A big mistake from Smith there, giving up the dominant position!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith 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 pulls Zilic in close to his closed guard and prevents Zilic from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zilic wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
Smith is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Smith thows a huge punch but Zilic dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Smith wants to take a breather but Zilic is having none of it.

Smith stands up out of the half guard.
Zilic moves out of range of the body kick from Smith.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt

and Zilic counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Zilic.
Vedad Zilic overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Zilic drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Smith manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Zilic has Smith in his guard.
Zilic keeping full guard, as Smith tries to pass.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Frank Smith.
I think Smith 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank Smith!