PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jim Smithers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akira Kazama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smithers comes to the cage accompanied by Metallica - No Leaf Clover. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Smithers
vs
Kazama

190 cm
23
175 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

180 cm
22
177 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Non-Stop Nutrition

Team S.W.A.T.

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jim Smithers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Akira Kazama!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Yves DeLean and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kazama throws a body punch but Smithers moves out of range.
Kazama keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nice sprawl there from Kazama as Smithers shoots in.
Kazama misses with a looping right.
Smithers bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kazama.
Smithers is looking to reverse the position.
Smithers prevents Kazama from moving into mount.
Smithers tries to bench press Kazama off him but Kazama keeps the position.
Smithers sneaks back into half guard.
Smithers tries to roll over but Kazama keeps him under control.
Smithers is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smithers is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Kazama pulls his head out easily.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Smithers gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kazama counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jim Smithers. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smithers doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Kazama counter with a right hand.
Smithers fails with the takedown
and Kazama counters with a stiff right hand.
Smithers misses with a takedown attempt
and Kazama counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Smithers is breathing heavily.
Kazama throws a one two combo.
Jim Smithers seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kazama just misses with a punch to the body.
Smithers slips a straight right by Kazama.
Smithers shoots and misses

and Kazama counters with a takedown into side control.
Smithers tries to buck Kazama off but Kazama is having none of it.
Kazama taking a breather here.
Smithers is looking to regain half guard here but Kazama keeps moving and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smithers wants to control but Kazama postures up.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Smithers is not content to let Kazama control the position.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Smithers is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Kazama is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Smithers is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kazama sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Smithers tries to reverse the position but Kazama maintains control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kazama trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Smithers is trying to escape the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kazama lands a nice hook to Smithers's body. Smithers takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A lazy left from Kazama finds it's target.

Smithers shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Smithers throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Kazama because Smithers loaded up on that one.

Smithers goes for an armbar but Kazama turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Kazama.

Smithers throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kazama has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Smithers is proving hard to escape from.

Smithers looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Kazama has picked Smithers up and slammed him! Smithers can't keep hold of the triangle and Kazama manages to pass to side control!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Smithers tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazama landing strikes.
Kazama working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Smithers tries to bench press Kazama off him but Kazama keeps the position.
Smithers is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Kazama is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Smithers is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Kazama looking to control and managing it successfully.
Smithers tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kazama content just to control the position here.
Smithers is looking to get to half guard.
Kazama takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Kazama trying to control but Smithers is having none of it.
Smithers keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smithers regains half guard.
Smithers is trying to maintain the position but Kazama is very close to passing his half guard.
Smithers tries to roll over but Kazama keeps him under control.
Smithers makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Smithers.

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.
Kazama trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Smithers is looking for a triangle here but Kazama uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Kazama trying to control the action but Smithers is working from the bottom.
Kazama is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Akira Kazama will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Smithers shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kazama counters with a three punch combo that has Smithers backing up. Smithers nods at Kazama to acknowledge the strikes.
Smithers fails with the takedown
and Kazama cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Smithers fails with the takedown
and Kazama counters with a nice body shot.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jim Smithers. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smithers shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kazama counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd cheers as Smithers lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kazama doesn't seem phased though.
Smithers shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Kazama decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Smithers's guard.
Akira Kazama has got the better of the ground game so far.
Smithers has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Kazama has passed into side control.
Kazama controlling the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smithers tries to improve position but can't.
Kazama is looking to take a break and control but Smithers is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Smithers takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Smithers is trying to get back to half guard.
Kazama is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Smithers's shoulder. That is not cool.
Smithers is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kazama cracks Smithers with a big elbow.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Smithers tries for a takedown but Kazama circles away easily
and Kazama counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Smithers shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kazama counters with a left and a right that stings Smithers.
Kazama thows a body shot but no joy.
Smithers with a lazy takedown attempt

and Kazama counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Kazama sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Smithers's guard.
Kazama landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kazama prevents Smithers from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazama is controlling the pace.
Smithers is looking to improve his position.
Kazama wants to take a breather but Smithers is having none of it.
Kazama prevents Smithers from improving his position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Smithers has his takedown stuffed
and Kazama counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Smithers shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Kazama throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Smithers stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kazama swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kazama looking to control.
Smithers passes Kazama's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Smithers is looking for a kimura but Kazama is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Smithers to get the leverage.
Smithers wants to pass the guard but Kazama is defending well.
Jim Smithers has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kazama works his way to full guard. Good work.
Smithers tries to free his leg and advance position but Kazama is retaining full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Akira Kazama comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kazama 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akira Kazama!