PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ruslan Smirnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Torello (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ruslan Smirnov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to James Torello's chin.

Smirnov
vs
Torello

167 cm
32
142 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

168 cm
24
138 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
KO power

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Sport Support

DJs Locker

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ruslan Smirnov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, James Torello!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Torello throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Torello throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Smirnov closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Torello to the mat! Torello manages to get full guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Smirnov trying to control but Torello is working from the bottom.
Torello is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Torello avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Torello keeping moving, preventing Smirnov from controlling successfully.
Smirnov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Smirnov trying to control but Torello is working from the bottom.
Smirnov postures up.
Torello keeping full guard, as Smirnov tries to pass.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Smirnov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Torello.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Torello lands a nice looking body shot.

Torello gets caught napping as Smirnov dives in and scores a takedown. Torello manages to retain guard.
Torello trying to keep a closed guard but Smirnov is proving a slippery customer.
Torello 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.
Torello pulls Smirnov in close to prevent any damage.
Smirnov won't allow Torello to sweep him here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Torello has Smirnov pulled in close to control his posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by James Torello.
Torello connects with a body shot that sends Smirnov's belly button to the back.

Smirnov drives through with a takedown into Torello's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smirnov looking to pass the guard.
Torello is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Smirnov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Torello's guard.
Smirnov content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Smirnov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Torello defends it well.

Torello is defending against the submission attempts here by Smirnov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Torello wants to improve his position but Smirnov is controlling well.
Smirnov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Torello does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Smirnov wants to work for an arm triangle but Torello is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Torello is trying to get back to full guard.
Torello trying to control from the bottom.
Smirnov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Torello does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Torello makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Torello connects with a body shot that sends Smirnov's belly button to the back.
Torello moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Torello jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Smirnov moves out of range of the strikes.
Smirnov shoots in looking for a takedown. Torello tries to sprawl out of it but Smirnov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Torello manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A chopping leg kick lands by Torello.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Torello scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Smirnov doesn't seem bothered though.
Torello displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Smirnov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but James Torello will probably get the nod.
That's time! Smirnov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Smirnov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Torello.
Torello wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Smirnov fails with a takedown attempt.
Smirnov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A bone on bone clash there as Smirnov blocks the leg kick.
Torello lands a head shot.
Torello connects with a body shot.
Smirnov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Smirnov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Torello scores with a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Torello paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Torello uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Smirnov has time to react.
Torello lands a nice shot that snaps Smirnov's head back.
Torello throws a good cross that connects.
Torello lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A nice leg kick lands there from Torello.
James Torello seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A looping hook to the body misses from Torello. Smirnov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Smirnov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Torello throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
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!
Smirnov checks the leg kick.
Torello throws a series of punches but Smirnov moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Torello cracks a nice hook into Smirnov's ribs.
Torello thuds his right hand into Smirnov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Torello swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Torello.
Torello connects with a nice looking jab.
Torello moves into range and connects with a jab.
Smirnov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Torello.
Jab, jab by Torello - just one landing.
Torello bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Smirnov's head.

Smirnov is rocked!
A nice inside leg kick there by Torello. That's going to slow Smirnov down.
Torello feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Smirnov's calf.
Torello lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov tries for a takedown but Torello sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Torello connects with a single shot there.
Smirnov avoids the body shot from Torello.
Smirnov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Smirnov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Torello connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Torello takes a swing at Smirnov's ribcage but misses.
Smirnov shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruslan Smirnov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Torello fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Smirnov manages to avoid it.
Smirnov walks into a straight right hand from Torello.
Torello scores with a body shot.
Torello takes a swing at Smirnov's ribcage but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Torello moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Torello lands with a hook. Smirnov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Oh Smirnov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Torello throws a quick inside leg kick.
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!
Smirnov blocks a head kick by Torello.
Smirnov seems to have got his legs back now.
James Torello is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Smirnov shoots in for a takedown but Torello shows good takedown defense.
Torello looks to score with a jab to the body but Smirnov is just out of range.

Smirnov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Torello's guard.
Torello keeping moving, preventing Smirnov from controlling successfully.
Torello is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Torello decides to stand and escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Torello showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Torello scores with the left hand. Smirnov knows he should have avoided that one.
Torello lands with a cross.
Torello stuffs the takedown.
Torello lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Torello fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Smirnov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Torello defends it nicely.
Torello throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Smirnov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Torello tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Smirnov is in Torello's guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Torello holds on and takes a little breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov wants to pass the guard but Torello is keeping the position.
Smirnov prevents Torello from getting back to his feet.
Torello has Smirnov pulled in close to control his posture.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Torello is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Smirnov is trying to maintain the position but Torello is very close to passing his half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smirnov gets back to full guard.

Smirnov isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Torello stacks Smirnov on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Torello!
Ruslan Smirnov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Torello lands a decent elbow from side control.

Torello stands up.
Smirnov fails with an attempt to clinch.
A solid leg kick lands there for Torello.
Torello throws a body punch but Smirnov moves out of range.
Torello with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smirnov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A jab from Torello finds it's way through Smirnov's defenses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Torello.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Smirnov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruslan Smirnov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Torello leaves Smirnov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
James Torello seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Torello scores with the left hand. Smirnov knows he should have avoided that one.
Torello dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
James Torello is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Torello throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Torello jabs Smirnov right on the nose. Smirnov blinks but takes it well.
A good leg kick by Torello.
Torello connects with a high kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Torello there.
Torello fakes the leg kick and cracks Smirnov in the body.
Torello leaves Smirnov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Torello fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Smirnov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Torello cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Torello lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Torello lands a jab to the head.
Torello lands a jab to Smirnov's midsection.
Smirnov on the wrong end of a nice jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Torello comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Torello winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Torello!
A victorious James Torello thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.