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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Martin Fitch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Laurence Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smith comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Sick Puppies - Cancer kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Martin Fitch has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
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| 165 cm
26
152 lbs
6 - 0 - 0 |
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168 cm
26
145 lbs
7 - 2 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Experienced |
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BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Martin Fitch!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Laurence Smith!
The judges for this bout are , and .
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith closes the distance and clinches.
Smith lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Fitch has Smith pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Smith manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Smith stalling.
Smith gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Fitch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fitch.
Smith doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A nice right hand lands inside from Smith.
Fitch breaks the clinch.
Fitch manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Smith on his heels. He'll look to pass Smith's guard now, I'm sure.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Fitch accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Fitch wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
Smith really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Fitch. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith trying to keep a closed guard but Fitch is proving a slippery customer.
Fitch missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Fitch missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Fitch is looking to work some ground and pound but Smith has wrist control.
Fitch trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fitch has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Fitch loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Fitch is looking to work some ground and pound but Smith has wrist control.
Fitch throws a big right hand that misses.
Smith trying to keep a closed guard but Fitch is proving a slippery customer.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Fitch!
Fitch tries to hold on but Smith pushes him away.
Fitch really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Smith controlling from the full mount.
Fitch tries to hold on but Smith pushes him away.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitch is looking to get to half guard.
Smith wants to control the pace but Fitch is squirming around nicely.
Smith prevents Fitch from getting the reversal.
Smith tries to control but Fitch wriggling away.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitch is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Fitch tries to lock up and control but Smith gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Smith looking to control but Fitch is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fitch gets back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Martin Fitch will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Fitch shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Fitch was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Smith tries to bench press Fitch off him but Fitch keeps the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fitch works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Fitch misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Smith is not content to let Fitch control the position.
Fitch throws an elbow but Smith slips to the side and avoids it well.
Fitch working the ground and pound but Smith is defending the strikes.
We've been informed that Smith has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Smith taking punishment in the form of punches.
Fitch misses with the ground and pound.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitch fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Fitch working the ground and pound but Smith is defending the strikes.
Fitch working away.
Fitch working the head and body with strikes.
Fitch with the ground and pound but Smith regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Smith is doing well to control the position and prevent Fitch from advancing to side control.
Fitch is keen to just control but Smith is a slippery customer.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Fitch lands a nice short elbow.
Fitch misses with a head shot. Smith uses the momentum to regain guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitch pushes down on Smith's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Smith is not content to let Fitch control the position.
Fitch stalling away here and it's allowed Smith to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Fitch won't allow Smith to sweep him here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fitch loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Fitch with a flurry of punches that miss.
Smith preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith controls Fitch momentarily but Fitch frees himself.
Smith utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Fitch.
Smith preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Smith is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
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.
Fitch wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
Smith avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitch trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Fitch works over Smith with some ground and pound from guard.
Fitch throwing strikes from guard but Smith blocks nicely.
Smith wants to stand but Fitch is controlling the position.
Fitch throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Smith works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fitch working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Fitch connects with a couple of short punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Martin Fitch dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Fitch dives in for a single leg takedown but Smith sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
I was talking to Fitch's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Smith working aggressively here.
Fitch blocks an uppercut.
Smith throws a head punch that misses.
Smith makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Smith stalling in the clinch.
Smith misses with a punch on the inside.
Fitch tries to score a body lock takedown but Smith shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Smith lands a left hand.
Smith tries to throw a body punch but Fitch avoids it by throwing Smith back against the cage.
Fitch is trying to push Smith away but Smith has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Fitch blocks an uppercut.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitch is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Smith gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Martin Fitch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith looking to slow down the pace here.
Smith misses with some punches.
Smith lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Smith lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Fitch backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Smith.
Smith doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Smith lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Fitch backwards.
A nice left hand lands by Smith.
Smith gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Fitch.
A short right from Smith.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Smith.
Smith throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Fitch wants to break the clinch but can't.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith struggles to land a body shot inside as Fitch controls his hands.
Smith wants to stall.
Smith doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Smith misses with a hook to the ribs.
Smith tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Smith lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Fitch backwards.
Smith lands a right hand.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Smith on the inside.
A short uppercut from Smith.
Fitch is rocked!
Fitch is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Smith is keeping busy.
Smith misses with a punch to the body.
Fitch tries for a takedown but Smith manages to get underhooks.
Fitch blocking some punches.
Smith is trying to maintain a safe position but Fitch gets an underhook and turns Smith into the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Smith fails to land.
Smith lands a left hand that snaps the head of Fitch backwards.
Oh Fitch is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
It looks like Martin Fitch has been cut.
A head punch on the inside from Smith fails to land.
Fitch seems to have got his legs back now.
Smith lands a hook that snaps the head of Fitch backwards.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Smith lands a left hand.
Smith controlling the action here for a moment.
Smith tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Fitch blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Smith misses with a punch on the inside.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Smith lands with a left to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith stalling the fight.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Laurence Smith really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Martin Fitch's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!
Smith slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Smith thuds a left hand into Fitch's body.
Fitch fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Smith avoids it really well and circles away.
Smith throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Fitch on the side of the head.
Smith lands with a shot to the body.
Fitch shoots in for a double leg but Smith sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Smith is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith checks a low kick from Fitch.
The fighters circling - Smith throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Fitch shoots in for a takedown but Smith shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Martin Fitch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fitch paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Fitch shoots in and gets a takedown into Smith's guard.
Fitch trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Fitch missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Fitch throws a big elbow that misses.
Fitch looking to sit in guard and control but Smith gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Fitch managing to control the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref stands the fighters back up because Martin Fitch just wasn't active enough.
Smith misses with a looping right.
No luck for Fitch with that takedown attempt.
Fitch shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Smith defends it nicely.
Smith scores with a sloppy right hand. Fitch should have avoided that one.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitch feints and as Smith raises his hands in defense, Fitch changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fitch in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Fitch throws a strike but Smith rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Fitch 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.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fitch has his hands on Smith's head, controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Martin Fitch had his way with Laurence Smith in that round.
The cut man is working on Martin Fitch's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!
Smith fails with an attempt to clinch.
Fitch shoots in looking for a takedown. Smith tries to sprawl out of it but Fitch keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Smith manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Smith jabs Fitch right on the nose. Fitch blinks but takes it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitch has a takedown stuffed.
Smith missing with a left hand there. Fitch was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Laurence Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Smith cracks Fitch with an open hand slap.
Smith throws a series of punches but Fitch avoids them all with ease.
Fitch walks into a left hand.
Fitch takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Smith instigates a clinch.
Smith is working Fitch over against the cage.
Smith lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Laurence Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Martin Fitch is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Smith scores with a nice short uppercut.
Fitch wants to take the fight to the mat but Smith manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Martin Fitch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Fitch or not.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith scores with a shoulder strike.
Fitch fails to pull guard.
A head punch on the inside from Smith fails to land.
Smith tries to throw a body punch but Fitch avoids it by throwing Smith back against the cage.
Smith lands a nice shot to the body.
Smith misses with the head strike.
Smith lands a shoulder strike.
Smith misses with a hook to the ribs.
Smith lands a left hand that snaps the head of Fitch backwards.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Smith fails to land.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Smith lands with a short shot to the head.
Smith is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smith.
Smith throws a punch but it's blocked by Fitch.
Smith lands with a short shot to the head.
A short right from Smith.
A shot in the inside from Smith.
Fitch takes a shot to the head.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Smith.
Smith lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A right hand to the body from Smith.
Smith creates some distance for himselfand unleashes a massive uppercut that sends Fitch's eyes rolling into the back of his head! Fitch drops to his knees and Smith pours it on with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:26 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Laurence Smith!
Laurence Smith is the new featherweight champion!
Laurence Smith seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
82% |
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