PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Arthur Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ali Booyakasha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Booyakasha's choice of entrance music: Original Nuttah. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Smith
vs
Booyakasha

187 cm
19
220 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
19
215 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Arthur Smith !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ali Booyakasha!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Yves DeLean and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Booyakasha misses with a looping right.
Booyakasha's coach down at Cutthroat was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Booyakasha's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Smith uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Booyakasha.
Smith throws a front kick aimed at Booyakasha's knee but Booyakasha avoids it well.
Booyakasha misses with a hook
and Smith counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Booyakasha avoids the head kick by Smith .
Both fighters circling a little - Smith finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Booyakasha scores with a jab to the head.
Booyakasha misses with a wild body shot.
Booyakasha keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
An inside leg kick from Smith misses.
Booyakasha misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smith .

Booyakasha has Smith up against the cage in a clinch.
Booyakasha lands with a left to the head.
Booyakasha tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Booyakasha digs a right hand underneath Smith 's ribcage. Smith let out a lung full of air as it connected.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Booyakasha tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Booyakasha can't find room to land a body shot as Smith controls the action.
Booyakasha takes a shot to the head.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Smith blocks an uppercut.
Booyakasha tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Smith 's elbow.
A head punch on the inside from Booyakasha fails to land.
Booyakasha lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Booyakasha can't find room to land a body shot as Smith controls the action.
Smith prevents a body shot from Booyakasha.
Booyakasha goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Booyakasha.
Smith lands a right hand that snaps the head of Booyakasha backwards.
Booyakasha tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Smith 's elbow.
Booyakasha has a couple of punches blocked by Smith .
Booyakasha tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Smith 's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A hook to the body from Booyakasha.
Booyakasha fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Booyakasha.
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!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smith .
Booyakasha stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Booyakasha misses with a short punch on the inside.
Booyakasha swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Booyakasha lands a shoulder strike.
Booyakasha blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Booyakasha scores with a hook to the body.
A hook to the body from Booyakasha.
Smith throws a head punch that misses.
Booyakasha lands a shot to the body.

Booyakasha is fighting off a takedown attempt but Smith is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Booyakasha to the mat. Booyakasha regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Booyakasha is trying to keep Smith in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith trying to control but Booyakasha is working from the bottom.
Smith trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Booyakasha looking to control.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Ali Booyakasha wasn't active enough on the ground.
Smith takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Booyakasha lands a lovely overhand right.
Smith with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith avoids the body shot from Booyakasha.
Ali Booyakasha is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Smith takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Smith throws a low kick but Booyakasha avoids it.
Smith misses with a leg kick.
Smith blocks a head kick by Booyakasha.
Smith throws a body kick that misses.
Smith takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Booyakasha stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Booyakasha clobbers Smith with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Nice defenses there by Smith .
A telegraphed right hand from Booyakasha misses the target.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Smith slips a straight right by Booyakasha.
The fight stays on the outside here - Booyakasha looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Smith throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Booyakasha waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Smith .
Booyakasha loads up on a big right hand but Smith slips the punch.
Booyakasha lands a slapping body shot.
Smith takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Smith tries for a takedown but Booyakasha sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Smith uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Booyakasha.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Booyakasha lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Smith has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Smith and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Booyakasha fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Smith manages to avoid it.
Smith avoids the body shot from Booyakasha.
Smith keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Smith tries a head kick but it misses.
Smith moves out of range as Booyakasha strikes.
Smith throws out a leg kick but Booyakasha moves out of range and Smith only half commits.
Smith definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Smith changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Booyakasha tries to avoid it but Smith manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Booyakasha to the ground. Booyakasha escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Booyakasha misses with a low kick as Smith jumps back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Booyakasha fails in his attempt to clinch.
Booyakasha is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Smith .
Donk. Booyakasha catches Smith right on the button with a cross.

Booyakasha moves into the clinch successfully.
Booyakasha goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Booyakasha working aggressively here.
Booyakasha lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ali Booyakasha seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smith .

Smith gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Smith perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Smith thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Booyakasha's head.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Booyakasha can do anything to dispel that myth.
Smith thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Smith takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Booyakasha 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.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Smith seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Booyakasha for as long as he can get away with.

We're going to have a standup here because Arthur Smith wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Smith looks for the body kick but Booyakasha saw that one coming.
Smith avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Booyakasha throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Booyakasha blocks the body kick.
Smith takes a jab right on the kisser.
Booyakasha keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Booyakasha misses with a straight left.

Booyakasha moves into range and clinches up with Smith .
Booyakasha tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Smith 's elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Booyakasha throws a punch but it's blocked by Smith .
A short right from Booyakasha on the inside.
Booyakasha lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Booyakasha fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Booyakasha.
Booyakasha lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Booyakasha throws a head punch that misses.
Smith avoids a wild elbow strike from Booyakasha.
Booyakasha lands a nice uppercut.
Smith blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Booyakasha tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Booyakasha throws a head punch that misses.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Booyakasha throws a body punch but Smith moves out of range.
Smith throws the kick towards the body but Booyakasha avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Booyakasha misses with an uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Booyakasha feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Smith s jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Smith moves out of range as Booyakasha strikes.
Booyakasha misses with a right hand

and Smith counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Booyakasha!
Smith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Booyakasha keeps working.
Smith in side control, throwing shots but Booyakasha defends.
Smith scoring with punches and elbows.
Smith 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.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Smith is looking to take a break and control but Booyakasha is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Booyakasha seems a little lost for a moment, as Smith dominates the positioning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ali Booyakasha showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Booyakasha swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Smith counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Smith controls from within his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Booyakasha keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Arthur Smith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Smith stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Booyakasha swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Smith is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Arthur Smith .
Booyakasha pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith throws a front kick that sends Booyakasha stumbling back into the cage.
A slapping leg kick lands for Smith .
Smith throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Booyakasha connects with a nice looking jab.
Smith throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Booyakasha stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Smith moves away from the strike by Booyakasha.
Booyakasha tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
Smith lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ali Booyakasha seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Smith misses with a leg kick.
Smith on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ali Booyakasha seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith moves out of range of the strikes.
Booyakasha scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Arthur Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Booyakasha just misses with a punch to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Booyakasha. Smith does a little dance to reset his feet.
Booyakasha swings for the body but Smith moves out of range.
Booyakasha swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Booyakasha scores with a jab to the body.
Booyakasha cracks Smith with a right hand to the side of the head.
Smith ducks right into an uppercut from Booyakasha.
Booyakasha tests Smith 's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Smith moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Booyakasha throws out a loose jab but Smith uses good head movement to avoid it.
Booyakasha's jab looks to have found its range, popping Smith under the eye.
A solid leg kick lands there for Smith .

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Booyakasha misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smith .
Smith takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Booyakasha throws an overhand right that lands on Smith 's shoulder, as Smith tries to avoid the shot.
Booyakasha ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smith moves away.
Booyakasha throws a lazy uppercut
and Smith counters with a nice low kick that buckles Booyakasha's knee momentarily.
Booyakasha throws a hook to the side of Smith 's head but Smith sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Smith throws a head kick that Booyakasha semi-blocks.
Booyakasha swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Smith takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Booyakasha avoids the head kick by Smith .
Booyakasha swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Booyakasha scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Smith doesn't seem bothered though.
Smith moves out of range of the body kick.
Booyakasha comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Booyakasha. Smith does a little dance to reset his feet.
Booyakasha misses with a leg kick
and Smith counters with an inside leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smith cracks Booyakasha with a right hand to the side of the head.
Smith shoots in looking for a takedown but Booyakasha manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Smith 's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Booyakasha throws a lazy right hand but Smith sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Smith throws an overhand right that lands on Booyakasha's shoulder, as Booyakasha tries to avoid the shot.
A chopping leg kick lands by Smith .
Booyakasha pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Booyakasha connects with a single shot there.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Booyakasha throws a head punch that misses.
Smith throws a head punch that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Arthur Smith .
I think Booyakasha 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 28:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:30
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ali Booyakasha!
An out of breath Ali Booyakasha thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.