PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bruce Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vadim Nazarov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nazarov has chosen "Fade to Black" by Metallica as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Smith
vs
Nazarov

180 cm
21
190 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

187 cm
23
195 lbs
7 - 4 - 2

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bruce Smith!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vadim Nazarov!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Alan Glass and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circling - Nazarov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nazarov thows a body shot but no joy.
Smith dodges the punch combination from Nazarov.
Nazarov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Smith can pounce on him.
Nazarov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smith.
Nazarov looks to land a right hand but Smith moved out of range.
Smith connects with a high kick.
Nazarov misses with a straight left.
Smith swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Nazarov misses the jab.
Smith ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nazarov throws a predictable looking body shot
and Smith counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Smith lands a head kick!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A head kick misses from Smith.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nazarov shoots for a double leg takedown but Smith sprawls well. He's pushed Nazarov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nazarov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nazarov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Smith on the side of the head.
Nazarov cracks Smith with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nazarov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Vadim Nazarov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Nazarov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Smith!
Nazarov landing a few strikes.
Nazarov wants to take a breather but Smith manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Nazarov.
Nazarov looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nazarov is one step ahead there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nazarov is looking to work some ground and pound but Smith has wrist control.
Nazarov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Smith works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nazarov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Nazarov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Nazarov throwing strikes from guard but Smith blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov tries to free his leg and advance position but Smith is retaining full guard.
Nazarov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Nazarov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Smith works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Smith trying to control the position.
Smith looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nazarov is one step ahead there.
Smith preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Nazarov from controlling successfully.
Smith trying to control the position here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Smith manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Nazarov manages to get himself to full guard.
Smith is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nazarov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vadim Nazarov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Nazarov works the jab nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smith. Nazarov does a little dance to reset his feet.

Smith gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Smith fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Bruce Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nazarov misses with a jab to the body
and Smith counters with a nice kick to the body.
Nazarov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nazarov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Smith swivels and escapes.
Nazarov scores with a nice strike.
Smith misses with a body kick.
Smith wants to slow Nazarov down by chopping away at his legs.
Smith is looking to score with low kicks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Nazarov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Smith's half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Nazarov slows the pace down in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nazarov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nazarov trying to control from Smith's half guard. Smith has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Nazarov throwing strikes from guard but Smith blocks nicely.
Nazarov stops Smith from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov stands and throws Smith's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Smith managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Nazarov.
Nazarov is looking to take a break and control but Smith is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nazarov is putting a hurting on Smith here, landing some big shots from side control.
Nazarov throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Nazarov working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Smith keeps working.
Smith takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Smith is trying to improve his position.
Nazarov scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Smith to see if he's OK.
Nazarov working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Nazarov creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Smith sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
The strikes coming from Nazarov are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Nazarov working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nazarov controlling the position from side mount.
Nazarov trying to control the action but Smith is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vadim Nazarov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Nazarov scores with a nice right hand.
Nazarov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Nazarov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smith.
Nazarov shoots in for a takedown but Smith shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nazarov misses with a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nazarov. Smith does a little dance to reset his feet.
Smith takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A good leg kick by Smith.
Smith tries a low kick but Nazarov avoids it.
Nazarov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Nazarov throws a jab when Smith was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nazarov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nazarov avoids the head kick by Smith.
Nazarov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Smith wants to land a leg kick but Nazarov is out of range.
Nazarov takes one to the side of the head.
Smith lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Smith throws a chopping leg kick but Nazarov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Smith avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nazarov is defended easily by Smith.
Nice defenses there by Smith.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a head kick but Nazarov moves out of range.
Smith connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A decent looking cross lands there for Nazarov.
Nazarov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Bruce Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vadim Nazarov.
Some bone on bone action there as Nazarov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Nazarov misses the shot to the body.
Nazarov takes a swing at Smith's ribcage but misses.
Smith tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nazarov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nazarov thows a body shot but no joy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Smith, right into the meat.
Bruce Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nazarov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Smith cracks the inside of Nazarov's front leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith connects with a leg kick. Nazarov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Nazarov looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.
Smith throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Smith takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Nazarov closes the distance and clinches up with Smith, looking for a takedown. Nazarov pushes Smith against the cage but Smith circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Smith throws out a powerful jab.
Smith tries to score with a low kick but Nazarov moves his leg out of the way.
Nazarov works Smith's body with a nice hook.

Smith moves into the clinch.
Nazarov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Nazarov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nazarov throws a punch but it's blocked by Smith.
Smith taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nazarov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nazarov throws a punch but it's blocked by Smith.
Nazarov scores with a shot to the side of Smith's head.
Nazarov tries a body shot but Smith blocks it.
Smith lands a hook that snaps the head of Nazarov backwards.
Nazarov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nazarov lands a shot to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Smith cracks Nazarov with a nice body shot.
Bruce Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nazarov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Vadim Nazarov.
I've got Nazarov 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vadim Nazarov!
Vadim Nazarov is the new middleweight champion!
A victorious Vadim Nazarov thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.