PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bruce Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jin Kim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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
Kim

180 cm
21
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

178 cm
21
180 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bruce Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jin Kim!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, George Francis and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smith clinches up with Kim and pushes him back against the ropes.
Our sources have told us that Smith has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
A frustrated look appears on Smith's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kim is looking for a takedown.
Kim tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Smith just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Smith lands a shot to the body.
Smith using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kim has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
Kim blocks the body kick.
Smith dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kim. That did some damage!
Kim's coach down at MMA Gods - 16 Elites! + Roger Gracie was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Kim's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Smith scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kim in his tracks.
Smith throws a head kick that misses
and Kim finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.

Smith instigates a clinch.
Smith misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kim.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kim blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Smith.
Kim tries to score a body lock takedown but Smith shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Bruce Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jin Kim.
Kim tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kim avoids it.
Smith tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Smith wants to get back to striking at distance but Kim won't allow it.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Smith moves into range and clinches up with Kim.
Smith tries a knee to the head but Kim blocks it.
Kim fails to pull guard.
The referee calls for Kim to work.
Smith trying to control the position but instead, Kim has worked for underhooks and has pushed Smith into the ropes.
Smith can't seem to implement his control oriented gameplan at the moment. That's no bad thing of course, for those of us who want to see a good fight.
Kim drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Smith gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Smith manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smith turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Smith swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kim throws a wild body kick that Smith sees coming a mile off.
Smith throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kim 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.
Kim goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kim throws a sloppy head kick and Smith moves out of range easily.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Smith pushes Kim up against the ropes in a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kim is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Kim avoiding damage as Smith throws knees to the body.
Smith pushes Kim back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Smith takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kim looking for a takedown.
Kim looking for a takedown.
Smith tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kim changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Smith fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Smith moves into range and clinches up with Kim.
Kim has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Smith after a bit of a struggle.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kim misses with a head kick.
Smith throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

It looks like Jin Kim has been cut.

Smith rushes Kim and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Kim wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Smith has him pressed against the ropes.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Kim manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Smith misses with a low kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kim throws a sloppy head kick and Smith moves out of range easily.
Smith moves out of range as Kim throws a body kick.
Kim gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Smith counters with a low kick, right behind Kim 's knee.
Smith misses with an attempted mid kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Smith.
Smith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Good work by Smith as he checks the leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Smith, right into the meat.
Smith blocks a head kick by Kim.
Smith misses with a low kick.
Smith fails in his attempt to clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Smith is looking to clinch but Kim is avoiding it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Smith.
Smith is looking to score with low kicks.
Smith throws a leg kick but Kim checks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Smith dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jin Kim's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Smith has taken the fight to the clinch.
Smith misses with a hook to the ribs.

Smith's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Smith has Kim up against the ropes in a clinch.
Smith avoids the elbow strike from Kim, against the ropes.
Smith tries to work over Kim's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kim is trying to force a seperation but Smith has the dominant position.

Kim breaks the clinch.
Smith connects with a leg kick. Kim looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Kim defending well as Smith loads up on a big left hand.

Smith has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kim blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
No joy there for Smith, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kim's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.
Bruce Smith has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kim is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.
Smith misses with a punch to the body.
Smith scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kim has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Smith after a bit of a struggle.
Smith lands with a right to the head.
Kim is trying to pull guard but Smith has him pressed against the ropes.
Bruce Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jin Kim.
Smith throws a punch but it's blocked by Kim.
Smith tries to break free but Kim pushes him back against the ropes.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Smith blocks a head kick by Kim.
Bruce Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
A lazy left from Smith finds it's target.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kim moves out of range of the body kick from Smith.
Smith tries to land a front kick but Kim steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Smith has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Kim tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kim tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Smith wants to clinch.
Smith is looking to clinch but Kim is avoiding it.
Smith avoids a kick to the body.
Smith finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A leg kick checked by Smith.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kim swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kim gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
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!
Kim moves out of range of the body kick from Smith.
Kim is looking to land body kicks.
Kim throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to clinch there but Kim circles away.
Smith misses with a body kick.
Smith wants to clinch up but Kim keeps it at a distance.
Smith doesn't manage to clinch there - Kim circles away.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kim 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.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kim swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Smith misses with a head kick.
Smith chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kim stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Smith is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kim lands a two punch combo.

Smith has closed the distance and engaged Kim in a clinch.
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!
Kim wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Smith has him pressed against the ropes.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kim wants to slow Smith down by chopping away at his legs.
Kim avoids the head kick by Smith.
Smith is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Smith lands a head kick!
Smith scores with a head kick. Kim tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

Smith moves into the clinch.
Smith pushes Kim back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The referee calls for Smith to work.
Smith working hard to break the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Smith stalling in the clinch but Kim improves position.
Smith seems a little flustered. He's come in with the intention of controlling the clinch but Kim is preventing him from doing so, at least for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Smith dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jin Kim's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Smith looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Smith buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Smith will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Smith scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kim is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A combination from Smith does no damage.
Kim looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Smith misses with a jab, cross combination.
Smith tries to work over Kim's front leg with a kick but Kim checks it.
Smith avoids the head kick by Kim.
Smith is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Smith wants to clinch up but Kim keeps it at a distance.
Kim misses with a kick to the body.
Bruce Smith is winning the standup battle so far.
Kim goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kim avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kim steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Smith. That one must have hurt.

Smith drives through and clinches with Kim against the ropes.
Smith is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kim can do to turn this around?
Smith looking to slow down the pace here.
Kim wants to take the fight to the mat but Smith manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
That kick from Smith tenderised Kim's leg. Kim is trying to keep his angry face on.
Smith is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Smith tries to clinch but Kim moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Smith looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kim pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kim throws a sloppy head kick and Smith moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kim scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Smith doesn't seem bothered though.
Bruce Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kim misses with a low kick.
Kim on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Kim throws a solid leg kick but Smith takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kim.
Smith is looking to clinch.
Smith tries to clinch there but Kim circles away.
Kim throws the kick towards the body but Smith avoids it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smith buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Smith is looking to clinch but Kim is avoiding it.
The crowd cheers as Smith lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kim doesn't seem phased though.
Smith tries to clinch but Kim is having none of it.
Smith fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smith tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Smith fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kim, pushing him back against the ropes.
A bit of stalling here from Smith.
Kim tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kim tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Smith just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Bruce Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jin Kim.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Smith obliges.
Smith misses with the head strike.
Kim tries to throw a body punch but Smith avoids it by throwing Kim back against the ropes.
Smith misses with a hook to the ribs.
Smith avoiding damage as Kim throws knees to the body.
Smith misses with an elbow strike.
Smith prevents Kim from breaking the clinch.
A hook to the body from Smith.
Kim has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Smith is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Kim tries for a takedown. No joy.
Smith can't find room to land a body shot as Kim controls the action.

Smith manages to break the clinch.

Smith moves into the clinch successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith gets underhooks to prevent Kim's takedown attempt.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
Smith cracks the inside of Kim's front leg.
Smith looks to land a combination but Kim avoids it well.
Smith doesn't manage to clinch there - Kim circles away.
Smith tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Kim manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith wants to clinch.
Jin Kim has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Smith dodges the punch combination from Kim.
Smith scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Smith has Kim up against the ropes in a clinch.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bruce Smith showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Smith has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bruce Smith!