PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dan Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mihai Matei (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smith comes to the cage accompanied by Sabaton- Metal machine. Matei comes into a darkened arena with his song building. MitiS & MaHi - Blu kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Smith
vs
Matei

175 cm
32
162 lbs
16 - 13 - 1

169 cm
29
150 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry
Just Fight (Everything 7$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 13 - 1, fighting out of London, Dan Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Mihai Matei!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Colin Fotheringham and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith shoots for a double leg takedown but Matei sprawls well. He's pushed Smith's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Matei throws a jab but it's blocked by Smith.
Donk. Matei catches Smith right on the button with a cross.
Smith tries to score a power double leg takedown but Matei sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Smith somewhat.
No joy there for Matei, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Matei throws a series of punches but Smith moves out of range.

Smith shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Matei manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Smith stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Matei swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Smith cracks Matei with a solid left hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matei wants to stand up but Smith is controlling him.
Smith landing with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Smith postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Matei is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith pushing down on Matei's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Smith missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Smith throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Smith is trying to control the action in half guard but Matei is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Matei is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith not doing much here.

Smith is trying to work for a kimura but Matei is defending well.
Smith uses his free foot to push down on Matei's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Matei.
Smith throwing strikes but Matei recovers to half guard. A much better position.
Smith slows the pace down in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matei blocking the ground and pound attempt from Smith.
Smith with the ground and pound but Matei uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Matei works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Smith working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Smith working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Matei preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Matei is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith controls from within his opponent's guard.
Smith is looking to advance position but Matei has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Matei looking to control but Smith is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Matei wants to get back to his feet but Smith is holding on tight.
Matei wants to control the pace but Smith is squirming around nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Smith regains full guard. Nicely done.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Smith dominated that round.
That's time! Smith's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Smith throws a lazy uppercut
and Matei counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Smith thinking.
Smith closes this distance looking for a takedown but Matei circles away.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Matei as he avoids it easily.
Smith shoots in looking for a takedown. Matei tries to sprawl out of it but Smith keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Matei manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dan Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith is trying hard to land a takedown here. Matei sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Matei displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Smith.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Smith.

Smith is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Matei has escaped the position, nice work there.
An elbow from Smith crashes against the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Smith has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Smith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Matei keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Matei avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Smith.
Matei defending against the ground and pound.
Matei trying to remain calm as Smith controls from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matei is not content to let Smith control the position.
Smith tries to score with some ground and pound. Matei controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Matei is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Smith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Matei keeps working.
Smith looks up at the clock and then as Matei takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Smith smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Smith trying to control the position but Matei is working away.

Smith is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Matei knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith landing a few strikes.

Smith goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Matei rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Smith's guard! Nice work there by Matei!
Matei postures up.
Matei preventing the sweep.
Smith not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Smith is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Matei is looking to stand up but Smith won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matei is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Matei 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.
Smith is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
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.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Smith is on top in guard.
Matei avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Matei is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Smith dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Matei swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Smith throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Matei was covering up waiting for the punch and Smith finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Matei keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Matei utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Smith with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Matei working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Smith.
Matei keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Smith lands a couple of digs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smith accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Smith with a flurry of punches that miss.
Dan Smith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Smith missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Smith throws a strike but Matei rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Smith trying to keep a closed guard but Matei is proving a slippery customer.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Smith is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Matei defends well.
Matei wants to stand and escape but instead Smith has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Matei works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Smith in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Smith working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Smith postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Smith throws a big elbow that misses.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Matei is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Smith drops back looking for a leg! Matei is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Matei manages to kick Smith off! Smith jumps back into Matei's guard.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matei keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Smith advances position into side control!
Matei on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

Smith looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Matei dodges the ground and pound from Smith.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matei is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Smith sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Matei is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Mihai Matei has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Smith thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Matei defending against the ground and pound.
Dan Smith is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Check out the look on Smith's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

And that's the end of the fight!
Dan Smith showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Smith, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 James Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dan Smith!
Dan Smith took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Just Fight (Everything 7$) for their support in the buildup to the fight.