PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight kickboxing rules bout between William Bird (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Smirnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexander Smirnov acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the ring.

Bird
vs
Smirnov

170 cm
31
144 lbs
25 - 3 - 0

173 cm
30
144 lbs
25 - 14 - 1

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, William Bird!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Alexander Smirnov!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Shigeki Fujiwara and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smirnov misses with a hook

and Bird counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Our sources have told us that Bird has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Smirnov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Bird blocking some punches.
Smirnov managing to block the knees to the body from Bird.
Bird misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Smirnov.
A nice right hand lands inside from Smirnov.
Bird tries to throw a body punch but Smirnov avoids it by throwing Bird back against the ropes.
Bird trying to land knees to the body.
Smirnov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Smirnov lands with a short shot to the head.
We've been informed that Smirnov has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Bird avoids the elbow strike from Smirnov, against the ropes.
Smirnov working hard to break the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Bird.
Smirnov is trying to stall.
Bird scores with a knee to the head.

Smirnov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Smirnov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Smirnov connects with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Smirnov - that will leave a mark!
Smirnov throws a hook but Bird blocks it.
Bird pushes Smirnov away with a front kick.
Bird feints and then cracks Smirnov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Smirnov down.
Smirnov does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Bird blocks a leg kick.
Smirnov throws a low kick but it's checked well by Bird.
Bird misses with an uppercut. Smirnov saw that one coming.
Bird attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Bird takes a jab right on the kisser.
Bird checks the leg kick.
Smirnov just misses with a punch to the body.
Smirnov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Bird throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Bird takes one to the side of the head.
Bird takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov keeps the fight on the outside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smirnov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bird.
Smirnov slips a straight right by Bird.
Bird on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Smirnov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Smirnov lands a nice shot that snaps Bird's head back.
Smirnov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bird moves away.
Smirnov loads up on a big right hand but Bird slips the punch.
Bird throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smirnov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smirnov throws a hook but Bird blocks it.
Bird ducks right into an uppercut from Smirnov.
Bird scores with a nice strike.
Bird takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Bird misses the shot to the body.
Bird explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov throws a sloppy head kick and Bird moves out of range easily.
Smirnov checks the leg kick.
Smirnov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smirnov misses with a body kick.
Bird checks a leg kick.
Alexander Smirnov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smirnov jabs Bird right on the nose. Bird blinks but takes it well.
Bird tries to clinch but Smirnov is having none of it.
Bird bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Smirnov throws a jab when Bird was well out of range.
An inside leg kick from Smirnov misses.
Bird throws a poor cross that misses
and Bird takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Smirnov tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Bird takes the fight into the clinch.
Knees to the body from Bird.
Bird makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov avoiding damage as Bird throws knees to the body.
Smirnov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Bird lands a left hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smirnov landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Smirnov lands a shoulder strike.
Bird is trying to stall.
Smirnov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Bird unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Bird blocks an uppercut.
Smirnov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bird misses with an elbow strike.
Smirnov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Bird prevents Smirnov from breaking the clinch.
Smirnov blocks an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Smirnov dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bird throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Alexander Smirnov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Smirnov tries a head kick but it misses.
Smirnov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bird manages to avoid it.
Smirnov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Smirnov moves forwards but Bird connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Jab by Smirnov.
Bird 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.
Smirnov throws a series of punches but Bird moves out of range.
Smirnov throws a leg kick but Bird checks it.
Bird lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Smirnov throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Bird chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Smirnov can pounce on him.
Smirnov looks to land a left hand but Bird moved out of range nicely.

Bird fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Smirnov, pushing him back against the ropes.
Smirnov has Bird pushed against the ropes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bird misses with an elbow over the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Bird lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Bird throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Smirnov is trying to maintain a safe position but Bird gets an underhook and turns Smirnov into the ropes.
Bird tries a body shot but Smirnov blocks it.
Bird with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Smirnov connects with a knee to the head.
Bird misses with a punch to the body.
Bird lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Alexander Smirnov has been cut.
Bird prevents Smirnov from breaking the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Bird.
Smirnov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Bird scores with a nice short uppercut.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smirnov.
Bird prevents a body shot from Smirnov.
Smirnov managing to block the knees to the body from Bird.
Smirnov is trying to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bird stalling.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A right hand to the body from Smirnov.
William Bird has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Bird keeps control of Smirnov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Bird lands a nice knee to the body.
Bird takes an elbow to the temple.
Bird keeps control of Smirnov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Smirnov.
Smirnov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bird has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Bird tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bird is pushing Smirnov up against the ropes, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Smirnov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Smirnov tries to land knees in the clinch but Bird avoids the damage to the body.
Bird blocking some punches.
Bird lands a nice elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov lands a shoulder strike.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Smirnov is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
Smirnov managing to block the knees to the body from Bird.
Smirnov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bird with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Smirnov is looking to control Bird's arms but Bird gets an underhook and turns him. Now Smirnov has his back to the ropes.
Bird lands an elbow inside that Smirnov shrugs off.
Bird lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Smirnov backwards.
Bird utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Bird doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Smirnov as Bird tries to tie him up.
Smirnov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Bird's defenses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Bird.
Bird dodges an elbow strike from Smirnov.
Bird misses with some punches.
Bird displaying some good clinch control by pressing Smirnov up against the ropes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bird throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Smirnov blocks it with crossed arms.
Smirnov tries to circle away but Bird has him pinned against the ropes.
Bird blocks a body shot from Smirnov.
Smirnov lands an elbow that stopped Bird in his tracks for a moment.
Bird keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Smirnov's efforts to push away.
Smirnov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bird throws an elbow but it misses.
Smirnov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bird blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bird misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Smirnov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that William Bird will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alexander Smirnov's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Bird lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Bird missing with a left hand there. Smirnov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Smirnov scores with a nice right hand.
Smirnov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Jab by Bird.
Smirnov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Smirnov misses with a hook to the body
and Bird counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A clash of legs there as Smirnov blocks the low kick.
Bird has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Bird there as he acknowledges the shot.
Smirnov misses with a leg kick.
Bird moves forwards but Smirnov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A head kick misses from Smirnov.
Bird lands with a nice body kick.
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!
Bird takes a jab right on the kisser.
Smirnov throws a series of strikes that have Bird backpedaling.
Smirnov throws a sloppy head kick and Bird moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov throws a body punch but Bird moves out of range.
Bird looks to land a right hand but Smirnov moved out of range.
A big left from Bird misses.
Smirnov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bird fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Smirnov scores with a kick to the body.
Smirnov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Smirnov misses with a hook to the body

and Bird counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Bird.
Bird misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Smirnov.
Smirnov being controlled against the ropes.
Smirnov lands a right hand.
Bird tries to throw a body punch but Smirnov avoids it by throwing Bird back against the ropes.
Bird lands a knee to the head.
Bird lands a shoulder strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Bird obliges.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bird lands an elbow that stopped Smirnov in his tracks for a moment.
Bird blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bird lands a damaging elbow.
Bird misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Smirnov.
Bird lands a left hand that snaps the head of Smirnov backwards.
Bird with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Smirnov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Smirnov looking to slow down the pace here.
Smirnov avoids a wild elbow strike from Bird.
Smirnov wants to stall.
Knees to the body from Bird.
Bird unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Smirnov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bird blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov throws a head punch that misses.
Smirnov working Bird over with knees to the body.
Bird looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Smirnov trying to control the position but instead, Bird has worked for underhooks and has pushed Smirnov into the ropes.
Bird tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Smirnov avoids it.
Bird using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smirnov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Bird blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bird lands a nice elbow.
Bird scores with a knee to the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Knees to the body from Bird.
Smirnov avoids the elbow strike from Bird, against the ropes.
Bird gets through Smirnov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Smirnov is rocked!
Smirnov misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov is trying to force a seperation but Bird has the dominant position.
Smirnov is trying to force a seperation but Bird has the dominant position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smirnov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Bird lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Smirnov lands an elbow inside that Bird shrugs off.
Smirnov takes a shot to the head.
Smirnov is still on wobbly legs! Can Bird finish him?
A head punch on the inside from Smirnov fails to land.
Bird scores with a shoulder strike.
Smirnov stalling in the clinch but Bird improves position.
Bird digs a right hand underneath Smirnov's ribcage. Smirnov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Bird lands an elbow just above Smirnov 's eye.
Bird blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bird lands a nice elbow.
Bird stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Bird trying to land knees to the body.
Bird taking a breather.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Bird clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Alexander Smirnov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Smirnov lands a jab-cross combination.
Smirnov lands a jab.
Smirnov tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Smirnov seems to have recovered his senses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bird. Smirnov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Smirnov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Bird moves in looking to clinch but Smirnov pushes him off.
Smirnov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bird connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smirnov. Bird does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bird fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smirnov throws a shot to the body.
Bird checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Smirnov throws the left hand but Bird avoids the punch easily.
Smirnov throws out a loose jab but Bird uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bird scores with a jab.
Smirnov looks to land a left hand but Bird moved out of range nicely.
Bird throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Smirnov blocks the body kick.
A jab from Smirnov finds it's way through Bird's defenses.
A telegraphed right hand from Smirnov misses the target.
Bird tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Smirnov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bird misses with a straight right.
Smirnov throws a big shot that misses.
Smirnov misses with a straight right.
Smirnov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bird was well out of range. Poor timing from Smirnov.
Bird moves out of range of the strikes.
Smirnov misses with a wild body shot.
Smirnov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Bird tries to score with a low kick but Smirnov moves his leg out of the way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Smirnov misses.
Smirnov drops his hands momentarily and Bird takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Smirnov misses with a wild body shot.
Smirnov throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Bird is looking to slow Smirnov down with leg kicks.
Smirnov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bird moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bird tries a low kick but Smirnov avoids it.
Smirnov cracks Bird with a good jab.
Smirnov lets loose with a powerful body kick. Bird will feel that in the morning.
Bird misses with a body kick.
Bird scores with a crisp jab that stopped Smirnov in his tracks.
Smirnov throws a hook to the side of Bird's head but Bird sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Smirnov misses with a kick to the body.
Smirnov sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Bird throws a shot from downtown. Smirnov moves away and avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov misses with a looping left.
Smirnov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Smirnov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Bird. Bird obviously looking to wear him down.
A solid leg kick lands there for Bird.
Smirnov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A punch lands to the side of Bird 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Smirnov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bird.
Bird slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Smirnov looks to land a right hand but Bird moved out of range.
Smirnov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bird.
Bird blocks a leg kick.
Bird tries to land a front kick but Smirnov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Smirnov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Bird checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Bird throws a chopping leg kick but Smirnov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Bird counter with a right hand.
Smirnov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Smirnov misses with an uppercut
and Bird makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Smirnov is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Bird misses with a straight right.
Bird chopping away at his opponent's legs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bird with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Smirnov to score with a decent uppercut.
Smirnov throws a solid leg kick but Bird takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Smirnov.
Smirnov tries to work over Bird's front leg with a kick but Bird checks it.
Smirnov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Smirnov swings for the body but Bird moves out of range.
Bird uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Smirnov.
Bird fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Smirnov.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice uppercut lands for Bird. That snapped Smirnov's head back.
Bird scoring well with a low kick there.
Bird lands with an overhand left.
Smirnov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Bird. Bird obviously looking to wear him down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that William Bird will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alexander Smirnov's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Smirnov throws a lazy right hand but Bird sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Smirnov on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
That kick from Smirnov tenderised Bird's leg. Bird is trying to keep his angry face on.
Smirnov blocks a low kick nicely.
Bird checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Bird scores with a spinning back kick!
Smirnov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smirnov just misses with a punch to the body.
Smirnov throws an overhand right that lands on Bird's shoulder, as Bird tries to avoid the shot.
Smirnov misses with an attempted mid kick.
Bird has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Smirnov.
Smirnov missing with a left hand there. Bird was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bird throws a half hearted mid kick.
Smirnov tries a head kick but it misses.
Smirnov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bird misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smirnov.
Bird misses with a low kick.
Smirnov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Bird.
Bird lands with an overhand left.
A slow jab from Smirnov misses its intended target.
Smirnov throws a right hand that misses
and Bird counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Bird showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Smirnov.
A head kick misses from Smirnov.
Smirnov is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Bird looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A nice inside leg kick there by Bird. That's going to slow Smirnov down.
Bird is looking to slow Smirnov down with leg kicks.
Smirnov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bird looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Smirnov throws a hook but Bird blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Smirnov throws a leg kick
and Bird counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Smirnov thinking.
Bird just misses with a punch to the body.
Bird will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A telegraphed right hand from Smirnov misses the target.
Bird scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smirnov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Bird avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bird ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Smirnov checks a low kick from Bird.
Smirnov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Bird slips a straight right by Smirnov.
Smirnov 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bird misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smirnov throws a leg kick but Bird checks it.
Smirnov tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Smirnov throws a low kick but Bird avoids it.
Bird pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Bird.
Bird takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Bird moves in looking to clinch but Smirnov pushes him off.
Smirnov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Smirnov misses with an uppercut. Bird saw that one coming.
Bird tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Bird moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Smirnov has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Bird.
Smirnov swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Bird counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bird throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Smirnov sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bird misses with a leg kick.
Nice shot lands for Smirnov.
Bird dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Smirnov. That did some damage!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smirnov tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Smirnov looks to land a body kick but Bird moved away.
Smirnov connects with a crisp jab.
Smirnov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Alexander Smirnov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Smirnov looks to land a combination but Bird avoids it well.
Smirnov lands a jab to Bird's midsection.
Bird lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smirnov tries to bum rush Bird with a series of wild strikes but Bird uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Smirnov swings for the body but Bird moves out of range.
Smirnov throws a head kick 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 William Bird.
I think Bird has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 47:49
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 49:46
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 49:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... William Bird!
William Bird retains his bantamweight title!
Post fight, an emotional William Bird said 'I am the greatest KT fighter of all time! There is noone in 135 to 155 lbs that even come close to my level. If you disagree, I welcome you into the ring where you will receive a fistful of pain!'.