PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Oda Nobunaga (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Perry Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Nobunaga
vs
Smith

170 cm
22
142 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

150 cm
21
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Oda Nobunaga!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Perry Smith!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smith pushes Nobunaga up against the cage in a clinch.

Smith decides to pull guard.
Smith is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Nobunaga wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith is trying to control the position but Nobunaga postures up.
Nobunaga wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
Smith is trying to keep Nobunaga in close.
Smith tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Nobunaga throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Smith dodges the punch combination from Nobunaga.
Nobunaga will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nobunaga takes a swing at Smith's ribcage but misses.

Smith looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Nobunaga!
Nobunaga really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Smith trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Smith breaks from Nobunaga's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Nobunaga is in a horrible position here. Smith smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Nobunaga is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Smith trying to control but Nobunaga is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Nobunaga hang on?
Nobunaga is squirming around, avoiding Smith's attempts to control the action.
Nobunaga is trying to escape the mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith dominating with strikes here.
Nobunaga is desperately trying to improve his position but Smith has a good base and remains in mount.
Smith dominating with strikes here.

Smith is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Nobunaga can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Smith stands up from mount. Strange move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nobunaga lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

It looks like Perry Smith has been cut.
Nobunaga throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nobunaga takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nobunaga throws a right and a left that Smith avoids nicely.
Oda Nobunaga seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith misses with a jab, cross combination.

Smith closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Nobunaga is looking to reverse the position.
Nobunaga is breathing heavily.
Nobunaga is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Smith's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Smith is controlling the pace.

Smith is trying to work for a kimura but Nobunaga is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nobunaga gets back to full guard.

Nobunaga is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Smith should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Smith is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Nobunaga had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Smith is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Nobunaga Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Smith's back instead.
Nobunaga doesn't have the hooks in and Smith manages to turn into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Perry Smith dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Perry Smith's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Smith scores with a takedown into Nobunaga's guard.
Smith trying to control but Nobunaga is working from the bottom.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Smith trying to control but Nobunaga is working from the bottom.

Nobunaga is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Nobunaga wants to sweep here but Smith controlling him for the moment.

Nobunaga looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Smith decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Nobunaga, up you get!
Oda Nobunaga is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith has closed the distance and engaged Nobunaga in a clinch.

Smith breaks the clinch.

Smith darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Smith trying to control the action but Nobunaga is working from the bottom.
Smith is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Smith decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Nobunaga misses.
Nobunaga misses with a combination

and Smith counters with a nice double leg into side control. Nobunaga won't be happy with that.
Smith wants to control but Nobunaga is keeping him busy.
Perry Smith has got the better of the ground game so far.

Smith stands up and we're back to a striking position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Nobunaga misses with a combination

and Smith counters with a nice double leg into side control. Nobunaga won't be happy with that.
Smith has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Nobunaga keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nobunaga is bucking up trying to escape but Smith cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Nobunaga bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Nobunaga drops back, looking for a kneebar! Smith looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Smith looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Smith!
Smith is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Nobunaga is trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nobunaga takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Smith throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Smith is looking to take a break and control but Nobunaga is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Smith taking a breather here.
Nobunaga is looking to regain half guard here but Smith keeps moving and retains side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Perry Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Perry Smith's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Smith closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Smith decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Nobunaga lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Nobunaga throws a one two combo.

Nobunaga gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Smith works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Nobunaga slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Nobunaga looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Nobunaga looking for a guillotine here but Smith defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Nobunaga throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Smith slips under a jab.

Smith drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Smith trying to control the action but Nobunaga is working from the bottom.
Nobunaga gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nobunaga moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Smith must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Nobunaga looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Smith passes into half guard.
Smith wants to pass to mount but Nobunaga is defending the position.

Smith decides to stand up.
Oda Nobunaga is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Good exchange - Nobunaga coming out on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nobunaga rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smith moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nobunaga takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nobunaga throws a series of punches but Smith moves out of range.
Nobunaga swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Smith moves into the clinch successfully.

Smith pulls guard effortlessly.

Nobunaga postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Smith is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Nobunaga, into his guard.
Smith postures up in Nobunaga's guard and throws a big left but Nobunaga blocks it.
Smith sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Nobunaga's guard.
Oda Nobunaga has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nobunaga tries to roll over but Smith keeps him under control.
Smith wants to control but Nobunaga is keeping him busy.
Smith prevents Nobunaga from improving his position.
Smith wants to pass to mount but Nobunaga is defending the position.
Smith thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Smith is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Smith is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Nobunaga can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

And that's the end of the fight!
Perry Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Smith 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30

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