PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Stone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Clifford Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Stone
vs
Smith

192 cm
29
240 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

197 cm
35
258 lbs
21 - 17 - 0

Great wrestler
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Paul Stone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 17 - 0, fighting out of London, Clifford Smith!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Glass and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stone fails with a takedown attempt.
Smith looks to throw the jab but Stone is out of range.
Some bone on bone action there as Smith checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Stone tries to clinch but Smith moves away
and Smith counters with a lovely straight right hand!

It looks like Paul Stone has been cut.
Stone tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
Paul Stone seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Stone drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Smith is fighting off a takedown attempt but Stone is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Smith to the mat. Smith regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Stone postures up in Smith's guard and throws a big left but Smith blocks it.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Smith is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stone looking for a sweep. Not yet Stone, not yet.
Stone keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Stone 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.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Stone holds on and takes a little breather.
Stone looking to hit a scissor sweep but Smith is one step ahead there.
Smith seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Smith trying to control but Stone is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Clifford Smith wasn't active enough on the ground.
Stone wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
Stone drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Smith misses with an uppercut.

Stone clinches.
Smith taking a breather.
Stone is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paul Stone. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Stone gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stone.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Stone lands a nice short elbow.
Stone thows a huge punch but Smith dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Smith manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Smith is pulling down on Stone's head to control his posture.
Smith is trying to control the position but Stone postures up.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Stone from controlling successfully.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Stone pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Smith is keeping the position for now.
Stone is fighting to break Smith's control of his arms but Smith is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Stone has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Clifford Smith hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Stone fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stone misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt

and Smith counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith is keen to just control but Stone is a slippery customer.
Smith passes to side control.
Smith creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Stone sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stone is trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Clifford Smith will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Paul Stone's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Smith scores with a jab to the head.
Smith lands a nice hook to Stone's body. Stone takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Paul Stone is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stone fails with the takedown
and Stone takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Stone is looking to clinch but Smith is avoiding it.
Stone shoots in but no luck this time.
Smith waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Stone.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stone moves away.
Stone tries to clinch up but Smith circles away and keeps his distance.
Stone tries to clinch up.
Horrible takedown attempt by Stone or perhaps it was just good defense by Smith, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paul Stone. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stone is looking to clinch.
Smith slaps away a takedown attempt from Stone, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Clifford Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stone displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Smith throws out the jab.
Stone looks to clinch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Stone has his takedown stuffed

and Smith counters with a shoot takedown. Stone fights it but they end up in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stone can't keep his opponent in guard - Smith advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Smith tries to pass to full mount but Stone defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stone is positioning himself well to prevent Smith advancing to mount.
Stone won't allow Smith to pass to mount.
Smith is looking to take a break and control but Stone is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
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!
Stone is controlling Smith's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Smith seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Stone does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Stone is looking to improve his position.
Smith keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Clifford Smith wasn't active enough on the ground.
Stone moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stone tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Smith manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt.
Smith waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Stone.
Stone darts in looking for a takedown but Smith gets double underhooks and turns Stone into the cage.
Smith is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A short right from Smith on the inside.
Stone wants to take the fight to the mat but Smith manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Stone drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Smith gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Smith is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Smith receives a warning from the referee for stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stone 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.
Smith gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Stone.
Smith taking a breather.
The referee calls for Stone to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stone lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Stone is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Smith pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Stone has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Smith avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Clifford Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Paul Stone's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Smith scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Stone doesn't seem bothered though.
Stone misses with a takedown
and Smith counters with a nice uppercut.
Stone is looking to clinch.
Stone fails in his attempt to clinch.
Stone looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Stone moves into the clinch successfully.

Smith gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Smith blocks the strikes from Stone.
Stone is doing well to control the position and prevent Smith from advancing to side control.
Stone wants to control but Smith is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Smith is looking to advance position but Stone won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stone is staying active underneath Smith, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Stone is trying to maintain the position but Smith is very close to passing his half guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Smith is trying to control the action in half guard but Stone is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Stone blocks a jab.
Nice sprawl there from Smith as Stone shoots in.

Smith tries to keep at a distance but Stone has taken the fight into the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Stone as Smith tries to tie him up.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smith.
Smith taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stone is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Smith is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paul Stone. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stone tries for a takedown. No joy.
Stone is trying to pull guard but Smith turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Smith gets through Stone's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Smith effectively controlling the action here.
Smith tries to stall but Stone uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Stone wants a takedown but no success here.
Stone tries to stall but Smith uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith stalling against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Clifford Smith.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stone goes for a double leg but Smith avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Smith continues to drive forward.
The referee calls for Smith to work.
Smith scores with a shot to the side of Stone's head.
Paul Stone has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stone looking to slow down the pace here.
Smith is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Stone is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Stone blocks an uppercut.
Smith tries to stall but Stone uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Smith blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Stone wants to take the fight to the mat but Smith manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Clifford Smith is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stone is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Smith gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Stone as Smith tries to tie him up.
Stone changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Smith fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Stone ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smith moves away.
Stone with a lazy takedown attempt
and Stone takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith misses with a hook.
Stone stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Smith.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stone takes a jab right on the kisser.

And that's the end of the fight!
Clifford Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Smith has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Clifford Smith!
After the fight, Clifford Smith was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.