PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jeff Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Pettis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Anthony Pettis will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Smith
vs
Pettis

175 cm
21
159 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

170 cm
22
165 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Sparta Fightware

Fury Nutrition Inc.

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 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jeff Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Anthony Pettis!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Ivan Kurochkin and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Pettis tries to avoid it but Smith manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Pettis to the ground. Pettis escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Pettis is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Smith.
Pettis throws a series of punches but Smith moves out of range.
Pettis throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Smith counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Smith.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Pettis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith is really struggling to control Pettis but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Pettis controlling Smith's posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Smith trying to control but Pettis is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pettis not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Pettis holds on and takes a little breather.
Smith tries to free his leg and advance position but Pettis is retaining full guard.
Pettis looking to hit a scissor sweep but Smith is one step ahead there.
Smith wants to control from the top but Pettis keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
We've been hearing reports that Smith has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Pettis defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Smith.
Pettis's coach down at St Petersburg MMA Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Pettis's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Smith uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Pettis.
Pettis misses the shot to the body.
Anthony Pettis is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pettis throws a series of punches but Smith moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pettis lands with a right hand.
Pettis misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Pettis misses with a jab to the body

and Smith counters by clinching up.

Pettis gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Smith regains guard.
Pettis looking to sit in guard and control but Smith gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Pettis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Smith thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Pettis is trying to keep Smith in close.
Smith trying to control but Pettis is working from the bottom.
Smith passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Smith content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Pettis is trying to control Smith's posture but Smith avoids it.
Pettis tries to bench press Smith off him but Smith keeps the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith working away.

Smith tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Pettis struggling a bit here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith advances to mount.
Pettis wants to control but Smith is having none of it.
Pettis takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Smith controlling the pace for now.
Smith has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith lands a nice shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Smith dominated that round.
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.

Pettis digs a good hook to Smith's body.

Smith feints and as Pettis raises his hands in defense, Smith changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Pettis is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Smith wants to control from the top but Pettis keeps moving.
Pettis not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Pettis is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Pettis tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pettis keeping full guard, as Smith tries to pass.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pettis trying to control the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Pettis's half guard.
Smith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pettis keeps working.
Smith throwing shots but Pettis is blocking nicely.
Pettis is trying to get back to full guard.
Smith is trying to control. Pettis wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Pettis is holding on to half guard well.
Pettis is trying to control but can't.
Pettis wants to improve his position but Smith is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith passes to full mount!
Pettis is looking to get to half guard.
Pettis tries to hold on but Smith postures up.
The referee warns Pettis that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Smith lands a big shot there that rocks Pettis but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Smith can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Pettis is looking to escape.
Pettis is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pettis tries to hold on but Smith postures up.
Pettis is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Smith is staying active.
Smith landing punches.
Pettis is working to get back to half guard.
Smith with good strikes from the mount here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith cracks Pettis with a big head shot that has him covering up instantly! He's rolled onto his side and the referee has seen enough - this one is aaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:19 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jeff Smith!