PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shinya Watannabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Billy Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Watannabe
vs
Smith

175 cm
25
197 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
21
188 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Shinya Watannabe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Billy Smith!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Daniel Franklin and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Watannabe shoots in and bounces Smith off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Watannabe postures up.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Watannabe from controlling successfully.
Watannabe engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Watannabe thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith wants to sweep here but Watannabe controlling him for the moment.
Watannabe trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watannabe trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Watannabe drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Watannabe jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Watannabe pushes down on Smith's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Watannabe is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Watannabe is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Smith is just riding it out for now. Watannabe eventually gives up the hold.
Watannabe works his way into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to control but Watannabe postures up.

Watannabe is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Smith knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
You can see the frustration on Smith's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Watannabe thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Smith stops Watannabe from passing to mount.
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.

Watannabe thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Watannabe has hold of Smith's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Smith tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Watannabe cranks the arm and Smith screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Smith, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Shinya Watannabe!