PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Finnick Odair (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Smirnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Odair
vs
Smirnov

172 cm
30
142 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

173 cm
34
144 lbs
30 - 18 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
World class MT
Fast

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 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Finnick Odair!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Alexander Smirnov!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Roger Salmon and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Odair closes the distance and pushes Smirnov back into the cage.
Smirnov pushes Odair back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Smirnov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A nice left hand lands by Smirnov.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Odair takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Odair on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Smirnov throws an elbow that misses.
Odair tries to throw a body punch but Smirnov avoids it by throwing Odair back against the cage.
Smirnov throws a punch but it's blocked by Odair.
Odair tries to stall but Smirnov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Smirnov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
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.
Odair tries to land knees in the clinch but Smirnov avoids the damage to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Odair doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Smirnov stalling against the cage.
Smirnov prevents a body shot from Odair.
Smirnov lands an elbow inside.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Smirnov as Odair tries to tie him up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Odair blocks an uppercut.
Smirnov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Smirnov is trying to stall.
Smirnov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Smirnov avoiding damage as Odair throws knees to the body.
Odair unloads a knee to the mid-section. Smirnov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Odair stalling in the clinch but Smirnov improves position.
Odair blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Smirnov pushes Odair back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Smirnov misses with a knee to the head.
Odair landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Odair can't find room to land a body shot as Smirnov controls the action.
Odair has a couple of punches blocked by Smirnov.
Odair slows down the pace here.
Odair pushes Smirnov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Smirnov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Odair is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Smirnov is keeping busy.
Smirnov has a couple of punches blocked by Odair.
Odair trying to land knees to the body.
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!
Smirnov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Odair content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Odair looking to stall.
Smirnov has a couple of punches blocked by Odair.
Odair's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Odair is trying to stall.
Odair tries to land knees in the clinch but Smirnov avoids the damage to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Odair misses with a knee strike.
Stalling in the clinch from Odair.
Odair avoiding damage as Smirnov throws knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Odair misses with some punches.
Odair pressing his opponent against the cage.
Smirnov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Smirnov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Odair tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Smirnov's elbow.
Smirnov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The referee is keeping an eye on Odair - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Smirnov working aggressively here.
Smirnov swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Odair putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Smirnov in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Smirnov misses with a punch on the inside.
Odair tries to land a knee to the head but Smirnov blocks with his arms.
Odair content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Smirnov has a couple of punches blocked by Odair.
Smirnov is working Odair over against the cage.
Odair avoids a wild elbow strike from Smirnov.
Odair taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Odair trying to stall but Smirnov improves his position.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Smirnov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Smirnov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Odair tries to land a knee to the head but Smirnov blocks with his arms.
Smirnov is stalling here.
Knees to the body from Odair.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alexander Smirnov will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Smirnov avoids the head kick by Odair.
Odair steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Smirnov.
Smirnov throws a leg kick which misses Odair's front leg but catches the back leg as Odair tries to avoid it.
Smirnov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Odairs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Smirnov throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Smirnov avoids the body shot from Odair.
Odair misses with a hook. Smirnov ducked under it nicely.
A big left from Odair misses.
Nice defenses there by Odair.
Odair throws a half hearted mid kick.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Odair lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Odair has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Smirnov lands a slapping body shot.
Odair throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Smirnov on the side of the head.
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!
Nice jab there from Smirnov.
Smirnov throws a jab but it's blocked by Odair.
Odair lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Smirnov at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Smirnov. Beautiful body shot.
Smirnov connects with a body shot that sends Odair's belly button to the back.
Odair misses with a body shot.

Odair instigates a clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Smirnov.
Smirnov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Odair is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Smirnov is keeping busy.
Smirnov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Smirnov scores with a hook to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Smirnov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Odair's brow.
Smirnov misses with a punch on the inside.
Smirnov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Odair tries a body shot but Smirnov blocks it.
Smirnov has a couple of punches blocked by Odair.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Odair tries to land knees in the clinch but Smirnov avoids the damage to the body.
Smirnov stalling the fight.
Odair is trying to stall.
Smirnov tries to land knees in the clinch but Odair avoids the damage to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Smirnov.
Alexander Smirnov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Odair tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Smirnov avoids it.
Smirnov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smirnov throws an elbow that misses.
Smirnov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Odair lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Odair scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Smirnov stalling against the cage.
Odair will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Smirnov up against the cage.
Odair using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smirnov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Smirnov.
Smirnov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Odair is defending well for now.
Odair tries to work over Smirnov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Smirnov prevents a body shot from Odair.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Smirnov as Odair tries to tie him up.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Odair creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Smirnov as the two fighters clinch.
Odair missing with knees to the body.
Odair lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Odair avoiding damage as Smirnov throws knees to the body.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Smirnov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Odair backwards.
Smirnov lands a hook that snaps the head of Odair backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Odair wants to stall.
Smirnov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Smirnov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Smirnov tries to throw a body punch but Odair avoids it by throwing Smirnov back against the cage.
Smirnov swings wildly with an uppercut but Odair uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smirnov being controlled against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Smirnov as Odair tries to tie him up.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Odair.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Smirnov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Odairs head.
Smirnov tries to work over Odair's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Smirnov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Smirnov avoids the body shot from Odair.
Smirnov misses with a hook. Odair ducked under it nicely.
Smirnov avoids the head kick by Odair.
Odair keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Smirnov.
It looked like Odair wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Odair throws a head kick that misses.
Odair throws a hook but Smirnov avoids it easily.
Smirnov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Smirnov connects with a jab.
Odair will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Smirnov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Smirnov checks a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smirnov throws a body punch but Odair moves out of range.
Smirnov lands a body shot.
Smirnov jabs Odair right on the nose. Odair blinks but takes it well.
Odair misses with a body shot.
Odair misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Odair looks for the body kick but Smirnov saw that one coming.
Smirnov sizes up Odair with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Odair is rocked!
Alexander Smirnov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Odair pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Smirnov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Smirnov lands with a nice combination. Odair backs away looking to recover.
Oh Odair is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Nice uppercut there from Smirnov.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smirnov. Odair does a little dance to reset his feet.
Good exchange - Smirnov coming out on top.
Odair throws a head kick that half lands.
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.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smirnov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Smirnov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Odair swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
A head kick misses from Odair.
Odair lands a body shot.
Smirnov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Odair throws out the jab.
Smirnov misses with a series of wild punches.
Finnick Odair has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Odair takes a swing at Smirnov's ribcage but misses.
Odair seems to have got his legs back now.
Odair waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Smirnov.
Smirnov throws a right hand that misses
and Odair counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Odair works Smirnov's body with a nice hook.
Odair tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Odair misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smirnov.
Smirnov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Odair misses with a looping right.
Odair 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.
Odair lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Smirnov dips to his left and cracks Odair with an uppercut!
Smirnov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Odairs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Odair misses with a kick to the body.
Smirnov lands the left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters circling a little - Odair finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Smirnov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Smirnov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Smirnov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A looping hook to the body misses from Odair. Smirnov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jab from Smirnov.
Odair tries to land a front kick but Smirnov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Smirnov sizes up Odair with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Odair fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Smirnov manages to avoid it.
Smirnov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Odair defends it well.
Smirnov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Smirnov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Odair throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Odair throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Odair throws the left hand but Smirnov avoids the punch easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Odair takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Odair misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smirnov misses with a series of wild punches.
Smirnov just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromOdair.
Odair tries a head kick but it misses.
Smirnov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Odair misses with a straight left.
Smirnov lands with a shot to the body.
Smirnov lands with a cross.
Smirnov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smirnov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Odair in his tracks.
A head kick misses from Smirnov.
Smirnov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Alexander Smirnov.
Well Smirnov 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Smirnov!
After the fight, Alexander Smirnov 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.