PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Steve Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Badger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jack Badger struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 157.6lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Smith
vs
Badger

196 cm
18
161 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
21
162 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Mohito Fightwear

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Steve Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Jack Badger!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Phil Schofield and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Badger.
Badger looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Smith fails to land the takedown.
Badger's coach down at Quick Fingers BEST BANG FOR BUCK Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Badger's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt - Badger sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Badger lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Smith shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith darts in looking for a takedown but Badger gets double underhooks and turns Smith into the cage.
Badger throws out a powerful jab.
Badger tries to clinch up but Smith circles away and keeps his distance.
Nice takedown defense from Badger. No joy for Smith on that attempt.
Badger is looking for the big counter here.
Smith avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A combination from Badger does no damage.
Smith half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Badger as he jumps to the side.
Jack Badger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Smith showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Badger.
Smith half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Smith slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Smith has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Smith has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith connects with a couple of short punches.
Smith works over Badger with some ground and pound from guard.
Smith postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Smith thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Smith controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Smith throwing strikes from guard but Badger blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith landing with the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith pushing down on Badger's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Smith sitting and controlling from the half guard.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Smith.
Smith's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Further stalling from Smith.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Smith is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Badger!
Smith working away from the top, dropping strikes.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Badger can do anything to dispel that myth.
Smith landing strikes from the mount.
Smith controlling the position easily from mount.
Badger really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Smith. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Smith lands a heavy elbow.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith raining down shots from the mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Smith dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Badger stuffs the takedown attempt from Smith. Smith gets slowly back to his feet.
No luck for Smith with that takedown attempt.
Badger is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Badger fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Badger stuffs the takedown.
Smith fails to land the takedown.
Badger misses with the combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Smith closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Badger did well to prevent Smith getting side control.
Badger is breathing heavily.
Well, if Smith is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Smith looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Badger on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Smith is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Smith is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Badger can do to turn this around?
Smith working the head and body with strikes.
Smith not doing much here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Smith lands strikes from half guard.
Badger is in trouble now - Smith has advanced to mount!
Smith controlling his opponent.
Smith scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Smith controlling the position easily from mount.
Smith unloads with some vicious shots from mount and Badger wants out - he looks towards the referee who steps in to save him! Smith celebrates on the cage and the crowd goes wild!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Steve Smith!