PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rangi Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benjamin Barbu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rangi Smith has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Smith
vs
Barbu

180 cm
21
175 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

189 cm
19
178 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Voodoo Nutrition

Voodoo Nutrition
Underworld Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rangi Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Benjamin Barbu!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Donatello Bradman and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barbu lands a jab.
Smith walks into a straight right hand from Barbu.
Smith blocks a jab.
Smith lands a right hook to the body.
We've been told by Smith's head coaches at Fokai Academy that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Smith scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Barbu fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Smith looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Nice uppercut lands for Barbu. That snapped Smith's head back.
Barbu has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Barbu throws a poor cross that misses
and Smith counters with a series of strikes. Barbu will be more careful next time no doubt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sloppy strikes from Smith. Those never looked like landing.
Barbu just misses with a punch to the body.
Barbu takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Barbu 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Smith throws a big counter combination but Barbu scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Barbu is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Smith.
Smith pivots, looking for a leg kick but Barbu is out of range and Smith settles back down.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Smith takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Barbu fails to land with a series of punches.
Decent striking displayed by Barbu there.
Smith misses the shot to the body.
Smith fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Barbu swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Smith.

Barbu fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Smith sprawls well initially but Barbu persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith tries to roll over but Barbu keeps him under control.
Barbu trying to control the action but Smith is working from the bottom.
Smith is controlling Barbu's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Barbu prevents Smith from improving his position.

Barbu is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Barbu is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Smith doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Barbu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith won't allow Barbu to pass to mount.
Barbu is keen to just control but Smith is a slippery customer.
Barbu wants to pass to mount but Smith is defending the position.
Barbu seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Smith does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Barbu tries to pass to full mount but Smith defends it.

Barbu is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Smith doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Barbu.
Smith is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Barbu's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Barbu's back!
Barbu trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Barbu wants to escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Benjamin Barbu will probably get the nod.
That's time! Smith's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Smith throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Smith cracks Barbu with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nice takedown defense from Smith. No joy for Barbu on that attempt.
Smith was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Smith throws a right and a left that both miss.
Barbu lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Smith circles away quickly and effectively.
Barbu looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Smith is fending him off so far but Barbu persists. Nope, Smith circles away and we're back to standing.
Barbu shoots for a takedown but Smith saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Rangi Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benjamin Barbu.
Smith's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Barbu connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Smith scrambles back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith misses with a combination

and Barbu counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Barbu.

Barbu drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Smith dives on top into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith works over Barbu with some ground and pound from guard.
Smith is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Smith trying to stand up but can't free himself from Barbu's guard.
Smith passes Barbu's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Still in half guard, Smith seems content to control.
Benjamin Barbu has got the better of the ground game so far.
Smith wants to free his trapped foot but Barbu is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Barbu tries to roll over but Smith keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Barbu is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Barbu trying to control but Smith postures up.
Barbu is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Smith's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Smith's back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Smith is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Barbu gets his way!
Smith trying to control but not successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Smith right now.
Barbu trying to control momentarily.

Barbu working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Barbu avoiding Smith 's attempts to control his hands.
Barbu is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barbu keeps control of the position as Smith tries to break free.

Smith fending off the submission attempt from Barbu.
Barbu thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Barbu working for the choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benjamin Barbu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Smith lands a leg kick that knocks Barbu off balance momentarily.
Smith cracks a nice hook into Barbu's ribs.
Barbu throws the left hand but Smith avoids the punch easily.
Smith appears to be looking for a big counter.
Barbu misses with a leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Barbu.
Smith leaves Barbu with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Barbu fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Smith to the ground. Barbu is now in Smith's guard.
Smith utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Barbu from controlling successfully.
Barbu pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Smith is keeping the position for now.
Barbu is pushing down on Smith's leg trying to pass to half guard. Smith is fighting to maintain full guard but Barbu has managed to sneak the leg through.
Barbu trying to control the action but Smith is working from the bottom.
Barbu stalling away here and it's allowed Smith to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Barbu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two 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 seems keen to control Barbu's posture.
Smith is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Barbu from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Barbu tries to score a power double leg takedown but Smith sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Barbu somewhat.
Barbu shoots in looking for a takedown. Smith tries to sprawl out of it but Barbu keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Smith manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rangi Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rangi Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benjamin Barbu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Barbu shoots in for a takedown but Smith shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Barbu throws out a leg kick but Smith moves out of range and Barbu only half commits.
Smith is looking for a counter combo.
A clash of legs there as Smith blocks the low kick.
Barbu tries to score with a low kick but Smith moves his leg out of the way.
Smith went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Benjamin Barbu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A jab lands there for Smith.
Benjamin Barbu 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.
Smith digs a good body shot into Barbu's ribs.

Barbu scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Barbu takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The fighters are battling for position here. Smith manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Barbu looking to sit in guard and control but Smith gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith tries to free his leg and advance position but Barbu is retaining full guard.
Smith preventing the sweep.
Smith trying to control but Barbu is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith lands a couple of decent looking shots.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rangi Smith showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Barbu has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Benjamin Barbu!
A relieved looking Benjamin Barbu thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.