PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Paul Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenichi Shirahama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smith comes to the cage accompanied by call to prayer. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Smith
vs
Shirahama

169 cm
37
135 lbs
28 - 11 - 0

178 cm
36
142 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
KO power

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Paul Smith!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Kenichi Shirahama!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jab, jab by Shirahama - just one landing.
Shirahama looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.
Shirahama is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Shirahama misses the jab.
Nice shot lands for Smith.
Shirahama takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Smith takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Shirahama looks to land a right hand but Smith moved out of range.
Smith punishes Shirahama's body with a nice straight punch.
Smith connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Shirahama momentarily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Shirahama moves into range and clinches up with Smith.
Shirahama lands a left hand.
Smith is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Shirahama has picked Smith up - he's going for a ride! Shirahama dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Smith is looking to improve his position.
Smith is trying to stand.
Nice strikes from Shirahama there.
Smith is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirahama not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Shirahama not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Smith keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Shirahama stops Smith from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shirahama working Smith over with strikes.
Smith wants to improve his position but Shirahama is controlling well.
Smith trying to control from the bottom.
Smith is trying to get back to full guard.
Shirahama slips a nice elbow through Smith's hands, connecting with Smith's forehead.
Shirahama trying to pass the guard but Smith defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Smith with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Smith is trying to stand.
Smith tries to roll over but Shirahama keeps him under control.
Shirahama trying to control the action but Smith is working from the bottom.
Shirahama is thwarting Smith's attempts to control the position.
Shirahama looks to land a strike but Smith avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Shirahama throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Smith works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Shirahama keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Smith's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama advances to half guard.
Smith is not content to let Shirahama control the position.
Smith moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Shirahama scoring with punches to the head and body.
Shirahama's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Shirahama scoring with punches to the head and body.
Shirahama cracks Smith with a solid left hand.

Shirahama thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Shirahama stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smith swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Shirahama slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama scores with a couple of short elbows.
Smith regains half guard.
Shirahama not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Shirahama connects with a nice short shot to Smith's temple.
Smith is holding on to half guard well.
Shirahama throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Shirahama looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Smith with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Shirahama thows a huge punch but Smith dodges it nicely.
The fighters are battling for position here. Smith manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Shirahama working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Shirahama from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenichi Shirahama dominated that round.
That's time! Smith's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Smith lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

It looks like Kenichi Shirahama has been cut.
Shirahama fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Smith avoids it really well and circles away.
Smith avoids the body shot from Shirahama.
Shirahama misses with the combination.
Smith punishes Shirahama's body with a nice straight punch.
Shirahama looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A chopping leg kick lands by Smith.
A swing and a miss from Shirahama.
Smith appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Shirahama's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Smith connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Shirahama scrambles back to his feet.
Smith misses with a combination
and Shirahama counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirahama misses with a takedown attempt - Smith sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Smith misses with a straight right.
Shirahama looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A slow jab from Smith misses its intended target.

Shirahama closes the distance and pushes Smith back into the cage.
Smith lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Shirahama drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Paul Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kenichi Shirahama.
Shirahama is looking to control Smith's arms but Smith gets an underhook and turns him. Now Shirahama has his back to the cage.
Shirahama blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Smith looks to throw the jab but Shirahama is out of range.
Smith stuns Shirahama with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Smith pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Shirahama misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Smith finds it's way through Shirahama's defenses.
Shirahama is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Smith.
Shirahama takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A big right from Shirahama misses.
Shirahama misses with a looping left.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shirahama's jab looks to have found its range, popping Smith under the eye.
Smith throws a hook but Shirahama avoids it easily.
Smith tests Shirahama's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Shirahama shoots in looking for a takedown but Smith manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Shirahama's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Smith - that will leave a mark!
Shirahama connects with a nice looking jab.
Smith tries to score a power double leg takedown but Shirahama sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Smith somewhat.
Shirahama misses with a looping right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a solid leg kick but Shirahama takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Smith.
Smith throws a series of punches but Shirahama avoids them all with ease.
Shirahama throws the left hand but Smith avoids the punch easily.
Smith misses the body punch
letting Shirahama counter with a right hand.
Shirahama lands a glancing blow to the side of Smith's head.
Smith misses the shot to the body.
Shirahama lands a nice shot that snaps Smith's head back.
Smith takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Shirahama fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Smith sprawls well initially but Shirahama persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shirahama winds up and cracks Smith with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Smith is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Shirahama's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Shirahama's back!
You can see the frustration on Shirahama's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Smith not allowing Shirahama to control his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith has the hooks in. Shirahama is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Shirahama staying busy and making it hard for Smith to control.
Smith is riding his opponent, not letting Shirahama buck him off.
Smith tries to keep control of the position but Shirahama is staying busy.
Shirahama trying to control the position but Smith manages to sink in the hooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Smith dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Kenichi Shirahama's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Shirahama is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Smith lands with a cross.
No joy there for Shirahama, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Shirahama moves out of range of the strikes.
Shirahama tries to move into range but Smith moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shirahama. Smith does a little dance to reset his feet.
Smith tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shirahama was well out of range. Poor timing from Smith.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Smith, right into the meat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shirahama looks to throw the jab but Smith is out of range.
Smith scores with a leg kick.
Shirahama takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Smith misses with an uppercut.
A low kick from Smith is predictable there
letting Shirahama counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirahama throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Smith's waist but Smith gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Shirahama off to one side.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smith. Shirahama does a little dance to reset his feet.
Shirahama looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Smith is fending him off so far but Shirahama persists. Nope, Smith circles away and we're back to standing.
Smith was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Shirahama looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.
Shirahama takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Shirahama is rocked!

Smith looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Shirahama is still in real trouble! Can Smith finish him?
Shirahama is trying to stand back up but Smith is controlling him
Smith tries to stand and escape but Shirahama actually recovers to full guard.
Shirahama seems to have recovered his senses.
Shirahama is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Shirahama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Shirahama is keeping the position.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Shirahama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith is fighting to break Shirahama's control of his arms but Shirahama is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Smith postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Smith lands with a straight right. Shirahama didn't see that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a looping overhand right but Shirahama ducks down to avoid it.
Shirahama uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Smith.
Shirahama feints a jab promting Smith to slip. Shirahama then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Smith slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Shirahama has his takedown stuffed
and Smith counters with a straight right hand.
Paul Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kenichi Shirahama.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Shirahama misses with a wild body shot.
Smith throws a front kick aimed at Shirahama's knee but Shirahama avoids it well.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Shirahama looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.
Smith turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Smith swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Shirahama looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Shirahama throws a body punch but Smith moves out of range.
Shirahama gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith slips a straight right by Shirahama.
Shirahama lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Smith backs up against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Shirahama is defended easily by Smith.
Shirahama takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nice uppercut lands for Shirahama. That snapped Smith's head back.
Shirahama throws a body punch but Smith moves out of range.
Smith is looking to counter punch.
Shirahama uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Smith.
Smith scores with a nice head shot.
Shirahama misses with a few strikes there.
As Shirahama backs away, Smith returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Shirahama takes one to the chin there.

Shirahama dives in and scores a takedown into Smith's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Smith showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Smith has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Smith!
Paul Smith retains his featherweight title!
Paul Smith made sure to give a little speech post fight, saying 'The Jihad has arrived. The Order 777 is ready to fight. The future will judge us as the resistance when liberals were begging the enemy to takeover. No surrender, ever!'.