PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Firas Qabbani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smith is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by 10 Years - All White. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Qabbani
vs
Smith

190 cm
23
280 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

192 cm
32
259 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
World class MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Machine Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Firas Qabbani!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Johnny Smith!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, John Kavanagh and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Qabbani tries to clinch up but Smith circles away and keeps his distance.
Qabbani blocks a jab.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Qabbani throws a head punch that misses.
Qabbani scores with a shot to the side of Smith's head.
Qabbani struggles to land a body shot inside as Smith controls his hands.
Our sources have told us that Qabbani has been working on his elbows in the gym.
A short right from Qabbani.
Smith has Qabbani pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Qabbani manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Qabbani misses with a punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Qabbani misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Qabbani gets through Smith's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Smith changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Qabbani fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Nice uppercut there from Smith.

It looks like Firas Qabbani has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is trying hard to land a takedown here. Qabbani sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Firas Qabbani has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Smith.

Qabbani clinches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smith.
Qabbani has a couple of punches blocked by Smith.
Qabbani tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Qabbani softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Smith throws a head punch that misses.
Qabbani working aggressively here.
Smith goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Smith turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Smith manages to end up in side control.

Smith goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Qabbani rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Smith's guard! Nice work there by Qabbani!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Qabbani controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith is adopting a defensive guard.
Qabbani stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smith swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Qabbani from controlling successfully.
Smith trying to keep a closed guard but Qabbani is proving a slippery customer.
Qabbani loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Qabbani trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Qabbani is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Qabbani trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Qabbani engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Qabbani trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Qabbani is looking to stand up but Smith won't let him.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Qabbani buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Smith looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Qabbani slips a straight right by Smith.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Smith.
Qabbani tries to clinch there but Smith circles away.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Qabbani jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

It looks like Johnny Smith has been cut.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt - Qabbani sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Qabbani tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Smith drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Qabbani defends it well.
Qabbani tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Qabbani throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.
Smith misses with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Firas Qabbani dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

The fight stays on the outside here - Qabbani looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Smith tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Smith tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Qabbani tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Qabbani misses with a leg kick
enabling Smith to counter with a crisp jab.
Qabbani tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
Qabbani moves out of range of the strikes.
Qabbani is looking to counter the offense by Smith and move into the clinch.
Qabbani keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Qabbani lands a really nice looking cross but Smith seems unphased.

Qabbani has managed to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Qabbani fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Qabbani misses with a knee strike.
A right hand to the body from Qabbani.
Qabbani lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Qabbani gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Qabbani lands an elbow inside that Smith shrugs off.
Qabbani misses with a punch on the inside.
A short right from Qabbani on the inside.
Qabbani tries a body shot but Smith blocks it.
Qabbani tries to throw a body punch but Smith avoids it by throwing Qabbani back against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Qabbani.
Smith has Qabbani pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Qabbani manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Qabbani working aggressively here.
Qabbani is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Qabbani tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Smith throws a punch but it's blocked by Qabbani.
Qabbani throws a head punch that misses.
Qabbani stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Qabbani misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Smith.
Smith is trying to drag Qabbani to the mat but Qabbani just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Firas Qabbani has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Smith.
Qabbani misses with a short punch on the inside.
Qabbani has a couple of punches blocked by Smith.
Qabbani struggles to land a body shot inside as Smith controls his hands.
Qabbani holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Qabbani fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Smith is looking to clinch.
Smith takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Qabbani moves into the clinch successfully.
A head punch on the inside from Qabbani fails to land.
Qabbani fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smith.
Qabbani lands a hook that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Firas Qabbani has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Qabbani misses with a short punch on the inside.
Smith avoiding damage as Qabbani throws knees to the body.
Qabbani misses with a body punch.
Qabbani swings wildly with an uppercut but Smith uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Qabbani tries to work over Smith's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Smith goes for a takedown in the clinch but Qabbani prevents it.
Smith tries for a takedown. No joy.
Qabbani swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Qabbani.
Qabbani misses with some punches.
Smith blocks an uppercut.
Qabbani can't find room to land a body shot as Smith controls the action.
Qabbani has a couple of punches blocked by Smith.
Qabbani gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Smith.
Qabbani tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Smith's elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Firas Qabbani dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Qabbani's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Qabbani is looking to clinch.
Qabbani pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Smith looks to land a right hand but Qabbani moved out of range.
Qabbani tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Qabbani.

Smith gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Qabbani misses with a punch on the inside.
Smith has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Qabbani after a bit of a struggle.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Smith.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Qabbani landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Qabbani lands a right hand that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Smith takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Qabbani lands a right hand that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Qabbani throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Smiths head.
Qabbani lands a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Qabbani lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Qabbani throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Smith blocks it with crossed arms.
Qabbani scores with a shot to the side of Smith's head.
Qabbani fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Qabbani tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Smith avoids it.
Smith swings wildly with an uppercut but Qabbani uses good head movement to avoid it.
Qabbani struggles to land a body shot inside as Smith controls his hands.
Qabbani swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Qabbani goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Smith blocking some punches.
Qabbani misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Qabbani tries to work over Smith's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Qabbani stalling in the clinch.
Qabbani misses with a short punch on the inside.
Qabbani throws a punch but it's blocked by Smith.
Smith prevents a body shot from Qabbani.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Qabbani.
Qabbani misses with a short punch on the inside.
Qabbani is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Qabbani lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Qabbani just leaning against Smith, taking a breather.
Smith misses with a hook from the clinch.
Qabbani stalling in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Qabbani lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Qabbani scores with a nice short uppercut.
Smith blocks a body shot from Qabbani.
Qabbani tries to work over Smith's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Qabbani lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Qabbani throws a head punch that misses.
Smith drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Qabbani gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Qabbani is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Firas Qabbani has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Smith.
Qabbani has a couple of punches blocked by Smith.
Qabbani throws a punch but it's blocked by Smith.
Qabbani tries to land a knee to the head but Smith blocks with his arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Qabbani.
Qabbani slowing the pace effectively.
Smith can't get the takedown.
Firas Qabbani is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Qabbani.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Smith tries to score a body lock takedown but Qabbani shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Smith drops down looking for an ankle pick but Qabbani pulls his leg out and moves away.
Johnny Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A jab from Smith misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Firas Qabbani showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Qabbani has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Firas Qabbani!
A victorious Firas Qabbani thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.