PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joe Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Niten Dōraku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smith comes to the cage accompanied by frenzal rhomb - Mum changed the locks. Dōraku has chosen Ides Of Light - Jucifer as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Smith
vs
Dōraku

186 cm
27
199 lbs
14 - 3 - 0

190 cm
29
201 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Mohito Fightwear

MayheM sportswear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joe Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Niten Dōraku!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Andrew Berry and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dōraku tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Dōraku misses with a head kick.
Smith cracks Dōraku with an open hand slap.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Dōraku.

Dōraku is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Smith knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Smith is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dōraku tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Smith wants to improve his position but Dōraku is controlling well.
Smith keeping control of the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dōraku not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dōraku wants to take a breather but Smith is having none of it.
Smith won't allow Dōraku to pass to mount.
Smith regains full guard. Nicely done.
Dōraku throws a big elbow that misses.
Dōraku throwing strikes but missing.
Smith is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Dōraku is looking to work some ground and pound but Smith has wrist control.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Dōraku from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Dōraku postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Dōraku wants to pass the guard but Smith is keeping the position.
Smith tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Dōraku trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Smith lands a high kick!
Good shot there by Dōraku.
A chopping leg kick lands by Dōraku.
Dōraku uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
Smith misses with a low kick.
A nice combination there by Smith.
Smith missing with a left hand there. Dōraku was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smith backing away here, and Dōraku unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Smith moves out of range of the leg kick from Dōraku.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is looking to land body kicks.
Smith scores with a crisp jab that stopped Dōraku in his tracks.
Smith shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Dōraku throws a chopping leg kick but Smith manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Dōraku avoids a kick to the body.
Smith misses with a wild body shot.
Smith jabs Dōraku right on the nose. Dōraku blinks but takes it well.
Joe Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dōraku lands with a kick to the temple. Smith shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

It looks like Joe Smith has been cut.
Smith dips to his left and cracks Dōraku with an uppercut!
Dōraku clobbers Smith with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Dōraku waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Smith.
Smith avoids the head kick by Dōraku.
A big left from Dōraku misses.
Dōraku misses the jab.
Smith misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dōraku.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Smith avoids the body shot from Dōraku.
Smith misses with a kick to the body
and Dōraku cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Smith scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Dōraku misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Smith lands with a cross.
Smith looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A jab from Smith misses.
Dōraku throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.
Smith fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Dōraku on the side of the head.
Dōraku goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Smith.
Smith takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Dōraku on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Dōraku connects with a solid leg kick.
Smith looks to score with a jab to the body but Dōraku is just out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Dōraku.
Smith was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Joe Smith will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Joe Smith's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Dōraku is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Smith.
Dōraku checks a low kick from Smith.
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but Dōraku shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Smith punishes Dōraku's body with a nice straight punch.
Nice shot by Smith.
Dōraku feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Smiths jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Smith scores with a nice head shot.
Smith checks the leg kick.
Smith seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Dōraku throws a looping overhand right but Smith ducks down to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Dōraku.
Dōraku throws an overhand right that lands on Smith's shoulder, as Smith tries to avoid the shot.
Smith fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Dōraku on the side of the head.
Dōraku connects with the punch.
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!
Smith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dōraku misses with a hook.
Smith was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Smith has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Dōraku finds it's way round the side to connect with Smith's head.
Dōraku takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Smith lands a nice leg kick that just misses Dōraku's sensitive parts.
Smith moves away from the strike by Dōraku.
Smith tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dōraku was well out of range. Poor timing from Smith.
Dōraku turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dōraku on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Smith throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Dōraku blocks a jab.
Good exchange - Smith coming out on top.
Dōraku ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smith moves away.
Smith swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Smith dives in for a single leg takedown but Dōraku sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Joe Smith is winning the standup battle so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A big left from Smith misses.
Smith staying out of range there.
Dōraku tries a low kick but Smith avoids it.
Dōraku will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Smith drives through and clinches with Dōraku against the cage.
Dōraku goes for a takedown in the clinch but Smith prevents it.
Smith tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Dōraku blocks a body shot from Smith.
Smith stalls.

Dōraku escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The fighters circling - Smith throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Smith fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Smith walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Dōraku closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Dōraku lands in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith pulls Dōraku in close to prevent any damage.
Smith wants to sweep but no luck.

Dōraku got a little sloppy there for a moment and Smith has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Dōraku has managed to get both his arms back between Smith's legs - danger averted.
Dōraku stops Smith from standing up.
Dōraku trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Dōraku slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Dōraku from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Dōraku just misses with a punch to the body.
Smith tests Dōraku's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Dōraku looks to throw the jab but Smith is out of range.
Dōraku wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Dōraku cracks Smith with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Dōraku feints and then cracks Smith's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Smith down.
Smith throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Smith misses with a body shot.
Dōraku tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Smith misses with an uppercut.
Dōraku throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Smith on the side of the head.
Smith throws a jab when Dōraku was well out of range.
A jab from Smith finds it's way through Dōraku's defenses.
Smith uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dōraku.
Dōraku throws a right and a left that Smith avoids nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Joe Smith will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Joe Smith's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Smith.
Dōraku is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Smith with a body shot.
Smith throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Dōraku on the side of the head.
An inside leg kick from Dōraku misses.
Dōraku takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Dōraku takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Smith avoids the head kick by Dōraku.
A jab from Smith misses.
Dōraku is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A head kick by Dōraku misses
and Smith cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Smith thuds his shin into the meat of Dōraku's side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dōraku takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A big right from Dōraku misses.
Smith connects with a solid leg kick.
Smith lands with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Dōraku is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Smith.
Dōraku misses the jab.
Dōraku jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Smith fails with the takedown.
Smith misses with a body kick.
Smith rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dōraku moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Dōraku scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Smith doesn't seem bothered though.
Smith throws a body shot but no joy.
Smith takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Smith darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Dōraku avoids a kick to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Dōraku. Smith does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dōraku tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Smith was well out of range. Poor timing from Dōraku.
Smith wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Niten Dōraku has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dōraku has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Dōraku cracks Smith with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Dōraku fails with a takedown attempt.
Smith misses with a hook.
Dōraku looks like he wants to counter punch here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice shot by Dōraku.
Smith tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Dōraku manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Dōraku throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dōraku dodges the punch combination from Smith.
Smith throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Dōraku lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Smith throws a leg kick but Dōraku sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dōraku throws a right hand that misses
and Smith counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Dōraku throws out a powerful jab.
Smith takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Smith misses with a body shot.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Dōraku blocks a head kick by Smith.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dōraku looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Dōraku avoids a kick to the body.
Smith thows a left - swing and a miss!
Joe Smith is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Dōraku misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Smith misses with a hook.
And Dōraku tries to counter it with a takedown but Smith pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A head kick misses from Dōraku.
Dōraku misses with a straight right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Smith. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Smith.
Smith scores with a nice right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dōraku throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Smith sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Smith lands a front kick.
Dōraku drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Dōraku pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Smith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Smith fails in his attempt to clinch.
Dōraku throws a body shot but no joy.
Some wild striking there from Dōraku.
Smith throws a lazy right hand but Dōraku sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Smith thuds his right hand into Dōraku's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Smith moves into range and connects with a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Smith showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Smith, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Smith!
Joe Smith took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, GREEN!160 for their support in the buildup to the fight.
The defeated Niten Dōraku had this to say: 'Thank you for the fight, Jacob. Congrats on the win. Hopefully a rematch once I improve! '.