PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Seth Smolka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raymond Rousey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Seth Smolka has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Smolka
vs
Rousey

195 cm
25
206 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

191 cm
26
275 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good elbows
Knockout power

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Seth Smolka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Raymond Rousey!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Robert Douchet and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rousey goes for a double leg but Smolka avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Smolka continues to drive forward.
A punch combination from Smolka misses.
Smolka shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rousey sprawls well. Rousey wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Smolka gets slowly back to his feet.

Rousey closes the distance and clinches.
Rousey dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
A short right from Smolka.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smolka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rousey's elbow.

Smolka breaks the clinch.
Rousey tries to clinch but Smolka moves away

and Smolka counters with a shoot takedown. Rousey fights it but they end up in guard.
Rousey keeping full guard, as Smolka tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rousey has control of Smolka's left arm, preventing Smolka from doing any damage.

Rousey has his foot on Smolka's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Smolka works his way back into a safe position though.
Smolka trying to control but Rousey is working from the bottom.
Smolka would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Rousey is trying to keep Smolka in close.

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.
Smolka trying to control but Rousey is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Smolka fails with the takedown.
Rousey wants to clinch.

Smolka instigates a clinch.
Rousey is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Seth Smolka. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Smolka has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Rousey is trying to keep an underhook but Smolka manages to get the takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smolka winds up and cracks Rousey with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Smolka seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rousey does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rousey tries to get to full guard but Smolka has control of the leg.
Rousey is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Smolka scores with a couple of nice shots.
Rousey won't allow Smolka to pass to mount.
Rousey is refusing to be controlled, as Smolka sits in half guard.
Smolka is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Rousey is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

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.
Smolka missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Smolka trying to control from half guard but Rousey is working away.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Rousey is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rousey won't allow Smolka to pass to mount.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rousey looks for a takedown but Smolka sprawls well.

Rousey tries to sprawl but Smolka drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rousey is looking to improve his position.
Smolka is looking to stall here but Rousey recovers full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seth Smolka dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rousey fails to land the takedown.
Smolka shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rousey defends it nicely.
Rousey only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Smolka wants to clinch up but Rousey keeps it at a distance.
Smolka uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rousey.
Smolka tries for a takedown but Rousey circles away easily

and Rousey moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smolka can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Seth Smolka. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rousey has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Smolka uses from the top position.
Rousey has momentary wrist control but Smolka slips an elbow through the middle.
Rousey wants to stand up but Smolka is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smolka in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rousey is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Smolka knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rousey on the ground.
Smolka trying to control but Rousey is working from the bottom.
Rousey seems keen to control Smolka's posture.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Smolka trying to control the position from guard on top but Rousey is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two 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.
Rousey fails in his attempt to clinch.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Smolka here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Rousey shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Smolka defends it nicely.
Rousey misses with a two punch combination.
Smolka stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Smolka wants it to stay on the feet.
Smolka tries to counter with a takedown but Rousey is quick to defend against it.

Smolka scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The strikes coming from Smolka are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Smolka tries to stand but Rousey is controlling his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rousey wants to get back to his feet.
Rousey manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Smolka is looking to stall here but Rousey recovers full guard.
Smolka in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rousey keeping moving, preventing Smolka from controlling successfully.
Smolka working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's four 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.
Smolka trying to control but Rousey is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Rousey changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Smolka tries to avoid it but Rousey manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Smolka to the ground. Smolka escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rousey tries for a takedown but Smolka circles away easily
letting Smolka counter with a right hand.
Smolka misses with a head kick.
Rousey raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

Rousey gets caught flat footed, as Smolka shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Seth Smolka overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Smolka is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Smolka wants to control from the top but Rousey keeps moving.
Rousey wants to stand but Smolka is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seth Smolka dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Rousey fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smolka misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rousey shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Smolka defends it nicely.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Rousey.
Rousey trying to control the action but Smolka is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
You can see the frustration on Smolka's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smolka is looking to reverse the position.
Smolka pushes Rousey away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Rousey gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Sloppy strikes there by Rousey.
Smolka tries to buck Rousey off but Rousey is having none of it.
Smolka wants to control but Rousey postures up.
Smolka is trying to get back to his feet.

Rousey stands up.
Rousey tries to land a front kick but Smolka steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

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.
Smolka uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rousey.
Smolka lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Rousey throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Smolka.
Rousey tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Smolka defends well and Rousey ends up having to push Smolka into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Rousey tries to clinch but Smolka moves out of range.
Rousey closes the distance and clinches up with Smolka, looking for a takedown. Rousey pushes Smolka against the cage but Smolka circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Seth Smolka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raymond Rousey.
Rousey takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rousey checks a low kick from Smolka.
Seth Smolka is winning the standup battle so far.
Smolka pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rousey tries for a takedown but Smolka sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rousey keeps the fight on the outside.

Smolka throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Rousey was covering up waiting for the punch and Smolka finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Smolka makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Smolka is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rousey can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smolka trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Smolka forces his way into half guard.
Rousey is looking to control Smolka's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rousey avoid being mounted?
Smolka looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Rousey taking some punishment here, with Smolka in his half guard.

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.

Smolka is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Rousey moves into full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rousey is on top in guard.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smolka utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Raymond Rousey has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Seth Smolka is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Smolka on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Smolka tries to get out of the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smolka working a defensive guard here.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Seth Smolka.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Smolka, 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Seth Smolka!