PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hardijan Matic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Matic
vs
Smith

166 cm
26
146 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

167 cm
24
141 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
KO power

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

GREEN!160

Arcticus University: London

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hardijan Matic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Matt Smith!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, William Peck and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Smith tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Matic blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Smith looking to throw knees to the head but Matic is blocking nicely.
Matic blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Matic pushes Smith back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Matic working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Matic managing to block the knees to the body from Smith.
Matic cracks Smith with a nice body shot.
Smith missing with knees to the body.

Matic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Matic bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Smith wants to clinch up but Matic keeps it at a distance.

Matic has taken the fight to the clinch.
Matic wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Smith tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Stalling in the clinch from Smith.
Smith misses with a knee strike.
Smith tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Matic avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matic breaks the clinch.

Smith closes the distance and pushes Matic back into the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Matic - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Matic is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Smith trying to land knees to the body.
Smith tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A right hook to the body lands for Matic.
Smith misses with a knee to the head.
Matic has had enough of the clinch but Smith keeps him there for the moment.
Matic stalling in the clinch.
Smith missing with knees to the body.
Matic with a knee to the head.

It looks like Matt Smith has been cut.
Smith using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Matic lands a body shot.

Matic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matic keeps the fight on the outside.

Smith instigates a clinch.
Smith missing with knees to the body.
Matic misses with a hook to the ribs.
Matic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Smith's elbow.
Matic on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Smith trying to land knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith prevents a body shot from Matic.
Matic throws a head punch that misses.
Matic tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Matic blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Matic stalling in the clinch but Smith improves position.
Smith scores a nice knee to the body.
Matic is trying to break free.
Matic wants to get back to striking at distance but Smith won't allow it.
Matic landing knees to the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Matic misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smith.

Matic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Smith moves in looking to clinch but Matic pushes him off.
Smith uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matic.
Matic has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Smith.

Smith takes the fight into the clinch.
Smith lands an elbow just above Matic 's eye.

Matic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Smith is looking to clinch but Matic is avoiding it.

Smith gets a clinch.
Smith trying to land knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Smith.
Smith putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Matic in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Matic tries to work over Smith's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Smith misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Matic.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matic avoiding damage as Smith throws knees to the body.
Matic misses with the head strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith missing with knees to the body.
Matic doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Smith pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Matic tries to work over Smith's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Matic throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Smith blocks it with crossed arms.
Smith misses with a knee to the head.

Matic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've been told by Matic's head coaches at Wreckshop that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Matic avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Matic cracks the inside of Smith's front leg.
Smith is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
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 jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Smith uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matic.
Smith tries to clinch but Matic is having none of it.
Matic appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Matt Smith will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Matt Smith's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Smith tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Matic paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Smith tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Matic counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Smith fails in his attempt to clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Smith has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Matic seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Smith can turn it around.
Matic on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Smith looking to throw knees to the head but Matic is blocking nicely.
Matic on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Matic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Smith doesn't manage to clinch there - Matic circles away.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch up but Matic swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Smith moves in looking to clinch but Matic pushes him off.

Smith clinches.
Matic throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matic avoiding damage as Smith throws knees to the body.
Matic tries to land a knee to the head but Smith blocks with his arms.
Matic dodges an elbow strike from Smith.
Smith prevents Matic from breaking the clinch.
Matt Smith seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Smith is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Matic is defending well for now.
Matic doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Matic managing to block the knees to the body from Smith.
Matic can't find room to land a body shot as Smith controls the action.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Matic as Smith tries to tie him up.
Smith creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Matic's defenses.
Matic wants to break the clinch but can't.
Smith scores with a knee to the head.
Smith tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Matic avoids it.
Matic looking to throw knees to the head but Smith is blocking nicely.
Smith with a knee to the head.
Smith misses with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith trying to land knees to the body.

Matic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Matic throws a body shot but no joy.
Matic misses with a head kick.

Smith darts in and clinches Matic up against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Matic's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Smith crunches a lovely knee into Matic's ribcage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Matic managing to block the knees to the body from Smith.
Matic content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Smith is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Matic is defending well for now.
Matic is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Matic is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Smith gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith prevents a body shot from Matic.
Matic's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Matic's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Smith missing with knees to the body.
Smith missing with knees to the body.
Matic trying to control the position but instead, Smith has worked for underhooks and has pushed Matic into the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Hardijan Matic.
Smith tries to clinch
and Matic counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Smith slips a jab from Matic.
Smith takes one to the chin there.

Smith closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Smith working Matic over with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Matic's efforts to push away.
Matic blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Matic managing to block the knees to the body from Smith.
Smith tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Matic avoids it.
Matic has Smith pushed against the cage.
Smith tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Matic avoids it.
Smith unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Matic tries to circle away but Smith has him pinned against the cage.
Smith prevents a body shot from Matic.
Smith tries to stall but Matic uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Matic tries to land a knee to the head but Smith blocks with his arms.
Smith trying to land knees to the body.
Matic taking a breather.
Matic is trying to break the clinch but Smith is controlling him.
Matic can't find room to land a body shot as Smith controls the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Matt Smith's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Matic throws a leg kick but Smith moved away.
Matic wants to clinch.
Matic avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Matic 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 gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A left hand lands to the body for Matic.
A knee to the head by Smith.
Matic wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Matic swings wildly with an uppercut but Smith uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matic content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Smith tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Matic avoids it.
Matic trying to control the position but instead, Smith has worked for underhooks and has pushed Matic into the cage.
Smith tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Matic avoids it.
Matic has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith blocks a body shot from Matic.
Smith using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Matic has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Smith lands a knee to the body.

Matic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Smith clinches.
Smith tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Matic avoids it.
Smith comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
A left hand lands to the body for Matic.
Smith trying to land knees to the body.
Matic missing with knees to the body.

Matic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Smith is looking to clinch.
Smith moves in looking to clinch but Matic pushes him off.
A quick step to the side and Matic tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smith shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Smith tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Matic avoids it.
Matic avoiding damage as Smith throws knees to the body.
Smith misses with a knee strike.
Matic lands a nice uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Matic tries to circle away but Smith has him pinned against the cage.
Matic works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Matic wants to get back to striking at distance but Smith won't allow it.
Matic struggles to land a body shot inside as Smith controls his hands.
Smith lands a knee to the head.
Matic is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Matic managing to block the knees to the body from Smith.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Matic on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Matic clinches with his opponent.
Good body shot from Matic.
Smith misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Matic.
A bit of stalling here from Matic.
Smith has Matic pressed against the cage, preventing Matic from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Smith takes a shot to the head.
Smith using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Matic has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Matic works on Smith's body with a couple of short punches.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Matic on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Smith trying to land knees to the body.
Smith tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Matic avoids it.
Matic throws a punch but it's blocked by Smith.
Smith misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Matic.
Matic blocks an elbow strike.
Matt Smith 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 trying to land knees to the body.
Hardijan Matic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matic lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Matic fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Matic is trying to force a seperation but Smith has the dominant position.
Smith misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Matic.
Smith throws a knee to the head but misses.
Matic looking to throw knees to the head but Smith is blocking nicely.
Matic misses with the head strike.
Smith has Matic pressed against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Matic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A telegraphed right hand from Matic misses the target.
Matic lands a body shot.

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 Hardijan Matic.
I think Smith 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Smith!
Matt Smith gave a mention to Arcticus University: London in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).