PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between John Smiths (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Denis Vrlinic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Denis Vrlinic is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Smiths
vs
Vrlinic

170 cm
18
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
19
145 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Decent elbows
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Smiths!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Denis Vrlinic!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Gwen Towbar and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circle momentarily. Vrlinic darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Smiths tries to clinch but Vrlinic is having none of it.
Smiths tries to clinch there but Vrlinic circles away.
It seemed like Vrlinic was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Vrlinic!
Smiths fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Vrlinic is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Vrlinic tries to keep at a distance but Smiths has taken the fight into the clinch.
Smiths lands a body punch.
Vrlinic working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Smiths throws a knee to the head but misses.
Smiths goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Smiths misses with a punch to the body.
Vrlinic lands with a right to the head.
Smiths landing knees to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vrlinic blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Vrlinic scores with a shoulder strike.
Smiths tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Vrlinic avoids it.
Smiths trying to land knees to the body.

Vrlinic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Vrlinic keeps the fight on the outside.
Smiths lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vrlinic thuds his right hand into Smiths's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Vrlinic looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Smiths tries to clinch up but Vrlinic circles away and keeps his distance.
Smiths looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Smiths wants to clinch
and Vrlinic counters with a straight right hand.
A punch lands to the side of Smiths 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Vrlinic tries to keep at a distance but Smiths has taken the fight into the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Smiths as Vrlinic tries to tie him up.
Vrlinic lands a left hand.
Vrlinic stalling.
Smiths is trying to stall.
Vrlinic has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Smiths seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Vrlinic can turn it around.
Smiths lands an elbow that stopped Vrlinic in his tracks for a moment.
Smiths lands a knee to the body.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smiths is trying to stall.
Smiths utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Smiths missing with knees to the body.
Smiths can't find room to land a body shot as Vrlinic controls the action.
Smiths is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Vrlinic is defending well for now.
Smiths is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Vrlinic is defending well for now.
Smiths stops a takedown attempt from Vrlinic.
Smiths prevents a takedown attempt there.
John Smiths has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Denis Vrlinic.
Smiths looking to throw knees to the head but Vrlinic is blocking nicely.
Smiths looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Smiths tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Vrlinic avoids it.
Smiths missing with knees to the body.
Smiths lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vrlinic throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Smithss head.
Vrlinic lands a hook to the side of the head.
Smiths keeps control of Vrlinic as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Vrlinic is stalling here.
Smiths tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Vrlinic avoiding damage as Smiths throws knees to the body.

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

Smiths closes the distance and pushes Vrlinic back into the cage.
Smiths has Vrlinic pressed against the cage.
Vrlinic is trying to break the clinch but Smiths has him pressed against the cage.
Smiths missing with knees to the body.
Smiths landing knees to the body.
Vrlinic scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Smiths tries to land knees in the clinch but Vrlinic avoids the damage to the body.
Vrlinic is trying to pull guard but Smiths has him pressed against the cage.
Smiths just leaning against Vrlinic, taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vrlinic lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Vrlinic lands a right hand that snaps the head of Smiths backwards.
Vrlinic lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Smiths takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Smiths missing with knees to the body.
Smiths is trying to maintain a safe position but Vrlinic gets an underhook and turns Smiths into the cage.
Vrlinic lands a hook to the side of the head.
Vrlinic lands with a short shot to the head.
Smiths with a knee to the head.
Vrlinic tries to pull guard but Smiths holds him up against the cage and eventually Vrlinic drops back down to his feet.
Smiths is trying to stall.
A short right from Vrlinic on the inside.
Smiths can't find room to land a body shot as Vrlinic controls the action.
Smiths misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Vrlinic.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Denis Vrlinic will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Smiths drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Vrlinic lands a jab to the nose.
Smiths scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Vrlinic thuds his right hand into Smiths's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Smiths moves into the clinch.
Smiths crunches a lovely knee into Vrlinic's ribcage.
Smiths missing with knees to the body.
Smiths missing with knees to the body.
Vrlinic has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Vrlinic has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Smiths after a bit of a struggle.
Vrlinic managing to block the knees to the body from Smiths.
Smiths misses with a knee strike.
Vrlinic lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Smiths has Vrlinic pushed against the cage.
Smiths lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smiths landing knees to the body.
John Smiths has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Smiths misses with a knee strike.
A knee to the head by Smiths.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smiths tries to land knees in the clinch but Vrlinic avoids the damage to the body.
A short right from Vrlinic on the inside.
Smiths tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Vrlinic avoids it.
Vrlinic lands a hook that snaps the head of Smiths backwards.
Smiths keeps control of Vrlinic as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Vrlinic drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Vrlinic manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Vrlinic scores with a nice hook to the head.
Smiths controlling the action here for a moment.
Vrlinic lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Smiths throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smiths tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vrlinic's elbow.
Smiths using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Vrlinic wants to break the clinch but can't.
Smiths has Vrlinic pressed against the cage, preventing Vrlinic from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Vrlinic lands with a left to the head.
Vrlinic tries to circle away but Smiths has him pinned against the cage.

Vrlinic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Smiths gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Vrlinic.
Vrlinic lands with an overhand left.
Denis Vrlinic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
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!
Smiths fails in his attempt to clinch.
Smiths tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Vrlinic defends well and Smiths ends up having to push Vrlinic into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Smiths wants to clinch up but Vrlinic keeps it at a distance.
Vrlinic tests Smiths's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Vrlinic throws out a powerful jab.
Smiths takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Smiths wants to clinch up but Vrlinic keeps it at a distance.
Denis Vrlinic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smiths gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Some wild striking there from Vrlinic.
Vrlinic misses with a series of wild punches.
Smiths lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

Smiths moves into range and clinches up with Vrlinic.
Smiths lands a good knee to the midsection. Vrlinic won't want to take too many of those.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Smiths obliges.
Vrlinic is trying to break the clinch but Smiths is controlling him.
Smiths tries a knee to the head but Vrlinic blocks it.
Smiths works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Smiths scores a nice knee to the body.
Smiths looking to stall.
A body shot lands from Smiths.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vrlinic takes a knee to the side of the body.
Vrlinic throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Smithss head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smiths tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Vrlinic.
Smiths misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Vrlinic.
Smiths with a knee to the head.
Smiths keeps control of Vrlinic as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Smiths trying to land knees to the body.
Vrlinic is looking to break free of the clinch but Smiths has double underhooks.
Vrlinic lands a right hand that snaps the head of Smiths backwards.
Smiths scores with a hook to the body.
Smiths tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Smiths throws a knee to the head but misses.
Smiths tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Vrlinic avoids it.
A short right from Vrlinic on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Denis Vrlinic will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Smiths tries to clinch up but Vrlinic circles away and keeps his distance.
Vrlinic scores with a jab.
Vrlinic connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Smiths momentarily.

Smiths darts in and clinches Vrlinic up against the cage.
Smiths lands an elbow just above Vrlinic 's eye.
Smiths lands an elbow inside that Vrlinic shrugs off.
Vrlinic throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Smithss head.
Smiths landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A bit of stalling here from Smiths.
Smiths will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Vrlinic up against the cage.
Smiths with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Smiths taking a breather.
Vrlinic on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vrlinic wants to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from Vrlinic.
Vrlinic wants to get back to striking at distance but Smiths won't allow it.
Vrlinic blocks an elbow strike from Smiths.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Smiths.
Knees to the body from Smiths.
Vrlinic blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Smiths misses with an elbow strike.
Vrlinic tries for a takedown. No joy.
Smiths trying to land knees to the body.
Vrlinic makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Vrlinic scores with a shoulder strike.
Smiths using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Vrlinic has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Vrlinic is working for takedown but Smiths is calmly controlling the position for now.
Smiths throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Smiths landing knees to the body.
Vrlinic avoiding damage as Smiths throws knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vrlinic avoiding damage as Smiths throws knees to the body.
Vrlinic avoiding damage.
Vrlinic stalling in the clinch.
Vrlinic continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Vrlinic is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Vrlinic blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Vrlinic scores with an uppercut up the middle.
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!
Smiths misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Vrlinic.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Smiths tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Vrlinic avoids it.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Vrlinic.
Vrlinic is stalling here.
Smiths misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Vrlinic.
Vrlinic has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Smiths trying to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Vrlinic creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Smiths tries to land knees in the clinch but Vrlinic avoids the damage to the body.
Vrlinic lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A nice left hand lands by Vrlinic.
Vrlinic on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Vrlinic on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Smiths throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Vrlinic blocks it with crossed arms.
Smiths is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A short right from Vrlinic on the inside.
Vrlinic has had enough of the clinch but Smiths keeps him there for the moment.
Smiths with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Vrlinic pushes Smiths back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Vrlinic.
Vrlinic working hard to break the clinch.
Vrlinic on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Smiths keeps control of Vrlinic as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Vrlinic lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Smiths backwards.
Smiths keeps control of Vrlinic as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Denis Vrlinic is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Vrlinic blocks an elbow strike from Smiths.
Smiths looking to stall.
Smiths is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
John Smiths has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Smiths looking to stall.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Denis Vrlinic.
I've got Vrlinic winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Denis Vrlinic!
Denis Vrlinic opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.