PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rodney Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan McCarthy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Smith
vs
McCarthy

173 cm
23
147 lbs
13 - 2 - 0

185 cm
22
160 lbs
4 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Rodney Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ryan McCarthy!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith thows a left - swing and a miss!
McCarthy goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
McCarthy throws a head kick that misses.
Smith seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt - McCarthy sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
McCarthy feints the counter takedown.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

McCarthy pulls Smith into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCarthy is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
McCarthy has his hands on Smith's head, controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith landing some decent shots from guard.
McCarthy tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Smith stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McCarthy swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McCarthy working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Smith.
Smith throws a big elbow that misses.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now McCarthy is on top in guard.

Smith throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Smith looking for a sweep. Not yet Smith, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. McCarthy is aware though and is defending well.

Smith has his foot on McCarthy's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McCarthy works his way back into a safe position though.
McCarthy looking to pass the guard.

Smith had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. McCarthy defends it easily.

Smith throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Smith had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. McCarthy defends it easily.
McCarthy controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
McCarthy wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to sweep but no luck.
McCarthy engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Smith is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. McCarthy is aware though and is defending well.

Smith is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and McCarthy defends well.
Smith is controlling McCarthy's posture.
McCarthy trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Smith is looking for a triangle here but McCarthy uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

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 is not content to let McCarthy control the position.
Smith is looking to regain half guard here but McCarthy keeps moving and retains side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McCarthy tries to advance to mount but Smith denies him.
McCarthy is looking to take a break and control but Smith is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Smith regains half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McCarthy controlling the action here.

Smith looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ryan McCarthy will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

McCarthy walks into a left hand.
Smith stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
McCarthy displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Smith throws out the jab.
Smith fails with an attempt to clinch.
McCarthy raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Smith tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and McCarthy counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by McCarthy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Smith has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but McCarthy can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Smith looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! McCarthy has picked Smith up and slammed him! Smith can't keep hold of the triangle and McCarthy manages to pass to side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith seems a little lost for a moment, as McCarthy dominates the positioning.
Smith is looking to reverse the position.
McCarthy in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Smith gets back to half guard.
McCarthy perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Smith is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but McCarthy pulls his head out easily.

McCarthy moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Smith.
Smith manages to work his way to half guard, despite McCarthy's best efforts.

Smith looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith is refusing to be controlled, as McCarthy sits in half guard.
McCarthy is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Smith looking for submissions off his back.
Smith might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Smith is staying active underneath McCarthy, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
McCarthy not doing much here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. McCarthy lands a nice short elbow.
McCarthy sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to improve his position but McCarthy is controlling well.
McCarthy seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Smith does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Smith is trying to control but can't.
McCarthy content to control rather than advance.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
McCarthy not landing any meaningful shots this time.
McCarthy is trying to control. Smith wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Smith swings widly with a right hand
letting McCarthy counter with a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Smith misses with an uppercut. McCarthy saw that one coming.
McCarthy throws a big counter head kick but Smith avoids it with no problem.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.
McCarthy managing to block the knees to the body from Smith.
McCarthy has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Smith throws a punch but it's blocked by McCarthy.
McCarthy drops down looking for an ankle pick but Smith pulls his leg out and moves away.
A head kick misses from Smith.
It seemed like McCarthy was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Smith throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by McCarthy.

It looks like Ryan McCarthy has been cut.
Smith swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by McCarthy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith throws out a loose jab but McCarthy uses good head movement to avoid it.
McCarthy drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Smith throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
McCarthy is looking for the big counter here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodney Smith dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ryan McCarthy's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Smith swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by McCarthy.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McCarthy paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McCarthy doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Smith doesn't manage to clinch there - McCarthy circles away.
Smith scores with a three punch combo!

McCarthy is rocked!
Smith works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
McCarthy is still on wobbly legs! Can Smith finish him?
Smith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Smith cracks McCarthy on the jaw with a powerful right hand and McCarthy falls backwards against the cage. Smith follows up with more strikes that drop McCarthy to his knees. Smith keeps the pressure on and the referee jumps in to save McCarthy! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:31 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rodney Smith!
A determined Rodney Smith didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!
Ryan McCarthy spoke after the fight, saying 'Fluke'.