PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Medrano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and DJ Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). DJ Smith has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Medrano
vs
Smith

155 cm
22
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

167 cm
19
142 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Likes comics

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Can Moonwalk

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Anthony Medrano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, DJ Smith!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Robert Twigg and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smith gets tackled into the cage by Medrano. Medrano maintains the clinch.
Medrano tries to break free but Smith pushes him back against the cage.
Smith wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Medrano has him pressed against the cage.

Medrano lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Smith kicks off Medrano and gets to his feet.

Smith changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Medrano looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Medrano throws Smith to one side and escapes!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Medrano.

Medrano shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Smith manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Smith manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Medrano could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Medrano definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Medrano misses with an elbow over the top.
Medrano misses with a punch to the body.
Medrano has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Smith avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Medrano manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Medrano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith tries to free his leg and advance position but Medrano is retaining full guard.
Medrano wants to sweep here but Smith controlling him for the moment.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Medrano is keeping the position.
Smith advances to half guard.

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.
Smith works his way into full mount!

Smith jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Medrano is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Medrano and Smith has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Medrano is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Smith's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Smith sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Medrano defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Medrano moves into full guard.
Smith being controlled here momentarily.

Medrano is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Smith presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Smith wants the takedown. Medrano is fighting it off but Smith persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Medrano's guard against the cage.

Medrano is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Smith looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Medrano breaks from the clinch.
Smith stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Medrano.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice takedown defense from Medrano. No joy for Smith on that attempt.
Medrano throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Smith's waist but Smith gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Medrano off to one side.

Medrano darts in and clinches Smith up against the cage.

Medrano jumps into guard, dragging Smith to the mat.
Smith looking to pass the guard.
Medrano has his hands on Smith's head, controlling the position.
Medrano continues to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Smith shoots in and drives through. Medrano sprawls well.
Medrano is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Smith can do to turn this around?

Smith fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Medrano, pushing him back against the cage.

Medrano breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Medrano 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 has a takedown stuffed.
Medrano drops down looking for a counter takedown but Smith sprawls and moves away.

Medrano moves into the clinch.

Medrano breaks the clinch.
Medrano lands with a nice combination. Smith backs away looking to recover.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Medrano misses with a takedown attempt - Smith sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Smith is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Medrano shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Smith defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Medrano feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Anthony Medrano has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of DJ Smith.
Smith is breathing heavily.
Smith tries for a takedown but Medrano sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Medrano scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Medrano fails with a takedown attempt.
Smith looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.
Medrano looking for a takedown.
Medrano is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Smith is defending well.
Medrano lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Smith.
Medrano is trying to pull guard but Smith has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Medrano is controlling him.
Medrano takes a knee to the side of the body.
Smith tries for a takedown. No joy.

Medrano has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Smith uses from the top position.
Anthony Medrano overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Smith working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Medrano has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Smith off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Medrano throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.
Medrano misses with a series of wild punches.
Smith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Anthony Medrano is winning the standup battle so far.

Medrano looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Medrano is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Smith trying to control but Medrano postures up.
Medrano winds up and cracks Smith with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Medrano winds up and cracks Smith with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Medrano is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Medrano slips a nice elbow through Smith's hands, connecting with Smith's forehead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Medrano lands a nice short elbow.
Medrano drops an elbow to the side of Smith's head.
Medrano trying to control the pace.

Medrano looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Medrano is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Smith sees it coming and defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Medrano dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Medrano gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Medrano is trying to pull guard but Smith has him pressed against the cage.

Medrano gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Smith controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Nice strikes from Medrano there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith wants to improve his position but Medrano is controlling well.
Smith on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Medrano drops an elbow to the side of Smith's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith wants to control but Medrano is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Smith is looking to escape.
Smith takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Medrano is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Smith trying to control but Medrano postures up.
Smith is looking to improve his position.
Medrano content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Medrano drops an elbow to the side of Smith's head.

That's two 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.
Medrano working the head and body with strikes.
Smith is trying to stand back up but Medrano is controlling him
Medrano looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Medrano lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Medrano content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Medrano connects with a nice short shot to Smith's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Medrano scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Ground and pound from Medrano.

Medrano is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Medrano lands with a punch from half guard.
Medrano wants to control but Smith is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Medrano working over Smith with some ground and pound. Smith looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Medrano trying to control the pace.

Medrano is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Smith sees it coming and defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith is not content to let Medrano control the position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Medrano connects with a nice short shot to Smith's temple.
Medrano landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Medrano working over Smith with some ground and pound. Smith looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Medrano is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Medrano scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Medrano lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anthony Medrano showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Medrano has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anthony Medrano!