PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between David Smathers (ranked 3959 p4p, 142 weight class) and AK Kalasznikov (ranked 5180 p4p, 189 weight class). David Smathers has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Smathers
vs
Kalasznikov

222 cm
25
300 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

222 cm
25
300 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight 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, David Smathers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, AK Kalasznikov!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Paulo Santos and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kalasznikov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Kalasznikov tightens his grip and picks Smathers up, before dumping him to the ground. Smathers manages to land in guard.

Smathers is working an open guard so Kalasznikov takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Smathers blocks a low kick nicely.

Kalasznikov clinches.
Smathers has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kalasznikov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Kalasznikov breaks from the clinch.

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

Kalasznikov lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smathers is not content to let Kalasznikov control the position.
Kalasznikov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smathers tries to roll over but Kalasznikov keeps him under control.
Smathers moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Smathers controlling Kalasznikov's posture.

Smathers is looking for a triangle but Kalasznikov pushes his legs off easily.
Kalasznikov wants to pass the guard but Smathers is keeping the position.
Kalasznikov stopping the sweep attempt from Smathers.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalasznikov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Smathers controlling the position.
Kalasznikov wants to get up but he can't break Smathers's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Smathers seems keen to control Kalasznikov's posture.
Smathers keeping moving, preventing Kalasznikov from controlling successfully.

Smathers working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kalasznikov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kalasznikov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smathers looking for a sweep. Not yet Smathers, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smathers controlling the position.
Kalasznikov postures up.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Kalasznikov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kalasznikov is struggling to control the position.

Kalasznikov gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Smathers wants to control but Kalasznikov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The fighters are battling for position here. Smathers manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smathers pulls Kalasznikov in close to prevent any damage.
Smathers has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Smathers has his foot on Kalasznikov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kalasznikov works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

AK Kalasznikov dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Smathers fails with the takedown.
Smathers fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kalasznikov looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.

Kalasznikov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Smathers is trying to break free.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kalasznikov wants the takedown. Smathers is fighting it off but Kalasznikov persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Smathers's guard against the cage.
Kalasznikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Smathers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smathers looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kalasznikov is one step ahead there.
Kalasznikov tries to free his leg and advance position but Smathers is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalasznikov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kalasznikov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Smathers is pulling down on Kalasznikov's head to control his posture.
Kalasznikov preventing the sweep.
Smathers has control of Kalasznikov's left arm, preventing Kalasznikov from doing any damage.
Smathers is trying to keep Kalasznikov in close.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smathers is controlling Kalasznikov's posture.
Kalasznikov trying to control but Smathers is working from the bottom.
Kalasznikov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kalasznikov is fighting to break Smathers's control of his arms but Smathers is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Kalasznikov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kalasznikov with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smathers seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Kalasznikov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Smathers's half guard.
Smathers is trying is best to control the position here.
Smathers is pressing down on Kalasznikov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smathers is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kalasznikov defends well.
Kalasznikov is stalling in the full guard.
Smathers looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kalasznikov is one step ahead there.
Smathers wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kalasznikov postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

AK Kalasznikov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kalasznikov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Kalasznikov is looking to take a break and control but Smathers is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Smathers manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kalasznikov's best efforts.
Smathers gets full guard.
Kalasznikov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Smathers managing to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smathers bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kalasznikov's guard.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smathers pushes down on Kalasznikov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Smathers thows a huge punch but Kalasznikov dodges it nicely.
Smathers trying to control the action but Kalasznikov is working from the bottom.

Smathers 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.
Kalasznikov is refusing to be controlled, as Smathers sits in half guard.

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.
Kalasznikov is looking for a sweep. Smathers is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Smathers is looking for a kimura here.

Smathers is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Kalasznikov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Smathers is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Kalasznikov tries to get to full guard but Smathers has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smathers trying to control from half guard but Kalasznikov is working away.
AK Kalasznikov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Smathers missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Smathers is looking for a kimura but Kalasznikov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Smathers to get the leverage.
Smathers trying to control the action but Kalasznikov is working from the bottom.
Smathers tries to pass to full mount but Kalasznikov defends it.
Smathers frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Kalasznikov working to try and regain half guard.

Smathers with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poor strikes thrown by Smathers there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

Smathers is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Kalasznikov to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Kalasznikov shrugs it off.
Kalasznikov is trying to stand.
Smathers looking to control but Kalasznikov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kalasznikov working to try and regain half guard.
David Smathers has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Smathers sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
AK Kalasznikov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kalasznikov is looking to improve his position but Smathers isn't that keen on the idea.

And that's the end of the fight!
David Smathers showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kalasznikov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... AK Kalasznikov!