PBP Commentary

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

Verkko
vs
Smith

175 cm
22
162 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

178 cm
22
165 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mika Verkko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bob Smith!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, John Kavanagh and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith shoots in for a takedown but Verkko shows good takedown defense.

Verkko clinches up with Smith and pushes him back against the cage.
Smith is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Verkko pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Smith fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Mika Verkko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bob Smith.
Smith tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Verkko smiles and moves away.
Verkko tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Verkko takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Smith fails to land the takedown.
Smith fails to land the takedown.
No joy there for Verkko, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Smith shoots in and drives through. Verkko sprawls well.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Smith.
Verkko misses with an attempted mid kick.
Bob Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verkko looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Smith has a takedown stuffed.
Smith shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Verkko pinned against the cage. Verkko gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Smith fails with the takedown.
Smith showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Verkko.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Smith.
Smith with the ground and pound but Verkko regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Verkko on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Verkko tries to get out of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith looks gassed!
Smith is pressing down on Verkko's thigh, looking to free his foot. Verkko is holding on for now.

Smith is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Verkko pushes Smith off looking to stand but Smith dives back in and keeps control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith 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.
Smith stops Verkko from getting back to his feet.

Smith is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Smith shoots in looking for a takedown. Verkko tries to sprawl out of it but Smith keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Verkko manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Verkko throws a series of strikes that have Smith backpedaling.

It looks like Bob Smith has been cut.
Smith looks for a takedown but Verkko sprawls well.

Verkko has managed to clinch.
Smith wants a takedown.
Smith jumps guard but Verkko stands there with Smith around his waist. Smith gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Smith tries to score a body lock takedown but Verkko shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

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

Verkko gets a clinch.
Verkko lands a hook to the side of the head.

Verkko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Verkko throws a right hand that Smith ducks under and follows up with a left that Smith also avoids with ease.
Smith wants to clinch

and Verkko counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mika Verkko dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bob Smith's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Smith feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Verkko wants to get back to his feet but Smith is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Smith drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Verkko manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Smith has Verkko in his guard.

Smith had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Verkko is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Smith Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Verkko's back instead.
Smith is breathing heavily.
Verkko is trying to stand back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Verkko has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Smith doesn't have the hooks in and Verkko manages to turn into his guard.

Smith is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Verkko wants to stand but Smith has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Smith is looking for a triangle but Verkko pushes his legs off easily.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Verkko rushes Smith and presses him up against the cage.
Smith tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Verkko just stands there and leans against the cage.

Verkko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Verkko tries to clinch there but Smith circles away.
Smith doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Verkko counters with a huge uppercut, hook combination that drops Smith! The ref has seen enough - he's dived in to stop the fight! Brutal strikes by Verkko!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mika Verkko!