PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kirk Sampson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Smells (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kirk Sampson has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Sampson
vs
Smells

193 cm
23
195 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

182 cm
19
197 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kirk Sampson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mike Smells!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sampson swats away the attempt to clinch by Smells.
Sampson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sampson dodges the punch combination from Smells.
A punch combination from Smells misses.
Smells misses with a few strikes there.
Sampson slips a jab and a cross from Smells.
Sampson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Sampson scores with a three punch combo!

Sampson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Smells to the mat! Smells manages to get full guard.
Smells is looking to sweep but instead, Sampson has passed into half guard.
Smells looks gassed!
Sampson is taking a breather. Smells says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sampson has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Smells strikes from the bottom but Sampson uses the opportunity to move to side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smells tries to improve position but can't.
Smells looking for a sweep but Sampson has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Smells tries to improve his position but instead Sampson has taken his back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Sampson has the hooks in. Smells is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Smells controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Sampson is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Smells is trying to get back to his feet but Sampson has full control of the position and if anything, Smells has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Sampson is trying to stick to Smells's back but Smells is turning into Sampson. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Sampson's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Smells.
Sampson wants to sweep but no luck.
Smells would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Sampson controlling the position.
Sampson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sampson working a defensive guard here.
Sampson looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Smells gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

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.
Smells throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Sampson counters with a one-two to the body.
Smells throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Sampson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Smells is looking to stand back up but Sampson counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Smells.
Well, if Sampson is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Smells wants to improve his position but Sampson is controlling well.
Smells wants to stand back up but Sampson manages to pass into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kirk Sampson dominated that round.
That's time! Sampson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Smells throws a combination that misses

and Sampson counters by clinching up.
Smells wants to break free but Sampson has control.
Smells wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Smells swings wildly with an uppercut but Sampson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sampson looking for a takedown.
Smells is pressed up against the cage. Sampson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Smells down to the mat. Smells avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Smells misses with a double jab

and Sampson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Smells is striking off his back. Sampson thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Smells wants to improve his position but Sampson is controlling well.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Sampson in particular looking to stall.
Smells is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smells tries to kick Sampson off in order to stand up. Sampson Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Smells looking for a sweep but Sampson has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Sampson looking to control and managing it successfully.
Sampson trying to control but Smells is having none of it.
Sampson moves to the back position.

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.
Smells is trying to get back to his feet but Sampson has full control of the position and if anything, Smells has just worked his way into a worse spot.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Smells trying to control the action but Sampson just sinks the hooks in.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smells controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Smells tries to escape but Sampson has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Smells is trying to stand back up.

That's four 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.
Sampson struggling to keep hold of the position.
Smells wants to escape the position.
Sampson has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Smells's body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smells trying to get back to his feet but Sampson is in full control for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kirk Sampson 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!

Smells gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Sampson counters with a right hand to the body.
Sampson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Smells tries to avoid it but Sampson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Smells to the ground. Smells escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Smells falls off balance throwing a combination

and Sampson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Sampson content to control rather than advance.
Smells is trying to escape back to his feet but Sampson uses the scramble to pass into side control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Smells can do anything to dispel that myth.
Sampson gets to mount! Smells was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Smells takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Smells is trying to reverse the position but instead Sampson has taken his back - oops!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sampson is riding his opponent, not letting Smells buck him off.
Smells looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Sampson has the hooks in. Smells is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Smells is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Sampson.
Smells controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

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.
Smells is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Sampson throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Smells!
Smells tries to roll but Sampson sticks to his back.
Sampson keeps control of the position easily here as Smells tries to buck him off.
Smells rolls, trying to escape but Sampson keeps control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sampson controls the action.
Smells holding both Sampson 's hands and preventing any damage.
Sampson keeps control of the position easily here as Smells tries to buck him off.
Smells wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sampson controlling well, preventing Smells from escaping the position.
Smells turns into Sampson and is now in his guard.
Sampson has Smells pulled in close to control his posture.
Smells postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smells is looking to work some ground and pound but Sampson has wrist control.
Mike Smells has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kirk Sampson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Smells working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kirk Sampson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Sampson 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kirk Sampson!