PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kazuma Kuwabara (ranked 1121 p4p, 181 weight class) and Corey Smith Jr (ranked 1168 p4p, 187 weight class). Kuwabara comes into the arena with Kazuma Kuwabara Theme blaring out of the sound system. Smith Jr has chosen You Will Know My Name as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kuwabara
vs
Smith Jr

190 cm
20
210 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

183 cm
20
205 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Forge Clothing Co.

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kazuma Kuwabara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Corey Smith Jr!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Winston Howard and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circling - Smith Jr throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Smith Jr throws out a powerful jab.
Smith Jr swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Smith Jr stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Smith Jr wants it to stay on the feet.

Kuwabara closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Smith Jr prevents the takedown attempt.
Kuwabara tries to throw a body punch but Smith Jr avoids it by throwing Kuwabara back against the cage.
Smith Jr working hard to break the clinch.
Smith Jr blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Smith Jr holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Kuwabara works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Smith Jr wants to stall.
Kuwabara is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith Jr displaying some good clinch control by pressing Kuwabara up against the cage.

Smith Jr pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kuwabara ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith Jr misses with an uppercut
and Kuwabara cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Smith Jr throws a right and a left that Kuwabara avoids nicely.
Kuwabara takes a swing at Smith Jr's ribcage but misses.
Smith Jr misses with an uppercut. Kuwabara saw that one coming.
Smith Jr looks to land a right hand but Kuwabara moved out of range.
Kuwabara takes a swing at Smith Jr's ribcage but misses.
Kuwabara throws a hook but Smith Jr avoids it easily.
Smith Jr will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kuwabara fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Smith Jr looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kuwabara scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Kuwabara gets a clinch.
A body shot lands from Smith Jr.
Kuwabara tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Kuwabara breaks the clinch.
Smith Jr keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kuwabara.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith Jr avoids the body shot from Kuwabara.
Smith Jr swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kuwabara just misses with a punch to the body.
Kuwabara looks to throw the jab but Smith Jr is out of range.
Smith Jr takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kuwabara throws a jab but it's blocked by Smith Jr.
The crowd cheers as Smith Jr lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kuwabara doesn't seem phased though.
A punch combination from Smith Jr misses.
Kuwabara tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith Jr swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Smith Jr dodges the punch combination from Kuwabara.
Corey Smith Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith Jr dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kuwabara. That did some damage!
Nice defenses there by Kuwabara.
Kuwabara connects with a right hand. Smith Jr shakes it off.
Smith Jr staying out of range there.
Smith Jr throws a counter combo.
Smith Jr's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kuwabara under the eye.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith Jr throws a nice looking combination but Kuwabara bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kuwabara takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Smith Jr blocks a jab.
Smith Jr throws out a loose jab but Kuwabara uses good head movement to avoid it.
A big right from Smith Jr misses.
Kuwabara fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kazuma Kuwabara. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith Jr bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kuwabara's head.
Smith Jr pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kuwabara ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kuwabara checks the leg kick nicely there.
Kuwabara throwing a counter right hand but Smith Jr manages to avoid it.
Jab, jab by Smith Jr - just one landing.
Kuwabara checks the leg kick.
Smith Jr moves into range and connects with a jab.
Smith Jr throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith Jr lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kuwabara circles away quickly and effectively.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kuwabara darts in looking for a takedown but Smith Jr gets double underhooks and turns Kuwabara into the cage.
A slow jab from Smith Jr misses its intended target.
Kuwabara swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Kuwabara misses with a wild body shot.
Smith Jr now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Kuwabara scores with a three punch combo!
Smith Jr throws a body shot but no joy.
Smith Jr on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Smith Jr misses with an uppercut. Kuwabara saw that one coming.
Kuwabara is looking for a counter combo.
Smith Jr throws a hook to the side of Kuwabara's head but Kuwabara sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Smith Jr misses with a double jab.
Kuwabara is looking to counter punch.
Smith Jr on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kuwabara misses with a wild body shot.
Smith Jr jabs Kuwabara right on the nose. Kuwabara blinks but takes it well.
Smith Jr fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Corey Smith Jr is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Smith Jr misses with a hook.
Smith Jr throws a looping overhand right but Kuwabara ducks down to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Corey Smith Jr dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Smith Jr takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nice cross by Kuwabara.
Smith Jr throws a sloppy head kick
and Kuwabara cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Corey Smith Jr seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Smith Jr throws the left hand but Kuwabara avoids the punch easily.
Kuwabara is looking to counter punch.
Kuwabara throws a big shot that misses.
Kuwabara jabs Smith Jr right on the nose. Smith Jr blinks but takes it well.
Smith Jr is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kuwabara.
Smith Jr attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kuwabara is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Kuwabara looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Smith Jr walks into a straight right hand from Kuwabara.
Smith Jr thows a left - swing and a miss!
Smith Jr tries a head kick but it misses.
Kuwabara misses with the combination.
Smith Jr looks for the body kick but Kuwabara saw that one coming.
Smith Jr lands with a good body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith Jr swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kuwabara counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuwabara scores with a nice head shot.
Nice cross by Kuwabara.
Kuwabara rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smith Jr moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Smith Jr avoids the body shot from Kuwabara.
A slow jab from Kuwabara misses its intended target.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Smith Jr, as that shot connected.
Kuwabara looks to land a combination but Smith Jr avoids it well.
Kuwabara misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Smith Jr counters with a leg kick.
Kuwabara tries to move into range but Smith Jr moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Smith Jr throws a leg kick but Kuwabara sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Smith Jr lands a nice looking kick to the body. Kuwabara takes a step back to recover.
Left hook, right uppercut from Smith Jr.

It looks like Kazuma Kuwabara has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith Jr throws out a leg kick but Kuwabara moves out of range and Smith Jr only half commits.
Smith Jr tries to score with a low kick but Kuwabara moves his leg out of the way.
A quick step to the side and Kuwabara tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kuwabara pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Smith Jr back to the cage. Kuwabara follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Kuwabara.
Kuwabara scores with the left hand. Smith Jr knows he should have avoided that one.
Smith Jr throws a lazy uppercut
and Kuwabara counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Some wild striking there from Smith Jr.
Smith Jr throws a hook but Kuwabara avoids it easily.
Smith Jr throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kuwabara shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Smith Jr as he jumps to the side.
Kuwabara is looking to clinch but Smith Jr is avoiding it.
Kuwabara is looking to clinch.
Corey Smith Jr is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kuwabara shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Smith Jr defends it nicely.
Kuwabara is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuwabara clobbers Smith Jr with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
A combination from Smith Jr does no damage.
An attempted straight right counter from Kuwabara misses the target.
Kuwabara lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Kuwabara is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Smith Jr.
Kuwabara blocks the body kick.
Kuwabara tries to counter by clinching up but Smith Jr breaks away and moves out of range.
Kuwabara throws a looping overhand right but Smith Jr ducks down to avoid it.
Smith Jr misses with a series of wild punches.
Kuwabara shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Smith Jr as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kazuma Kuwabara. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kuwabara throws a nice looking combination but Smith Jr bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Smith Jr lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Smith Jr misses with a wild body shot.
Smith Jr connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kuwabara momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith Jr misses with a wild combination.
Smith Jr cracks Kuwabara with an open hand slap.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith Jr throws a nice looking combination but Kuwabara bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kuwabara misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smith Jr.
Smith Jr displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kuwabara throws out the jab.
Smith Jr misses with a double jab.
Kuwabara bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Smith Jr's head backwards.
Kuwabara slips a jab and a cross from Smith Jr.
Smith Jr stuffs the takedown attempt from Kuwabara. Kuwabara gets slowly back to his feet.
Kuwabara cracks Smith Jr with a right hand to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kazuma Kuwabara will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kazuma Kuwabara's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Smith Jr tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kuwabara is able to avoid easily.
A big left from Kuwabara misses.
Kuwabara lands a nice shot that snaps Smith Jr's head back.
Smith Jr is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kuwabara.
Smith Jr misses with a jab, cross combination.
A quick step to the side and Kuwabara tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smith Jr swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A left and a right from Smith Jr both land. Nice combination.
Kuwabara fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Smith Jr dodges the punch combination from Kuwabara.
Smith Jr lands a glancing blow to the side of Kuwabara's head.
Kuwabara ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kuwabara checks the leg kick nicely there.
Kuwabara is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Smith Jr ducks under a wild hook from Kuwabara.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuwabara throws a hook but Smith Jr avoids it easily.
Smith Jr misses the jab.
Smith Jr throws a leg kick that misses.
Kuwabara is looking for a counter combo.
Smith Jr throws a hook but Kuwabara avoids it easily.
Nice shot by Kuwabara.
Smith Jr avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Smith Jr has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Smith Jr clobbers Kuwabara with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Smith Jr throws an off balance right hand
and Kuwabara cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kuwabara takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Smith Jr throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kuwabara.

Kuwabara gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kuwabara blocking some punches.
Kuwabara tries for a takedown but Smith Jr manages to get underhooks.
Kuwabara looking to slow down the pace here.
Smith Jr lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kuwabara backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kuwabara manages to break the clinch.
Kuwabara lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith Jr takes a swing at Kuwabara's ribcage but misses.
Smith Jr pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kuwabara throws a hook but Smith Jr blocks it.
Smith Jr slips a jab and a cross from Kuwabara.
Smith Jr throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Smith Jr falls off balance throwing a combination
and Smith Jr takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Smith Jr misses with a body punch
and Kuwabara counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Smith Jr moves forwards but Kuwabara connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Smith Jr lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kuwabara circles away quickly and effectively.
Kuwabara shoots in and drives through. Smith Jr sprawls well.
A leg kick checked by Kuwabara.
Kuwabara was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Kuwabara scores with a jab to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuwabara takes a jab right on the kisser.
Smith Jr misses with the combination.
Smith Jr takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kuwabara throws a body shot but no joy.
Smith Jr misses with an uppercut. Kuwabara saw that one coming.
Smith Jr slips a jab from Kuwabara.
Kuwabara dodges the punch combination from Smith Jr.
Kuwabara takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kuwabara defending well as Smith Jr loads up on a big left hand.

Kuwabara throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Smith Jr was covering up waiting for the punch and Kuwabara finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Smith Jr is pulling down on Kuwabara's head. It's preventing any offense from Kuwabara, at least for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kuwabara drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kuwabara jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith Jr 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.

Kuwabara is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith Jr seems keen to control Kuwabara's posture.

Kuwabara drops back looking for a leg! Smith Jr is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Smith Jr manages to kick Kuwabara off! Kuwabara jumps back into Smith Jr's guard.

Kuwabara drops back looking for a leg! Smith Jr is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Smith Jr manages to kick Kuwabara off! Kuwabara jumps back into Smith Jr's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Corey Smith Jr.
I think Smith Jr has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Corey Smith Jr!
Our winner, Corey Smith Jr, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
Kazuma Kuwabara spoke after the fight, saying 'We all have to die when our time comes, but if we do our duty we don't got regrets'.