PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between James Raja (ranked 4539 p4p, 424 weight class) and James Smith (ranked 4808 p4p, 436 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Raja
vs
Smith

180 cm
25
179 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
25
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, James Raja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Smith!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Patrick Alders and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raja throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Smith on the side of the head.
Raja swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Smith decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Raja's guard.
Smith throwing strikes from guard but Raja blocks nicely.
Smith wants to get up but he can't break Raja's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Smith slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Smith missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Smith throws a big elbow that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Raja keeping full guard, as Smith tries to pass.

Smith avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith pushes down on Raja's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Smith not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Smith in particular looking to stall.
Raja has hold of Smith's hands but Smith slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Smith has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

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.

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.
Raja manages to get to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith throws a big elbow that misses.

Raja is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Smith pushes down on Raja's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Raja on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Smith performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Smith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Raja keeps working.
Raja is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Smith scores with a couple of nice shots.
Raja is trying to maintain the position but Smith is very close to passing his half guard.

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.

Smith is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Smith thows a huge punch but Raja dodges it nicely.
Raja keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Smith is working for a submission of some sort.
Raja wants to control but Smith is keeping busy and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Smith dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Raja displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Smith.
Raja swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Raja scores with a nice right hand.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Raja as he avoids it easily.
Raja scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Smith changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Raja tries to avoid it but Smith manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Raja to the ground. Raja escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Raja drops down looking for a counter takedown but Smith sprawls and moves away.
James Raja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Smith.
Smith with a lazy takedown attempt
and Raja counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Smith drives through with a takedown into guard.
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Raja works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Raja can't keep his opponent in guard - Smith advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raja controlling the position for now.
Smith has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Raja wants to get back to full guard.
Raja is trying to control but Smith passes into side control!
Smith working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Raja gets back to half guard.
Smith not doing much here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Raja is looking for a sweep. Smith is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Smith passes to full mount!
Raja tries to lock up and control but Smith gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Smith takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Smith lands a nice shot to the head.
Raja regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raja is trying to get back to full guard.
Smith uses his free foot to push down on Raja's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Raja.

Smith quickly switches position and commits to an armbar! It's a big risk for Smith but it's paid off an Raja is forced to tap! Nice work by Smith.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:42 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). James Smith!