PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joe Smith (ranked 42 p4p, 7 weight class) and Luc Gagnon (ranked 212 p4p, 27 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Smith
vs
Gagnon

183 cm
25
194 lbs
13 - 4 - 2

185 cm
25
195 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Groove Gear
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joe Smith!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Luc Gagnon!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Valeri Chadov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith throws a body punch but Gagnon moves out of range.
Smith keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Smith tries a low kick but Gagnon avoids it.
Gagnon connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Smith's hands.
Smith lands a right hook to the body.
Gagnon loads up on a big right hand but Smith slips the punch.
Smith throwing a counter right hand but Gagnon manages to avoid it.
We've been informed that Gagnon has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Gagnon looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.
Gagnon dodges the punch combination from Smith.
Decent striking displayed by Gagnon there.
Smith is looking to slow Gagnon down with leg kicks.
Gagnon with a jab.
Gagnon takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Gagnon connects with a single shot there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Gagnon to counter with a crisp jab.
Gagnon tests Smith's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A slow jab from Gagnon misses its intended target.
Smith throws a counter high kick but Gagnon was just alert enough to avoid it.
Luc Gagnon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gagnon swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith moves out of range of the strikes.
Gagnon misses the jab.
Gagnon on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Good work by Gagnon as he checks the leg kick.
Smith throws a predictable looking body shot
letting Gagnon counter with a right hand.

Smith has taken the fight to the clinch.
Gagnon misses with the head strike.
Smith tries to work over Gagnon's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gagnon throws a head punch that misses.
Gagnon prevents Smith from breaking the clinch.
Gagnon working aggressively here.
A left hand lands to the body for Smith.
Gagnon is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Smith to keep the fight standing.
Gagnon misses with a short punch on the inside.
Smith blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Smith takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon takes one to the chin there.
Gagnon scores with a shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gagnon lands a jab to Smith's midsection.
Gagnon has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Smith.
Smith tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Smith avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Gagnon misses with a body shot.
Gagnon connects with a single shot there.
Gagnon takes a swing at Smith's ribcage but misses.
Smith misses with a low kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Smith. Gagnon shrugs it off though.
Gagnon comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Gagnon is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Smith had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Smith throws a nice inside leg kick.
Gagnon wants to clinch.
Gagnon missing with a left hand there. Smith was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A cross from Gagnon lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon misses with an uppercut. Smith saw that one coming.
Smith connects with a body shot that sends Gagnon's belly button to the back.
Gagnon throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gagnon feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Smith's calf.
Gagnon blocks a head kick by Smith.
Smith connects with an inside leg kick.
Gagnon misses with a takedown attempt - Smith sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A little feinted left hand from Smith on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Decent striking displayed by Gagnon there.
Gagnon looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Smith is fending him off so far but Gagnon persists. Nope, Smith circles away and we're back to standing.
Joe Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luc Gagnon.

Smith forces Gagnon back against the cage and clinches.
Gagnon tries to pull guard but Smith holds him up against the cage and eventually Gagnon drops back down to his feet.
Gagnon fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Smith misses with a body punch.
Gagnon working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands a body shot.
Smith's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gagnon throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Smiths head.
Gagnon blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gagnon misses with a hook to the ribs.
Smith tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Smith misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gagnon stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Gagnon doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gagnon tries to work over Smith's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Smith misses with some punches.
Smith tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gagnon's elbow.
A nice left hand lands by Smith.
Gagnon tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gagnon misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Smith throws a punch but it's blocked by Gagnon.

Gagnon manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luc Gagnon dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A slow jab from Gagnon misses its intended target.
Smith scores with a one two! Gagnon had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Smith throws a right and a left that Gagnon avoids nicely.
Smith misses with a wild body shot.
Gagnon smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Smith throws a hook to the side of Gagnon's head but Gagnon sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gagnon walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Gagnon misses the jab.
Smith throws a body kick that misses.
Gagnon scores with a nice right hand.
Smith misses with a body shot.
Gagnon scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Smith throws a head kick that misses.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Gagnon lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Smith has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Smith and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gagnon throws a jab but it's blocked by Smith.
Decent striking displayed by Smith there.
Gagnon takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gagnon takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Gagnon moves out of range of the leg kick from Smith.
Gagnon just misses with a punch to the body.
Gagnon swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Smith wants to land a leg kick but Gagnon is out of range.
Gagnon fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Smith avoids a punch combination nicely.

Smith moves into range and clinches up with Gagnon.
Smith can't find room to land a body shot as Gagnon controls the action.
Smith blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Smith swings wildly with an uppercut but Gagnon uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smith misses with a punch to the body.
Gagnon swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gagnon tries a body shot but Smith blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands a body punch in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Gagnon fails to land.
Gagnon lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Gagnon pulls guard successfully.
Smith content to stall in guard here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gagnon is trying to control the position but Smith postures up.
Smith sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Gagnon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon is trying to control the position but Smith postures up.

Smith avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Smith has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Smith chips away with some ground and pound.

Gagnon escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Smith gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Gagnon throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Gagnon is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Smith is aware though and is defending well.
Gagnon has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Smith wants to control from the top but Gagnon keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Smith controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Smith looking to sit in guard and control but Gagnon gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Gagnon is looking to advance position but Smith has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Smith lands a couple of good shots and Gagnon has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Smith dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gagnon throws an off balance right hand
and Smith counters with a nice uppercut.
Gagnon missing with a left hand there. Smith was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gagnon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Smith takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Gagnon throws a big shot that misses.
Gagnon misses with a hook
and Smith counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Smith moves into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smith.
Gagnon misses with a hook from the clinch.
Smith tries a body shot but Gagnon blocks it.
A short left from Smith.
Smith's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Smith doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Smith misses with a body punch.
Nice body punch from Smith.
Gagnon misses with a hook from the clinch.
Smith lands a left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gagnon lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A nice left hand lands by Gagnon.
Smith misses with a body punch.
Gagnon tries to work over Smith's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gagnon misses with a shot to the kidneys.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Gagnon creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Gagnon lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Smith struggles to land a body shot inside as Gagnon controls his hands.
Smith working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Smith prevents a body shot from Gagnon.
Gagnon working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Gagnon takes a shot to the head.
Smith blocks an uppercut.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gagnon tries to clinch up.
An inside leg kick from Smith misses.
Gagnon scores with a punch to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gagnon lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
A jab from Gagnon finds it's way through Smith's defenses.
Jab by Gagnon.
Gagnon thuds his right hand into Smith's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Luc Gagnon seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Smith walks into a straight right hand from Gagnon.
Smith takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Smith throws a sloppy head kick and Gagnon moves out of range easily.
Smith looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

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

Gagnon has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Smith uses from the top position.
Smith controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith slips nicely into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Gagnon is trying to get back to full guard.
Gagnon is staying active underneath Smith, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Smith content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Joe Smith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gagnon wants to control but Smith is keeping busy.
Gagnon might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Smith haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's four 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.
Smith performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Smith is looking to stall here but Gagnon recovers full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luc Gagnon really dominated that round.
That's time! Smith's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gagnon tried to score with a low kick but Smith checks it.
A slapping body kick lands there for Smith.
Smith with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Gagnon to score with a decent uppercut.
Smith scores with a jab to the jaw.
Jab, jab by Gagnon - just one landing.
Smith finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Gagnon uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
An inside leg kick from Smith misses.
Smith tried to score with a low kick but Gagnon checks it.
Smith takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A big left from Gagnon misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.
Gagnon lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Gagnon lands a right hand.
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!
Gagnon swings wildly with an uppercut but Smith uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gagnon swings wildly with an uppercut but Smith uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith misses with a punch to the body.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gagnon fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Gagnon moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Smith keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Gagnon throws a lazy uppercut
and Smith counters with a good, hard body kick but Gagnon shrugs it off.
A lazy body kick from Smith
and Gagnon counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Smith slips a straight right by Gagnon.
Smith takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Gagnon dips to his left and cracks Smith with an uppercut!
Gagnon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gagnon scores with a decent looking hook.

Smith gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Gagnon jumps guard but Smith turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Gagnon.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith blocking some punches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Smith.
Gagnon goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Gagnon tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Smith lands a right hand.
Gagnon lands a shot to the body.
Gagnon is trying to pull guard but Smith has him pressed against the cage.
Gagnon tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Smith tries a body shot but Gagnon blocks it.
Gagnon tries to work over Smith's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Smith blocks a body shot from Gagnon.
Luc Gagnon seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Smith misses with a hook from the clinch.
Gagnon misses with a punch to the body.

Smith's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Smith misses the shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith moves out of range as Gagnon strikes.
Gagnon lands a head shot.
Smith misses with a body shot.
Gagnon swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Smith staying out of range there.
Gagnon misses with a body shot.
Gagnon on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Gagnon throws the left hand but Smith avoids the punch easily.
Smith throwing a counter right hand but Gagnon manages to avoid it.
Gagnon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smith moves away.
Gagnon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smith moves away.
Smith throws a head kick but Gagnon moves out of range.
Smith lands a really nice looking cross but Gagnon seems unphased.
Gagnon cracks Smith with a good jab.
Smith throws a half hearted mid kick.
Smith chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Gagnon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gagnon pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Gagnon.
Gagnon throws a body punch but Smith moves out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Gagnon drives through and clinches with Smith against the cage.
Gagnon fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gagnon lands a shoulder strike.
Gagnon tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Smith's elbow.
Smith blocks an uppercut.
Smith blocks an uppercut.
Gagnon throws a head punch that misses.
A short left from Smith.

Gagnon manages to pull guard.

Gagnon escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Smith gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Smith sitting in guard here, content to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luc Gagnon dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Gagnon swings away with a body shot that misses
and Smith counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Smith gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Gagnon makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Smith misses with a wild body shot.
Gagnon cracks Smith with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Gagnon tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Smith lets loose with a powerful body kick. Gagnon will feel that in the morning.
Gagnon on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Smith. Smith obviously looking to wear him down.
Gagnon pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A big left from Smith misses.
Gagnon takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Good shot there by Gagnon.
Smith throws a leg kick but Gagnon sees it coming and moves out of range.
Smith thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gagnon lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Gagnon.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith connects with a jab.
Smith stuffs the takedown.
Smith fires out a quick counter leg kick but Gagnon just manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gagnon misses with a hook.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gagnon pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Smith throws a counter high kick but Gagnon was just alert enough to avoid it.
Gagnon jabs Smith to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Gagnon is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Smith.
Smith slips under a jab.
Smith thuds his right hand into Gagnon's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
An inside leg kick lands from Gagnon.
Gagnon scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Gagnon throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Joe Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.
Smith misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gagnon tries to work over Smith's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch on the inside from Gagnon fails to land.
Smith lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gagnon doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Smith swings wildly with an uppercut but Gagnon uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smith blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gagnon working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Good body shot from Smith.
Gagnon misses with the head strike.
Gagnon tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Smith fails to land.
Gagnon lands with a left to the head.
Smith misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gagnon is trying to pull guard but Smith turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Gagnon lands with a right to the head.
Smith prevents a body shot from Gagnon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith prevents a body shot from Gagnon.
Gagnon is working Smith over against the cage.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Smith blocks a body shot from Gagnon.
Smith blocks a body shot from Gagnon.
Gagnon misses with a hook from the clinch.
Smith blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gagnon tries to pull guard but Smith won't allow it.
Joe Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luc Gagnon.
Gagnon misses with a short punch on the inside.
Smith blocking some punches.
Gagnon has a couple of punches blocked by Smith.

Gagnon works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Gagnon trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith looking for a sweep. Not yet Smith, not yet.
Luc Gagnon is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith controls Gagnon momentarily but Gagnon frees himself.
Gagnon stopping the sweep attempt from Smith.
Joe Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gagnon looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Smith looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Gagnon's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Gagnon.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luc Gagnon comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gagnon 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 46:49
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 46:49
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luc Gagnon!
Luc Gagnon is the new middleweight champion!
A victorious Luc Gagnon thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.