PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aaron Smith (ranked 1950 p4p, 247 weight class) and John Dio (ranked 2065 p4p, 256 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Smith might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Lonely Train by Black Stone Cherry. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Smith
vs
Dio

195 cm
25
280 lbs
10 - 8 - 0

190 cm
31
245 lbs
11 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Aaron Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Dio!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Jeff Smith and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Smith. Dio does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dio tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
Smith misses with a double jab
and Dio counters with a straight right hand.
Smith throws out a loose jab but Dio uses good head movement to avoid it.

Smith fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Dio, pushing him back against the cage.
Smith misses with an elbow strike.
I was talking to Smith's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Dio tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Smith's elbow.
Smith stalling.
Smith lands an elbow just above Dio 's eye.

It looks like John Dio has been cut.
Smith creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Dio's defenses.
Smith stalling the fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dio looking to stall.
Dio blocks the elbow strike.
Dio has Smith pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Smith manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Smith scores with a shot to the side of Dio's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dio misses with a punch on the inside.
Dio tries for a takedown. No joy.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Smith takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Smith scores with a shoulder strike.
Dio can't find room to land a body shot as Smith controls the action.
Smith creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Dio misses with a short punch on the inside.
Smith throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Dio is trying to maintain a safe position but Smith gets an underhook and turns Dio into the cage.
Smith lands with a left to the head.
Smith creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Dio's defenses.
Dio is trying to break the clinch but Smith is controlling him.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
Dio tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Smith.
Dio ducks under a wild hook from Smith.
Dio feints the counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith slips a jab and a cross from Dio.
It looked like Smith wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Smith misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dio.

Smith drops Dio with a beautiful combination! Dio stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Smith is looking for the KO!

Dio is rocked!
Aaron Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Dio tries to keep at a distance but Smith has taken the fight into the clinch.
Dio is still on wobbly legs! Can Smith finish him?
Smith has Dio pressed against the cage. He pushes Dio back and as he springs towards him off the cage, Smith throws a beautiful elbow that sends Dio crashing to the floor! Smith piles on the pressure with more strikes! Dio is flailing away but he's not defending himself and the referee steps in to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:23 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Aaron Smith!
An out of breath Aaron Smith thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.