PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Logan Hope (ranked 5213 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jackson Smalls (ranked 5029 p4p, 494 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Hope
vs
Smalls

187 cm
18
186 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
21
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Logan Hope!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jackson Smalls!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yuuki Gou and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hope shoots for a takedown but Smalls saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A countering left hand to the body from Smalls misses.

Hope rushes Smalls and presses him up against the cage.
Smalls has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hope is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Smalls fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Smalls is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Logan Hope has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jackson Smalls.
Hope gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Smalls.
Smalls keeps control of Hope as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Smalls just leaning against Hope, taking a breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hope is looking to take this one to the mat.
Hope has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Smalls is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Smalls doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Smalls has hold of one of Hope's legs. Hope is fighting the takedown attempt but Smalls gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Smalls postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hope is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Smalls is trying to maintain the position but Hope is very close to passing his half guard.
Hope knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Smalls on the ground.
Hope trying to control the pace.
Smalls wants to improve his position but Hope is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hope keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Hope tries to stand but can't do so whilst Smalls controls his leg.
Smalls is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Smalls throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hope trying to control the action but Smalls is working from the bottom.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Smalls tries to get to full guard but Hope has control of the leg.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Hope on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Hope has Smalls up against the cage in a clinch.
Hope content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Hope can't find room to land a body shot as Smalls controls the action.
Hope tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Smalls smiles and moves away.
Smalls tries to clinch up but Hope circles away and keeps his distance.
Hope shoots in for a takedown but Smalls shows good takedown defense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smalls has managed to clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Smalls.
Smalls swings wildly with an uppercut but Hope uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hope goes for a takedown attempt but Smalls pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hope is defended easily by Smalls.
No luck for Hope with that takedown attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Smalls shoots in for a double leg but Hope sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A counter left hand to the body from Hope misses its target.
Smalls darts in looking for a takedown but Hope gets double underhooks and turns Smalls into the cage.
Hope throwing a counter right hand but Smalls manages to avoid it.
Smalls looks to land a body kick but Hope moved away.
Smalls lands a slapping body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jackson Smalls will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Smalls swinging wildly here.
Logan Hope is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smalls lands with a straight right. Hope didn't see that one coming.
Smalls shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hope as he jumps to the side.
It looked like Hope was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Hope looks for a takedown but Smalls sprawls well.
Smalls scores with a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hope blocks a head kick by Smalls.
Hope fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Hope as Smalls shoots in.
Hope shoots in looking for a takedown. Smalls tries to sprawl out of it but Hope keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Smalls manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smalls gets the takedown into side control.
Check out the look on Smalls's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Smalls has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Smalls tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Smalls scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Hope to see if he's OK.
Jackson Smalls has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smalls is putting a hurting on Hope here, landing some big shots from side control.
Smalls trying to control the action but Hope is working from the bottom.
I wouldn't like to be where Hope is right now.

Smalls decides to stand back up.
Smalls throws a head kick but Hope moves out of range.
Smalls misses with a double jab.
Smalls shoots in for a takedown but Hope shows good takedown defense.
Logan Hope has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jackson Smalls.
Smalls pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Hope back to the cage. Smalls follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smalls throws a low kick but Hope moves out of range easily.
Hope shoots in looking for a takedown. Smalls tries to sprawl out of it but Hope keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Smalls manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Smalls drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Hope defends it well.
Hope shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Smalls but Smalls pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Smalls misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Hope gets a clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Smalls goes for a takedown attempt but Hope pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Hope shoots in looking for a takedown but Smalls manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hope's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smalls scores with a shot to the body.
Smalls throws a right and a left that both miss.
Smalls circles away from the clinch attempt
and Smalls counters with a one-two to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Smalls.
Hope throws a leg kick but Smalls moved away.
Smalls misses with a few strikes there.
Smalls jabs Hope to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Smalls shoots in and bounces Hope off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Hope is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jackson Smalls showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

No luck with that takedown attempt from Smalls.
Hope swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Hope tries for a takedown but Smalls sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Jackson Smalls seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hope is trying hard to land a takedown here. Smalls sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Smalls changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hope looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Hope explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Hope doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Smalls counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Logan Hope. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hope moves out of range of the body kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hope throws a nice looking combination but Smalls bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hope blocks a head kick by Smalls.
Hope tries to counter by clinching up but Smalls breaks away and moves out of range.
Hope keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Hope wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Hope shoots in for a takedown but Smalls shows good takedown defense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smalls lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Smalls is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hope rather than just go for the knockout.
Smalls lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Smalls closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Hope's guard.
Smalls content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Smalls engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Smalls keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hope's head.
Smalls wants to control from the top but Hope keeps moving.
Smalls pushing down on Hope's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hope is staying active underneath Smalls, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Smalls slips a nice elbow through Hope's hands, connecting with Hope's forehead.

Smalls decides to return to a standing position.
Smalls throws a right and a left that Hope avoids nicely.
Hope has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
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!
Smalls throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hope.
Smalls throws a right hand that Hope ducks under and follows up with a left that Hope also avoids with ease.

Hope shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Smalls manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Hope pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Smalls is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Smalls is on top in guard.

Smalls makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Smalls forces his way into half guard.
Smalls drops an elbow to the side of Hope's head.

Smalls is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hope has managed to free his arm - good work.
Smalls content to control rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smalls gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Hope has a takedown stuffed.
Smalls tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Smalls throws a body shot but no joy.
Hope wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Smalls throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Logan Hope has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jackson Smalls is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Smalls pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jackson Smalls comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Smalls winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight for Jackson Smalls!
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Jackson Smalls!
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Jackson Smalls!

Jackson Smalls wins by unanimous decision!