PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ace Giannis Ignacio (ranked 5476 p4p, 522 weight class) and Randy Smalls (ranked 6756 p4p, 567 weight class). Ignacio comes to the cage accompanied by Lucid Dreams. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Giannis Ignacio
vs
Smalls

178 cm
19
200 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

193 cm
21
210 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ace Giannis Ignacio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Randy Smalls!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, John Kavanagh and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ignacio lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ignacio tries to close the distance and clinch but Smalls swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Smalls fails with the takedown.
Ignacio appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Ignacio shoots for a double leg takedown but Smalls sprawls well. He's pushed Ignacio's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Smalls tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ignacio swivels and escapes.
A big left from Smalls misses.
Smalls fails to land the takedown.
Ace Giannis Ignacio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Randy Smalls.
Smalls keeps the fight on the outside.
Smalls wants to counter with a clinch but Ignacio pushes him away.
Ignacio tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smalls paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Smalls keeps the fight on the outside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ignacio tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Smalls throws a big counter head kick but Ignacio avoids it with no problem.
Smalls fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ignacio avoids it really well and circles away.
Ignacio tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignacio fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Smalls manages to avoid it.
Ignacio keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ignacio or perhaps it was just good defense by Smalls, which made it look bad.
Ignacio is breathing heavily.
Smalls fails with a takedown attempt.

Smalls gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Smalls tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ignacio avoids it.
Smalls controlling the action here for a moment.
Ignacio is trying to push Smalls away but Smalls has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Ignacio could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smalls jumps into guard, dragging Ignacio to the mat.
Smalls keeping moving, preventing Ignacio from controlling successfully.
Smalls bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ignacio's guard.

Ignacio might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Smalls seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
My spies in Touch Of Death Combat Academy inform me that Smalls has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Ignacio knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Smalls on the ground.
Smalls pushing down on Ignacio's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Smalls passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Ignacio!
Ignacio is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smalls unloads with some shots from mount but Ignacio bucks and avoids them well.
Smalls tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Smalls manages to capitalize on a mistake by Ignacio to take his back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Smalls looking to break Ignacio's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Ignacio remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Smalls will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Ignacio covering up well and avoiding damage.
I would not like to be Ignacio right now.
Smalls misses with a punch to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ignacio wants to control his opponent's hands but Smalls gets his hands free.
Smalls is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Smalls has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ignacio avoids the strikes from Smalls.
Ignacio has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Smalls.
Smalls throwing sloppy strikes.
Ignacio is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

Ignacio defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Smalls somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Smalls looking for the choke but no joy.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Smalls controlling the positon.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Randy Smalls dominated that round.
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.

Ignacio lands a glancing blow to the side of Smalls's head.

Smalls has managed to clinch.
Ignacio wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Smalls has him pressed against the cage.
Ignacio is looking to control Smalls's arms but Smalls gets an underhook and turns him. Now Ignacio has his back to the cage.
Smalls tries for a takedown but Ignacio manages to get underhooks.
Smalls misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ignacio.
Still in the clinch, Smalls scores with a nice short uppercut.

Smalls drags the fight down to the ground.
Smalls bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ignacio's guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Smalls stands up and waves to Ignacio to follow him.
Ignacio looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ignacio throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ignacio steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Smalls.
Smalls shoots for a takedown but Ignacio saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ignacio comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smalls fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ace Giannis Ignacio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Randy Smalls.
Smalls takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Ignacio dips to his left and cracks Smalls with an uppercut!
Ignacio leaves Smalls with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Smalls tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ignacio is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Smalls.
Smalls throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ignacio's waist but Ignacio gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Smalls off to one side.
Ignacio digs a good hook to Smalls's body.
Smalls shoots in for a double leg but Ignacio sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ace Giannis Ignacio is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ignacio moves into range and connects with a jab.
Ignacio swings for the body but Smalls moves out of range.
Smalls changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Smalls fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Ignacio both land. Nice combination.
Smalls tries a head kick but it misses.
Ignacio wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Nice straight punches there by Smalls. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Smalls.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smalls blocks a jab.
Ignacio wants to clinch but Smalls slips to the side
and Smalls counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ignacio is looking to wear down Smalls with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Smalls misses with an attempted mid kick.
No luck for Smalls with that takedown attempt.
Smalls fails with the takedown.
Ignacio connects with a right hand. Smalls shakes it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smalls tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ignacio swivels and escapes.
Smalls shoots in for a double leg but Ignacio sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ignacio is looking to clinch but Smalls is avoiding it.
Ignacio tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Smalls forces Ignacio back against the cage and clinches.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Smalls has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Smalls pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Smalls looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ignacio is fending him off so far but Smalls persists. Nope, Ignacio circles away and we're back to standing.
Smalls fails with the takedown.
Ignacio lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Ignacio looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Smalls is fending him off so far but Ignacio persists. Nope, Smalls circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ignacio swinging wildly here.
As Ignacio backs off Smalls throws a huge counter combo but Ignacio manages to avoid it all.
Smalls dives in for a single leg takedown but Ignacio sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Ignacio closes the distance and clinches up with Smalls, looking for a takedown. Ignacio pushes Smalls against the cage but Smalls circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Smalls throws a head kick that misses.
Ignacio doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Smalls holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Smalls creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
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 decides to pull guard.
Smalls wants to get back to his feet but Ignacio is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Smalls is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Smalls is adopting a defensive guard.
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 Ace Giannis Ignacio will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Smalls moves into range and clinches up with Ignacio.
Ignacio is trying to break the clinch but Smalls has him pressed against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Smalls throws an elbow but misses.
Ignacio tries to break the clinch but Smalls is controlling the position.

Smalls pulls Ignacio into guard.
Ignacio is looking to advance position but Smalls has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Smalls looking to control and managing it successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Smalls is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Ignacio to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Ignacio shrugs it off.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smalls looking to finish with strikes here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ignacio has given up his back, trying to stand up. Not clever.
Smalls misses with punches from the back.
Smalls has good solid back control here.

Ignacio showing good submission defense here.
Smalls controlling the position well here. Ignacio rolled but Smalls kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ignacio wants to escape the position.
What can Ignacio do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Smalls punches the canvas rather than the man.
Ignacio is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Smalls's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ignacio wants to escape the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smalls misses with an elbow to the head.

Ignacio defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Smalls's arms.
Smalls misses with a punch to the head.
Smalls controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ignacio fending off the submission attempt from Smalls.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Smalls controlling the positon.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Randy Smalls comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Smalls 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 27:29
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:29
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Randy Smalls!
The defeated Ace Giannis Ignacio had this to say: 'Maybe mext time'.