PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Randy Smalls (ranked 4343 p4p, 430 weight class) and Stephen Halliday (ranked 7247 p4p, 492 weight class). Stephen Halliday is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Smalls
vs
Halliday

193 cm
22
210 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

194 cm
19
215 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Randy Smalls!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Stephen Halliday!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Bruno Lombardi and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Halliday misses with a jab, cross combination.
Smalls uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Halliday.
As Halliday backs away, Smalls returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Smalls tries to score a power double leg takedown but Halliday sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Smalls somewhat.
Halliday looks to land a left hand but Smalls moved out of range nicely.
Smalls dodges the punch combination from Halliday.
Smalls ducks under a wild hook from Halliday.
Smalls seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Smalls has a takedown stuffed.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smalls shoots in looking for a takedown but Halliday manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Smalls's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randy Smalls. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Smalls closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Smalls breaks the clinch.
Smalls throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Halliday's waist but Halliday gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Smalls off to one side.
Smalls on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Halliday. Halliday obviously looking to wear him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halliday loads up on a big right hand but Smalls slips the punch.
Halliday rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smalls moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Smalls gets a clinch.

Smalls breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Smalls bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Halliday scores with a jab. Smalls acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Halliday leaves Smalls with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Halliday is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Smalls shoots for a double leg takedown but Halliday sprawls well. He's pushed Smalls's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Halliday scores with a punch to the head.
Smalls avoids the head kick by Halliday.
Halliday throws a series of punches but Smalls moves out of range.
Smalls throws a quick counter kick to the body but Halliday avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smalls tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Halliday unleashes a big counter combination but Smalls bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Halliday tries to clinch up.
Halliday takes a swing at Smalls's ribcage but misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
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's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Smalls has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Touch Of Death Combat Academy in the buildup to the fight.
A swing and a miss from Halliday.
Smalls closes this distance looking for a takedown but Halliday circles away.

Halliday clinches up against the cage.
Smalls tries to land a knee to the head but Halliday blocks with his arms.
Halliday missing with knees to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Halliday.
Halliday connects with a knee to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smalls.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smalls is trying to pull guard but Halliday turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Smalls successfully pulls guard.
Smalls being controlled here, momentarily.
Smalls pulls Halliday in close to prevent any damage.
Halliday slips nicely into half guard.
Halliday wants to take a breather but Smalls is having none of it.

Halliday seems to be working for a kimura but Smalls defends the submission attempt.
Smalls tries to roll over but Halliday keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Halliday is pressing down on Smalls's thigh, looking to free his foot. Smalls is holding on for now.

Smalls is defending against the submission attempts here by Halliday.
Halliday frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Smalls is trying to escape the mount.

Halliday looking to secure an arm triangle but Smalls defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stephen Halliday dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A jab from Halliday misses.
Halliday has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Smalls doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Halliday has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Smalls fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Halliday throws a poor cross that misses
and Smalls counters with a three punch combo that has Halliday backing up. Halliday nods at Smalls to acknowledge the strikes.
Halliday doesn't manage to clinch there - Smalls circles away.
Halliday dodges the punch combination from Smalls.
Randy Smalls is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Halliday misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Halliday lands a nice shot that snaps Smalls's head back.
Halliday throws a head kick that misses.
Smalls thinks about countering with a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smalls tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Halliday swivels and escapes.
Halliday throws a one two combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Smalls gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Halliday throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smalls missing with knees to the body.
Halliday tries a body shot but Smalls blocks it.
Halliday is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Halliday is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Halliday is trying to stall.
Halliday seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
Halliday looking to slow down the pace here.
Halliday is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Halliday is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Stephen Halliday.

Smalls clinches with his opponent.

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.
Halliday trying to stall but Smalls improves his position.
Smalls fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randy Smalls. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Halliday working aggressively here.

Smalls breaks from the clinch.
Halliday fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smalls moves out of range of the strikes.
Smalls finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

Smalls instigates a clinch.
Halliday trying to control the position but instead, Smalls has worked for underhooks and has pushed Halliday into the cage.
Halliday fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Halliday connects with a nasty looking knee right to Smalls's face.
Halliday unloads a knee to the mid-section.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halliday taking a breather.
Halliday tries to throw a body punch but Smalls avoids it by throwing Halliday back against the cage.
Smalls tries to score a body lock takedown but Halliday shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Halliday utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Smalls looking for a takedown.
Halliday doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Smalls goes for a takedown attempt but Halliday pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Halliday rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smalls moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Smalls seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Halliday tries to clinch up but Smalls circles away and keeps his distance.
Halliday avoids the head kick by Smalls.

Halliday has managed to clinch.
Halliday prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smalls jumps guard but Halliday stands there with Smalls around his waist. Smalls gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smalls.
Halliday tries to land a knee to the head but Smalls blocks with his arms.
A head punch on the inside from Halliday fails to land.
Smalls lands a body punch in the clinch.
Halliday misses with a short punch on the inside.
Halliday swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Smalls ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Smalls no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Halliday sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Smalls's guard.
Halliday is keen to just control but Smalls is a slippery customer.
Smalls wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stephen Halliday showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Smalls.
Smalls tries for a takedown but Halliday circles away easily
letting Halliday counter with a right hand.

Halliday closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Smalls fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randy Smalls. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Halliday has Smalls pushed against the cage.
Smalls jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Halliday walks away with a smile on his face. Smalls gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Halliday throws a lazy right hand but Smalls sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Smalls drops down looking for a counter takedown but Halliday sprawls and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Halliday lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Stephen Halliday seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Halliday throws a wild body kick that Smalls sees coming a mile off.
Halliday throws a half hearted mid kick.
Halliday tries to bum rush Smalls with a series of wild strikes but Smalls uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halliday keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Smalls.
Halliday scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Smalls steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Halliday.
Smalls throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Smalls with a poor takedown
and Halliday counters with a one-two to the body.
The fighters circling - Halliday throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Halliday looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Smalls shoots in for a takedown but Halliday shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Halliday is looking for the big counter here.
Smalls shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Halliday as he jumps to the side.
Halliday is trying to counter with his kicks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Smalls.
Smalls just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Halliday there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Halliday lands a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Halliday.
Halliday misses with a short punch on the inside.
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 pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Smalls blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Halliday is looking to control Smalls's arms but Smalls gets an underhook and turns him. Now Halliday has his back to the cage.
Smalls throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Halliday blocks it with crossed arms.

Smalls breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Halliday throws a sloppy head kick and Smalls moves out of range easily.
Halliday misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halliday fails in his attempt to clinch.
Smalls tries to counter with a takedown but Halliday is quick to defend against it.
Halliday misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smalls tries for a takedown but Halliday sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Smalls lands with a good body shot.
Smalls looks for a takedown but Halliday sprawls well.
Smalls avoids the head kick by Halliday.
Halliday scores with a nice body kick.
Halliday moves out of range as Smalls throws a body kick.
Halliday lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Halliday lands a high kick!
Smalls walks into a stiff left hand from Halliday.
Smalls keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Smalls is looking to counter the offense by Halliday and move into the clinch.
Smalls tries to score a power double leg takedown but Halliday sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Smalls somewhat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smalls shoots for a takedown but Halliday saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Smalls circles away from the clinch attempt.
Halliday misses with a kick to the body.
Smalls throws a predictable looking body shot
and Smalls takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Smalls showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Halliday.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smalls shoots in and drives through. Halliday sprawls well.
Halliday lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Smalls throws out a leg kick but Halliday moves out of range and Smalls only half commits.
Randy Smalls has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stephen Halliday is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Halliday dodges the punch combination from Smalls.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stephen Halliday comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Halliday 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stephen Halliday!