PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Aldo Stephenson (ranked 23991 p4p, 0 weight class) and Silas Smith (ranked 4093 p4p, 0 weight class). Aldo Stephenson had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Stephenson
vs
Smith

181 cm
24
162 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

184 cm
25
165 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Aldo Stephenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Silas Smith!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Paul Gruel and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith throws a half hearted mid kick.
Smith jabs Stephenson right on the nose. Stephenson blinks but takes it well.

Smith drives through with a takedown into guard.
Smith working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Smith looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Smith pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stephenson is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Stephenson manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Stephenson stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith shoots in and gets a takedown into Stephenson's guard.
Smith wants to control from the top but Stephenson keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stephenson is trying to keep Smith in close.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smith accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Smith is looking to stand up but Stephenson won't let him.
Smith won't allow Stephenson to get back to his feet.
Smith wants to stand but Stephenson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Stephenson wants to get back to his feet but Smith is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Stephenson trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Stephenson wants to stand up but Smith is controlling him.
Smith trying to control but Stephenson is working from the bottom.
Smith slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Stephenson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Smith is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Smith must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Stephenson is pulling down on Smith's head. It's preventing any offense from Smith, at least for the moment.

Stephenson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson working a defensive guard here.
Stephenson keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Smith instigates a clinch.
Smith lands an uppercut.
Stephenson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Smith pulls his leg out and moves away.
Aldo Stephenson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Smith pushes Stephenson up against the cage in a clinch.

Smith tightens his grip and picks Stephenson up, before dumping him to the ground. Stephenson manages to land in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson wants to improve his position but instead Smith has moved into half guard.
Stephenson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Smith.
Stephenson is trying to stand up here but Smith is controlling him well.
Smith lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Smith slips a nice elbow through Stephenson's hands, connecting with Stephenson's forehead.
Stephenson pushes Smith off looking to stand but Smith dives back in and keeps control.
Smith throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Smith is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Stephenson scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Smith manages to mount him!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith controlling his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stephenson tries to hold on but Smith postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Smith feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Stephenson is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Smith dives into side control.

Smith working away.
Smith taking a breather here.

Smith tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith tries to move into full mount but can't pass Stephenson's legs.
Smith tries to stand but Stephenson is controlling his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee asks Smith politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Smith prefers to stall for the moment though.
Smith prevents Stephenson from escaping the position.
Stephenson prevents Smith from improving position.
Smith sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Stephenson is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Smith is looking to take a break and control but Stephenson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Smith has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Smith looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Stephenson!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson is looking to get back to his feet here but Smith is keeping cool and he's managed to take Stephenson's back.
Smith scores with punches from the back.
Smith has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Stephenson is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Smith is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Stephenson up.
Stephenson trying to get back to his feet but Smith is in full control for now.
Stephenson trying to control the action but Smith just sinks the hooks in.

Smith has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Stephenson has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson is trying to get back to his feet but Smith has full control of the position and if anything, Stephenson has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Silas Smith has got the better of the ground game so far.
Stephenson trying to control the hands but Smith breaks the grip.
Smith trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Stephenson doesn't escape.
A lull in the action here.
Stephenson is trying to stand back up.
Stephenson trying to control the action but Smith just sinks the hooks in.
What can Stephenson do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Stephenson is keeping busy.
Smith is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Stephenson rolls, trying to escape but Smith keeps control of the position.
Smith trying to control momentarily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Smith looking for the choke from the back.
Smith looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Silas Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Smith moves into the clinch.
Smith has Stephenson pressed against the cage, preventing Stephenson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Stephenson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Stephenson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Stephenson is looking to take this one to the mat.

Smith pulls guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stephenson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Stephenson won't allow Smith to sweep him here.
Smith trying to keep a closed guard but Stephenson is proving a slippery customer.
Smith is pulling down on Stephenson's head to control his posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Stephenson from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Smith looking for a guillotine here but Stephenson defends easily.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Stephenson throws a body punch but Smith moves out of range.
Smith misses with a jab to the body
and Stephenson makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Smith takes the fight into the clinch.

Stephenson is trying to trip Smith. He has hold of a leg but Smith is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Stephenson persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Stephenson dives into side control.
Smith can't do much from the bottom here.
Smith is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Smith wants to control but Stephenson postures up.
Stephenson throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Stephenson working away.
Smith regains half guard, as Stephenson was trying to land strikes.
Stephenson tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Smith.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Smith wants to get back to full guard.
Stephenson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Smith keeps working.
Smith tries to roll over but Stephenson keeps him under control.

Smith looking for submissions off his back.
Smith takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stephenson wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Smith uses the opportunity to regain full guard.

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.
Stephenson trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.

Stephenson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Stephenson swinging wildly here.

Smith has taken the fight to the clinch.
Aldo Stephenson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Silas Smith is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smith.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Silas Smith.
I've got Smith 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Silas Smith!