PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between William Chandler (ranked 263 p4p, 44 weight class) and Aaron Smith (ranked 2450 p4p, 262 weight class). Smith has chosen Lonely Train by Black Stone Cherry as his entrance music. Aaron Smith told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Chandler
vs
Smith

190 cm
26
245 lbs
10 - 4 - 2

195 cm
28
280 lbs
12 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

UnderGround Clothing Co.

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 - 4 - 2, fighting out of Tokyo, William Chandler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Aaron Smith!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Patrick Alders and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chandler throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Smith counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Chandler thows a left - swing and a miss!
We've been informed that Smith has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Smith throws the left hand but Chandler avoids the punch easily.
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.
It looked like Chandler was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Chandler scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Chandler scores with a jab to the jaw.

It looks like Aaron Smith has been cut.
Smith lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Aaron Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Chandler swings widly with a right hand
and Smith connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Chandler moves out of range as Smith strikes.
A low kick from Chandler is predictable there
and Smith counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Smith takes one on the button.
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!
Smith misses with a wild body shot.
Smith fails with an attempt to clinch.
Chandler missing with a left hand there. Smith was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Chandler tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Smith was well out of range. Poor timing from Chandler.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Smith misses.
It appears Chandler was looking to counter with a kick there.
Chandler throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.
Smith throws out a counter right but Chandler avoids it with no problem.
Smith avoids a punch combination nicely.
Smith will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Chandler showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Smith.
Smith keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Smith misses with a hook. Chandler ducked under it nicely.
Nice jab there from Smith.
Smith connects with a crisp jab.
Smith is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Chandler.
Smith gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Smith throws an overhand right that lands on Chandler's shoulder, as Chandler tries to avoid the shot.
William Chandler is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A right-left combo lands from Smith.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith loads up on a big right hand but Chandler slips the punch.
Smith lands a lovely overhand right.
We've been told by Chandler's head coaches at Ice Cream Parlour that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Smith throws a nice inside leg kick.
Smith throws a shot from downtown. Chandler moves away and avoids it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Smith or perhaps it was just good defense by Chandler, which made it look bad.
Chandler misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smith.
Smith moves forwards but Chandler connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Chandler throws a shot to the body.
Chandler swings for the body but Smith moves out of range.
Smith will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
William Chandler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aaron Smith.
Chandler misses with a hook.
Chandler pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Smith closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith landing strikes.
Smith tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Chandler is looking for a sweep.
Smith staying calm.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Chandler managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Smith.
Smith throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Smith controlling the position.
Smith misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to move to mount but Chandler blocks the move with his legs.
Smith lands some shots froms side control.
Smith has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Smith can't control as he wanted to and Chandler manages to get the fight back to his half guard.
Smith seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Chandler avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Smith.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aaron Smith dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Aaron Smith's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Smith cracks Chandler with a right hand to the side of the head.

Smith shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Smith was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Smith working the strikes but Chandler uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Aaron Smith has got the better of the ground game so far.
Chandler trying to control from the bottom.
Smith wants to control but Chandler is keeping him busy.
Smith missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Chandler is refusing to be controlled, as Smith sits in half guard.
Smith has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chandler is trying to get back to full guard.
Smith trying to pass the guard but Chandler defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chandler desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Smith is trying to control. Chandler wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Smith is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Chandler is trying to get back to full guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Smith throwing shots but Chandler is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Smith with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Smith misses with a hook. Chandler ducked under it nicely.
It looked like Chandler was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Smith.
Nice takedown defense from Chandler. No joy for Smith on that attempt.
Chandler uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Chandler looks to land a right hand but Smith moved out of range.
Chandler bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Smith lands with an overhand left.
Chandler misses the shot to the body.
Chandler misses with a right hand
and Chandler takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The fighters circle momentarily. Chandler darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
A slow jab from Chandler misses its intended target.
Smith rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Chandler cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Smith throws a jab but it's blocked by Chandler.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith misses with a wild body shot.
Chandler lands a glancing blow to the side of Smith's head.
Chandler lands a right hook to the body.
Chandler ducks right into an uppercut from Smith.
Smith throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Chandler counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Smith scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Chandler doesn't seem bothered though.
Smith throws a lazy uppercut
and Chandler counters with a left to the body.
Smith fails with the takedown
and Chandler counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Chandler slaps away a takedown attempt from Smith, before circling back to the center of the mat.
William Chandler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aaron Smith.
Smith is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chandler blocks a jab.
Chandler tests Smith's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Chandler throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Smith on the side of the head.

Smith is rocked!
Smith slips a straight right by Chandler.
Smith was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Smith waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Chandler.
Smith lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Smith bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Smith landing a few strikes.
Chandler managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Smith.
The ground and pound from Smith seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Smith trying to control the position but Chandler is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Aaron Smith will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Aaron Smith's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Chandler keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Smith.
Smith misses with a leg kick.
Chandler throws a lazy uppercut
and Smith counters with a stiff right hand.
Smith misses with a body shot.
Smith just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromChandler.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Smith.
Chandler misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smith looks to land a right hand but Chandler moved out of range.
Smith uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Chandler.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith connects with a right hand. Chandler shakes it off.
Chandler looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Chandler throws a sloppy body shot
and Smith counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Smith throws a jab when Chandler was well out of range.
Chandler connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Smith momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chandler is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Chandler misses with a left hand
and Smith counters with a three punch combo that has Chandler backing up. Chandler nods at Smith to acknowledge the strikes.
Chandler with a nice cross.
Chandler throws a looping overhand right but Smith ducks down to avoid it.

Smith looking to score a takedown here. Chandler is defending well but Smith drives through and ends up in Chandler's guard.
Smith throwing strikes but missing.
Smith working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Smith is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Chandler seems keen to control Smith's posture.
William Chandler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith pushing down on Chandler's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Smith tries to pass the half guard into mount. Chandler knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Chandler preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Smith sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Chandler defending well though.
Smith throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith trying to control from Chandler's half guard. Chandler has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Smith trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith stands and throws Chandler's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Smith working the ground and pound but Chandler is defending the strikes.
Chandler dodges the ground and pound from Smith.
Smith working the strikes but Chandler uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Chandler wants to improve his position but Smith is controlling well.
Smith controlling the action here.
Smith trying to control from half guard but Chandler is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Smith throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Smith is keen to just control but Chandler is a slippery customer.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
William Chandler is winning the standup battle so far.
Chandler throws a body punch but Smith moves out of range.
Chandler scores with the left hand. Smith knows he should have avoided that one.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Smith closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Chandler managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Smith.
Aaron Smith is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Chandler is trying to escape the position but Smith is controlling the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aaron Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 Nard Betker scores the fight 28:30
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aaron Smith!
During a confident post fight interview, Aaron Smith thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.