PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Smith (ranked 4131 p4p, 0 weight class) and Soul Makossa (ranked 3358 p4p, 0 weight class). Smith's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Therion - Sitra Ahra. Makossa has chosen SOUL MAKOSSA 2.0 as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Soul Makossa is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Smith
vs
Makossa

185 cm
42
215 lbs
40 - 42 - 0

180 cm
24
215 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Granite 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 40 - 42 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mike Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Soul Makossa!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Steve Smith and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Makossa shoots in looking for a takedown. Smith tries to sprawl out of it but Makossa keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Smith manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Makossa fails with a takedown attempt.
We've been informed that Makossa 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 moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Smith misses with a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makossa wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
Makossa tries to clinch but Smith moves away
and Smith counters with a right hand to the body.
Smith lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Smith tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith throws a good cross that connects.

It looks like Soul Makossa has been cut.
Smith displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Makossa.
Smith looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Mike Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Soul Makossa.
Makossa shoots in looking for a takedown but Smith manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Makossa's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
It looked like Smith wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Makossa shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Makossa just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromSmith.
Mike Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Makossa fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Makossa misses with a takedown attempt - Smith sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Makossa takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Makossa shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Smith but Smith pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Smith is looking to counter punch.
Makossa fails to land the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makossa tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Smith defends well and Makossa ends up having to push Smith into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Smith stuffs the takedown.
Smith throws a head kick that misses.
Smith displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Makossa.
Makossa darts in looking for a takedown but Smith gets double underhooks and turns Makossa into the cage.
Makossa shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Makossa blocks a head kick by Smith.
Smith plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith slaps away a takedown attempt from Makossa, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Makossa lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands with a straight right. Makossa didn't see that one coming.
Smith connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Makossa looks for a takedown but Smith sprawls well.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Makossa is defended easily by Smith.
Smith throws out a powerful jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Makossa tries to keep at a distance but Smith has taken the fight into the clinch.
Makossa tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Smith smiles and moves away.
A jab lands there for Smith.

Makossa throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Smith tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Makossa is in Smith's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Makossa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smith swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Makossa distracts Smith with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Smith dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Soul Makossa's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Makossa tests Smith's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Makossa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Makossa will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Makossa shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Smith napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Smith is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Smith is not content to let Makossa control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makossa laying and praying for a moment but Smith takes advantage and regains half guard.
Makossa wants to pass to mount but Smith is defending the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Smith regains full guard. Nicely done.
Smith pulls Makossa in to control the position.
Smith is trying to keep Makossa in close.
Smith has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Makossa trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Makossa working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Smith lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Makossa looking to control.
Smith preventing the sweep.
Makossa tries to strike from the bottom.
Makossa is trying to hold Smith in close to prevent damage but Smith has managed to pass into half guard.
Makossa punching from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makossa is striking from the bottom but he's now found himself mounted! Oh dear - not enough focus on defense there.
Makossa is trying to stand.
Smith fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Smith controlling from the full mount.
Makossa tries to reverse the position but Smith maintains control.
Smith tries to control but Makossa wriggling away.
Smith avoids the attempt from Makossa to control.
Makossa is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makossa is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Makossa tries to hold on but Smith postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Makossa really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Makossa holds on, trying desperately to control.
Smith trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Makossa is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Smith dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Soul Makossa's cut.
That's time! Smith's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Smith slaps away a takedown attempt from Makossa, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Smith is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
A combination from Makossa does no damage.
Smith defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Makossa.
Makossa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Smith tries to avoid it but Makossa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Smith to the ground. Smith escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Mike Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Soul Makossa.
Makossa shoots in and drives through. Smith sprawls well.
A head kick misses from Smith.
Makossa takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Makossa takes one to the side of the head.
Mike Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Smith rushes Makossa and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Smith lands a head kick. Makossa smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Smith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makossa shoots and misses
and Smith cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Makossa fails with a takedown attempt.
Smith scores with a nice strike.
Makossa shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Smith pinned against the cage. Smith gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Smith connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That has opened up Soul Makossa's cut even more.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith slaps away a takedown attempt from Makossa, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Makossa tries to clinch
and Smith counters with a series of strikes. Makossa will be more careful next time no doubt.
Smith keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Smith throws a sloppy head kick and Makossa moves out of range easily.
Smith is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Makossa can do to turn this around?

Makossa scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Mike Smith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Makossa is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Smith knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Makossa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Smith gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Makossa is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Smith has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Smith!
Makossa is trying to control the position but Smith postures up.
Smith won't allow Makossa to sweep him here.
Makossa working a defensive guard here.
Makossa throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith is stalling in the full guard.
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Makossa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mike Smith is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Smith sitting in guard here, content to control.
Makossa thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Soul Makossa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Makossa throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Makossa throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Makossa lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Smith showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Smith has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Smith!
Mike Smith gave a mention to Mohito Fightwear (Laundry) in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).