PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Damien Atkins (ranked 6306 p4p, 548 weight class) and Kyle Smith (ranked 22699 p4p, 612 weight class). Kyle Smith has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Atkins
vs
Smith

185 cm
22
195 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

183 cm
24
210 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Damien Atkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kyle Smith!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Franklyn Lucas and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Atkins lands with an uppercut that bounces Smith off the cage and back into range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smith. Atkins does a little dance to reset his feet.
Damien Atkins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Atkins swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Smith decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Atkins's guard.
Smith keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Atkins's head.
Atkins trying to keep a closed guard but Smith is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Atkins working for submissions but it's allowed Smith to get to half guard.

Smith is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Smith has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Atkins trying to control from the bottom.
Atkins knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Smith on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atkins on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Smith is trying to work for a kimura but Atkins is defending well.
Atkins is holding on to half guard well.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Smith connects with a nice short shot to Atkins's temple.
Smith lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Atkins has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Smith is working away from the top position though.
Smith is looking to advance position but Atkins won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Atkins scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Atkins ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Atkins looks to land a combination but Smith avoids it well.
Atkins throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Despite the aggression on Smith's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Atkins connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Smith tries to move into range but Atkins moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Smith throws a head kick but Atkins moves out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Smith.

Atkins closes the distance and clinches.
Smith prevents Atkins from breaking the clinch.

Smith has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Atkins uses from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Smith is pulling down on Atkins's head. It's preventing any offense from Atkins, at least for the moment.
Atkins wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Smith can do anything to dispel that myth.
Atkins preventing the sweep.

Smith is looking for a triangle but Atkins pushes his legs off easily.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Smith holds on and takes a little breather.

That's four 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.
Atkins pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Smith is keeping the position for now.
Smith is pulling down on Atkins's head to control his posture.
Atkins throws an elbow that misses. Smith uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Atkins's guard. Nice move by Smith!

Smith stands up from guard. Let's bang!
A shot to the liver by Atkins. Beautiful body shot.
Atkins lands with a nice body punch.

Atkins clinches up with Smith and pushes him back against the cage.

Smith gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Atkins kicks Smith off and gets back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kyle Smith will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Atkins tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Smith doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by Atkins as he connects with a hook.
Smith misses with a straight left.
Smith gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Atkins.
Atkins connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

It looks like Kyle Smith has been cut.

Atkins tries to keep at a distance but Smith has taken the fight into the clinch.
Smith dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Atkins tries to break free but Smith pushes him back against the cage.
Atkins tries to break free but Smith pushes him back against the cage.
Atkins is trying to break the clinch but Smith has him pressed against the cage.
Atkins can't break the clinch.

Smith manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith avoids the body shot from Atkins.
Atkins throws a body shot but no joy.
Smith shoots in and drives through. Atkins sprawls well.
Atkins half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Atkins connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Atkins moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Atkins just misses with a punch to the body.

Smith scores with a takedown into Atkins's guard.
Atkins wants to hit a switch here but Smith passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Atkins there!
Atkins is looking to improve his position but Smith isn't that keen on the idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atkins tries to control Smith's body but Smith pushes him off. Atkins squirms to his side and now Smith has his back!

Atkins fending off the submission attempt from Smith.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Atkins!
Atkins trying to control the hands but Smith won't let him.
Smith has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Atkins's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Atkins is trying to defend against the choke here but Smith has an arm under his chin. This one might not last much longer. Smith Tightens the hold and Atkins taps out furiously! Smith displays superior BJJ to win the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:49 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Kyle Smith!