PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Charlie Mack (ranked 2551 p4p, 315 weight class) and Kenny Smith (ranked 1588 p4p, 212 weight class). Smith has chosen Is This Love as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mack
vs
Smith

186 cm
23
197 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

181 cm
21
176 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Charlie Mack!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kenny Smith!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Aleksandr Martynov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mack shoots in and drives through. Smith sprawls well.
Smith wants to counter the offense by Mack and move into the clinch position.
Mack misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Mack fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charlie Mack. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mack throws a right and a left that both miss.
Smith leaves Mack with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nice defenses there by Smith.

Mack feints and as Smith raises his hands in defense, Mack changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith is trying to control the position but Mack postures up.
Smith trying to control the position here.
Mack working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mack drops back looking for a leg! Smith is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Smith manages to kick Mack off! Mack jumps back into Smith's guard.
Mack has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Mack is looking to work some ground and pound but Smith has wrist control.
Smith working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mack.
Mack wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
Smith really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mack. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Smith can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Mack controls the pace.
Smith looking for a sweep. Not yet Smith, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Smith avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mack pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Smith is keeping the position for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Mack fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Mack.
Smith felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Smith can't do much from the bottom here.
Mack wants to control for a moment but Smith uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Smith is refusing to be controlled, as Mack sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mack perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Mack has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Smith controlling the position for now.
Mack is keen to just control but Smith is a slippery customer.
Smith wants to get back to full guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Mack in particular looking to stall.
Smith has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mack is working away from the top position though.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Smith controlling the position well.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Mack cracks Smith with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Mack looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Smith wants to counter the offense by Mack and move into the clinch position.
Mack lands a nice shot to the body.
Mack finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Smith is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
A head kick misses from Mack.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Smith takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mack is defended easily by Smith.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

An inside leg kick lands from Smith.
Smith needs to keep his hands up - Mack had a free shot at his head there.
Some wild striking there from Mack.
Mack looks to land a combination but Smith avoids it well.
Mack swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Smith holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Mack pulls guard successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mack is on top in guard.

Mack controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Mack landing with the ground and pound.
Mack throws a strike but Smith rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mack is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Mack seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Smith does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Mack looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Smith wants to improve his position but Mack is controlling well.
Smith trying to control from the bottom.
Mack not doing much here.
Mack not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Smith tries to roll over but Mack keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mack is working away from the top position though.
Smith wants to improve his position but Mack is controlling well.

Mack is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Smith won't allow Mack to pass to mount.
Mack performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Smith taking some punishment here, with Mack in his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mack is keen to just control but Smith is a slippery customer.
Charlie Mack overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mack throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Smith to regain full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Mack's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Smith keeping moving, preventing Mack from controlling successfully.
Mack is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Smith can do to turn this around?
Mack working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Smith avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Smith is pulling down on Mack's head to control his posture.
Mack missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Mack closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Smith did well to prevent Mack getting side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Mack throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Smith blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mack.
Mack working the head and body with strikes.
Mack seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Mack is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Smith doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Mack.
Smith is staying active underneath Mack, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie Mack dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Mack lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Mack connects with a right hand. Smith shakes it off.
Smith feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Mack's calf.
Smith blocks a head kick by Mack.
Mack sets himself, and Smith steps forward looking for the clinch! Mack avoids it this time.
Mack will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Charlie Mack seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mack.
Smith takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Smith checks a low kick from Mack.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith misses with a kick to the body
and Mack counters with a nice low kick that buckles Smith's knee momentarily.
Mack misses with a takedown attempt

and Smith counters by clinching up.
A right hook to the body lands for Smith.
Mack has Smith pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Smith manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Mack backwards.
Mack has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Smith avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charlie Mack. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nice elbow from Smith.

It looks like Charlie Mack has been cut.
Smith taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Smith throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Mack is trying to pull guard but Smith has him pressed against the cage.
Smith tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mack's elbow.
Smith swings wildly with an uppercut but Mack uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smith keeps control of Mack as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Still in the clinch, Smith scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Smith as the two fighters clinch.
A short body shot lands from Smith as the two fighters clinch.
Smith gets underhooks to prevent Mack's takedown attempt.
Mack tries to circle away but Smith has him pinned against the cage.
Kenny Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Smith.
Smith gets underhooks to prevent Mack's takedown attempt.
Smith stalling against the cage.
Mack takes an elbow to the forehead.
A right hook to the body lands for Smith.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mack wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Smith has him pressed against the cage.
Mack letting Smith take a breather here.
Smith content to slow the pace in the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mack is looking to break free of the clinch but Smith has double underhooks.
Smith avoiding damage.
Smith gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Smith.
Kenny Smith seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Mack breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mack. Smith does a little dance to reset his feet.
Smith throws a nice inside leg kick.
Mack gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Smith.
Mack takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Smith staying out of range there.
Smith tries to counter by closing the distance.
Charlie Mack is winning the standup battle so far.

Smith closes the distance and pushes Mack back into the cage.

Mack manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Smith not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Mack looking for subs off his back but Smith has passed one foot through into half guard.

Mack looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mack tries to roll over but Smith keeps him under control.
Mack is pressing down on Smith's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Mack wants to sweep here but Smith controlling him for the moment.
Smith controls from within his opponent's guard.
Smith must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenny Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mack has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Charlie Mack!
A pretty intense looking Charlie Mack took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.
Kenny Smith spoke after the fight, saying 'It happens I suppose'.