PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Donald Smith (ranked 5731 p4p, 5305 weight class) and Gunars Zonbergs (ranked 224 p4p, 218 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Smith
vs
Zonbergs

165 cm
18
136
1 - 0 - 0

183 cm
18
140
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Donald Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gunars Zonbergs!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zonbergs shoots in for a takedown but Smith shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Smith drops down looking for a counter takedown but Zonbergs sprawls and moves away.
Zonbergs with a poor takedown

and Smith decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Zonbergs's guard.
Smith knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Zonbergs on the ground.
Smith in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Smith is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Zonbergs looking for a sweep. Not yet Zonbergs, not yet.
Smith trying to control but Zonbergs is working from the bottom.
Zonbergs is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Zonbergs avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith trying to control but Zonbergs is working from the bottom.
Zonbergs is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Zonbergs working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Smith.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Zonbergs is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith lands a couple of elbows.
Smith wants to control from the top but Zonbergs keeps moving.
Zonbergs trying to control the position.
Smith has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Zonbergs has momentary wrist control but Smith slips an elbow through the middle.
Zonbergs looking to control.
Zonbergs is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Smith makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Smith tries to free his leg and advance position but Zonbergs is retaining full guard.
Smith might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Smith lands a couple of digs.
Zonbergs looking for a sweep. Not yet Zonbergs, not yet.
Smith postures up.
Smith is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Smith works over Zonbergs with some ground and pound from guard.
Smith with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Smith lands a couple of elbows.
Smith works over Zonbergs with some ground and pound from guard.
Zonbergs looks winded!
Smith makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Smith slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Smith looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Zonbergs is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Smith passes Zonbergs's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Zonbergs tries to get to full guard but Smith has control of the leg.
Smith keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Smith working over Zonbergs with some ground and pound. Zonbergs looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Smith winds up and cracks Zonbergs with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Smith wants to take a breather but Zonbergs is having none of it.
Smith lands with a punch from half guard.
Smith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zonbergs keeps working.
Smith looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith is trying to control. Zonbergs wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Zonbergs is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Smith scores with a couple of nice shots.
Smith controlling the pace.
Nice strikes from Smith there.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Smith in particular looking to stall.
Zonbergs is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Smith's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Smith's back!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zonbergs not allowing Smith to control his hands.
Zonbergs thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donald Smith dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Smith closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Zonbergs's guard.

Zonbergs scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Smith stuffs the takedown attempt from Zonbergs. Zonbergs gets slowly back to his feet.
Zonbergs is looking to clinch.
Zonbergs shoots in but Smith avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Zonbergs tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smith paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gunars Zonbergs 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.
Zonbergs throws a body kick that misses

and Smith counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Smith cracks Zonbergs with a solid left hand.
Zonbergs is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith scoring with punches to the head and body.
Smith trying to control but Zonbergs is working from the bottom.
Smith is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Smith keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Zonbergs's head.
Smith with a nice head shot there.
Smith working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Zonbergs's head.
Smith slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Smith postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Donald Smith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zonbergs is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Smith postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Smith lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Smith postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Smith is stalling in the full guard.
Zonbergs has momentary wrist control but Smith slips an elbow through the middle.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Smith's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Zonbergs keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
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.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Zonbergs is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Zonbergs keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Zonbergs has momentary wrist control but Smith slips an elbow through the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Smith landing some decent shots from guard.
Smith scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Smith distracts Zonbergs with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Zonbergs keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Smith scoring with some ground and pound.
Smith chips away with some ground and pound.
Zonbergs keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith is looking to pass into half guard but Zonbergs pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Zonbergs is in guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donald Smith dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Zonbergs swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Smith misses with a hook. Zonbergs ducked under it nicely.
Zonbergs is trying to counter with his kicks.
Zonbergs changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Smith tries to avoid it but Zonbergs manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Smith to the ground. Smith escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
The fighters circling - Smith throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Gunars Zonbergs is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smith swings for the body but Zonbergs moves out of range.
Smith misses with a hook.
Zonbergs tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Smith keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
An attempted straight right counter from Smith misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zonbergs throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Smith sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zonbergs takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zonbergs tries for a takedown but Smith sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Donald Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gunars Zonbergs.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith feints and as Zonbergs raises his hands in defense, Smith changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Smith trying to control but Zonbergs 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.
Smith lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Smith trying to control but Zonbergs is working from the bottom.
Smith scoring with some ground and pound.
Smith content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Donald Smith is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith postures up and lands a big shot to Zonbergs's brow.
Smith trying to control but Zonbergs is working from the bottom.
Zonbergs being controlled here, momentarily.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Smith content to stall in guard here.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Smith distracts Zonbergs with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Smith cracks Zonbergs with a solid left hand.
Smith is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Smith postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Smith connects with a couple of short punches.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Zonbergs is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith sitting in guard here, content to control.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith misses with a straight left.
Zonbergs throws a lazy head kick

so Smith counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Zonbergs keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Smith with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Smith seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Smith seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Zonbergs for as long as he can get away with.

And that's the end of the fight!
Donald 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27

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