PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Danny Rand (ranked 2495 p4p, 1998 weight class) and Cranky Smith (ranked 255 p4p, 210 weight class). Rand kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Wu Tang-Protect Ya Neck. Cranky Smith has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rand
vs
Smith

176 cm
28
155
6 - 4 - 0

172 cm
27
155
8 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Danny Rand!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Cranky Smith!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Alexandre Firmino and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith shoots for a double leg takedown but Rand sprawls well. He's pushed Smith's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Smith checks a leg kick nicely.
Smith fails with the takedown.
Smith fails with the takedown.
Danny Rand has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cranky Smith.
Smith darts in looking for a takedown but Rand gets double underhooks and turns Smith into the cage.
Smith shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rand pinned against the cage. Rand gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Smith fails with the takedown
and Rand connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Smith fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Rand to the ground. Smith is now in Rand's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rand working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Smith.
Smith pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rand is keeping the position for now.
Smith won't allow Rand to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rand preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rand is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Smith is controlling him.
Rand keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Smith won't allow Rand to get back to his feet.
Rand wants to sweep but no luck.
Rand is pulling down on Smith's head to control his posture.

Rand has his feet on Smith's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Smith feints and as Rand raises his hands in defense, Smith changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rand keeping full guard, as Smith tries to pass.
Rand avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Smith tries to free his leg and advance position but Rand is retaining full guard.
Rand is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Smith is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rand keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Smith postures up in Rand's guard and throws a big left but Rand blocks it.

Smith thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Rand has his hands on Smith's head, controlling the position.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rand tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rand is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Outlier Martial Arts that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Smith has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Smith passes Rand's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Rand looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rand does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rand pushes Smith off looking to stand but Smith dives back in and keeps control.

Smith is working for a kimura but Rand is defending it quite comfortably.
Smith stops Rand from getting back to his feet.

Smith seems to be working for a kimura but Rand defends the submission attempt.

Smith is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Rand sees it coming and defends easily.
Rand is trying to stand back up but Smith is controlling him
Smith wants to pass to mount but Rand is defending the position.

Smith is working for a submission of some sort.
Rand knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Smith on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to control but Rand is keeping him busy.
Rand has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Smith is working away from the top position though.

Smith wants to work for an arm triangle but Rand is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Rand avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Smith.

Smith is looking for a kimura but Rand is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Smith to get the leverage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rand looks like he's trying to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Smith avoids the head kick by Rand.
Rand throws a hook but Smith blocks it.

Smith dives in and scores a takedown into Rand's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith won't allow Rand to get back to his feet.
Rand utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rand controls Smith momentarily but Smith frees himself.
Smith engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Smith drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Smith jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rand wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Rand is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Rand misses with an uppercut

and Smith counters with a takedown into side control.
Smith prevents Rand from escaping the position.

Smith wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rand, who protects the arm well.
Rand can't do much from the bottom here.
Rand is looking for a sweep.
Smith tries to advance to mount but Rand denies him.
Smith prevents Rand from escaping the position.
Smith tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Smith thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rand wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Smith wants to control but Rand is keeping him busy.
Rand is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Smith passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Rand!
Rand really wants to buck Smith off and get back to his feet.
Rand is desperately trying to improve his position but Smith has a good base and remains in mount.

Smith is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Rand is surviving well by controlling Smith's body position as best he can.
Smith throws some wild stikes that Rand manages to avoid easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rand is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rand just holding on.

Smith working for a submission here. He's tucked his head under his opponent's arm, looking for an arm triangle. He's hopped off into side control, looking to tighten the submission... is it going to work? He's given up a good position looking for it. Rand looks OK. Oh, I spoke too soon, he's out! That must have been tighter than I thought! Excellent work there by Smith! Submission of the night perhaps?

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:30 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Cranky Smith!
Cranky Smith bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.
Danny Rand spoke after the fight, saying 'It is what it is, ill be back. '.