PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Big Smoke (ranked 25135 p4p, 6248 weight class) and Artis Freibergs (ranked 590 p4p, 523 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Smoke might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to It Was A Good Day. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Smoke
vs
Freibergs

185 cm
23
225
0 - 2 - 0

190 cm
26
260
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Big Smoke!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Artis Freibergs!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Russell Pearce and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Freibergs throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Some wild striking there from Smoke.
Freibergs looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Smoke lands with a cross.
Smoke misses with a two punch combination.
And Freibergs tries to counter it with a takedown but Smoke pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Smoke has taken the fight to the clinch.
Freibergs should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Smoke breaks from the clinch.
Freibergs 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.

It looks like Big Smoke has been cut.
Freibergs wants to clinch up but Smoke keeps it at a distance.
Smoke scores with a nice right hand.
Freibergs with a lazy takedown attempt
and Smoke counters with a two punch combo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Freibergs showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Smoke.
Freibergs feints a counter leg kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Freibergs is defended easily by Smoke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Freibergs. That's going to slow Smoke down.
Smoke swats away the attempt to clinch by Freibergs.
Smoke takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Smoke appears to be looking for a big counter.
Smoke throws a nice looking combination but Freibergs bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice sprawl there from Smoke as Freibergs shoots in.
Big Smoke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Artis Freibergs.

Freibergs fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Smoke to the ground. Freibergs is now in Smoke's guard.

Smoke scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Smoke misses with a double jab
and Smoke takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smoke looks for the body kick but Freibergs saw that one coming.
Smoke throws a series of punches but Freibergs avoids them all with ease.
Freibergs blocks a jab.
Smoke throws an overhand right that lands on Freibergs's shoulder, as Freibergs tries to avoid the shot.
Smoke sets himself, and Freibergs steps forward looking for the clinch! Smoke avoids it this time.
Freibergs moves in looking to clinch but Smoke pushes him off.
Smoke changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Freibergs takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Smoke keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Smoke tries to land a front kick but Freibergs steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Smoke bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Freibergs's head backwards.
Smoke takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Smoke throws a right hand that Freibergs ducks under and follows up with a left that Freibergs also avoids with ease.
Freibergs doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freibergs fails with a takedown attempt.
As Freibergs looks to move away, Smoke throws a big counter combo but Freibergs just gets out of the way.
Freibergs tries for a takedown but Smoke sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Smoke misses with a combination
and Freibergs counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Smoke is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Smoke throws a one two combo.
Smoke throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Smoke misses with a jab, cross combination.
The fighters circle momentarily. Smoke darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Smoke tries to close the distance and clinch up but Freibergs swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Freibergs darts in looking for a takedown but Smoke gets double underhooks and turns Freibergs into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Freibergs throws a push kick but Smoke slaps the foot to one side.
Freibergs slips a jab and a cross from Smoke.
Freibergs wants to clinch up but Smoke keeps it at a distance.
Smoke scores with a jab to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smoke misses with a few strikes there.
Freibergs shoots in but Smoke avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A punch combination from Smoke misses.
Smoke lands with a nice body punch.
Smoke lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Freibergs circles away quickly and effectively.
Freibergs is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
A nice combination there by Smoke.
Freibergs shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Smoke pinned against the cage. Smoke gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Smoke tries to counter with a takedown but Freibergs is quick to defend against it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Big Smoke dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Big Smoke's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A punch combination from Smoke misses.
Smoke dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Freibergs takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Big Smoke is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Freibergs tries to bum rush Smoke with a series of wild strikes but Smoke uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Smoke fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Smoke throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Freibergs.
Freibergs fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Smoke swings for the body but Freibergs moves out of range.
Smoke is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Freibergs can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smoke lands the left hand.
Freibergs tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Smoke manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Smoke scores with a one two! Freibergs had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Smoke misses with a wild combination.
Freibergs changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freibergs tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Smoke was well out of range. Poor timing from Freibergs.
A punch combination from Smoke misses.
Freibergs shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Smoke cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Smoke looks to land a combination. Freibergs sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Freibergs lands a head kick!
Freibergs shoots in for a takedown but Smoke shows good takedown defense.
Big Smoke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Artis Freibergs.
Freibergs is breathing heavily.
Freibergs misses with a few strikes there.
Smoke throws a body kick that misses.
Smoke tries to bum rush Freibergs with a series of wild strikes but Freibergs uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Freibergs steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Smoke.
Smoke connects with a single shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smoke looks to land a body kick but Freibergs moved away.

Freibergs drives through with a takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Freibergs passes Smoke's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Smoke has one foot on Freibergs's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
A punch combination from Smoke misses.
Big Smoke is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Smoke misses with the combination.
Big Smoke is winning the standup battle so far.
Smoke blocks a head kick by Freibergs.
Smoke misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Smoke does no damage.
Freibergs moves in looking to clinch but Smoke pushes him off.
Smoke misses with a wild body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Freibergs looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Smoke lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Freibergs misses with a two punch combination.
Smoke listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Freibergs shoots for a takedown but Smoke saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Smoke appears to be looking for a big counter.
Smoke looks to land a combination but Freibergs avoids it well.
A combination from Smoke does no damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Freibergs throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Freibergs shoots in and drives through. Smoke sprawls well.
No luck for Freibergs with that takedown attempt.
Smoke throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Smoke scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smoke throws a series of punches but Freibergs moves out of range.
Freibergs has a takedown stuffed.
Freibergs dodges the punch combination from Smoke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Big Smoke dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Big Smoke's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Smoke gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Smoke is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Freibergs presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Freibergs prevents the takedown attempt.
Freibergs is trying to pull guard but Smoke has him pressed against the cage.

Smoke breaks the clinch.

Freibergs gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Smoke is looking to break free of the clinch but Freibergs has double underhooks.
Freibergs throws an elbow but it misses.

Freibergs decides to pull guard.

Smoke gets to his feet. Freibergs looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smoke looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Smoke jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Smoke jabs Freibergs right on the nose. Freibergs blinks but takes it well.
Freibergs shoots in for a takedown but Smoke shows good takedown defense.
Freibergs takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Smoke lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Freibergs has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Smoke fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Smoke lands a two punch combo.
Smoke throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Smoke scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Freibergs shoots for a double leg takedown but Smoke sprawls well. He's pushed Freibergs's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Big Smoke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Artis Freibergs.
Smoke stalks Freibergs and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Freibergs's face. Freibergs staggers backwards, shaken.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smoke ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Smoke is looking for a counter combo.
Smoke throws a series of punches but Freibergs avoids them all with ease.
Smoke defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Freibergs.
Freibergs takes a jab right on the kisser.
Freibergs misses with a takedown
and Smoke counters with a two punch combo.
Smoke connects with a good right hand that stumbles Freibergs. Freibergs circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Smoke goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Freibergs drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Smoke defends it well.
Freibergs fails with the takedown.
Smoke throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smoke scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Freibergs showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Smoke.
Freibergs tries to clinch but Smoke moves out of range.
Freibergs is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Freibergs dips to his left and cracks Smoke with an uppercut!
Smoke is working the combinations to good effect here.
Freibergs takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Smoke connects with a body shot that sends Freibergs's belly button to the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Freibergs closes the distance and pushes Smoke back into the cage.
Freibergs is working for takedown but Smoke is calmly controlling the position for now.
Freibergs misses with the head strike.

Smoke breaks the clinch.
Smoke shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Freibergs eats them both and turns towards Smoke to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Smoke fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smoke throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Freibergs.
Freibergs is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Smoke.
Freibergs fails with the takedown
and Smoke counters with a straight right hand.
Artis Freibergs has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Big Smoke is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Smoke changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Big Smoke showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Smoke, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:27
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Big Smoke!
In his post fight interview, Big Smoke started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.