PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Aurelius (ranked 3824 p4p, 3740 weight class) and Rodney Smith (ranked 370 p4p, 366 weight class). Smith is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: HighWay to Hell. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Aurelius
vs
Smith

167 cm
27
148
8 - 13 - 0

173 cm
39
148
21 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Marcus Aurelius!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rodney Smith!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aurelius takes a kick to the side of the head.
Smith tries for a takedown but Aurelius circles away easily
and Aurelius connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Aurelius looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Smith throws a head kick that misses.
Smith swinging wildly here.
Aurelius moves out of range as Smith strikes.
It looked like Aurelius was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Smith throws a sloppy head kick and Aurelius moves out of range easily.
Aurelius tries to move into range but Smith moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Smith takes one to the side of the head.
A big left from Smith misses.
Aurelius slips a jab from Smith.
Aurelius thinks about countering with a body kick.
Aurelius tries to move into range but Smith moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Smith feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Aureliuss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smith throws an overhand right that lands on Aurelius's shoulder, as Aurelius tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith shoots in looking for a takedown but Aurelius manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Smith's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Smith tries to pull guard but Aurelius won't allow it.
Marcus Aurelius has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodney Smith.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Aurelius obliges.
The referee calls for Aurelius to work.

Smith ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Smith no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Aurelius 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.

Aurelius is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Smith has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Aurelius can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Aurelius looking to pass the guard.
Aurelius trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Aurelius doesn't defend quickly enough and Smith has managed to lock this one up! Can Aurelius escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Smith on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:25 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Rodney Smith!
Rodney Smith got down on his knees post fight and begged the management for a title shot. 'Please, I want that title shot so bad! Give it to me!'
Marcus Aurelius was interviewed post fight and said 'Nothing happens to any man that he is not formed by nature to bear. I'll be back!'.