PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Joe Musashi (ranked 2835 p4p, 4018 weight class) and Jake Smith (ranked 328 p4p, 436 weight class). Joe Musashi has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Musashi
vs
Smith

180 cm
29
165
9 - 5 - 0

176 cm
20
155
4 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Joe Musashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jake Smith!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith's jab looks to have found its range, popping Musashi under the eye.
Musashi tries for a takedown but Smith sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A big left from Smith misses.
Smith scores with a jab to the jaw.
Smith fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Musashi drives through with a takedown into guard.
Musashi trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith is looking to stand up but Musashi isn't so interested in that idea.

Smith manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Musashi shoots for a double leg takedown but Smith sprawls well. He's pushed Musashi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Musashi needs to keep his hands up - Smith had a free shot at his head there.
Musashi shoots in and drives through. Smith sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Musashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith catches Musashi with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Musashi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Musashi ducks under a wild hook from Smith.
Musashi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Smith sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Musashi somewhat.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Musashi gets a takedown into half guard.
Smith tries to kick Musashi off in order to stand up. Musashi Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Musashi in the domination position with Smith hanging on.
Musashi lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Smith down.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Musashi misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Smith is trying to control Musashi's posture but Musashi avoids it.
Smith is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Musashi tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Smith is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Smith is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Musashi is controlling him well.
Smith told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Musashi is looking to take a break and control but Smith is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Smith wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Musashi wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Smith, who protects the arm well.
Musashi 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.
Smith is looking to get back to his feet here but Musashi is keeping cool and he's managed to take Smith's back.
Smith is really stuck here.
Musashi thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Smith is trying to get back to his feet but Musashi has full control of the position and if anything, Smith has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Musashi is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Smith defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Musashi working for a choke but Smith is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Smith's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Smith is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Musashi gets his way!
Smith wants to get back to his feet.
You can see the frustration on Smith's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Musashi patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Smith really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Musashi. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Smith trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Smith is trying to stand back up.
Smith is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Musashi off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

Musashi working for a choke but Smith is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to escape the position.
Musashi throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Smith trying to get back to his feet but Musashi is in full control for now.

Smith wants to get back to his feet. He's half way up but Musashi drags him back down with a jolt, managing to get his forearm deep under Smith 's chin! Smith is in real trouble! His face is turning bright red and he's forced to tap! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:44 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Joe Musashi!