PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Araujo (ranked 589 p4p, 682 weight class) and John Smith (ranked 21 p4p, 27 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Araujo
vs
Smith

193 cm
33
285
21 - 21 - 0

200 cm
37
299
32 - 23 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Vegan Gains
Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Araujo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, John Smith!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Araujo blocks a head kick by Smith.
Smith looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Araujo.
Araujo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Smith as he jumps to the side.
Araujo shoots in looking for a takedown. Smith tries to sprawl out of it but Araujo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Smith manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
It seemed like Smith was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Araujo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Smith tries a head kick but it misses.

Araujo fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Smith to the ground. Araujo is now in Smith's guard.
Araujo wants to pass the guard but Smith is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Araujo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Smith can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Araujo controls the pace.

Araujo drops back, looking for a kneebar! Smith looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Smith looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Smith!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith decides to stand back up.
Araujo shoots in for a double leg but Smith sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Araujo changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Smith looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Smith sneaks out the side door and pushes Araujo away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Smith misses with a looping left.
Araujo misses with a body shot.
Smith misses the jab.
Araujo slips a jab and a cross from Smith.
Araujo attempts a counter takedown but Smith avoids it well and moves away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Araujo moves out of range as Smith strikes.
Smith takes a swing at Araujo's ribcage but misses.
Araujo attempts a counter takedown but Smith avoids it well and moves away.
Araujo throws a hook to the side of Smith's head but Smith sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Smith slaps away a takedown attempt from Araujo, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Araujo looks for a takedown but Smith sprawls well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith misses with a series of wild punches.
Smith pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Araujo lands with a shot to the body.

Smith has Araujo up against the cage in a clinch.
Araujo is trying to pull guard but Smith turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Araujo pulls guard.
Araujo looking to hit a scissor sweep but Smith is one step ahead there.
Araujo 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 has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Araujo is proving hard to escape from.

Araujo looking for a triangle here. Smith is fighting it but it looks tight! Araujo pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Smith is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Thiago Araujo!