PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bobby Minnagh (ranked 1856 p4p, 1315 weight class) and Clinch King Smash Machine (ranked 249 p4p, 181 weight class). 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?

Minnagh
vs
Smash Machine

205 cm
28
220
10 - 5 - 0

194 cm
27
218
13 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bobby Minnagh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Clinch King Smash Machine!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Franklyn Lucas and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smash Machine wants to clinch up but Minnagh keeps it at a distance.
Smash Machine with a poor takedown
letting Minnagh counter with a right hand.

It looks like Clinch King Smash Machine has been cut.
Smash Machine tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Minnagh paws at him with a jab and circles away.
It appears Minnagh was looking to counter with a kick there.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Smash Machine has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Smash Machine buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Smash Machine jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Smash Machine rushes Minnagh and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Smash Machine gets control of Minnagh's arms and successfully pulls guard. Smash Machine will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Minnagh 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.

Smash Machine escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Minnagh gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smash Machine working a defensive guard here.
Minnagh wants to get up but he can't break Smash Machine's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smash Machine looking for a sweep. Not yet Smash Machine, not yet.
Minnagh sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Minnagh would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Smash Machine can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Minnagh controls the pace.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Smash Machine dips to his left and cracks Minnagh with an uppercut!
Smash Machine tries to score a power double leg takedown but Minnagh sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Smash Machine somewhat.
Minnagh was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Smash Machine tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Minnagh was well out of range. Poor timing from Smash Machine.
Minnagh throws a big counter combination but Smash Machine scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smash Machine tries to clinch but Minnagh moves out of range.
Smash Machine misses with a leg kick
and Minnagh counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Smash Machine wants to clinch up but Minnagh keeps it at a distance.
Smash Machine misses with a lunging right hand
and Minnagh counters with an outside leg kick.
Minnagh slips a straight right by Smash Machine.
Minnagh swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Minnagh avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Minnagh thinks about countering with a body kick.
Smash Machine closes the distance but Minnagh moves to the side
and Minnagh counters with a left to the body.
Minnagh displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Smash Machine throws out the jab.
Nice sprawl there from Minnagh as Smash Machine shoots in.
Bobby Minnagh has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Clinch King Smash Machine.
Smash Machine tries to close the distance and clinch up but Minnagh swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Smash Machine throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Minnagh sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Smash Machine fails to land the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minnagh swats away the attempt to clinch by Smash Machine.
An attempted straight right counter from Minnagh misses the target.
Smash Machine tries to clinch but Minnagh moves out of range.
Minnagh fires out a quick counter leg kick but Smash Machine just manages to avoid it.
Minnagh moves away from the strike by Smash Machine.
Smash Machine is looking to clinch but Minnagh is avoiding it.
Minnagh defending well as Smash Machine loads up on a big left hand.
The crowd cheers as Smash Machine lands an impressive looking overhand right. Minnagh doesn't seem phased though.
Smash Machine shoots and misses
and Minnagh counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Smash Machine doesn't manage to clinch there - Minnagh circles away.
Minnagh lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Smash Machine misses with a body punch
and Minnagh counters with a nice uppercut.
Clinch King Smash Machine seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smash Machine misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Minnagh.
Smash Machine fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smash Machine misses with a looping left.
Smash Machine tries to clinch
and Smash Machine takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Smash Machine waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Minnagh.
A solid leg kick lands there for Minnagh.
Smash Machine tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Smash Machine tries to clinch up.
Minnagh swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Minnagh keeps the fight on the outside.
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!
Minnagh misses with a double jab
and Smash Machine counters with a straight right hand.
Smash Machine fails to land with a series of punches.
Minnagh keeps the fight on the outside.
An attempted straight right counter from Minnagh misses the target.
Smash Machine tries to land a front kick but Minnagh steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Smash Machine moves into the clinch successfully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Bobby Minnagh will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Clinch King Smash Machine's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Smash Machine misses with a hook
and Minnagh counters with a body kick.
Smash Machine throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Minnagh checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Minnagh is looking to counter with head kicks.
Smash Machine has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Minnagh.
Smash Machine tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Minnagh paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Minnagh was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Minnagh gets tackled into the cage by Smash Machine. Smash Machine maintains the clinch.

Smash Machine pulls guard successfully.
Minnagh wanted to stand there but Smash Machine had control of the position.

Smash Machine looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Minnagh's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Minnagh got a little sloppy there for a moment and Smash Machine has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Minnagh has managed to get both his arms back between Smash Machine's legs - danger averted.
Minnagh trying to stand up but can't free himself from Smash Machine's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minnagh's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Smash Machine had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Minnagh defends it easily.
Minnagh engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Minnagh got a little sloppy there for a moment and Smash Machine has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Minnagh has managed to get both his arms back between Smash Machine's legs - danger averted.
Minnagh content to stall in guard here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Minnagh trying to stand up but can't free himself from Smash Machine's guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Minnagh gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Smash Machine misses with a left hand
and Minnagh counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Smash Machine thinking.
Horrible takedown attempt by Smash Machine or perhaps it was just good defense by Minnagh, which made it look bad.
Smash Machine is trying hard to land a takedown here. Minnagh sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Minnagh is looking to counter with head kicks.
Minnagh walks forward, straight into a front kick from Smash Machine.
Bobby Minnagh is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Minnagh looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Smash Machine scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Minnagh takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Smash Machine misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smash Machine moves in looking to clinch but Minnagh pushes him off.
Minnagh tried to counter with a leg kick but Smash Machine avoided it.
Smash Machine throws a hook but Minnagh blocks it.
Minnagh was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Smash Machine tries to land a front kick but Minnagh steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Minnagh was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Minnagh connects with a body shot that sends Smash Machine's belly button to the back.
Smash Machine is breathing heavily.
Smash Machine misses with a double jab.
Minnagh was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
No joy there for Smash Machine, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Smash Machine misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Minnagh counters with a slapping leg kick.
Minnagh goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Minnagh cracks Smash Machine with an open hand slap.

That has opened up Clinch King Smash Machine's cut even more.
Minnagh is looking to land body kicks.
Smash Machine throws a low kick but it's checked well by Minnagh.
Smash Machine just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromMinnagh.
Smash Machine fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Minnagh thinks about countering with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smash Machine misses with a hook
and Minnagh counters with a stiff right hand.
Minnagh lands a body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smash Machine throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Minnagh throws a counter high kick but Smash Machine was just alert enough to avoid it.
Smash Machine closes the distance but Minnagh moves to the side

and Minnagh counters with a crisp right hand that drops Smash Machine! Minnagh lets Smash Machine back up to his feet, looking for a finish!

Smash Machine is rocked!
Minnagh throws a nice inside leg kick.
Smash Machine misses with an uppercut. Minnagh saw that one coming.

Smash Machine closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Smash Machine tries to pull guard but Minnagh holds him up against the cage and eventually Smash Machine drops back down to his feet.
Bobby Minnagh has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Clinch King Smash Machine.
Minnagh tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Smash Machine's elbow.
Smash Machine blocking some punches.
Still in the clinch, Minnagh scores with a nice short uppercut.

The cut above Clinch King Smash Machine's eye is starting to cause him problems now.

Minnagh breaks from the clinch.
Minnagh scores with a push kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bobby Minnagh dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Clinch King Smash Machine's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Minnagh swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Smash Machine tries to counter by closing the distance.
Smash Machine shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Minnagh defends it nicely.
It looked like Minnagh wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Minnagh checks a low kick from Smash Machine.
Smash Machine waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Minnagh.
Smash Machine wants to clinch.
Minnagh tried to counter with a leg kick but Smash Machine avoided it.
Bobby Minnagh is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Smash Machine throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Minnagh tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Smash Machine is in Minnagh's guard.
Minnagh keeping moving, preventing Smash Machine from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minnagh wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Minnagh wants to sweep here but Smash Machine controlling him for the moment.
Smash Machine being controlled here momentarily.
Smash Machine content to stall in guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Minnagh keeping full guard, as Smash Machine tries to pass.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Smash Machine gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Nice elbow from Smash Machine.

It looks like Bobby Minnagh has been cut.
Smash Machine tries a body shot but Minnagh blocks it.
Minnagh lands with a left to the head.
Smash Machine trying to land knees to the body.

Minnagh's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Clinch King Smash Machine has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Smash Machine closes the distance and clinches.
Smash Machine throws a knee to the head but misses.
Smash Machine lands with a light punch inside.
Smash Machine is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Minnagh is defending well for now.
Smash Machine lands a damaging elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smash Machine throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Minnaghs head.
Smash Machine drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Minnagh gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Smash Machine takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Smash Machine throws a knee to the head but misses.

Minnagh manages to break the clinch.
A bone on bone clash there as Minnagh blocks the leg kick.
Minnagh is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A left lands for Smash Machine.
Smash Machine tries to clinch but Minnagh moves out of range.
A quick step to the side and Minnagh tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smash Machine takes one to the chin there.
Smash Machine wants to clinch.
Minnagh lands a nice shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smash Machine tries to close the distance and clinch up but Minnagh swats him away and circles back towards the center.
And Minnagh counters with a quick kick to the body but Smash Machine blocks it.
Smash Machine throws a leg kick
and Minnagh counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Smash Machine avoids a kick to the body.
Smash Machine shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Minnagh as he avoids it easily.
Bobby Minnagh has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Clinch King Smash Machine.
Smash Machine looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Minnagh is fending him off so far but Smash Machine persists. Nope, Minnagh circles away and we're back to standing.
Smash Machine throws a lazy uppercut
and Minnagh counters with a thumping low kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smash Machine stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Minnagh throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Smash Machine on the side of the head.
Smash Machine tries to clinch
and Minnagh counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Bobby Minnagh is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Minnagh cracks Smash Machine with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Bobby Minnagh.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Minnagh, 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bobby Minnagh!
During a confident post fight interview, Bobby Minnagh thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
In defeat, Clinch King Smash Machine stepped up to the mic, saying 'I want to thank the fans for the support! We'll be back stronger!'.