PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rebel Smith (ranked 1863 p4p, 1018 weight class) and Cormac Mac Airt (ranked 226 p4p, 137 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Smith
vs
Mac Airt

175 cm
34
162
15 - 10 - 0

178 cm
25
160
11 - 4 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary

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 15 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rebel Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cormac Mac Airt!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mac Airt dodges the punch combination from Smith.
Smith misses with a hook. Mac Airt ducked under it nicely.
Mac Airt feints the counter takedown.

Mac Airt instigates a clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Smith.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mac Airt.
Mac Airt prevents a body shot from Smith.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Mac Airt 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.
Mac Airt using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smith has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Mac Airt tries to pull guard but Smith holds him up against the ropes and eventually Mac Airt drops back down to his feet.
Mac Airt misses with an elbow strike.
Smith tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mac Airt's elbow.
I was talking to Smith's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Smith digs a right hand underneath Mac Airt's ribcage. Mac Airt let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Mac Airt lands a left hand.
Mac Airt lands a knee to the body.
Mac Airt is trying to pull guard but Smith turns him against the ropes and we stay in the clinch.
Smith avoids the elbow strike from Mac Airt, against the ropes.
Mac Airt blocks an uppercut.
Mac Airt blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Smith can't find room to land a body shot as Mac Airt controls the action.
Smith blocks an elbow strike from Mac Airt.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Smith creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith tries to work over Mac Airt's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Smith misses with the head strike.
Mac Airt prevents a body shot from Smith.
Mac Airt working aggressively here.
Mac Airt misses with an elbow strike.
Mac Airt fails to pull guard.
Rebel Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cormac Mac Airt.
Smith pushes Mac Airt back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Mac Airt gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Smith moves into full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Smith is on top in guard.

Smith wants to stand but Mac Airt is controlling his posture from full guard.
Mac Airt keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Smith is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Mac Airt looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith controls from within his opponent's guard.
Mac Airt has control of Smith's left arm, preventing Smith from doing any damage.
Smith controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Mac Airt is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Smith is aware though and is defending well.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Mac Airt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Mac Airt looking for a guillotine here but Smith defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith got a little sloppy there for a moment and Mac Airt has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Smith has managed to get both his arms back between Mac Airt's legs - danger averted.

Mac Airt working for a triangle but Smith defends it easily.
Mac Airt keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.

Mac Airt has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Smith can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Smith would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Mac Airt looking to control.
Smith wants to stand but Mac Airt has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Mac Airt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four 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.
Mac Airt not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Smith works the jab nicely.
Smith jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

Mac Airt clinches.
Mac Airt throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Smith goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A right hook to the body lands for Mac Airt.
A head punch on the inside from Mac Airt fails to land.
Smith takes a shot to the head.
Smith struggles to land a body shot inside as Mac Airt controls his hands.
Smith lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Mac Airt or not.
Mac Airt throws a punch but it's blocked by Smith.
Smith lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Mac Airt.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smith.
Mac Airt lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mac Airt swings away with an uppercut that misses.
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 Rebel Smith will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mac Airt blocks a jab.
Rebel Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith throws a right hand that Mac Airt ducks under and follows up with a left that Mac Airt also avoids with ease.
Mac Airt appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Mac Airt wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Mac Airt closes the distance and clinches.
Smith swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mac Airt working aggressively here.
Smith misses with the head strike.
Mac Airt missing with knees to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Mac Airt.
Mac Airt swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Smith fails to land.
Mac Airt tries to pull guard but Smith won't allow it.
Smith lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Mac Airt.
Mac Airt using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smith has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Smith struggles to land a body shot inside as Mac Airt controls his hands.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mac Airt.
Mac Airt prevents a body shot from Smith.
Mac Airt lands a nice shot to the body.
Smith lands a body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mac Airt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mac Airt lands a hook that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Mac Airt tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Smith's elbow.
Smith swings wildly with an uppercut but Mac Airt uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smith can't find room to land a body shot as Mac Airt controls the action.
Mac Airt is trying to pull guard but Smith has him pressed against the ropes.
A short uppercut from Smith.
Smith misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from Smith.
Mac Airt misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mac Airt lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Mac Airt lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Smith lands a nice shot to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Smith creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Smith tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Smith misses with some punches.
Mac Airt drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Smith gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Rebel Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cormac Mac Airt.
Smith tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands a right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith struggles to land a body shot inside as Mac Airt controls his hands.
Mac Airt prevents a body shot from Smith.
Mac Airt missing with knees to the body.
A shot in the inside from Smith.
Smith digs a right hand into Mac Airt's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Mac Airt's gas tank.
Smith misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Smith lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Mac Airt backwards.
Mac Airt throws a punch but it's blocked by Smith.
Smith has a couple of punches blocked by Mac Airt.
Mac Airt is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Smith is keeping busy.
Smith misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mac Airt struggles to land a body shot inside as Smith controls his hands.
Mac Airt misses with a knee strike.
Smith tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rebel Smith has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Smith misses with a punch to the body.
Smith blocks an uppercut.
Mac Airt is trying to pull guard but Smith has him pressed against the ropes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mac Airt wants a takedown.
Smith misses with the head strike.
Mac Airt jumps guard but Smith stands there with Mac Airt around his waist. Mac Airt gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Mac Airt lands a nice uppercut.
Mac Airt tries to land a knee to the head but Smith blocks with his arms.
Smith throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Mac Airts head.
A short uppercut from Mac Airt.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Mac Airt creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Mac Airt lands an uppercut.
Mac Airt working aggressively here.
A short right from Smith.
Smith cracks Mac Airt with a nice body shot.
Mac Airt jumps guard but Smith stands there with Mac Airt around his waist. Mac Airt gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Smith blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Smith digs a right hand into Mac Airt's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Mac Airt's gas tank.
Smith is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Smith misses with a hook to the ribs.
Smith fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith lands a hook that snaps the head of Mac Airt backwards.
Smith tries to work over Mac Airt's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mac Airt.
A head punch on the inside from Smith fails to land.
Smith can't find room to land a body shot as Mac Airt controls the action.
Mac Airt scores with a shot to the side of Smith's head.
Smith's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Mac Airt throws an elbow but it misses.
Mac Airt is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the ropes enables Smith to keep the fight standing.
A short uppercut from Mac Airt.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smith.
Smith blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Smith lands with a left to the head.
Smith pushes Mac Airt back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Mac Airt is breathing heavily.
Smith blocks a body shot from Mac Airt.
Nice body punch from Smith - that landed with a thud.
A head punch on the inside from Mac Airt fails to land.
Smith pushes Mac Airt back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Smith scores with a hook to the body.
Smith lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Mac Airt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rebel Smith dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Smith connects with a body shot that sends Mac Airt's belly button to the back.
Mac Airt wants to clinch.
Smith digs a good body shot into Mac Airt's ribs.
Smith lands a nice shot to the body.
Smith swings for the body but Mac Airt moves out of range.
Mac Airt moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
Smith throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mac Airt.
Mac Airt wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith throws a body punch but Mac Airt moves out of range.
Mac Airt doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Smith stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Mac Airt.
Mac Airt moves to clinch but Smith breaks away
and Smith counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mac Airt wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
Smith is looking to counter punch.
Smith misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith gets tackled into the ropes by Mac Airt. Mac Airt maintains the clinch.
Mac Airt trying to control the position but instead, Smith has worked for underhooks and has pushed Mac Airt into the ropes.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mac Airt.
Smith blocks a body shot from Mac Airt.
Smith doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mac Airt throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mac Airt's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Mac Airt looking to throw knees to the head but Smith is blocking nicely.
Mac Airt throws a punch but it's blocked by Smith.
Smith scores with a shoulder strike.
Smith works on Mac Airt's body with a couple of short punches.
Mac Airt takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A head punch on the inside from Mac Airt fails to land.
A right hand to the body from Smith.
Smith gets through Mac Airt's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Smith tries to throw a body punch but Mac Airt avoids it by throwing Smith back against the ropes.
Mac Airt tries to pull guard but Smith won't allow it.
Mac Airt presses Smith against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to throw a body punch but Mac Airt avoids it by throwing Smith back against the ropes.
Mac Airt swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Smith tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mac Airt's elbow.
Smith fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mac Airt tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Smith smiles and moves away.
Mac Airt fails in his attempt to clinch.
Smith is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mac Airt can do to turn this around?
Mac Airt tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Rebel Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mac Airt uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Smith.
Smith throws out a loose jab but Mac Airt uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smith misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mac Airt.
Smith swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Smith scores with the left hand. Mac Airt knows he should have avoided that one.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smith. Mac Airt does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mac Airt drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Smith defends it well.
Smith jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Smith cracks Mac Airt with a right hand to the side of the head.

Mac Airt drives through and clinches with Smith against the ropes.
A hook to the body from Mac Airt.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smith.
Smith lands a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mac Airt swings wildly with an uppercut but Smith uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smith misses with a punch on the inside.
Mac Airt is looking for a takedown.
Rebel Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cormac Mac Airt.
Mac Airt is trying to pull guard but Smith has him pressed against the ropes.
Smith misses with a shot to the kidneys.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Smith.
Smith tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mac Airt's elbow.
Mac Airt has a couple of punches blocked by Smith.
Smith blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mac Airt blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mac Airt lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Mac Airt has a couple of punches blocked by Smith.
Mac Airt lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Smith tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mac Airt tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Smith just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Smith goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Smith misses with a punch on the inside.
Smith tries to work over Mac Airt's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith misses with a punch to the body.
Mac Airt pushes off an throws an elbow but Smith leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Mac Airt blocks a body shot from Smith.
Mac Airt wants to take the fight to the mat but Smith manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Smith gets underhooks to prevent Mac Airt's takedown attempt.
Smith throws a punch but it's blocked by Mac Airt.
Cormac Mac Airt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Smith is leaning against Mac Airt and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Smith tries to throw a body punch but Mac Airt avoids it by throwing Smith back against the ropes.
A head punch on the inside from Smith fails to land.
Smith lands with a short punch from the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mac Airt can't find room to land a body shot as Smith controls the action.
A right hand to the body from Smith.
Smith blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Smith working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Smith misses with a punch on the inside.
Mac Airt tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Smith lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Mac Airt tries to pull guard but Smith holds him up against the ropes and eventually Mac Airt drops back down to his feet.
Smith lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Mac Airt backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rebel Smith showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Smith has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rebel Smith!
Rebel Smith made sure to mention his sponsor, FEEBLE FIGHTWEAR in his post fight interview.