PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kasparas Spirikavicius (ranked 4754 p4p, 5037 weight class) and Mbape Smooth (ranked 546 p4p, 580 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?

Spirikavicius
vs
Smooth

185 cm
18
185
1 - 0 - 0

195 cm
18
183
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kasparas Spirikavicius!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mbape Smooth!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Ivan Kurochkin and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smooth uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Spirikavicius.
Spirikavicius drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Spirikavicius throws out a loose jab but Smooth uses good head movement to avoid it.
Spirikavicius with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Smooth to score with a decent uppercut.
Smooth steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Spirikavicius.
The fighters circling - Spirikavicius throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Smooth connects with the punch.
Smooth ducks under a wild hook from Spirikavicius.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Smooth! But no joy.
Smooth swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Spirikavicius.
Nice body kick there by Smooth.
Smooth lands a right hook to the body.
Smooth digs a good hook to Spirikavicius's body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smooth blocks a jab.
Smooth throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Smooth slips a straight right by Spirikavicius.
A countering left hand to the body from Smooth misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smooth connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Spirikavicius misses with a straight left.
Smooth lunges at Spirikavicius with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Spirikavicius's hand.
Smooth scores with a jab.
Smooth thuds his right hand into Spirikavicius's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Smooth works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Spirikavicius has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Spirikavicius there as he acknowledges the shot.
Spirikavicius looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Smooth pushes Spirikavicius away with a front kick.
Mbape Smooth seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Smooth.
Spirikavicius uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smooth.
Spirikavicius is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Smooth's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Smooth throws a sloppy body shot
and Spirikavicius connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smooth misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Spirikavicius.
Spirikavicius was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Smooth lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Smooth - just one landing.
Smooth looks to score with a jab to the body but Spirikavicius is just out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Spirikavicius on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Smooth scores with a nice right hand.
Smooth swings away with a body shot that misses
and Spirikavicius counters with a left to the body.
A good leg kick by Smooth.
Smooth cracks Spirikavicius with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Smooth scores with a crisp jab that stopped Spirikavicius in his tracks.
Smooth lands with a cross.
Smooth is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Spirikavicius had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Smooth tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Smooth ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smooth scores with a jab to the body.
Nice body punch from Smooth.
Smooth throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Smooth buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mbape Smooth dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Spirikavicius cracks Smooth with an open hand slap.

It looks like Mbape Smooth has been cut.
Good exchange - Smooth coming out on top.
Spirikavicius takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Spirikavicius has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Smooth lands with a cross.
Smooth takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Nice jab there from Smooth.
Smooth misses with a body kick.
Spirikavicius has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Spirikavicius there as he acknowledges the shot.
A punch lands to the side of Spirikavicius 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Smooth changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smooth lands with an overhand left.
Nice uppercut lands for Smooth. That snapped Spirikavicius's head back.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Spirikavicius might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Spirikavicius blocks a jab.
Spirikavicius throwing a counter right hand but Smooth manages to avoid it.
Spirikavicius ducks right into an uppercut from Smooth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Spirikavicius misses.
Spirikavicius takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
A jab lands there for Smooth.
Smooth throws a body shot but no joy.
Smooth misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
It looked like Spirikavicius wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Jab by Smooth.
Smooth tests Spirikavicius's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A shot to the liver by Smooth. Beautiful body shot.
Smooth misses the shot to the body.
An attempted straight right counter from Spirikavicius misses the target.
Smooth scores with the left hand. Spirikavicius knows he should have avoided that one.
Smooth connects with a crisp jab.
Spirikavicius uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smooth.
Smooth scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Smooth.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Spirikavicius throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Smooth sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Smooth cracks Spirikavicius with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Smooth has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Smooth swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Donk. Spirikavicius catches Smooth right on the button with a cross.
Spirikavicius takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Smooth cracks Spirikavicius with a right hand to the side of the head.
Spirikavicius gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Smooth is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smooth throws a hook to the side of Spirikavicius's head but Spirikavicius sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
It looked like Spirikavicius wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Spirikavicius uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Smooth.
Smooth moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mbape Smooth showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mbape Smooth's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Smooth misses the body punch
letting Spirikavicius counter with a right hand.
Spirikavicius misses with a double jab.
A punch lands to the side of Spirikavicius 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Spirikavicius connects with a single shot there.
Spirikavicius loads up on a big right hand but Smooth slips the punch.
Spirikavicius throws out a loose jab but Smooth uses good head movement to avoid it.
Spirikavicius connects with a body shot that sends Smooth's belly button to the back.
Smooth scores with a nice head shot.
Smooth lands a jab to the head.
Smooth has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Smooth thuds a left hand into Spirikavicius's body.
Spirikavicius moves forwards but Smooth connects with a nice, crisp jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smooth throws a leg kick
and Spirikavicius counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That has opened up Mbape Smooth's cut even more.
Spirikavicius takes a swing at Smooth's ribcage but misses.
Smooth ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spirikavicius gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Smooth.
Smooth scores with a hook to the body. Spirikavicius takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Spirikavicius avoids the body shot from Smooth.
Smooth throws a quick inside leg kick.
Spirikavicius throws a lazy right hand but Smooth sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Smooth tries to score with a low kick but Spirikavicius moves his leg out of the way.
Spirikavicius looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Smooth fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Spirikavicius checks it well.
It looked like Spirikavicius was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Smooth.
Spirikavicius throws a hook but Smooth avoids it easily.
Spirikavicius slips a straight right by Smooth.
Smooth scores with a body shot.
Spirikavicius throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Smooth stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Smooth throws a leg kick but Spirikavicius checks it.
Smooth getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Smooth.
Smooth pivots, looking for a leg kick but Spirikavicius is out of range and Smooth settles back down.
Smooth lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Spirikavicius at a distance.
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!
Spirikavicius thows a left - swing and a miss!
Smooth throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Spirikavicius.
Smooth jabs Spirikavicius to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Smooth throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Smooth connects with a body shot.
Spirikavicius ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smooth moves away.
Spirikavicius closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Spirikavicius misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smooth.
Spirikavicius blocks a low kick nicely.
Smooth throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mbape Smooth really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mbape Smooth's cut.
That's time! Spirikavicius's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Spirikavicius takes a jab right on the kisser.
Smooth throws a body shot but no joy.
Smooth misses with a head kick.
Smooth moves away from the strike by Spirikavicius.
Smooth was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Spirikavicius swings for the body but Smooth moves out of range.
Smooth only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Spirikavicius on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Spirikavicius misses with a looping left.
Good leg kick by Smooth.
Spirikavicius looks to throw the jab but Smooth is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smooth ducks under a wild hook from Spirikavicius.
Smooth throws a hook but Spirikavicius avoids it easily.
Spirikavicius missing with a left hand there. Smooth was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Spirikavicius misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Smooth to counter with a crisp jab.
Mbape Smooth seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Smooth throws the kick towards the body but Spirikavicius avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smooth connects with a nice looking jab.
Spirikavicius looks to land a right hand but Smooth moved out of range.
Smooth appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Smooth catches Spirikavicius with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Spirikavicius loads up on a big right hand but Smooth slips the punch.
A good leg kick by Smooth.
Smooth moves out of range of the strikes.
Spirikavicius is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Spirikavicius fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Smooth looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Spirikavicius pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A shot to the liver by Smooth. Beautiful body shot.
Smooth connects with a solid leg kick.
Spirikavicius takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
The crowd cheers as Smooth lands an impressive looking overhand right. Spirikavicius doesn't seem phased though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spirikavicius avoids the body shot from Smooth.
Smooth throws a leg kick
and Spirikavicius counters with a straight right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A looping hook to the body misses from Spirikavicius. Smooth does a little dance to reset his feet.
Good shot there by Spirikavicius.
Smooth stuns Spirikavicius with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Smooth throws an ugly left hook that misses

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

Smooth is rocked!
Spirikavicius takes a swing at Smooth's ribcage but misses.
Spirikavicius on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Smooth scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Spirikavicius checks the leg kick nicely there.
Smooth throws a sloppy head kick
enabling Spirikavicius to counter with a crisp jab.

The cut above Mbape Smooth's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Smooth is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Spirikavicius throws a body punch but Smooth moves out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Kasparas Spirikavicius will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mbape Smooth's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Smooth lands a body shot.
Kasparas Spirikavicius has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Smooth misses with a double jab
and Spirikavicius connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Smooth is still on wobbly legs! Can Spirikavicius finish him?
Smooth throws a nice outside leg kick.
Smooth seems to have recovered his senses.
Spirikavicius avoids a kick to the body.
Mbape Smooth is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Spirikavicius takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Smooth lands a lovely overhand right.
Smooth misses with a head kick.
Spirikavicius throws a lazy right hand but Smooth sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spirikavicius takes a jab right on the kisser.
Spirikavicius swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Smooth uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Spirikavicius.
Jab, jab by Smooth - just one landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smooth misses with a body shot.
Smooth slips under a jab.
Smooth slips under a jab.
Smooth connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Spirikavicius momentarily.
Smooth throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Smooth connects with a good right hand that stumbles Spirikavicius. Spirikavicius circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Smooth scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Spirikavicius doesn't seem bothered though.
Spirikavicius swings for the body but Smooth moves out of range.
Spirikavicius takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Spirikavicius throws a hook but Smooth avoids it easily.
Spirikavicius swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A countering left hand to the body from Smooth misses.
A jab lands there for Smooth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spirikavicius jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Spirikavicius jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Smooth looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A decent looking cross lands there for Spirikavicius.
Smooth ducks under a wild hook from Spirikavicius.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice cross by Smooth.
Smooth bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A shot to the liver by Smooth. Beautiful body shot.
Spirikavicius looks to land a left hand but Smooth moved out of range nicely.
Spirikavicius throws out a powerful jab.
Spirikavicius takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Smooth cracks Spirikavicius with a good jab.
Smooth bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Spirikavicius's head backwards.
A swing and a miss from Spirikavicius.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mbape Smooth comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Smooth has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 46:49
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 45:50
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mbape Smooth!