PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between sal mariano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

mariano
vs
Smith

185 cm
22
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
20
226 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, sal mariano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Michael Smith!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, William Gold and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
mariano shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Smith pinned against the cage. Smith gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Smith looks to score with a jab to the body but mariano is just out of range.
Smith throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

Smith gets a clinch.
mariano has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Smith is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Smith manages to break the clinch.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.
Smith is stalling here.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Smith.
Smith lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Smith is stalling here.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
mariano shoots in and drives through. Smith sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for sal mariano. That's going to take a lot out of him.
mariano avoids a kick to the body.
mariano has a takedown stuffed.
mariano has a takedown stuffed.

Smith clinches up against the cage.
mariano takes an elbow to the forehead.
mariano is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Smith gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
mariano goes for a takedown in the clinch but Smith prevents it.
mariano is breathing heavily.
Smith taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
The crowd are getting on Smith's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Smith connects with a nasty looking knee right to mariano's face.
Stalling in the clinch from Smith.
mariano wants a takedown but no success here.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Smith darts in and clinches mariano up against the cage.
mariano tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Smith smiles and moves away.
A solid body kick from Smith.

mariano tries to keep at a distance but Smith has taken the fight into the clinch.
Smith landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Smith is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Smith lands a nice knee to the body.
Smith controlling the action here for a moment.
mariano trying to stall but Smith improves his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

mariano breaks from the clinch.
mariano looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Smith is fending him off so far but mariano persists. Nope, Smith circles away and we're back to standing.
mariano fails with the takedown.
mariano shoots in and drives through. Smith sprawls well.
mariano fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Smith throws a leg kick that misses.

Smith gets a clinch.
Smith has mariano pressed against the cage.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Michael Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
mariano looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Smith is fending him off so far but mariano persists. Nope, Smith circles away and we're back to standing.

Smith has managed to clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice takedown defense from Smith. No joy for mariano on that attempt.
Smith wants to clinch up but mariano keeps it at a distance.
mariano looks for a takedown but Smith sprawls well.
mariano checks a low kick from Smith.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
mariano fails with the takedown.

mariano darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Smith is refusing to be controlled, as mariano sits in half guard.
mariano moves nicely into side control.
mariano trying to control the position but Smith is working away.
Smith tries to improve position but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith being controlled for a moment.
mariano trying to control the position but Smith is working away.
mariano postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith regains half guard there - taking advantage of mariano's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Smith dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A thudding body kick lands there by Smith!
Smith lands a front kick.
Smith tries to clinch but mariano is having none of it.
mariano tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Smith swivels and escapes.
mariano shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Smith as he avoids it easily.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.
mariano wants to get back to striking at distance but Smith won't allow it.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
mariano has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for sal mariano. That's going to take a lot out of him.
mariano takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Smith throws a right hand that mariano ducks under and follows up with a left that mariano also avoids with ease.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.
Smith lands a nice knee to the body.
Smith lands a knee to the body.
Smith lands a nice knee to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The is referee keeping an eye on Smith - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Smith lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short right from Smith on the inside.
mariano wants to get back to striking at distance but Smith won't allow it.

Smith breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith clinches with his opponent.
Smith cracks mariano with a nice body shot.
Come on Smith - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Nice body punch from Smith - that landed with a thud.
mariano letting Smith take a breather here.
mariano managing to block the knees to the body from Smith.
Smith is leaning against mariano and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Smith is trying to stall.
mariano has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Smith is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Smith crunches a lovely knee into mariano's ribcage.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
mariano fails with a takedown attempt.
Horrible takedown by mariano or perhaps it was just good defense by Smith which made him look bad.
mariano shoots in and drives through. Smith sprawls well.
mariano tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Smith swivels and escapes.
mariano moves out of range of the body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith scores with a push kick.

Smith has mariano up against the cage in a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith scores a nice knee to the body.
Smith landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Smith using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Smith throws an elbow that misses.
mariano changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Smith fights it off and pushes away nicely.
mariano has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Smith.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from mariano.
mariano fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
mariano fails to land the takedown.

Smith gets caught flat footed, as mariano shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Smith keeping moving, preventing mariano from controlling successfully.
mariano is really struggling to control Smith but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
mariano makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Smith wants to stand and escape but mariano is having none of it.
mariano advances position into side control!
mariano throwing strikes but Smith manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
mariano throws a few strikes from the bottom but Smith takes advantage and mounts!
mariano is wriggling around trying to escape.
mariano tries to control Smith's body but Smith pushes him off. mariano squirms to his side and now Smith has his back!

That's four 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.
mariano staying busy and making it hard for Smith to control.
mariano is trying to break free.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Smith really doesn't want to stay on the ground with mariano. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Smith scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. mariano is looking for a way out.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
mariano controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

mariano on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Smith. Smith obviously looking to wear him down.
mariano fails with the takedown.
mariano throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Smith's waist but Smith gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing mariano off to one side.
mariano will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for sal mariano. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Smith thuds his shin into the meat of mariano's side.

Smith moves into the clinch.
Knees to the body from Smith.
Michael Smith seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Smith stalling.
mariano takes an elbow to the temple.
mariano drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Smith gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Smith is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Smith using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
mariano wants to break free but Smith has control.
mariano looking to stall.
Smith takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
mariano is trying to break free.
mariano dodges an elbow strike from Smith.
Smith has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Smith throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Smith leaning against his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Smith lands an elbow inside.
Smith keeps control of mariano as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
mariano has had enough of the clinch but Smith keeps him there for the moment.
mariano looking to stall.
Smith tries a body shot but mariano blocks it.

mariano manages to break the clinch.
Smith tries to clinch up but mariano circles away and keeps his distance.
Smith stuffs the takedown attempt from mariano. mariano gets slowly back to his feet.
mariano will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
mariano tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Smith swivels and escapes.
sal mariano is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Smith rushes mariano and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Smith trying to land knees to the body.
mariano wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Smith has him pressed against the cage.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
mariano fails to land the takedown.
Nice takedown defense from Smith. No joy for mariano on that attempt.
mariano avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith has closed the distance and engaged mariano in a clinch.
mariano tries to pull guard but Smith holds him up against the cage and eventually mariano drops back down to his feet.
mariano wants to get back to striking at distance but Smith won't allow it.
Smith keeps control of mariano as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
mariano on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
mariano is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Smith is keeping busy.
Stalling in the clinch from Smith.
mariano tries to pull guard but Smith won't allow it.

Smith breaks the clinch.

Smith darts in and clinches mariano up against the cage.
mariano wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Smith lands a knee to the body.
Smith lands a knee to the body.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
mariano fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Smith throws a leg kick but mariano sees it coming and checks it nicely.
mariano shoots in but no luck this time.
mariano shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Smith but Smith pushes him off and we're back to square one.

mariano looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

mariano stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Smith to get to his feet.
mariano walks forward, straight into a front kick from Smith.
Smith looks to land a body kick but mariano moved away.
mariano tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Smith swivels and escapes.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but mariano moves away.
Smith throws a right hand that mariano ducks under and follows up with a left that mariano also avoids with ease.
Smith scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Smith.
mariano looks for a takedown but Smith sprawls well.

Smith gets caught flat footed, as mariano shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

mariano gets to his feet. Smith looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Smith misses the shot to the body.
mariano slips a straight right by Smith.
mariano closes this distance looking for a takedown but Smith circles away.
Smith keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
mariano lands with a slapping head kick.

Smith moves into the clinch.

Smith breaks the clinch.
Michael Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
mariano misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Smith throws a right hand that mariano ducks under and follows up with a left that mariano also avoids with ease.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from mariano.

mariano shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
mariano looks to land a strike but Smith avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
sal mariano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
mariano postures up in Smith's guard and throws a big left but Smith blocks it.
mariano throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Smith winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Smith!