PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexei Smirnov (ranked 5258 p4p, 22775 weight class) and Dennis Brousard (ranked 554 p4p, 614 weight class). The key to victory for Alexei Smirnov has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Smirnov
vs
Brousard

197 cm
25
210
1 - 2 - 0

180 cm
19
200
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alexei Smirnov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Dennis Brousard!
The judges for this bout are Ben Watson, Topper Green and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Brousard throws a leg kick but Smirnov checks it.
Smirnov fires out a quick counter leg kick but Brousard just manages to avoid it.
Nice body kick from Smirnov.
A low kick from Brousard misses
letting Smirnov counter with a right hand.
Brousard throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Brousard throws a body kick that misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Brousard. Smirnov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Brousard misses with a head kick.
Smirnov thinks about countering with a body kick.
Brousard takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Smirnov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Brousard moves in looking to clinch but Smirnov pushes him off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Brousard shoots in and gets a takedown into Smirnov's guard.
Brousard looks winded!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smirnov keeping moving, preventing Brousard from controlling successfully.

Smirnov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Brousard is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smirnov looking for subs off his back but Brousard has passed one foot through into half guard.
Brousard missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Smirnov is trying to stand.

Smirnov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Brousard pulls his head out easily.

Smirnov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Brousard takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Smirnov's coaches at Julians Sports Bar & Gym have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Brousard passes the guard and advances to mount!
Smirnov squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Smirnov tries to control the position but Brousard now has his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smirnov wants to escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brousard controlling the position well here. Smirnov rolled but Brousard kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Brousard lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Brousard controls the action.
Smirnov is trying to break free.

Brousard patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Smirnov is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Smirnov trying to get back to his feet but Brousard is in full control for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brousard is landing with strikes. Smirnov can't take much more of this.
Brousard scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Smirnov is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

Smirnov showing good submission defense here.

Brousard has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Smirnov is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov wants to escape the position.
Smirnov manages to scramble and ends up in full guard, under a barage of strikes . Great composure from Smirnov.

Brousard drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Smirnov manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Brousard has Smirnov in his guard.

Brousard controlling Smirnov's posture.
Brousard is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov won't allow Brousard to sweep him here.

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

Brousard has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Smirnov!
Smirnov tries to control Brousard's body but Brousard pushes him off. Smirnov squirms to his side and now Brousard has his back!

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov wants to get back to his feet.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Smirnov tries to escape but Brousard has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Brousard has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Smirnov has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Brousard just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Smirnov covers up after that shot from Brousard.

Smirnov fending off the submission attempt from Brousard.

Brousard has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Smirnov is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Brousard gets his way!

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

Smirnov defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Brousard's arms.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Brousard somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dennis Brousard dominated that round.
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. This is the final round!

Good standup being displayed there by Smirnov as he connects with a hook.
Smirnov scoring well with a low kick there.
The fight stays on the outside here - Brousard looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Brousard is looking to clinch.
A little feinted left hand from Smirnov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Smirnov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Brousards jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Brousard shoots in looking for a takedown but Smirnov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Brousard's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Smirnov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Nice uppercut lands for Smirnov. That snapped Brousard's head back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smirnov thumps Brousard with a low kick.

Brousard drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Brousard is breathing heavily.
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!
Smirnov is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Dennis Brousard has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Smirnov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Brousard looks up at the clock and then as Smirnov takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Brousard smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Smirnov is looking for a sweep.
Brousard working away.
Brousard taking a breather here.
Smirnov tries to escape but Brousard is in control.

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.

Brousard decides to stand back up.

Smirnov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Smirnov kicks Brousard off and gets to his feet.
Alexei Smirnov is winning the standup battle so far.

Brousard clinches with his opponent.
A nice left hand lands by Smirnov.
Brousard tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Smirnov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Smirnov.
Smirnov lands a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov blocks an uppercut.
Smirnov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Smirnov lands a left hand.
Still in the clinch, Smirnov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Smirnov cracks Brousard with a nice body shot.
Smirnov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Brousard backwards.
Smirnov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Brousard backwards.
Smirnov presses Brousard against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Smirnov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Smirnov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Smirnov.
Smirnov lands a shoulder strike.

Brousard is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smirnov lands with a short shot to the head.
Brousard is still on wobbly legs! Can Smirnov finish him?
A short uppercut from Smirnov.
Smirnov is leaning against Brousard and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Smirnov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Brousard backwards.
A right handed body shot lands from Smirnov.
Smirnov pushes Brousard back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov throws a big uppercut that drops Brousard! More strikes from Smirnov and the referee jumps in to stop the fight! Brousard lies dazed against the cage as Smirnov celebrates with his cornermen!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:09 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Alexei Smirnov!