PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Taobaru Kokubufuko (ranked 4995 p4p, 3680 weight class) and Mbape Smooth (ranked 479 p4p, 413 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kokubufuko
vs
Smooth

185 cm
18
190
1 - 0 - 0

195 cm
22
190
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Hates pizza

Decent wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 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, Taobaru Kokubufuko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mbape Smooth!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kokubufuko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Kokubufuko tries to keep at a distance but Smooth has taken the fight into the clinch.

Kokubufuko breaks the clinch.
We've been told by Kokubufuko's head coaches at Cozad MMA Los Angeles that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Smooth gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kokubufuko.
Kokubufuko goes for a takedown attempt but Smooth pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Smooth moves into the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smooth.
Kokubufuko is trying to force a seperation but Smooth has the dominant position.
Smooth tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Smooth lands a left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smooth lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kokubufuko tries to pull guard but Smooth holds him up against the cage and eventually Kokubufuko drops back down to his feet.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smooth.
Smooth blocks a body shot from Kokubufuko.
A short left from Smooth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smooth working aggressively here.
Smooth swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kokubufuko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Smooth working aggressively here.
Smooth pushes Kokubufuko back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kokubufuko blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kokubufuko fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taobaru Kokubufuko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smooth misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Smooth fails to land.
A short right from Smooth on the inside.
Smooth softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short left from Smooth.
Smooth looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Smooth misses with a punch on the inside.
Kokubufuko takes a shot to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Smooth.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smooth scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kokubufuko blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Smooth lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kokubufuko backwards.
Kokubufuko blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smooth misses with a punch on the inside.
Kokubufuko has had enough of the clinch but Smooth keeps him there for the moment.
Smooth is pressed up against the cage. Kokubufuko has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Smooth down to the mat. Smooth avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Smooth forces Kokubufuko back against the cage and clinches.
Kokubufuko wants a takedown but no success here.
Smooth misses with a punch on the inside.
Smooth pushes Kokubufuko back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kokubufuko has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Smooth after a bit of a struggle.
Smooth lands a hook that snaps the head of Kokubufuko backwards.
A short right from Smooth.
A short right from Smooth.

Kokubufuko is rocked!
Smooth swings wildly with an uppercut but Kokubufuko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Oh Kokubufuko is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
A head punch on the inside from Smooth fails to land.
Kokubufuko blocking some punches.
Kokubufuko seems to have got his legs back now.
Kokubufuko goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kokubufuko throws an elbow but it misses.
Kokubufuko is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kokubufuko blocking some punches.
Kokubufuko tries to break free but Smooth pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kokubufuko jumps guard but Smooth stands there with Kokubufuko around his waist. Kokubufuko gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Smooth misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kokubufuko blocks an uppercut.
Kokubufuko's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smooth.
Smooth scores with a shoulder strike.
A frustrated look appears on Kokubufuko's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kokubufuko jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Smooth walks away with a smile on his face. Kokubufuko gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Smooth closes the distance and clinches.
Smooth tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kokubufuko wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kokubufuko with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kokubufuko is looking to control Smooth's arms but Smooth gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kokubufuko has his back to the cage.
Kokubufuko tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Smooth misses with a short punch on the inside.
Smooth working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A short left from Smooth.
Smooth swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smooth lands an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smooth misses with the head strike.
Smooth swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kokubufuko.
Smooth softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kokubufuko is trying to pull guard but Smooth has him pressed against the cage.

Kokubufuko pulls Smooth into guard.

Smooth decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Smooth rushes Kokubufuko and presses him up against the cage.
Smooth lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kokubufuko backwards.
Kokubufuko takes a shot to the head.
Kokubufuko misses with an elbow strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kokubufuko tries to pull guard but Smooth forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Kokubufuko trying to control the position but instead, Smooth has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kokubufuko into the cage.
Smooth lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mbape Smooth dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kokubufuko tries to keep at a distance but Smooth has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kokubufuko is looking to control Smooth's arms but Smooth gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kokubufuko has his back to the cage.
Smooth swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kokubufuko tries to pull guard but Smooth holds him up against the cage and eventually Kokubufuko drops back down to his feet.
Smooth throws a punch but it's blocked by Kokubufuko.
Kokubufuko is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Smooth is defending well.
A frustrated look appears on Kokubufuko's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Smooth tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Smooth swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Kokubufuko breaks from the clinch.
Smooth has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Smooth gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch on the inside from Smooth fails to land.
Mbape Smooth seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kokubufuko has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Smooth is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taobaru Kokubufuko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smooth lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kokubufuko backwards.
Kokubufuko jumps guard but Smooth stands there with Kokubufuko around his waist. Kokubufuko gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Smooth lands an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smooth lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Smooth fails to land.
Smooth lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Smooth lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short uppercut from Smooth.
A shot in the inside from Smooth.
Kokubufuko's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Smooth lands a big right hand that drops Kokubufuko! The killer instinct kicks in and Smooth finishes his opponent with a series of strikes from mount. A dominating finish by Smooth!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:32 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mbape Smooth!
Mbape Smooth seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.