PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rebel Smith (ranked 22140 p4p, 3213 weight class) and Thad Thayer (ranked 510 p4p, 368 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?

Smith
vs
Thayer

175 cm
39
162
20 - 22 - 1

165 cm
41
134
10 - 14 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Fantasy Threads

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 20 - 22 - 1, fighting out of New York, Rebel Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 14 - 0, fighting out of New York, Thad Thayer!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Summer Carpenter and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith connects with a body shot.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt.
Thayer scores with a leg kick.
Smith misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Thayer.

Thayer decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Smith has one foot on Thayer's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Thayer ducks under a wild hook from Smith.
Smith thuds his right hand into Thayer's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Smith pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Thayer bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Smith misses the shot to the body.
Smith throws a hook to the side of Thayer's head but Thayer sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Smith misses with a hook
and Thayer counters with a two punch combo.
Smith waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Thayer.
Rebel Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.
Thayer changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Smith connects with a nice looking jab.
Smith throws a body punch but Thayer moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thayer slips a straight right by Smith.

Thayer takes the fight into the clinch.
Smith lands with a light punch inside.
Smith misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Smith throws a punch but it's blocked by Thayer.
Smith misses with the head strike.
Smith keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Thayer's efforts to push away.
Smith misses with a body punch.
Smith misses with a hook to the ribs.
Smith scores with a shot to the side of Thayer's head.
Smith swings wildly with an uppercut but Thayer uses good head movement to avoid it.
Thayer is trying to push Smith away but Smith has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Smith lands a left hand that snaps the head of Thayer backwards.
Smith misses with a body punch.
Thayer drops down looking for an ankle pick but Smith pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thayer's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Thayer duly obliges.
Smith lands a slapping body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith jabs at Thayer's body.
Smith slaps away a takedown attempt from Thayer, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Smith stuffs the takedown.
A little feinted left hand from Smith on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rebel Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thad Thayer.
Thayer 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 Thayer off to one side.
Thayer keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Smith dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Thayer shoots in for a takedown but Smith shows good takedown defense.
Smith feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Thayers jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Smith misses with an uppercut

and Thayer counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Smith wants to stand up but Thayer is controlling him.
Smith is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Brooklyn Mixed Martial Arts that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Smith bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Thayer's guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Smith stands up and waves to Thayer to follow him.
Smith throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Thayer decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Smith pushes Thayer off and gets back to his feet.
Smith throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Thayer staying out of range there.
Smith misses with a body shot.

Thayer pushes Smith up against the cage in a clinch.
Smith misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Thayer blocking some punches.
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!

Thayer pulls Smith into guard.

Thayer had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Smith defends it easily.
Thayer looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Thayer is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Smith wants to stand but Thayer is controlling his posture from full guard.

Smith stands up from Thayer's guard - Smith perhaps looking for a knockout.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith misses with a lunging right hand
and Thayer makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Smith lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Smith scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Smith scores with a shot to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rebel Smith 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.

Thayer shoots in and bounces Smith off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Smith wants to sweep here but Thayer controlling him for the moment.
Thayer is pushing down on Smith's leg trying to pass to half guard. Smith is fighting to maintain full guard but Thayer has managed to sneak the leg through.
Smith has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Thayer is working away from the top position though.

Smith is defending against the submission attempts here by Thayer.
Smith is trying to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith manages to get to full guard.
Smith seems keen to control Thayer's posture.
Thayer looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith wants to hit a sweep here but Thayer passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Smith there!
Smith tries to hold on but Thayer postures up.
Smith is trying desperately to improve position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thayer is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Smith is surviving well by controlling Thayer's body position as best he can.
Smith wants to hold on but Thayer pushes him away.
Smith is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Thayer manages to capitalize on a mistake by Smith to take his back!
Smith trying to control the hands but Thayer breaks the grip.
Smith manages to reverse the position and now he's in Thayer's guard. Nice work there by Smith.
Smith is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Thayer manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
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!
Smith misses with a short punch on the inside.
Smith has a couple of punches blocked by Thayer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thayer is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Smith is keeping busy.
Thayer blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Smith misses with a punch on the inside.

Thayer manages to break the clinch.
Thayer tries to score a power double leg takedown but Smith sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Thayer somewhat.
Smith throws a body punch but Thayer moves out of range.
Smith scores with a shot to the body.
Smith takes a swing at Thayer's ribcage but misses.
Thayer tries to counter by closing the distance.
Smith throws a body shot but no joy.
We've been informed that Thayer has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Thayer goes for a double leg but Smith avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Smith continues to drive forward.
Thad Thayer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smith misses with a hook.
Smith scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Smith connects with a right hand. Thayer shakes it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Rebel Smith is winning the standup battle so far.
Jab from Smith.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Thayer has managed to clinch.
Smith lands a body punch.
Thayer blocking some punches.
Smith misses with a body punch.
Smith fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Thayer breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Smith scores with a shot to the body.

Thayer rushes Smith and presses him up against the cage.
Smith can't find room to land a body shot as Thayer controls the action.
Smith tries to work over Thayer's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Smith lands a left hand that snaps the head of Thayer backwards.
Thayer blocking some punches.
Smith is defending well against a takedown attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rebel Smith dominated that second 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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Thayer takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Thayer shoots for a double leg takedown but Smith sprawls well. He's pushed Thayer's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Thayer takes one to the side of the head.
Smith lands a nice looking body shot.
Thayer looks for the body kick but Smith saw that one coming.
Thayer closes this distance looking for a takedown but Smith circles away.
Smith throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smith throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Thayer dives in and scores a takedown into Smith's guard.

Smith has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Thayer off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thayer moves away from the strike by Smith.
Smith throws a right hand that Thayer ducks under and follows up with a left that Thayer also avoids with ease.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Thayer moves away.
And Thayer tries to counter it with a takedown but Smith pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A big right from Smith misses.
Thayer tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Smith defends well and Thayer ends up having to push Smith into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Smith was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Rebel Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thad Thayer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab by Smith.
Smith throws a right and a left that Thayer avoids nicely.
Thayer displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Smith throws out the jab.
Smith scores with a nice strike.
Rebel Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Smith lands a nice looking body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A shot to the body from Smith misses
and Thayer counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Smith throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Smith takes a swing at Thayer's ribcage but misses.
Smith fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thayer manages to avoid it.
Smith looks to land a right hand but Thayer moved out of range.

Thayer scores with a takedown into Smith's guard.

Smith manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thayer fails with a takedown attempt.
Smith seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thayer tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Thayer ducks under a wild hook from Smith.
Thayer throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.
Thayer tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Thayer shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Smith sprawls well. Smith wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Thayer gets slowly back to his feet.
Smith lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Thayer moves out of range of the strikes.
Thayer doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.
Thayer pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Smith jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Smith moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith scores with a nice head shot.
Smith throws a hook but Thayer avoids it easily.
Smith ducks right into an uppercut from Thayer.
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.
Thayer shoots in but Smith avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Thayer shoots in for a double leg but Smith sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Thayer moves away.
Decent striking displayed by Smith there.
Thayer closes the distance and clinches up with Smith, looking for a takedown. Thayer pushes Smith against the cage but Smith circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Smith lands a jab to Thayer's midsection.
Thayer tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
Nice uppercut there from Smith.
Thayer takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith digs a good body shot into Thayer's ribs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.
Smith scores with a body shot.
Smith throws out a loose jab but Thayer uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smith throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Thayer is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Smith with a body shot.
Smith misses with a hook.
Smith throws a hook to the side of Thayer's head but Thayer sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rebel Smith is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thayer moves out of range of the strikes.
Thayer changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Thayer slips a jab from Smith.
Thayer is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Smith swinging wildly here.
Thayer misses with a takedown attempt - Smith sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Thad Thayer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Smith throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Thayer on the side of the head.

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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rebel Smith!
A victorious Rebel Smith thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.