PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Luke Smith (ranked 757 p4p, 652 weight class) and Mikheil Berishvili (ranked 54 p4p, 43 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Berishvili's choice of entrance music: Acharuli Gandagana. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Smith
vs
Berishvili

171 cm
21
135
8 - 3 - 0

159 cm
21
135
9 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Advance Sport Supplements
Conquer

Black Lab Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Luke Smith!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mikheil Berishvili!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Berishvili wants to clinch
and Smith counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Smith swats away the attempt to clinch by Berishvili.
Nice defenses there by Berishvili.
Berishvili looks to clinch
and Smith counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Berishvili moves into the clinch.
Smith lands a left hand.
Berishvili blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Berishvili tries to pull guard but Smith forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Berishvili jumps guard and drags Smith to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Berishvili is looking for a triangle but Smith pushes his legs off easily.

Berishvili has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Smith is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Berishvili.
Smith is staying tight to Berishvili's torso, preventing him from escaping.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berishvili wants to control but Smith postures up.
Berishvili tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Berishvili struggling a bit here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Smith controlling the position.
Berishvili tries to control but Smith manages to take his back.
Smith really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Berishvili.
Smith avoiding Berishvili 's attempts to control his hands.
Smith knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Berishvili on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
I would not like to be Berishvili right now.
Berishvili tries to escape the position.
Smith controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Smith not allowing Berishvili to control his hands.
Smith trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Berishvili doesn't escape.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Berishvili looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Smith dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Smith misses with a body shot.
Berishvili tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Smith was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Smith misses with a straight left.
Berishvili tries to clinch there but Smith circles away.
Berishvili throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Berishvili is looking to clinch.
It looked like Smith wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Smith lands a jab.
Smith lands with a good body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berishvili avoids the head kick by Smith.
We've been told by Smith's head coaches at Hammer House of Horror that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Smith swats away the attempt to clinch by Berishvili.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Berishvili doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berishvili tries to close the distance and clinch up but Smith swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Berishvili has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Smith misses with a head kick.
Smith jabs Berishvili to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Berishvili uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Smith.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Berishvili moves to clinch but Smith breaks away
and Smith counters with a nice uppercut.
Berishvili throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Berishvili fails in his attempt to clinch.
Smith tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Berishvili was well out of range. Poor timing from Smith.
Berishvili darts in trying to clinch
and Smith counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Berishvili.
Berishvili slips a jab from Smith.
Berishvili blocks a head kick by Smith.
Smith jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Berishvili tries to clinch up.

Berishvili gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Berishvili jumps guard but Smith turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Berishvili is trying to pull guard but Smith turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A short uppercut from Smith.
Smith has a couple of punches blocked by Berishvili.
Berishvili tries to pull guard but Smith forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Luke Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mikheil Berishvili.
Berishvili blocking some punches.
Berishvili fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Smith misses with a hook to the ribs.
Berishvili is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Smith to keep the fight standing.
Smith lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith scores with a hook to the body.
Smith lands a nice uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Smith fails to land.
Smith throws a head punch that misses.
Berishvili tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Smith just stands there and leans against the cage.
Smith misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Smith can't find room to land a body shot as Berishvili controls the action.

Berishvili pulls guard.
Smith pushing down on Berishvili's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Smith trying to control the pace.
Smith is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Berishvili can do to turn this around?

Berishvili actively working from the bottom here.

Berishvili looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Berishvili tries to roll over but Smith keeps him under control.
Berishvili trying to hold on to Smith's head to control him but Smith postures up.
Smith performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Berishvili actively working from the bottom here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Smith dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Jab, jab by Smith - just one landing.
Smith cracks Berishvili with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Berishvili getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Smith fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Berishvili, pushing him back against the cage.
Berishvili fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Smith doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Smith scores with a shoulder strike.
Smith throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Berishvilis head.
Smith lands with a right to the head.
Berishvili tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Smith just stands there and leans against the cage.

Berishvili drags the fight down to the ground.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Berishvili is keeping the position for now.

Berishvili is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berishvili wants to control the position but Smith says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Smith will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Smith controlling the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Berishvili actively working from the bottom here.
Berishvili is looking to control Smith's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Berishvili avoid being mounted?
Berishvili controlling the position well.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Berishvili pushes Smith up against the cage in a clinch.
A short left from Smith.

Berishvili jumps guard and drags Smith to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Smith postures up.
Smith pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Berishvili is keeping the position for now.
Berishvili is adopting a defensive guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Berishvili controls Smith momentarily but Smith frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith stands and throws Berishvili's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Berishvili is trying to get back to half guard.
Smith takes a little break here. Berishvili wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Berishvili tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Smith presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Smith clearly takes that round.
That's time! Smith's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Berishvili tries to clinch up.
Berishvili moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
Berishvili tries to clinch but fails miserably
enabling Smith to counter with a crisp jab.
Berishvili is looking to clinch but Smith is avoiding it.
Smith cracks Berishvili with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Smith misses with a body shot.
Berishvili is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Smith misses with a looping right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berishvili gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Smith throws a lazy right hand but Berishvili sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Berishvili slips under a jab from Smith.
Berishvili tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smith paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mikheil Berishvili seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Berishvili clinches up against the cage.
Berishvili jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Smith walks away with a smile on his face. Berishvili gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Berishvili tries to clinch up but Smith circles away and keeps his distance.

Berishvili drives through and clinches with Smith against the cage.
Smith swings wildly with an uppercut but Berishvili uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smith misses with a short punch on the inside.
Berishvili jumps guard but Smith stands there with Berishvili around his waist. Berishvili gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Smith lands a nice uppercut.
Berishvili blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Smith lands a left hand that snaps the head of Berishvili backwards.
Berishvili fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Luke Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mikheil Berishvili.
Berishvili tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Smith smiles and moves away.
A lazy left from Smith finds it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Berishvili misses.
Smith is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Berishvili wants to clinch.
Berishvili tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Smith manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Smith looks to score with a jab to the body but Berishvili is just out of range.
Berishvili tries to clinch up but Smith circles away and keeps his distance.

Berishvili gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Smith is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A nice left hand lands by Smith.
Berishvili is trying to pull guard but Smith turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Berishvili fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Smith lands an uppercut.
Berishvili blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Smith tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith misses with a hook to the ribs.
Berishvili tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Smith lands a left hand.
Smith misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Smith scores with a shoulder strike.
Berishvili jumps guard but Smith stands there with Berishvili around his waist. Berishvili gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Smith lands a body punch in the clinch.

Berishvili gets control of Smith's arms and successfully pulls guard. Berishvili will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Berishvili has his foot on Smith's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Smith works his way back into a safe position though.
Berishvili trying to control the position.

Berishvili is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Berishvili has control of Smith's left arm, preventing Smith from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to free his leg and advance position but Berishvili is retaining full guard.
Berishvili trying to control the position.

Berishvili is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Smith defends well.
Berishvili is trying to keep Smith in close.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Smith had his way with Mikheil Berishvili in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Smith swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Berishvili displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Smith throws out the jab.

Berishvili has taken the fight to the clinch.
Smith lands a shot to the body.
Smith misses with some punches.
A shot in the inside from Smith.
Smith lands a body punch in the clinch.
Smith lands a right hand.
Berishvili tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Smith smiles and moves away.
Berishvili tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Smith scores with a jab to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Berishvili is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Berishvili avoids the body shot from Smith.
Berishvili avoids the body shot from Smith.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berishvili tries to close the distance and clinch but Smith swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Berishvili fails in his attempt to clinch.
Berishvili closes the distance looking to clinch
and Smith counters with a nice body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Berishvili looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Berishvili moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Berishvili moves out of range of the strikes.
Berishvili takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Berishvili is rocked!
Smith throws a body shot but no joy.
Mikheil Berishvili has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Berishvili is still on wobbly legs! Can Smith finish him?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berishvili fails with an attempt to clinch.
Berishvili seems to have recovered his senses.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Smith, as that shot connected.
Berishvili uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
Berishvili tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smith paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Berishvili moves out of range of the strikes.
Berishvili tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Smith misses the target.
Berishvili looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.
Smith is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Smith throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt.
Berishvili walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith drops Berishvili with a big left hand! Berishvili is injured, injured bad! Smith jumps in and finished him with strikes! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Luke Smith!
Luke Smith retains his bantamweight title!
Luke Smith thanked the fans post fight for their support.