PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Keishin Smith (ranked 3064 p4p, 4771 weight class) and Malakai Rios (ranked 312 p4p, 423 weight class). Keishin Smith has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Smith
vs
Rios

178 cm
25
158
3 - 2 - 0

175 cm
25
155
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Keishin Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Malakai Rios!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Peter Branson and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith with a hook.

Rios scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Rios stalling.

Rios decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Smith misses with a jab, cross combination.
Smith misses with a series of wild punches.
Rios blocks a head kick by Smith.
Rios looks for a takedown but Smith sprawls well.
Smith moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Keishin Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith scores with a head kick. Rios tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Smith throws a right and a left that Rios avoids nicely.

Rios forces Smith back against the cage and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith tries to break free but Rios pushes him back against the cage.
Smith is trying to force a seperation but Rios has the dominant position.
Smith wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rios has him pressed against the cage.
Smith wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rios has him pressed against the cage.
Rios is stalling here.

Rios breaks from the clinch.
Smith throws a lazy head kick

and Rios counters by clinching up.
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Rios has him pressed against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Rios.
Smith working hard to break the clinch.
Rios is struggling to control the position.
Smith has had enough of the clinch but Rios keeps him there for the moment.

Rios manages to break the clinch.
Rios throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rios tries for a takedown but Smith sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rios 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.
It looked like Smith was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Keishin Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Malakai Rios.
Smith lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Smith throws a leg kick which misses Rios's front leg but catches the back leg as Rios tries to avoid it.
Smith swings for the body but Rios moves out of range.
Smith lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Keishin Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Smith tries a head kick but it misses.
Rios tries to score a power double leg takedown but Smith sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rios somewhat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith throws a nice head kick!
Rios looks to land a combination but Smith avoids it well.
Smith connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Rios momentarily.
Smith throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Rios.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rios throws a series of punches but Smith avoids them all with ease.
Smith lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Smith lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

Rios is rocked!
Smith throws a big shot that misses.
Rios shoots in and drives through. Smith sprawls well.

Rios has Smith up against the cage in a clinch.
Rios keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Smith's efforts to push away.
Smith has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Rios turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Smith is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Rios asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Rios controls the position from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Rios decides to stand back up.
Rios shoots in and drives through. Smith sprawls well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith tries a head kick but it misses.
Smith misses with a few strikes there.

Smith gets tackled into the cage by Rios. Rios maintains the clinch.
Smith is looking to break free of the clinch but Rios has double underhooks.

Rios manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Keishin Smith dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Rios blocks a head kick by Smith.
Smith misses with a head kick.
Smith works the jab nicely.
Smith throws a nice looking combination but Rios bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rios wants to counter with a clinch but Smith pushes him away.
Smith is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rios can do to turn this around?
Smith cracks Rios with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Smith throws a shot to the body.
Keishin Smith is winning the standup battle so far.
A head kick from Smith lands but Rios takes it in his stride.
Rios moves out of range of the body kick.
And Rios tries to counter it with a takedown but Smith pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Smith lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

Rios drives through with a takedown into Smith's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Smith is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Rios dives into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Rios controls the position.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Rios tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Smith pushes Rios away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Rios gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rios lands an elbow.

Rios stands up.
Rios 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 Rios off to one side.

Rios takes the fight into the clinch.

Rios pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rios falls off balance throwing a combination
enabling Smith to counter with a crisp jab.

Rios moves into range and clinches up with Smith.
Rios can't get the takedown.
Smith wants to get back to striking at distance but Rios won't allow it.

Rios successfully pulls guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith is looking to stand up but Rios won't let him.
Rios controlling Smith's posture.
Rios has a closed guard, preventing Smith from standing up.
Rios tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Smith wanted to stand there but Rios had control of the position.

Smith is sitting in close to Rios's body. Rios has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Smith is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Smith is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Rios.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Malakai Rios!