PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hassan Fezzik (ranked 4547 p4p, 5627 weight class) and Ruben Smith (ranked 451 p4p, 497 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Fezzik
vs
Smith

191 cm
19
265
2 - 1 - 0

189 cm
20
230
1 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Conquest Nutrition™ (160Q) $97

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hassan Fezzik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ruben Smith!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Dean Styles and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fezzik misses with a takedown
and Smith counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

It looks like Hassan Fezzik has been cut.
Smith tries to bum rush Fezzik with a series of wild strikes but Fezzik uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Smith lands a nice shot that snaps Fezzik's head back.
A combination from Smith does no damage.

Fezzik gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Fezzik is looking to break free of the clinch but Smith has double underhooks.
Fezzik is looking to take this one to the mat.
Fezzik drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Smith gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hassan Fezzik. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fezzik has Smith pressed against the ropes, preventing Smith from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Fezzik has a couple of punches blocked by Smith.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fezzik can't find room to land a body shot as Smith controls the action.
Fezzik has Smith pushed against the ropes.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Smith lands a jab-cross combination.
Smith throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fezzik steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Smith.
Smith darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Ruben Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fezzik with a poor takedown
and Smith counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fezzik takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Smith misses with a straight left.
Fezzik uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
Smith missing with a left hand there. Fezzik was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fezzik dodges the punch combination from Smith.
Fezzik looks to clinch
and Smith counters with a stiff right hand.
Fezzik closes this distance looking for a takedown but Smith circles away.
Smith unleashes a big counter combination but Fezzik bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Smith punishes Fezzik's body with a nice straight punch.
Fezzik tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
A combination from Smith does no damage.
Fezzik throwing a counter right hand but Smith manages to avoid it.
Smith misses with a few strikes there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fezzik shoots and misses
and Smith counters with a straight right hand.
Fezzik tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Fezzik fails with a takedown attempt.
As Fezzik backs off Smith throws a huge counter combo but Fezzik manages to avoid it all.
Fezzik has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Smith finds it's way round the side to connect with Fezzik's head.
Fezzik shoots in for a double leg but Smith sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Fezzik fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Smith avoids it really well and circles away.
Smith keeps the fight on the outside.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Fezzik closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Fezzik lands in his opponent's guard.
Fezzik is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Rabid Dog that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fezzik stops Smith from standing up.

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

Smith stopping the sweep attempt from Fezzik.
Smith told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Fezzik is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Fezzik is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Smith wants to stand and escape but instead Fezzik has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Smith wants to get back to his feet but Fezzik is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Fezzik trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Smith keeping full guard, as Fezzik tries to pass.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Fezzik controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Fezzik wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
Fezzik pushes down on Smith's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Smith is refusing to be controlled, as Fezzik sits in half guard.

That's six 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.

Fezzik is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Smith is just riding it out for now. Fezzik eventually gives up the hold.

Fezzik is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Smith sees it coming and defends easily.
Fezzik frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Smith suckers Fezzik into throwing a sloppy strike and uses the momentum to reverse the position beautifully! Smith is now in Fezzik's guard!
Fezzik has control of Smith's left arm, preventing Smith from doing any damage.
Fezzik on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Fezzik tries to get out of the position.

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.
Fezzik is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Fezzik trying to keep a closed guard but Smith is proving a slippery customer.
Smith is looking to stand up but Fezzik won't let him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Smith misses with a hook.
Smith throws a combination that misses

and Fezzik counters with a shoot takedown. Smith fights it but they end up in guard.
Fezzik stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smith swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Fezzik looking to sit in guard and control but Smith gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Smith stopping the sweep attempt from Fezzik.
Fezzik has his hands on Smith's head, controlling the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smith wants to control from the top but Fezzik keeps moving.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ruben Smith dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hassan Fezzik's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Fezzik tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Smith defends well and Fezzik ends up having to push Smith into the ropes where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Fezzik swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Smith has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Fezzik is working for takedown but Smith is calmly controlling the position for now.
Fezzik drops down looking for an ankle pick but Smith pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hassan Fezzik. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Fezzik fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Smith avoids it really well and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Smith looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Smith slaps away a takedown attempt from Fezzik, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Fezzik takes one on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fezzik has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Hassan Fezzik's cut is getting worse.
Smith pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Smith will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ruben Smith seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Fezzik closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Fezzik lands in his opponent's guard.

Smith pushes Fezzik off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Fezzik dodges the punch combination from Smith.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fezzik fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fezzik walks into a straight right hand from Smith.
Smith throws a right and a left that both miss.
Fezzik drops down looking for a counter takedown but Smith sprawls and moves away.
Smith slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Fezzik uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Smith.
Fezzik tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.

Fezzik is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Smith's half guard.
Fezzik wants to pass to mount but Smith is defending the position.

Fezzik is looking for a kimura here.
Fezzik wants to control but Smith is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fezzik stalling.
Smith avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Fezzik.

Fezzik seems to be looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Smith avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Fezzik.
Fezzik throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Fezzik is pressing down on Smith's thigh, looking to free his foot. Smith is holding on for now.
Fezzik is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Smith is breathing heavily.

Fezzik get's back to his feet.
Smith swats away the attempt to clinch by Fezzik.
Smith appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Fezzik fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Smith keeps the fight on the outside.
Smith has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fezzik tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Fezzik looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hassan Fezzik is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smith misses with a straight right.
Fezzik bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Fezzik moves out of range of the strikes.

Fezzik darts in and clinches Smith up against the ropes.
Fezzik misses with a hook from the clinch.
Smith keeps control of Fezzik as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Fezzik goes for a takedown in the clinch but Smith prevents it.
Fezzik misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Smith gets underhooks to prevent Fezzik's takedown attempt.
Smith looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Fezzik gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Smith regains guard.
Fezzik won't allow Smith to get back to his feet.

Fezzik stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Fezzik throws a big shot that misses.
Fezzik doesn't manage to clinch there - Smith circles away.
Fezzik showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Smith.

Fezzik shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fezzik stalling.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Fezzik wants to control but Smith is keeping him busy.
Fezzik has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Fezzik with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's eight 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.
Fezzik tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Fezzik wants to control the pace but Smith is squirming around nicely.
Fezzik takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Ruben Smith is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Fezzik throws a wild left hand from mount and Smith manages to wriggle his way back to half guard.
Fezzik controlling the pace.
Smith won't allow Fezzik to pass to mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hassan Fezzik has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Fezzik seems to be working for a kimura but Smith defends the submission attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ruben Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Smith has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 18:20
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 18:20
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 18:20

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ruben Smith!