PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Paavo Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John McGill (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Smith
vs
McGill

185 cm
21
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
18
191 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Paavo Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, John McGill!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Daniel Bishop and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith tries to clinch up.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McGill shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Smith pinned against the cage. Smith gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Smith wants to clinch.
McGill fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

McGill has closed the distance and engaged Smith in a clinch.
Smith keeps control of McGill as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Smith darts in trying to clinch
letting McGill counter with a right hand.

Smith clinches up with McGill and pushes him back against the cage.
Smith connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like John McGill has been cut.

Smith breaks the clinch.
Smith is looking to clinch.
Smith throws a head kick that misses.
McGill keeps the fight on the outside.
John McGill seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice body kick from McGill.
McGill scores with a crisp jab that stopped Smith in his tracks.

McGill tries to keep at a distance but Smith has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGill wants to break free but Smith has control.

Smith breaks the clinch.

Smith darts in and clinches McGill up against the cage.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Horrible takedown by McGill or perhaps it was just good defense by Smith which made him look bad.
Paavo Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John McGill.
An inside leg kick lands from Smith.
McGill looks gassed!

Smith gets a clinch.

Smith breaks from the clinch.

Smith has McGill up against the cage in a clinch.
Smith with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Smith breaks the clinch.

Smith instigates a clinch.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A head kick misses from Smith.
Paavo Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McGill swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Smith clinches.
Smith lands a knee to the head.
McGill wants to break the clinch but can't.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Smith drives through and clinches with McGill against the cage.
McGill wants to get back to striking at distance but Smith won't allow it.
Smith keeps control of McGill as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
McGill is trying to break free.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
Smith keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Smith tries to clinch but McGill is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGill 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 McGill off to one side.

Smith clinches up against the cage.

Smith breaks the clinch.
A punch combination from Smith misses.
McGill swats away the attempt to clinch by Smith.
No joy there for McGill, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Smith swats away the attempt to clinch by McGill.
McGill misses with a few strikes there.

Smith clinches with his opponent.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
McGill avoids a punch combination nicely.
Horrible takedown by McGill or perhaps it was just good defense by Smith which made him look bad.
McGill looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Smith is fending him off so far but McGill persists. Nope, Smith circles away and we're back to standing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smith has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Smith is looking to clinch.
A low kick from McGill misses
and Smith counters with a good low kick that McGill was not able to check.
McGill rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smith moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Smith showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McGill.
McGill throws a series of punches but Smith avoids them all with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries a head kick but it misses.
McGill fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

McGill has closed the distance and engaged Smith in a clinch.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
McGill clinches but Smith breaks the clinch

and Smith moves into the clinch.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
No joy there for McGill, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
McGill tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
McGill throws a series of strikes that have Smith backpedaling.
McGill misses with a takedown attempt - Smith sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
McGill wants to break free but Smith has control.
McGill wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
McGill wants to break free but Smith has control.
Smith lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Smith lands a knee to the head.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Smith has taken the fight to the clinch.
Smith scores with a knee to the head.

Smith breaks the clinch.
McGill throws a shot from downtown. Smith moves away and avoids it.

Smith moves into range and clinches up with McGill.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith prevents McGill from breaking the clinch.
McGill wants to break the clinch but can't.
Smith keeps control of McGill as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McGill goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Smith tries to clinch
and McGill counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
McGill avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McGill throws a series of punches but Smith moves out of range.
McGill tries to clinch but Smith moves away

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch.
McGill wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Smith has him pressed against the cage.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Smith blocks a leg kick.
McGill throws a series of punches but Smith moves out of range.
McGill throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
McGill blocks a head kick by Smith.
McGill lands with a straight right. Smith didn't see that one coming.
Smith wants to clinch
and McGill counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McGill rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smith moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
McGill throws a right and a left that both miss.
Smith is looking to clinch but McGill is avoiding it.
McGill keeps the fight on the outside.
McGill misses with a kick to the body

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paavo Smith dominated that round.
The cut man is working on John McGill's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

McGill swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Smith counters by clinching up.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt.
McGill closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Smith moves into the clinch successfully.
McGill wants to break free but Smith has control.

Smith breaks the clinch.

Smith clinches up against the cage.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McGill doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch.
Smith with a knee to the head.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Smith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Smith tries to clinch but McGill is having none of it.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt

and Smith counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Smith connects with a nasty looking knee right to McGill's face.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
McGill has had enough of the clinch but Smith keeps him there for the moment.
Smith connects with a nasty looking knee right to McGill's face.
Smith keeps control of McGill as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Smith prevents McGill from breaking the clinch.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
McGill 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 McGill off to one side.
Smith misses with a head kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGill wants to clinch but Smith slips to the side

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Smith.
McGill wants to break the clinch but can't.

Smith breaks from the clinch.

McGill moves into the clinch.

Smith breaks the clinch.
McGill avoids the head kick by Smith.

Smith rushes McGill and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
McGill wants to break free but Smith has control.
Smith connects with a nasty looking knee right to McGill's face.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Smith moves into the clinch.
Smith landing knees to the head.

Smith breaks the clinch.

Smith drives through and clinches with McGill against the cage.

Smith breaks the clinch.
McGill works Smith's body with a nice hook.
Smith wants to clinch but McGill slips to the side
and McGill counters with a straight right hand.
Smith throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by McGill.

McGill is rocked!
Smith misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McGill is still on wobbly legs! Can Smith finish him?
McGill's corner calls for a 1-2. McGill obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
McGill seems to have recovered his senses.
McGill misses with a jab, cross combination.
McGill closes this distance looking for a takedown but Smith circles away.
Paavo Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John McGill.
Smith avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
McGill misses with a combination

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Smith.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!

Smith breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith drives through and clinches with McGill against the cage.
McGill wants to break free but Smith has control.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Smith stuffs the takedown.
Smith plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Smith clinches.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
McGill throws a right and a left that Smith avoids nicely.
Smith tries to clinch there but McGill circles away.

Smith moves into range and clinches up with McGill.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Paavo Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smith fails in his attempt to clinch.
McGill misses with a jab, cross combination.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Smith is looking to clinch but McGill is avoiding it.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smith takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Smith tries to clinch up.

Smith takes the fight into the clinch.
Smith connects with a knee to the head.

Smith breaks the clinch.
McGill keeps the fight on the outside.
Smith misses with a head kick.
McGill lands a two punch combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smith tries to clinch but fails miserably
and McGill counters with a nice uppercut.
McGill shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Smith.
McGill wants to get back to striking at distance but Smith won't allow it.
A knee to the head by Smith.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
Smith tries a head kick but it misses.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from McGill lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Smith has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Smith and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
McGill fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nice takedown defense from Smith. No joy for McGill on that attempt.
Smith wants to clinch up but McGill keeps it at a distance.
Smith throws a head kick that McGill semi-blocks.

Smith has taken the fight to the clinch.

Smith breaks the clinch.
Smith lands with a thumping leg kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
McGill wants to break free but Smith has control.
Smith using the Thai plumb to throw knees but McGill has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Smith swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
McGill goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
McGill throws a leg kick that is checked
and Smith counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
McGill throws a leg kick that misses.
Smith swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
McGill misses with a combination

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Smith.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Smith lands a big knee from the Thai clinch and McGill goes down hard! The ref takes a good look at him but he's still defending himself. Smith in side control.
McGill tries to buck Smith off but Smith is having none of it.
Smith taking a breather here.
McGill tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Smith tries to stand but McGill is controlling his head.
McGill is trying to get back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith slips into full mount, dodging the strikes by McGill.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Smith breaks the clinch.
Smith lands with a slapping head kick.
McGill lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by McGill.
Smith is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that McGill can do to turn this around?
Smith tries to clinch up.
Smith tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Paavo Smith is winning the standup battle so far.
A right-left combo lands from McGill.
Smith doesn't manage to clinch there - McGill circles away.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.
Smith lands a knee to the head.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McGill circles away from the clinch attempt.
Smith is on the wrong end of a nice combination from McGill.
McGill throws a good cross that connects.
McGill tries to clinch
and Smith counters with a nice low kick that buckles McGill's knee momentarily.
Smith throws a quick head kick that skims the top of McGill's head.
McGill lands a jab-cross combination.
McGill circles away from the clinch attempt.
McGill takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Smith uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McGill.
Smith moves in looking to clinch but McGill pushes him off.
McGill throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Smith.
McGill throws a left and a right that both miss

and Smith holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGill throws a series of punches but Smith moves out of range.
Crack! A monster head kick from Smith and McGill falls like a tree - timbeeeeeeeeeeerrrr! A highlight reel knockout by Smith!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:09 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Paavo Smith!