PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Billy Mates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Caleb SmithIII (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). SmithIII has chosen The Silver Surfer as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Mates
vs
SmithIII

181 cm
22
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

152 cm
19
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

Win Nutritional

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Billy Mates!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Caleb SmithIII!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Yves DeLean and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mates tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

SmithIII bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
SmithIII sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Mates is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
SmithIII wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mates keeps working.

SmithIII has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Mates fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Mates. No joy for SmithIII on that attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
SmithIII changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mates tries to avoid it but SmithIII manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mates to the ground. Mates escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Mates shoots in but no luck this time.
SmithIII tries to clinch up.
Mates tries to clinch there but SmithIII circles away.
Mates takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
SmithIII shoots in for a takedown but Mates shows good takedown defense.
Billy Mates has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Caleb SmithIII.
SmithIII wants to clinch

and Mates counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Mates.
Mates prevents a takedown attempt there.
Mates is trying to break the clinch but SmithIII has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mates lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Mates lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
SmithIII misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mates lands a right hand that snaps the head of SmithIII backwards.
SmithIII gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mates.
SmithIII should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Mates tries to circle away but SmithIII has him pinned against the cage.
Mates is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

SmithIII pulls guard.
Mates would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Mates knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for SmithIII on the ground.

Mates gets to his feet - SmithIII follows without any prompting.
Mates fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mates rushes SmithIII and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Mates goes for a takedown attempt but SmithIII pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Mates is breathing heavily.
SmithIII throws a nice looking combination but Mates bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Mates moves into the clinch successfully.
SmithIII missing with knees to the body.
SmithIII goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mates prevents it.

That's four 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.
A hook to the body from Mates.
Still in the clinch, Mates scores with a nice short uppercut.
Mates is trying to drag SmithIII to the mat but SmithIII just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Mates tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. SmithIII smiles and moves away.

Mates moves into the clinch.
SmithIII tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
SmithIII looking for a takedown.
Mates is working for takedown but SmithIII is calmly controlling the position for now.
Mates wants a takedown.
Mates fails to pull guard.
Mates fails to pull guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Billy Mates will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

SmithIII throws a left and a right that both miss

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

Mates is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. SmithIII can't fight it off and eventually Mates manages to take the fight to the floor. SmithIII looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Mates trying to stand up but can't free himself from SmithIII's guard.
Mates will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
SmithIII looking to control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mates preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mates wants to stand and escape but instead SmithIII has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

SmithIII drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and SmithIII jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

SmithIII stands up and waves to Mates to follow him.
SmithIII tries for a takedown but Mates circles away easily

and Mates counters by clinching up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
SmithIII looking to slow down the pace here.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Mates fails to pull guard.
SmithIII tries to score a body lock takedown but Mates shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

SmithIII manages to break the clinch.
Mates tries to clinch up

and SmithIII counters with a takedown into side control.
Mates tries to bench press SmithIII off him but SmithIII keeps the position.

SmithIII stands up.

Mates gets a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
SmithIII changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mates fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Billy Mates has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Caleb SmithIII.
Mates shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as SmithIII sprawls well. SmithIII wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Mates gets slowly back to his feet.

Mates shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mates seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
SmithIII tries to get to full guard but Mates has control of the leg.
Mates tries to stand and escape but SmithIII is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mates blocks the strikes from SmithIII.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Caleb SmithIII will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

SmithIII shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mates defends it nicely.
Mates blocks a head kick by SmithIII.
SmithIII shoots in but Mates avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Caleb SmithIII seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mates shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says SmithIII as he avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
SmithIII dives in and grabs Mates's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mates pushes down on SmithIII's head and hops out.
Billy Mates has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Caleb SmithIII.
SmithIII takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
SmithIII throws a left and a right that both miss

and Mates counters by moving into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mates is trying to work for a single leg takedown but SmithIII pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Mates using the Thai plumb to throw knees but SmithIII has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
SmithIII misses with an elbow over the top.

SmithIII manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
SmithIII working a defensive guard here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if SmithIII can do anything to dispel that myth.
SmithIII wants to sweep but no luck.
SmithIII thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
SmithIII controls Mates momentarily but Mates frees himself.
Mates wanted to stand there but SmithIII had control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
SmithIII trying to control the position.
SmithIII is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mates.

Mates moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mates lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Mates lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mates really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Mates tries to land knees in the clinch but SmithIII avoids the damage to the body.
Mates tries to score a body lock takedown but SmithIII shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
SmithIII goes for a takedown attempt but Mates pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Mates closes the distance and clinches up with SmithIII, looking for a takedown. Mates pushes SmithIII against the cage but SmithIII circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mates tries to clinch
and SmithIII counters with a nice leg kick.
Mates slaps away a takedown attempt from SmithIII, before circling back to the center of the mat.
SmithIII avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's four 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.
SmithIII tries to clinch but Mates moves away

and Mates counters with a nice double leg into guard.
SmithIII throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

Mates stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Mates moves into range and clinches up with SmithIII.
SmithIII fails to pull guard.
Mates tries for a takedown. No joy.

SmithIII pulls guard.
SmithIII looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mates is one step ahead there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Billy Mates showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mates has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Billy Mates!