PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tomi Ekbom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alan Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Ekbom might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Billy Jean. Alan Smith is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Ekbom
vs
Smith

185 cm
19
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

194 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Tomi Ekbom!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Alan Smith!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Daniel Bishop and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ekbom fails in his attempt to clinch.
Smith shoots in but Ekbom avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.
Smith pressing his opponent against the cage.
Ekbom tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Smith's elbow.
Ekbom manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Ekbom wants a takedown.
Knees in the clinch landing for Smith.
Ekbom jumps guard but Smith stands there with Ekbom around his waist. Ekbom gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Smith misses with a few strikes there.
Horrible takedown by Ekbom or perhaps it was just good defense by Smith which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tomi Ekbom. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Smith closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Ekbom is looking to regain half guard here but Smith keeps moving and retains side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Ekbom down.
Ekbom tries to control but Smith manages to take his back.
Smith lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Ekbom hold on?!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.

Ekbom is rocked!
Smith cracks Ekbom with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Ekbom from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.
Oh Ekbom is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ekbom is breathing heavily.
Smith biding his time, looking for the opening.
Smith trying to control.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Smith. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Smith controlling from the back.
Ekbom seems to have got his legs back now.

Smith tightening his grip on Ekbom, looking for the choke.
Ekbom wants to escape the position.
Smith is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Ekbom is trying to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekbom turns into Smith and is now in his guard.
Smith wants to get back to his feet but Ekbom passes into half guard.
Smith trying to control from the bottom.
Ekbom looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Smith with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Smith blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ekbom.

Smith kicks Ekbom off and gets back to his feet.
Smith fails to land the takedown.
Ekbom jabs Smith right on the nose. Smith blinks but takes it well.
Ekbom scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Smith shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ekbom but Ekbom pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smith tries to clinch up.
Ekbom throws a nice looking combination but Smith bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ekbom blocks a head kick by Smith.
Ekbom tries to clinch but Smith moves away

so Smith counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Smith passes into half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Smith wants to control but Ekbom is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ekbom manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Smith stands up from Ekbom's guard - Smith perhaps looking for a knockout.
Smith is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ekbom shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Smith as he avoids it easily.
Ekbom shoots and misses

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Smith.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
Ekbom darts in trying to clinch

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch.
Smith prevents the takedown attempt.
Smith with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Smith wants the takedown. Ekbom is fighting it off but Smith persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Ekbom's guard against the cage.
Smith wants to stand but Ekbom is controlling his posture from full guard.
Smith must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ekbom wants to hit a switch here but Smith passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Ekbom there!
Ekbom slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith stands up out of the half guard.
Ekbom tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Smith makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Ekbom shoots in but no luck this time.
Smith avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Horrible takedown by Smith or perhaps it was just good defense by Ekbom which made him look bad.
Alan Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ekbom throws a half hearted mid kick.

Smith has Ekbom up against the cage in a clinch.
Smith lands an elbow inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Smith pulls Ekbom into guard.
Smith is controlling Ekbom's posture.

Smith throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Smith uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but Ekbom shows good takedown defense.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alan Smith dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Nice sprawl there from Ekbom as Smith shoots in.
Tomi Ekbom is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ekbom fails with the takedown.
Smith throws a nice outside leg kick.
Ekbom tries to clinch

and Smith counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Smith blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ekbom is looking to control Smith's arms but Smith gets an underhook and turns him. Now Ekbom has his back to the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Ekbom just misses with a elbow thrown towards Smith's brow.
Ekbom wants to break free but Smith has control.
Smith lands an elbow inside that Ekbom shrugs off.

Smith decides to pull guard.
Ekbom won't allow Smith to get back to his feet.
Ekbom wants to pass the guard but Smith is keeping the position.
Smith wants to stand and escape but Ekbom is having none of it.
Ekbom looking to sit in guard and control but Smith gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Ekbom is trying to keep Smith in close.

Ekbom working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Smith doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Smith manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith stands up and waves to Ekbom to follow him.
Ekbom gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Smith is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A left lands for Ekbom.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.

Ekbom lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Smith is holding on to half guard well.
Smith trying to control here.
Ekbom lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Smith striking from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith trying to control from the bottom.

Smith manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Smith is looking to slow Ekbom down with leg kicks.
Ekbom tries to clinch up

and Smith counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Ekbom has a couple of punches blocked by Smith.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Smith takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

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

Smith gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ekbom tries to break the clinch but Smith is controlling the position.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Smith tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ekbom swivels and escapes.

Smith scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith working away.
Smith connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Ekbom some visible discomfort.
Ekbom tries to buck Smith off but Smith is having none of it.

Smith decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Ekbom tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Smith moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Smith manages to end up in side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ekbom being controlled for a moment.
Ekbom struggling a bit here.
Ekbom tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Smith lands a few punches from side control.
Smith working the body and head with strikes.
Ekbom sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Ekbom tries to get to full guard but Smith has control of the leg.
Smith scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Smith seems to be looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Ekbom fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Smith fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tomi Ekbom has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alan Smith.

Smith closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Ekbom has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Smith is working away from the top position though.

Smith decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Good shot there by Ekbom.
Ekbom fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ekbom looks to clinch
and Smith counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ekbom tries to bum rush Smith with a series of wild strikes but Smith uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ekbom keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ekbom throws a one two combo.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Smith gets a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alan Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Smith shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ekbom's guard.
Smith works over Ekbom with some ground and pound from guard.

Ekbom is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Smith is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Smith gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Smith has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

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

Smith jumps into guard, dragging Ekbom to the mat.
Smith trying to keep a closed guard but Ekbom is proving a slippery customer.

Smith pushes Ekbom off and gets back to his feet.

Smith closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ekbom to the mat! Ekbom manages to get full guard.
Smith takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Ekbom is looking for a triangle but Smith pushes his legs off easily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Smith wants to control from the top but Ekbom keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith stands and steps away. Ekbom gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Smith looks for a takedown but Ekbom sprawls well.
Ekbom wants to clinch
and Smith counters with an outside leg kick.
Smith changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ekbom tries to avoid it but Smith manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ekbom to the ground. Ekbom escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ekbom wants to clinch

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch.
Ekbom stalling in the clinch but Smith improves position.
Smith throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ekbom blocks it with crossed arms.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
Ekbom throws a leg kick but Smith sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ekbom shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Smith as he jumps to the side.
Smith tries a head kick but it misses.
Ekbom darts in trying to clinch
and Smith counters with a head kick.
Smith digs a good body shot into Ekbom's ribs.
Nice takedown defense from Smith. No joy for Ekbom on that attempt.
Ekbom closes the distance looking to clinch

and Smith counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekbom wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tomi Ekbom. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Tomi Ekbom has been cut.
Knees to the body from Smith.
Smith connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ekbom's face.
Smith holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Smith lands a knee to the body.
Smith just leaning against Ekbom, taking a breather.
Smith prevents a body shot from Ekbom.

Smith manages to pull guard.
Smith looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Smith wriggles free and stands up.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Smith has Ekbom up against the cage in a clinch.
Smith with a knee to the head.
Ekbom throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Smith jumps guard and drags Ekbom to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Smith keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.

Smith pushes Ekbom off and gets back to his feet.
Ekbom shoots in but Smith avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekbom chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Smith can pounce on him.
Smith closes the distance and clinches up with Ekbom, looking for a takedown. Smith pushes Ekbom against the cage but Ekbom circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ekbom misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ekbom clinches but Smith breaks the clinch

and Smith holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Ekbom pushes off an throws an elbow but Smith leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Smith landing knees to the head.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Smith misses with a series of wild punches.
Smith closes the distance looking to clinch

and Ekbom counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Smith keeps control of Ekbom as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A knee to the head by Smith.
Smith can't get the takedown.
Ekbom can't break the clinch.
Ekbom doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ekbom wants a takedown but no success here.
Ekbom is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Smith is keeping busy.
Ekbom throws an elbow but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith with a knee to the head.

Smith pulls guard successfully.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Ekbom from controlling successfully.
Smith wants to stand and escape but Ekbom is having none of it.
Ekbom wants to pass the guard but Smith is keeping the position.

Smith pushes Ekbom off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Ekbom's corner calls for a 1-2. Ekbom obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
A right-left combo lands from Ekbom.

Smith rushes Ekbom and presses him up against the cage.
Tomi Ekbom has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ekbom wants to get back to striking at distance but Smith won't allow it.

Smith pulls guard.
Ekbom is looking to work some ground and pound but Smith has wrist control.
Ekbom trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith keeping full guard, as Ekbom tries to pass.
Smith 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.

Ekbom postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Smith is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Ekbom, into his guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alan Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Smith has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30

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