PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kimbo Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fabio Iago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fabio Iago will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Smith
vs
Iago

180 cm
21
154 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

185 cm
18
143 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kimbo Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fabio Iago!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Luis Engracia and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smith throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Iago was covering up waiting for the punch and Smith finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Iago is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Smith is controlling him.
Iago tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Smith connects with a couple of short punches.
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Iago works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Smith controls from within his opponent's guard.
Smith is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith controls from within his opponent's guard.
Iago is trying to control the position but Smith postures up.
Smith slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Smith stops Iago from standing up.
Smith has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Iago is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Iago is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Smith won't allow Iago to get back to his feet.
Iago trying to strike off his back.
Smith controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two 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.
Smith working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Smith controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kimbo Smith.

Smith throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Iago was covering up waiting for the punch and Smith finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Smith controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Smith passes Iago's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Smith is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Smith is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Iago!
Smith tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Smith lands a big elbow.
Smith landing strikes from the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Iago takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Smith looking to control and managing it successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Iago swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kimbo Smith dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Iago with a lazy takedown attempt

so Smith counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kimbo Smith.
Smith tries to clinch up but Iago circles away and keeps his distance.
Smith scores with a decent looking hook.
Nice body punch from Smith.
Iago shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Smith counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Iago's guard now.
Iago trying to control the position.
Smith is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Iago is breathing heavily.
Smith landing some decent shots from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith chips away with some ground and pound.
Smith sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Iago's guard.
Ground and pound from Smith.
Smith not doing much here.
Smith is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Smith performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kimbo Smith.

Smith darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Smith controlling the action here.
Smith works his way into side control.
Smith is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Iago will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kimbo Smith.

Smith feints and as Iago raises his hands in defense, Smith changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Smith is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Smith passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Iago is trying to escape the position but Smith is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith cracks Iago with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Smith controlling from side mount.
Smith seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Iago for as long as he can get away with.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kimbo Smith.
Smith throws a low kick but Iago moves out of range easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kimbo Smith dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Smith throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Iago stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Smith closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Iago taking a bit of punishment here - Smith scoring with strikes.
Smith in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Iago takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Smith scores with punches from side control.
Smith taking a breather here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iago takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Smith controlling the position from side mount.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kimbo Smith.

Smith shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Smith lands with a punch from half guard.
Smith seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith moves into full mount! Iago won't be happy about that!
Smith working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Smith breaks from Iago's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Smith content just to control the position here.
Smith landing shots from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith landing strikes from the mount.
Smith takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Smith connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Smith tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Smith lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Smith lands a big shot there that rocks Iago but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Smith looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Iago takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

Iago is rocked!
Smith with good strikes from the mount here!
Smith unloading with bombs!
Iago is still in real trouble! Can Smith finish him?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith loads up with a big shot that hurts Iago! He's pulled Smith in close but Smith has postured up and lands more strikes. Can Iago survive? More strikes from Smith and Iago is out! The ref jumps in to save him! Brutal ground and pound!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:46 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Kimbo Smith!