PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Steve Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and BJay Penn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Steve Smith has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Smith
vs
Penn

150 cm
22
220 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

196 cm
22
275 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Fortitude Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Steve Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, BJay Penn!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Richard Clark and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Penn has a takedown stuffed.

Smith has Penn up against the cage in a clinch.

Penn pulls guard.
Smith connects with a couple of short punches.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Smith thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Smith with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Smith trying to move into half guard but instead Penn has managed to sweep!
Penn pushing down on Smith's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Smith is pressing down on Penn's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Smith trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Penn slips nicely into half guard.
Penn is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Smith keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Smith manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Smith might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Penn is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Penn sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Smith defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith looking for submissions off his back.
Penn looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Penn looks gassed!
Smith is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Penn's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Penn's back!
Smith scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Penn is looking for a way out.
Smith not allowing Penn to control his hands.
Smith loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Penn hold on?
Smith doesn't have the hooks in and Penn manages to turn into his guard.
Penn with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Penn tries to free his leg and advance position but Smith is retaining full guard.
Penn distracts Smith with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Smith scores with a nice shot.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Smith manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Smith with good strikes from the mount here!
Smith prevents Penn from getting the reversal.
Smith looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Penn is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Smith scoring with strikes but Penn is staying in there.
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.
Smith looking to finish with strikes here!
Smith punching from mount but Penn doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Smith prevents Penn from getting the reversal.
Smith lands a big elbow.
Penn is looking to get to half guard.
Penn is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Smith lands a nice shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Penn is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Smith lands a nice shot to the head.
Penn tries to reverse the position but Smith maintains control.
Penn regains half guard.
Penn flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
The fighters are battling for position here. Penn manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Penn 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.
Penn will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Smith preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Penn 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.
Penn bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Smith's guard.
Smith keeping full guard, as Penn tries to pass.
Penn stands up over Smith, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Penn drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Penn jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Smith tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Penn is stalling in the full guard.
Smith trying to control the position.
Smith bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Penn's guard.
Smith landing some decent shots from guard.
Smith working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Penn's head.
Penn is striking but Smith is not phased and passes to half guard.
Smith looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Penn with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Smith drops an elbow to the side of Penn's head.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Smith lands a nice short elbow.
Smith lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Smith is nestled in close to Penn, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Penn is in trouble now - Smith has advanced to mount!
Smith lands a heavy elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Smith dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Smith gets the takedown into side control.
Penn tries to improve position but can't.
Smith looks up at the clock and then as Penn takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Smith smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Smith trying to control the action but Penn is working from the bottom.
Penn is working to avoid the ground and pound but Smith connects with a decent elbow.
Penn is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Smith lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Penn down.
Smith landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Penn takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Smith lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Penn is looking to regain half guard here but Smith keeps moving and retains side control.
Penn stops Smith from passing to mount.
Penn is looking to regain half guard here but Smith keeps moving and retains side control.
Smith cracks Penn with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Penn is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Penn tries to roll over but Smith keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Smith throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Smith has a takedown stuffed.
No luck for Penn with that takedown attempt.
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt

and Smith counters with a takedown into side control.
Penn regains half guard.
Penn regains full guard. Nicely done.
Smith postures up and lands a big shot to Penn's brow.
Smith working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Penn's head.
Smith stands and throws Penn's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Smith scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Penn to see if he's OK.
Smith lands some shots froms side control.
Smith connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Penn some visible discomfort.
Penn takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

Smith stands up and beckons Penn to his feet.

Smith fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Penn sprawls well initially but Smith persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Penn is looking for a sweep. Smith is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penn moves into full guard.

Smith avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Smith works over Penn with some ground and pound from guard.
Smith working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Smith thows a big elbow that misses.
Penn preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Smith pushes down on Penn's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Smith missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Smith working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Penn regains full guard. Nicely done.
Penn keeping full guard, as Smith tries to pass.

Penn is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Smith won't allow Penn to sweep him here.
Smith in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Smith landing with the ground and pound.
Smith stands up over Penn, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Penn working for a triangle but Smith defends it easily.
Smith chips away with some ground and pound.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Smith postures up and lands a big shot to Penn's brow.
Smith stands and throws Penn's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Smith cracks Penn with a big elbow.
Penn takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Penn is looking for a sweep.
Smith lands a decent elbow from side control.
Smith is putting a hurting on Penn here, landing some big shots from side control.
Penn takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Smith landing a few strikes.
Smith working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Smith working the head and body with strikes.
Penn is trying to improve his position.
Smith working the head and body with strikes.
Penn tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Smith wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith scoring with punches and elbows.
Penn manages to work his way to half guard, despite Smith's best efforts.
Smith working the head and body with strikes.
Smith lands with a punch from half guard.
Penn tries to roll over but Smith keeps him under control.
Penn gets back to full guard.

Penn working for a triangle but Smith defends it easily.
Smith throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Penn had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Smith is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Penn Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Smith's back instead.
Steve Smith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Penn throwing wild punches that miss their target.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Penn is punishing Smith with strikes - can he finish him?!
Penn has Smith flattened out and is raining down punches.
Penn throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Smith!

Smith showing good submission defense here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith is in bad spot here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Smith dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Penn moves into range and clinches up with Smith.

Smith tightens his grip and picks Penn up, before dumping him to the ground. Penn manages to land in guard.
Smith postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Smith connects with a couple of short punches.

Penn working for a triangle but Smith defends it easily.
Smith distracts Penn with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Smith forces his way into half guard.
Smith works his foot free and advances to mount.
Penn bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
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.
Penn connects with a couple of short punches.
Smith wants to sweep but no luck.
Penn lands a couple of elbows.
Penn takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Smith is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Smith has his foot on Penn's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Penn works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penn makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Smith looking to hit a scissor sweep but Penn is one step ahead there.
Penn wants to pass the guard but Smith is keeping the position.
Penn throwing strikes from guard but Smith blocks nicely.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Penn from controlling successfully.
Penn stopping the sweep attempt from Smith.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Penn fails with the takedown

and Smith counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Smith postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Penn manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Smith manages to get himself to full guard.
Penn pushing down on Smith's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Smith moves into full guard.

Smith working for a triangle but Penn defends it easily.
Smith lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Penn!
BJay Penn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith breaks from Penn's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Smith postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Penn looks a forlorn figure.
A nice elbow there by Smith.
Smith with a couple of short strikes.
Smith postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Penn looks a forlorn figure.

Penn is rocked!
Penn is bucking up trying to escape but Smith cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Penn is still in real trouble! Can Smith finish him?
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Penn regains half guard.
Penn seems to have recovered his senses.
Penn moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Penn is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Smith passes Penn's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Smith wants to free his trapped foot but Penn is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Penn moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Smith cracks Penn with a solid left hand.
Smith stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Penn swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Penn escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Smith gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Smith postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Smith throwing strikes from guard but Penn blocks nicely.
Penn trying to keep a closed guard but Smith is proving a slippery customer.
Penn keeping full guard, as Smith tries to pass.
Smith stands and throws Penn's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands an elbow.
Smith cracks Penn with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Penn is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Smith off and has taken his back!
Penn is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Smith up.
Smith rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Ground and pound from Penn.
Smith gets back to full guard.
Penn connects with a couple of short punches.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Smith is on top in guard.
Smith working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Penn is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith postures up and lands a big shot to Penn's brow.
Penn is trying to keep Smith in close.
Penn lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Smith!
Penn working Smith over with strikes here.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Steve Smith.
Well Smith has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:27

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