PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dale Cranswick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Cranswick
vs
Smith

185 cm
20
159 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
162 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Dale Cranswick!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, James Smith!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Donald Grub and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cranswick throws a series of punches but Smith avoids them all with ease.
Smith dodges the punch combination from Cranswick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Smith scores with a shot to the side of Cranswick's head.
Smith tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Cranswick smiles and moves away.
Cranswick throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Smith throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

It looks like Dale Cranswick has been cut.
Cranswick stuffs the takedown attempt from Smith. Smith gets slowly back to his feet.
Cranswick misses with a combination

and Smith moves into the clinch.
Smith wants a takedown.
Dale Cranswick has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Smith.
Smith blocks an elbow strike.
Cranswick has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Cranswick throws a head punch that misses.

Smith pulls guard.
Cranswick wants to get up but he can't break Smith's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Smith tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Smith throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cranswick wants to stand but Smith is controlling his posture from full guard.

Cranswick stands up from Smith's guard - Cranswick perhaps looking for a knockout.
Cranswick really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Smith tries for a takedown but Cranswick sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Cranswick misses with a head kick.
Dale Cranswick is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Smith shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cranswick pinned against the cage. Cranswick gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cranswick misses with a few strikes there.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch but Cranswick swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Left hook, right uppercut from Cranswick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Smith looks gassed!
No joy there for Cranswick, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Cranswick misses with a double jab
and Smith counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Smith shoots in for a double leg but Cranswick sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but Cranswick shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Cranswick looks to land a right hand but Smith moved out of range.
Cranswick throws a left and a right that both miss

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

Cranswick breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cranswick lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Smith showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cranswick.
Cranswick swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cranswick looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A big left from Cranswick misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cranswick lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Cranswick.
Smith moves out of range as Cranswick strikes.
No joy there for Cranswick, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Cranswick thuds his right hand into Smith's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A punch combination from Cranswick misses.
Cranswick ducks right into an uppercut from Smith.
Smith is looking to clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Smith.
Nice defenses there by Smith.
Cranswick scores with a push kick.
Smith looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cranswick is fending him off so far but Smith persists. Nope, Cranswick circles away and we're back to standing.
Cranswick chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Cranswick just misses with a punch to the body.
Cranswick throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

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.
Smith avoids the body shot from Cranswick.
Good leg kick by Cranswick there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Nice sprawl there from Cranswick as Smith shoots in.
Cranswick swings for the body but Smith moves out of range.

Smith clinches up with Cranswick and pushes him back against the cage.

Cranswick breaks the clinch.
Cranswick misses with an uppercut. Smith saw that one coming.
Cranswick looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cranswick waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Smith.
The fight stays on the outside here - Smith looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Smith slips a jab and a cross from Cranswick.
Cranswick throws a nice looking combination but Smith bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Smith tries to clinch up but Cranswick circles away and keeps his distance.
Cranswick misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smith.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but James Smith will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Dale Cranswick's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Cranswick scores with a head kick.
Dale Cranswick is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smith staying out of range there.
Cranswick misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Smith lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Cranswick backs up against the cage.
Smith blocks a jab.

Smith has managed to clinch.
Cranswick tries to circle away but Smith has him pinned against the cage.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
Smith moves in looking to clinch but Cranswick pushes him off.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cranswick as he jumps to the side.
Cranswick misses with a double jab

and Smith counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Cranswick tries to break free but Smith pushes him back against the cage.
Cranswick looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Cranswick stops a takedown attempt from Smith.
Cranswick is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Cranswick breaks from the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cranswick throws a series of punches but Smith moves out of range.
Cranswick throws a big shot that misses.
Cranswick misses with a combination
and Smith counters with a stiff right hand.
Cranswick misses with a wild combination.
Cranswick throws a nice looking combination but Smith bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Dale Cranswick seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cranswick misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Smith closes the distance and pushes Cranswick back into the cage.

Cranswick breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A telegraphed right hand from Cranswick misses the target.
Cranswick throws a series of punches but Smith avoids them all with ease.
Cranswick displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Smith.
Dale Cranswick has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Smith.
Smith closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cranswick circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Cranswick lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cranswick as he avoids it easily.
Cranswick thows a body shot but no joy.
Smith shoots for a double leg takedown but Cranswick sprawls well. He's pushed Smith's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cranswick misses with a double jab.
Smith thuds his right hand into Cranswick's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Cranswick swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Smith showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cranswick.
Cranswick misses with a straight left.
Cranswick fails to land with a series of punches.
Cranswick falls off balance throwing a combination
enabling Smith to counter with a crisp jab.

Smith moves into the clinch successfully.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith moves into the clinch successfully.
Smith prevents Cranswick from breaking the clinch.
Smith has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Smith takes a kick to the side of the head.
Cranswick throws a combination that misses
letting Smith counter with a right hand.
Cranswick throws a combination that misses

and Smith counters by clinching up.

Cranswick breaks the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Smith looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Smith shoots in but no luck this time.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nice shot by Cranswick.
Cranswick tries a head kick but it misses.
Smith tries to clinch but Cranswick is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cranswick misses with a two punch combination.
A jab from Cranswick misses.
Cranswick misses with a combination

and Smith counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Smith stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cranswick swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Cranswick scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Smith rushes Cranswick and presses him up against the cage.
Cranswick wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cranswick is trying to force a seperation but Smith has the dominant position.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
Cranswick swings for the body but Smith moves out of range.
Smith tries to clinch up but Cranswick circles away and keeps his distance.
Cranswick tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Dale Cranswick's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Cranswick throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Smith.
Smith shoots in but no luck this time.
No luck for Smith with that takedown attempt.
Smith avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Smith slips a straight right by Cranswick.
Cranswick plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Cranswick misses with a hook.
Smith scores with a body shot.
Some wild striking there from Cranswick.
Cranswick falls off balance throwing a combination

and Smith counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Cranswick is trying to force a seperation but Smith has the dominant position.
Smith takes an elbow to the temple.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Cranswick's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cranswick throws a nice looking combination but Smith bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cranswick tries to bum rush Smith with a series of wild strikes but Smith uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt.
Dale Cranswick has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Smith.
Cranswick misses with a double jab
and Smith counters with a one-two to the body.
Smith throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cranswick's waist but Cranswick gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Smith off to one side.
Cranswick misses the jab.
Cranswick throws a nice looking combination but Smith bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
No joy there for Cranswick, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Smith slips under a jab from Cranswick.
Cranswick lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Smith circles away quickly and effectively.
Smith is looking to score with low kicks.
Smith misses with a few strikes there.
Cranswick swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Smith.
Cranswick is looking to break free of the clinch but Smith has double underhooks.

Cranswick's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

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.
Cranswick misses with a body shot.
Cranswick falls off balance throwing a combination

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

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cranswick misses with the combination.
Smith tries to clinch up.
Cranswick lands a two punch combo.
Cranswick stuffs the takedown attempt from Smith. Smith gets slowly back to his feet.
Smith moves out of range as Cranswick strikes.

Smith gets a clinch.
Smith tries for a takedown. No joy.

Cranswick manages to break the clinch.
Smith wants to clinch up but Cranswick keeps it at a distance.
Cranswick looks to land a body kick but Smith moved away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cranswick misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cranswick looks to land a combination but Smith avoids it well.
Cranswick scores with a body shot.
Cranswick throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Cranswick throws a leg kick

and Smith counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Smith.
Smith taking a breather.

Cranswick breaks from the clinch.
Smith wants to clinch up but Cranswick keeps it at a distance.
Smith dodges the punch combination from Cranswick.
Dale Cranswick is winning the standup battle so far.
Smith looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cranswick is fending him off so far but Smith persists. Nope, Cranswick circles away and we're back to standing.
Cranswick throws a left and a right that both miss
and Smith counters with a nice body shot.

Smith pushes Cranswick up against the cage in a clinch.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cranswick misses with the combination.
Cranswick connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Smith's hands.
Smith is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cranswick sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Smith wants to clinch.
Cranswick swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Smith counters with a single leg into guard. Cranswick didn't expect that.
Smith won't allow Cranswick to get back to his feet.
Smith looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Cranswick keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Smith winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30

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