PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ajo Koira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerry Smithies (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.

Koira
vs
Smithies

189 cm
25
197 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

193 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ajo Koira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gerry Smithies!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Johanna Lukiainen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koira lands a head shot.
Koira throws a right and a left that both miss.
Smithies shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Koira as he jumps to the side.
A left and a right from Koira both land. Nice combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smithies steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Koira.
Koira throws a body punch but Smithies moves out of range.
Koira throws a right and a left that both miss.
Koira throws a series of punches but Smithies avoids them all with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Smithies.
Smithies shoots in looking for a takedown. Koira tries to sprawl out of it but Smithies keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Koira manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ajo Koira has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gerry Smithies.
Koira misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smithies changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Koira tries to avoid it but Smithies manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Koira to the ground. Koira escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Smithies shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Koira but Koira pushes him off and we're back to square one.

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.
Koira slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Smithies throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Koira's waist but Koira gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Smithies off to one side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ajo Koira dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Koira throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Smithies is trying hard to land a takedown here. Koira sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Smithies checks the leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smithies slips under a jab from Koira.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koira throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Koira throws a hook but Smithies blocks it.

Smithies shoots in and bounces Koira off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Smithies slips nicely into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smithies is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smithies tries to pass the half guard into mount. Koira knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

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.
Koira is in trouble now - Smithies has advanced to mount!

Smithies is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Koira has managed to escape the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerry Smithies showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Smithies fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck for Smithies with that takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koira throws a hook but Smithies avoids it easily.
A lazy left from Koira finds it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Koira misses.
Smithies looks for a takedown but Koira sprawls well.
Ajo Koira has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gerry Smithies.
Koira misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koira tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Smithies was well out of range. Poor timing from Koira.
Koira throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Koira paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Koira enables Smithies to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Koira manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Smithies wants to pass the guard but Koira is keeping the position.
Koira working a defensive guard here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ajo Koira showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Koira 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ajo Koira!