PBP Commentary

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

Ackles
vs
Smith

198 cm
19
263 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

187 cm
19
240 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Andi Ackles!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Cain Smith!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Andrew Berry and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ackles but Ackles pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Smith shoots in but Ackles avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ackles drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

It looks like Andi Ackles has been cut.
Smith is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ackles sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Andi Ackles has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cain Smith.

Smith feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Smith trying to control but Ackles is working from the bottom.

Ackles manages to escape and get back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Smith fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Ackles to the ground. Smith is now in Ackles's guard.
Smith throws a big right hand that misses.
Ackles keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Ackles trying to keep a closed guard but Smith is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Ackles is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith throwing strikes from guard but Ackles blocks nicely.

Smith stands and steps away. Ackles gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Ackles shoots in and drives through. Smith sprawls well.
Smith fails to land the takedown.

Smith shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ackles manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith postures up in Ackles's guard and throws a big left but Ackles blocks it.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Ackles is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ackles wants to improve his position but instead Smith has moved into half guard.
Smith wants to free his trapped foot but Ackles is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Smith slows the pace down in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Smith wants to free his trapped foot but Ackles is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Smith wants to stand up but Ackles has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Ackles controlling the position well.
Smith wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Ackles uses the opportunity to regain full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Smith pushes down on Ackles's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Smith throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Smith wants to stand but Ackles has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Smith dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Andi Ackles's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ackles shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Ackles gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Smith to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Ackles preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ackles looking to hit a scissor sweep but Smith is one step ahead there.
Smith throwing strikes from guard but Ackles blocks nicely.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Ackles is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ackles keeping full guard, as Smith tries to pass.
Smith wants to stand but Ackles has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ackles works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Smith trying to control but Ackles is working from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Ackles avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ackles swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cain Smith has got the better of the ground game so far.
Smith throws and elbow that misses. Ackles uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Smith's guard. Nice move by Ackles!
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.

Smith has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ackles can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Smith has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ackles's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Ackles trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ackles keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Smith's head.
Ackles stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smith swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Smith trying to control the position.
Ackles is in close to Smith's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ackles throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ackles accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Smith manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ackles manages to get himself to full guard.
Ackles has momentary wrist control but Smith slips an elbow through the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith is looking to stand up but Ackles won't let him.
Ackles working a defensive guard but Smith manages to pass into side control anyway.

Ackles bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
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 lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Smith has a takedown stuffed.
A bone on bone clash there as Ackles blocks the leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Smith fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Ackles to the ground. Smith is now in Ackles's guard.
Ackles has momentary wrist control but Smith slips an elbow through the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Andi Ackles's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ackles tries for a takedown but Smith circles away easily

and Smith counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Ackles's guard now.
Smith wanted to stand there but Ackles had control of the position.
Smith stands and throws Ackles's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Smith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ackles keeps working.
Smith might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Ackles kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Smith misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith lands a decent elbow from side control.

Smith wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ackles, who protects the arm well.
Ackles is not content to let Smith control the position.

Smith stands up and beckons Ackles to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ackles shoots in for a takedown but Smith shows good takedown defense.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smith tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ackles swivels and escapes.
Smith throws a shot to the body.

Smith clinches with his opponent.
Smith tries for a takedown. No joy.
The referee calls for Smith to work.
Smith has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Smith pulls Ackles into guard.
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 manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ackles manages to get himself to full guard.

Ackles has his feet on Smith's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Andi Ackles is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Ackles. No joy for Smith on that attempt.
Andi Ackles has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cain Smith.
Smith tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ackles sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Smith somewhat.
Smith lands a jab to the nose.
Smith misses with a two punch combination.
Smith misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nice sprawl there from Ackles as Smith shoots in.

Smith shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ackles's guard.
Smith stopping the sweep attempt from Ackles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ackles preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ackles will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Smith has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Ackles is proving hard to escape from.
Smith throwing strikes but missing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ackles keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cain 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 Ackerman scores the fight for Cain Smith!
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight for Cain Smith!
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight for Cain Smith!

Cain Smith wins by unanimous decision!