PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between John Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Stroud (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Stroud's choice of entrance music: Vallenfyre - Iconoclast. Tom Stroud has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Smith
vs
Stroud

176 cm
19
162 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

178 cm
20
168 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, John Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Tom Stroud!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Steven Brown and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stroud just misses with a punch to the body.
Stroud looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Stroud tries to clinch

and Smith counters with a single leg into guard. Stroud didn't expect that.
Stroud is pulling down on Smith's head to control his posture.
Smith missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Stroud controls Smith momentarily but Smith frees himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Smith postures up.

Smith avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Stroud trying to control the position.

Smith drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Smith jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Stroud is looking for a triangle but Smith pushes his legs off easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith tries to free his leg and advance position but Stroud is retaining full guard.
Smith trying to control but Stroud is working from the bottom.
Smith postures up.
Smith has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Stroud is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Smith defends well.
Smith chips away with some ground and pound.
Smith pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stroud is keeping the position for now.

Stroud has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Smith is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Stroud.
Stroud manages to work his way to half guard, despite Smith's best efforts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stroud trying to control from the bottom.
Ground and pound from Smith.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Smith thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Stroud trying to control but Smith postures up.

Smith is working for a kimura but Stroud is defending it quite comfortably.
Smith controlling the action here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
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.
Stroud is looking to improve his position.

Smith is working for a kimura but Stroud is defending it quite comfortably.
Smith passes into side control, despite Stroud's attempt to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith working the ground and pound but Stroud is defending the strikes.
Smith scores with punches from side control.
Stroud is trying to control Smith's posture but Smith avoids it.

Smith is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Stroud has escaped the position, nice work there.

Smith is trying to get an arm triangle but Stroud is defending well.
Stroud manages to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stroud is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Smith pulls his head out easily.

Smith is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Stroud doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Smith.

Smith is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Stroud is trying to get back to full guard.
Stroud is trying to maintain the position but Smith is very close to passing his half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stroud tries to get to full guard but Smith has control of the leg.
Stroud won't allow Smith to pass to mount.
Stroud is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Smith dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Stroud throws a low kick but Smith avoids it.
Stroud doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Smith counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Stroud has wrist control.
Smith wants to control from the top but Stroud keeps moving.

Smith avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Smith stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Stroud swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Smith is looking to stand up but Stroud won't let him.

Stroud 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.
Smith wants to stand but Stroud is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Stroud keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Stroud trying to control the position.

Smith is posturing up here but Stroud has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Smith tries to roll out but it's too tight and Smith has to tap! Slick submission there by Stroud!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:49 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Tom Stroud!
After winning the bout, Tom Stroud thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.