PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sai Fukuta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and JD Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Fukuta
vs
Smith

175 cm
20
155 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

190 cm
23
168 lbs
1 - 1 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sai Fukuta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, JD Smith!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Shigeki Fujiwara and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smith gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Fukuta to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Fukuta from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fukuta missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Fukuta stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Smith tries to clinch up

and Fukuta counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fukuta is trying to control. Smith wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Fukuta thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Fukuta stops Smith from getting back to his feet.
Fukuta is looking to stall here but Smith recovers full guard.
Fukuta trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fukuta forces his way into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith is looking to get back to is feet but Fukuta passes into side control.

Fukuta swings around for an armbar but Smith sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Fukuta's guard.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Fukuta has wrist control.

Fukuta pushes Smith off and scrambles back to his feet.
A combination from Fukuta does no damage.
JD Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fukuta shoots in and drives through. Smith sprawls well.
Fukuta misses with a takedown attempt - Smith sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Smith tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Fukuta swivels and escapes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith connects with a solid leg kick.
Smith doesn't manage to clinch there - Fukuta circles away.
Fukuta shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Smith pinned against the cage. Smith gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sai Fukuta. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fukuta will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Fukuta is breathing heavily.
Smith fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smith is looking to clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Smith as Fukuta shoots in.
Smith moves to clinch but Fukuta breaks away

and Fukuta counters with a takedown into side control.
Smith manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Smith is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Fukuta's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Fukuta's back!
Fukuta covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Fukuta might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.

Smith has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Fukuta trying to control the position but Smith manages to sink in the hooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith trying to control momentarily.

Smith is working for the choke. It looks like he might have got it... has he...? Yes! Fukuta is tapping out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:38 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). JD Smith!