PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hank Rearden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matthew Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rearden comes to the cage accompanied by Richard Halley - 5th Concerto. Smith has chosen Big and Red by EC as his entrance music. Hank Rearden has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rearden
vs
Smith

185 cm
21
210 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

186 cm
20
187 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

Just Fight

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hank Rearden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matthew Smith!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Gwen Towbar and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith ducks under a wild hook from Rearden.
Rearden with a jab.
Rearden throws an off balance right hand

and Smith counters with a single leg into guard. Rearden didn't expect that.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Smith drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Smith jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Rearden is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rearden preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Smith has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
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 trying to control but Rearden is working from the bottom.
Smith pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rearden is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Smith is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rearden wants to stand up but Smith is controlling him.
Rearden on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Rearden tries to get out of the position.
Smith looking to sit in guard and control but Rearden gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Rearden has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Smith throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rearden can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Rearden would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rearden is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Smith has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Rearden is looking to defend but Smith has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Rearden! Smith pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Rearden taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:42 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Matthew Smith!
Matthew Smith was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.