|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Laurence Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Martin Fitch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smith's entrance music is Sick Puppies - Cancer. A fine choice. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!
 |
|
 |
| 168 cm
26
145 lbs
6 - 1 - 0 |
|
165 cm
25
152 lbs
4 - 0 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong |
|
Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined |
|
| |
|
Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Laurence Smith!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Martin Fitch!
The judges for this bout are , and .
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Smith punishes Fitch's body with a nice straight punch.
Smith fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fitch manages to avoid it.
Fitch uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Smith.
Smith missing with a left hand there. Fitch was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fitch steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Smith.
Fitch looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Smith is fending him off so far but Fitch persists. Nope, Smith circles away and we're back to standing.
Smith throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fitch sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Smith misses with a hook. Fitch ducked under it nicely.
Smith misses with a right hand
and Fitch counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Fitch pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Smith is keeping the position for now.
Smith working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Fitch.
Fitch slips nicely into half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitch throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fitch lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Smith is trying to get back to full guard.
Smith blocking the ground and pound attempt from Fitch.
Smith is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Fitch scores with a couple of nice shots.
Fitch tries to pass to full mount but Smith defends it.
Fitch performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitch not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Smith wants to control but Fitch passes into side.
Smith struggling a bit here.
Fitch throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Fitch throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Fitch working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Fitch cracks Smith with a big right hand but Smith just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A lull in the action here as Fitch stalls from top position.
Smith knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Fitch on the ground.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitch throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Fitch lands a decent elbow from side control.
Fitch fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Fitch creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Smith sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Smith is trying to improve his position.
Smith is letting Fitch control him for a moment.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Fitch looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitch tries for a kimura but Smith is defending well.
Fitch sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Smith is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Fitch wants to control but Smith is keeping him busy.
Smith wants to get back to his feet but Fitch drags him back down.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fitch connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Smith some visible discomfort.
Fitch scoring with punches from side control.
Smith is trying to escape the position but Fitch is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Martin Fitch dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fitch moves away.
Fitch moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Fitch shoots in but no luck this time.
Fitch has a takedown stuffed.
Laurence Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Smith pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Fitch shoots in for a takedown but Smith shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Laurence Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Martin Fitch.
Fitch ducks under a wild hook from Smith.
Smith displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Fitch.
Smith misses with a hook.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith misses with an uppercut. Fitch saw that one coming.
Smith is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Fitch.
Fitch shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Smith as he avoids it easily.
Some wild striking there from Smith.
Smith throws a big shot that misses.
Smith swings for the body but Fitch moves out of range.
Fitch fails with the takedown.
Smith keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Smith swings for the body but Fitch moves out of range.
Smith misses with a straight left.
Laurence Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Smith does it's job there.
Fitch moves out of range of the strikes.
Smith lands with a right hand.
Smith scores with a jab.
Smith rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Fitch moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Fitch shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Smith as he avoids it easily.
Smith thows a left - swing and a miss!
Fitch takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smith punishes Fitch's body with a nice straight punch.
Smith throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Fitch bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Smith throws a right hand that Fitch ducks under and follows up with a left that Fitch also avoids with ease.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith works Fitch's body with a nice hook.
Fitch ducks under a wild hook from Smith.
Fitch fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Smith avoids it really well and circles away.
Fitch slips a straight right by Smith.
Fitch slips under a jab.
Smith throws a shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Smith misses the target.
Fitch misses with a straight left.
Smith throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith moves out of range of the strikes.
Fitch takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A swing and a miss from Smith.
Fitch shoots in looking for a takedown but Smith manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Fitch's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Smith swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fitch uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Smith.
Smith misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fitch.
Fitch walks into a left hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fitch shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Smith's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fitch is looking to work some ground and pound but Smith has wrist control.
Fitch scoring with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Laurence Smith dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!
Nice shot lands for Smith.
Smith cracks Fitch with an open hand slap.
Fitch fails with the takedown.
Smith slaps away a takedown attempt from Fitch, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A punch lands to the side of Fitch 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Smith tests Fitch's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Fitch fails with the takedown.
Laurence Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Martin Fitch.
Smith swings and misses with a hook to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitch gets a takedown into half guard.
Fitch prevents Smith from improving his position.
Smith avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Fitch.
Fitch seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Smith does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Fitch trying to pass the guard but Smith defending well.
Fitch throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith trying to control but Fitch postures up.
Fitch working over Smith with some ground and pound. Smith looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Fitch wants to pass the guard but Smith is defending well.
Smith is trying to stand up here but Fitch is controlling him well.
Fitch is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Fitch has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Fitch trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Smith wants to hit a switch here but Fitch passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Smith there!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitch with the ground and pound from mount.
Fitch dominating with strikes here.
Fitch lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Smith bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Smith tries to free his leg and advance position but Fitch is retaining full guard.
Fitch 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.
Fitch is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitch is pulling down on Smith's head to control his posture.
Fitch keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fitch tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Smith lands a nice looking body shot.
Smith connects with a good right hand that stumbles Fitch. Fitch circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
The fighters circling - Smith throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fitch moves away.
Fitch tries for a takedown but Smith sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Fitch uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Smith.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Martin Fitch really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Fitch moves out of range as Smith strikes.
Laurence Smith is winning the standup battle so far.
Fitch on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Fitch bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Smith scores with a crisp jab that stopped Fitch in his tracks.
Smith thows a body shot but no joy.
Fitch tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Smith swivels and escapes.
Smith throws a hook to the side of Fitch's head but Fitch sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Smith jabs Fitch to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Nice defenses there by Fitch.
Smith throws an overhand right that lands on Fitch's shoulder, as Fitch tries to avoid the shot.
Smith swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Fitch takes one on the button.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith leaves Fitch with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Fitch slips a jab from Smith.
Fitch fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Laurence Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Martin Fitch.
Smith throws a series of punches but Fitch moves out of range.
Smith throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Fitch keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Smith.
Smith scores with a jab.
Smith swings and misses with a hook to the body.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith's corner calls for a 1-2. Smith obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Fitch ducks under a wild hook from Smith.
Fitch ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Fitch gets the takedown into side control.
The strikes coming from Fitch are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Fitch wants to control but Smith is keeping him busy.
Fitch scoring with punches from side control.
Fitch landing strikes.
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!
Fitch working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Smith struggling a bit here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Fitch.
Smith dodges the ground and pound from Fitch.
Smith can't do much from the bottom here.
Fitch tries to advance to mount but can't.
Fitch connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Smith some visible discomfort.
Fitch sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Smith is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitch tries to score with some ground and pound. Smith controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Martin Fitch has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fitch wants to control but Smith is keeping him busy.
Fitch fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Fitch is looking to take a break and control but Smith is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Fitch working the ground and pound from side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fitch creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Smith sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Fitch tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Fitch has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Fitch works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Martin Fitch dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!
Smith jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fitch gets a double leg takedown into Smith's guard.
Fitch throws a strike but Smith rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Fitch keeping full guard, as Smith tries to pass.
Fitch looking to hit a scissor sweep but Smith is one step ahead there.
Fitch can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Smith controls the pace.
Fitch manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Smith manages to get himself to full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith keeping full guard, as Fitch tries to pass.
Fitch trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Fitch postures up in Smith's guard and throws a big left but Smith blocks it.
Smith preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Fitch trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Fitch landing with the ground and pound.
Laurence Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Martin Fitch is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitch with a flurry of punches that miss.
Fitch slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Smith working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Fitch.
Fitch stands up over Smith, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Fitch accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Fitch's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Fitch in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitch is in close to Smith's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Fitch lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Smith looking to control.
Fitch content to stall in guard here.
Fitch looking to pass the guard.
Fitch is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Fitch from controlling successfully.
Fitch is in close to Smith's body, working some short punches and elbows.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitch drops back, looking for a kneebar! Smith looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Smith looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Smith!
Fitch manages to work his way to half guard, despite Smith's best efforts.
Fitch trying to control but Smith postures up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Smith is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
And that's the end of the fight!
Martin Fitch comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Fitch has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andi Peters scores the fight 46:49
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 46:49
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 46:49
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Martin Fitch!
Martin Fitch is the new featherweight champion!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
84% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
