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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Taneli Maija (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kim Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 183 cm
30
177 lbs
6 - 4 - 0 |
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185 cm
25
177 lbs
4 - 11 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
Cardio machine |
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BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Taneli Maija!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
4 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kim Smith!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Jorge Garcia and David Schapiro.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maija thows a left - swing and a miss!
Maija is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Smith's half guard.
Maija working over Smith with some ground and pound. Smith looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Maija seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Maija's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Maija is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Maija looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Smith felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Maija is controlling the pace.
Smith is looking to improve his position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Maija not doing much here.
We've been hearing good reports from Maija's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Smith really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Maija. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Smith missing with punches from the bottom.
Maija perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Taneli Maija has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Maija scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Smith doesn't seem bothered though.
Maija gets a double leg takedown into Smith's guard.
Maija showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Smith working a defensive guard here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maija slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Maija controlling the position from side mount.
You can see the frustration on Smith's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maija controls the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maija has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
We're going to have a standup here because Taneli Maija wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Smith tries to grapple but his opponent circles
so Maija counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Maija looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maija avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Smith wants to sweep here but Maija controlling him for the moment.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maija stays in close to Smith's body and controls the position.
Maija looking to pass the guard.
Maija looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Maija is in close to Smith's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maija slips nicely into half guard.
Maija is trying to work for a kimura but Smith is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Taneli Maija dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Maija throws a body punch but Smith moves out of range.
Smith tries to clinch up but Maija circles away and keeps his distance.
Smith tries to clinch up but Maija circles away and keeps his distance.
Maija drives through and clinches with Smith against the cage.
Maija blocks a body shot from Smith.
A short right from Smith.
Smith tries to work over Maija's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Maija leaning his opponent against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Smith.
Maija breaks from the clinch.
Maija moves into range and clinches up with Smith.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith has hold of one of Maija's legs. Maija is fighting the takedown attempt but Smith gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Taneli Maija overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Maija wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Maija is looking for a triangle but Smith pushes his legs off easily.
Maija working for a triangle but Smith defends it easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maija throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maija is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Maija is pulling down on Smith's head to control his posture.
Maija working for a triangle but Smith defends it easily.
Smith trying to stand up but can't free himself from Maija's guard.
Maija controlling Smith's posture.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maija working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Smith has passed into half guard!
Maija looking for submissions off his back.
Maija keeps control of the position for the meantime.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maija gets full guard.
Maija is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Smith defends well.
Smith tries to free his leg and advance position but Maija is retaining full guard.
Maija controls Smith momentarily but Smith frees himself.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maija is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Taneli Maija dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!
Maija throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Smith on the side of the head.
Maija looking to score a takedown here. Smith is defending well but Maija drives through and ends up in Smith's guard.
Maija controlling from the top position.
Smith wants to stand but Maija is controlling the position.
Maija slips nicely into half guard.
Maija is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Maija looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Maija working for a submission here. He's tucked his head under his opponent's arm, looking for an arm triangle. He's hopped off into side control, looking to tighten the submission... is it going to work? He's given up a good position looking for it. Smith looks OK. Oh, I spoke too soon, he's out! That must have been tighter than I thought! Excellent work there by Maija! Submission of the night perhaps?
Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Taneli Maija!
Taneli Maija seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
100% |
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