PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between William Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Balian Ibelin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Smith
vs
Ibelin

190 cm
25
167 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
158 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Big right hand

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, William Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Balian Ibelin!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Luis Engracia and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Smith enables Ibelin to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Smith manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Smith looking for a guillotine here but Ibelin defends easily.

Smith is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ibelin is aware though and is defending well.
Ibelin advances to half guard.

Ibelin is working for a kimura but Smith is defending it quite comfortably.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Ibelin seems to be working for a kimura but Smith defends the submission attempt.

Ibelin is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Ibelin is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Smith is just riding it out for now. Ibelin eventually gives up the hold.

Ibelin is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith trying to control but Ibelin postures up.
Smith wants to get back to his feet.

Ibelin wants to work for an arm triangle but Smith is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Smith actively working from the bottom here.
Smith really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Ibelin is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Smith defends it well.

Ibelin is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith pushes Ibelin off looking to stand but Ibelin dives back in and keeps control.

Smith looking for submissions off his back.

Ibelin is trying to work for a kimura but Smith is defending well.

Ibelin is working for a kimura but Smith is defending it quite comfortably.

Smith looking for submissions off his back.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ibelin seems to be working for a kimura but Smith defends the submission attempt.

Ibelin is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Smith is trying to stand.

Ibelin is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Smith has managed to free his arm - good work.

Ibelin is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Smith looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ibelin is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Smith sees it coming and defends easily.
We've been informed that Ibelin has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

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

Ibelin wants to work for an arm triangle but Smith is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ibelin is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

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

Ibelin has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Smith defend it? Ibelin steps over the head and cranks it - Smith is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Ibelin!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Balian Ibelin!
Balian Ibelin seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.