PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mark Kuusela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smith has chosen Smoke the Fire as his entrance music. Johnny Smith told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Kuusela
vs
Smith

165 cm
20
163 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

183 cm
31
163 lbs
14 - 24 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mark Kuusela!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Johnny Smith!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Steve Erwin and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smith clinches up with Kuusela and pushes him back against the cage.
Kuusela is trying to pull guard but Smith has him pressed against the cage.
Kuusela tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Smith stalling.
Smith scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Smith pulls guard successfully.
Smith looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kuusela is one step ahead there.
Kuusela is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Smith manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kuusela manages to get himself to full guard.
Smith trying to control but Kuusela is working from the bottom.
Smith is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnny Smith has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
A big left from Kuusela misses.
Smith cracks Kuusela with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Smith will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Smith lands a high kick!

Kuusela gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kuusela trying to keep a closed guard but Smith is proving a slippery customer.
Smith advances to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith is working for a kimura but Kuusela is defending it quite comfortably.
Kuusela has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Smith is working away from the top position though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith wants to control but Kuusela is keeping him busy.

Kuusela looking for submissions off his back.
Kuusela might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kuusela doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Smith.
Smith is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Smith gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Kuusela gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Smith.

Smith shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kuusela napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Kuusela is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Smith's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith is taking a breather. Kuusela says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Smith thows a huge punch but Kuusela dodges it nicely.
Smith takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Well, if Smith is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Kuusela wants to improve his position but Smith is controlling well.
We've been informed that Smith has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Smith takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Smith's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Johnny Smith has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Smith scores with a hook to the body. Kuusela takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Smith dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kuusela shoots in looking for a takedown. Smith tries to sprawl out of it but Kuusela keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Smith manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Kuusela tries to keep at a distance but Smith has taken the fight into the clinch.

Smith has picked Kuusela up - he's going for a ride! Smith dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Kuusela wants to control but Smith is keeping busy.
Smith not doing much here.
Smith wants to stand up but Kuusela is controlling the position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Smith is looking for a kimura but Kuusela is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Smith to get the leverage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuusela controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Smith looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Kuusela slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Smith stops Kuusela from standing up.
Kuusela trying to keep a closed guard but Smith is proving a slippery customer.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Smith is defended easily by Kuusela.

Smith closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Smith walks away with a smile on his face. Kuusela gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kuusela stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kuusela wants it to stay on the feet.
Smith comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Smith closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Smith stands up out of the half guard.
Johnny Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Smith fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kuusela, pushing him back against the cage.

Smith pulls guard.
Kuusela trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Smith is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kuusela is aware though and is defending well.

Smith working for submissions but it's allowed Kuusela to get to half guard.

Kuusela in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Smith tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Kuusela!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Mark Kuusela!