PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Julio Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Hershey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smith comes to the cage accompanied by Criminal Minded. The crowd seem to be enjoying Hershey's choice of entrance music: Aztechnical. 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
Hershey

179 cm
29
185 lbs
12 - 13 - 1

169 cm
31
183 lbs
17 - 18 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Julio Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Steve Hershey!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Chris Saunders and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith lands with a thumping leg kick.
Smith is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Hershey throws a sloppy head kick and Smith moves out of range easily.

Hershey decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Smith wants to improve his position but Hershey is controlling well.

Smith looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hershey missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Smith tries to get to full guard but Hershey has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith manages to get to full guard.

Smith is looking for a triangle but Hershey pushes his legs off easily.
Smith seems keen to control Hershey's posture.
Hershey pushes down on Smith's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Smith is pressing down on Hershey's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Hershey throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith looking for a sweep. Not yet Smith, not yet.
Hershey postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hershey throws a strike but Smith rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Hershey is keeping the position.
Hershey working a defensive guard here.
Smith has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Hershey is proving hard to escape from.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith cracks Hershey with a solid left hand.

Smith drops back, looking for a kneebar! Hershey looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Hershey looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Hershey!
Hershey scores with punches from side control.
Hershey connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Smith some visible discomfort.
Hershey is looking to take a break and control but Smith is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hershey creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

Hershey stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smith lands with a thumping leg kick.
A jab from Smith does it's job there.
A punch combination from Smith misses.
Smith throws a body kick that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hershey misses the jab.
Smith takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

Hershey gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Hershey dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

No luck with that takedown attempt from Hershey.
Hershey avoids the head kick by Smith.
Hershey looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Hershey lands with a slapping head kick.

It looks like Julio Smith has been cut.
Hershey with a nice cross.
Smith looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smith throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Smith takes one to the side of the head.
Smith blocks a low kick nicely.
Hershey stuns Smith with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A slow jab from Hershey misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith lands a leg kick that knocks Hershey off balance momentarily.
Hershey has a takedown stuffed.

Smith shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Hershey tries to roll over but Smith keeps him under control.
Hershey is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Smith's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Smith's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hershey doesn't have the hooks in and Smith manages to turn into his guard.
Smith passes Hershey's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Hershey is looking to control Smith's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hershey avoid being mounted?
Hershey wants to get back to full guard.

Hershey kicks Smith off and gets back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hershey walks into a straight right hand from Smith.
Smith checks a leg kick.
Hershey tries a head kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hershey gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Smith counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Julio Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Hershey.
Hershey throws a series of punches but Smith moves out of range.
Smith works the jab nicely.

Hershey is rocked!
We've been told by Smith's head coaches at TAP ROOT -/- 10 Coaches / Great Sparring / Value that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Julio Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Hershey moves forwards but Smith connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Hershey is still on wobbly legs! Can Smith finish him?
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Julio Smith is winning the standup battle so far.
Hershey is breathing heavily.
Smith ducks down into range and throws a picture perfect right hook that connects with Hershey's jaw. Hershey's eyes stare off into space as he falls to the mat, out cold! Smith does the decent thing and steps back, rather than landing any shots to his unconscious opponent.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:42 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Julio Smith!
In his post fight interview, Julio Smith started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.