PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexandr Loshkarev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steven Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Loshkarev
vs
Smith

165 cm
21
185 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

189 cm
21
183 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alexandr Loshkarev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Steven Smith!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, George Francis and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Loshkarev tries to keep at a distance but Smith has taken the fight into the clinch.
Smith misses with the head strike.
Loshkarev has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Loshkarev tries a knee to the head but Smith blocks it.
Loshkarev tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Smith pulls Loshkarev into guard.
Loshkarev slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Smith striking off his back but it's not causing Loshkarev any problems.
Loshkarev won't allow Smith to sweep him here.
Smith has a closed guard, preventing Loshkarev from standing up.
Smith looking to hit a scissor sweep but Loshkarev is one step ahead there.
Loshkarev throws an elbow that misses. Smith uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Loshkarev's guard. Nice move by Smith!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Loshkarev has wrist control.
Smith throws a big right hand that misses.
Loshkarev might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Smith throws a big right hand that misses.
Smith postures up in Loshkarev's guard and throws a big left but Loshkarev blocks it.
Smith throwing strikes from guard but Loshkarev blocks nicely.
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.
Loshkarev utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Loshkarev is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Smith is aware though and is defending well.
Loshkarev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Loshkarev wants to sweep here but Smith controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith with a nice head shot there.
Loshkarev 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.
Loshkarev is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Loshkarev wants to stand but Smith is controlling the position.
Smith throwing strikes from guard but Loshkarev blocks nicely.
Smith trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
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!
Smith with a nice head shot there.
Smith postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Smith lands a couple of digs.
Smith wants to control from the top but Loshkarev keeps moving.
Loshkarev is trying to keep Smith in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Loshkarev 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.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Loshkarev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Loshkarev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Loshkarev keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.

Loshkarev had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Smith defends it easily.
Smith with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Loshkarev doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Loshkarev is trying to control the position but Smith postures up.
Smith trying to control but Loshkarev is working from the bottom.
Loshkarev bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Smith's guard.
Smith really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Loshkarev. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Loshkarev is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Loshkarev won't allow Smith to sweep him here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Loshkarev wanted to stand there but Smith had control of the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smith trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven Smith dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

A punch combination from Loshkarev misses.
Smith misses with the combination.
Smith misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nice takedown defense from Smith. No joy for Loshkarev on that attempt.

Loshkarev clinches.
Smith is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Smith looking to stall.
Loshkarev wants to take the fight to the mat but Smith manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Loshkarev drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Smith gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexandr Loshkarev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Loshkarev is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the ropes enables Smith to keep the fight standing.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Smith.
Smith stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Smith swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Smith is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Loshkarev is keeping busy.
Loshkarev looking to stall.
Loshkarev is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Smith gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Smith stops a takedown attempt from Loshkarev.
Smith dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Loshkarev tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Loshkarev tries for a takedown but Smith manages to get underhooks.
Smith working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Smith stalling the fight.
Loshkarev jumps guard but Smith turns him against the ropes and keeps the fight standing.
Loshkarev tries to pull guard but Smith holds him up against the ropes and eventually Loshkarev drops back down to his feet.
Smith throws a punch but it's blocked by Loshkarev.
Loshkarev is trying to pull guard but Smith has him pressed against the ropes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Loshkarev can't find room to land a body shot as Smith controls the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Loshkarev tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Loshkarev is trying to pull guard but Smith has him pressed against the ropes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Smith can't find room to land a body shot as Loshkarev controls the action.
Smith tries to stall but Loshkarev uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Loshkarev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Smith blocks it with crossed arms.
Smith swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Smith effectively controlling the action here.
Smith throws a head punch that misses.
Smith lands with a left to the head.
Loshkarev is trying to break the clinch but Smith has him pressed against the ropes.
Loshkarev is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Smith wants to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Smith pressing his opponent against the ropes.
Loshkarev fails to pull guard.
Smith holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
Loshkarev is trying to push Smith away but Smith has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Smith manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Steven Smith.
Smith cracks Loshkarev with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Smith feints a jab promting Loshkarev to slip. Smith then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Loshkarev slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Loshkarev gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Smith.
Smith leaves Loshkarev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Loshkarev is trying to push Smith away but Smith has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Smith lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Loshkarev stalling in the clinch but Smith improves position.
Smith stalling.
Smith swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Loshkarev manages to break the clinch.
Steven Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Loshkarev shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Smith counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Smith tries to keep at a distance but Loshkarev has taken the fight into the clinch.
Smith lands with a light punch inside.
Loshkarev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Smith avoids it.
Smith is struggling to control the position.
Loshkarev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Loshkarev blocking some punches.
Smith taking a breather.
Smith tries to work over Loshkarev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Loshkarev turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Loshkarev manages to end up in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Loshkarev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Smith keeps working.
Smith pushes Loshkarev away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Loshkarev gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Smith tries to bench press Loshkarev off him but Loshkarev keeps the position.
Loshkarev trying to control the action but Smith is working from the bottom.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Smith can do anything to dispel that myth.
Loshkarev avoids the strikes from the bottom by Smith.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith is looking to reverse the position.
Loshkarev wants to control but Smith is keeping him busy.
Steven Smith is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Loshkarev is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Smith has escaped the position, nice work there.
You can see the frustration on Smith's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Loshkarev throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Loshkarev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Smith keeps working.
Smith wants to control but Loshkarev postures up.
Smith has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to bench press Loshkarev off him but Loshkarev keeps the position.
Smith can't do much from the bottom here.
Loshkarev tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith tries to control but Loshkarev manages to take his back.
Alexandr Loshkarev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Smith is really stuck here.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Steven Smith.
Well Smith has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steven Smith!
Our winner, Steven Smith, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.