PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight kickboxing rules bout between Alexander Smirnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dark Dutch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dutch has chosen feuer frei as his entrance music. Alexander Smirnov had a look across the ring there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Smirnov
vs
Dutch

173 cm
30
144 lbs
25 - 15 - 1

168 cm
30
141 lbs
19 - 8 - 0

World class boxer
Cardio machine

World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Alexander Smirnov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dark Dutch!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Ren Mimura and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Dutch looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The fighters circle momentarily. Dutch darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Dutch keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Smirnov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Smirnov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dutch manages to avoid it.
Dutch on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Dutch fails in his attempt to clinch.
Smirnov throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Donk. Smirnov catches Dutch right on the button with a cross.
Smirnov misses the jab.
Smirnov misses with a low kick.

Dutch has managed to clinch.
Smirnov pushes Dutch back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.

Dutch breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dutch slips a straight right by Smirnov.
Dutch wants to clinch up but Smirnov keeps it at a distance.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smirnov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Smirnov moves away from the strike by Dutch.
Dutch takes a swing at Smirnov's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dutch ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smirnov moves away.
Smirnov misses with an uppercut.
Smirnov misses with a hook. Dutch ducked under it nicely.
Alexander Smirnov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dutch tries a head kick but it misses.
Smirnov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Dutch keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Smirnov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Smirnov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A swing and a miss from Smirnov.
Smirnov misses with a double jab.

Dutch has managed to clinch.

Dutch escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dutch ducks under a wild hook from Smirnov.
Dutch swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Dutch takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smirnov. Dutch does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dutch misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dutch scores with a body shot.
Dutch throws a sloppy head kick and Smirnov moves out of range easily.
Smirnov looks to score with a jab to the body but Dutch is just out of range.
Dutch pulls out of a head kick attempt.
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!
Smirnov misses with a hook. Dutch ducked under it nicely.
Dutch tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Smirnov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Dutch displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Smirnov throws out the jab.
Smirnov throws a hook but Dutch blocks it.
Dutch goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Dutch walks into a left hand.
A nice inside leg kick there by Dutch. That's going to slow Smirnov down.
Smirnov throws a nice looking combination but Dutch bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dutch tries to close the distance and clinch but Smirnov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Smirnov keeps the fight on the outside.
Dutch throws a hook but Smirnov avoids it easily.
Dutch jabbing away but nothing is landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Alexander Smirnov will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Smirnov slips under a jab.
Smirnov keeps the fight on the outside.
Smirnov defending well as Dutch loads up on a big left hand.
Dutch ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smirnov moves away.
Smirnov throws a leg kick which misses Dutch's front leg but catches the back leg as Dutch tries to avoid it.
Smirnov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Dutch in his tracks.
Dutch dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Dutch misses with an attempted mid kick.
Dutch fails in his attempt to clinch.
Smirnov looks to land a combination but Dutch avoids it well.
Dutch fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Smirnov manages to avoid it.
Dutch is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Smirnov rather than just go for the knockout.
Smirnov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Dutch moves out of range as Smirnov strikes.
Dutch throws a body kick that misses.
Smirnov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Dutch tries to move into range but Smirnov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Smirnov blocks a head kick by Dutch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov throws a lazy uppercut
and Dutch counters with a straight right hand.
Dutch checks the leg kick.
Smirnov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dutch was well out of range. Poor timing from Smirnov.
Alexander Smirnov is winning the standup battle so far.
Smirnov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Dutch moves out of range as Smirnov strikes.
Jab, jab by Smirnov - just one landing.
Smirnov scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Smirnov scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Smirnov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Smirnov throws a leg kick but Dutch checks it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smirnov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Dutch takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Smirnov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Dutch tries to land a front kick but Smirnov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Smirnov cracks Dutch with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dutch looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Smirnov misses the shot to the body.
Smirnov is looking to land body kicks.

Dutch drives through and clinches with Smirnov against the ropes.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Dutch.

Dutch's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Dutch throws the kick towards the body but Smirnov avoids it.
Dutch tries to clinch but Smirnov moves out of range.
Dutch throws a head kick that misses.
Smirnov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Dutch turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Dutch connects with a body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dutch keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Dutch has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Smirnov finds it's way round the side to connect with Dutch's head.
Smirnov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Dutch slips a straight right by Smirnov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Smirnov dominated that second 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.

Smirnov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Dutch at a distance.
Smirnov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
The fight stays on the outside here - Dutch looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Dutch fails in his attempt to clinch.
Smirnov throws out a loose jab but Dutch uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smirnov lands with a straight right. Dutch didn't see that one coming.
Dutch swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Dutch fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nice straight punches there by Smirnov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Smirnov.
Smirnov blocks the body kick.
Dutch takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Nice shot by Smirnov.
Some wild striking there from Dutch.
Dutch tries to clinch up but Smirnov circles away and keeps his distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dutch scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Smirnov doesn't seem bothered though.
Smirnov lands with a shot to the body.
Dutch pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Smirnov explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Dutch looks to land a right hand but Smirnov moved out of range.
Smirnov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Smirnov lands a nice looking kick to the body. Dutch takes a step back to recover.
Dutch throws a head kick but Smirnov moves out of range.
Smirnov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Dutch walks into a straight right hand from Smirnov.
Smirnov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dutch.
Smirnov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dutch.
Smirnov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dutch looks to score with a jab to the body but Smirnov is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Smirnov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice uppercut lands for Smirnov. That snapped Dutch's head back.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Smirnov.
Dutch fails in his attempt to clinch.
Smirnov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Dutch is out of range and Smirnov settles back down.
Smirnov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Smirnov checks a low kick from Dutch.
A big right from Smirnov misses.
Smirnov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Smirnov throws a wild body kick that Dutch sees coming a mile off.
Smirnov scores with a jab to the jaw.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dutch lands with an overhand left.
Dutch misses with a looping right.
Dutch misses with the combination.
Dutch moves out of range of the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Smirnov clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Smirnov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Dutch checks it well.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Dutch.
Smirnov misses with a straight left.
Dutch keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Dutch lands a high kick!

It looks like Alexander Smirnov has been cut.
Smirnov tries to bum rush Dutch with a series of wild strikes but Dutch uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A head kick misses from Dutch.
Dutch doesn't manage to clinch there - Smirnov circles away.
A big right from Dutch misses.
Smirnov throws a low kick but Dutch avoids it.

Dutch pushes Smirnov up against the ropes in a clinch.
Dutch looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Dutch misses with a knee strike.
Smirnov looking to throw knees to the head but Dutch is blocking nicely.
The referee calls for Smirnov to work.

Dutch pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dutch lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Dutch rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Smirnov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Dutch takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Smirnov throws a low kick but it's checked well by Dutch.
Smirnov misses with a body kick.
Smirnov throws a shot from downtown. Dutch moves away and avoids it.
Dutch tries to bum rush Smirnov with a series of wild strikes but Smirnov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Smirnov, right into the meat.
Smirnov throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Smirnov lands with a right hand.
Dutch has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Smirnov lands a nice shot that snaps Dutch's head back.
Smirnov misses with a hook
and Dutch counters with an inside leg kick.
Dutch tries to close the distance and clinch but Smirnov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Smirnov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dutch manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Smirnov misses the body punch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dutch tries to clinch but Smirnov is having none of it.
Dutch throws a head kick but Smirnov moves out of range.
Dutch uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Smirnov.
Smirnov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Dutch looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Dutch thows a body shot but no joy.
Smirnov takes a swing at Dutch's ribcage but misses.
Smirnov keeps the fight on the outside.
Smirnov walks into a straight right hand from Dutch.
Smirnov lands a nice shot that snaps Dutch's head back.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Smirnov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Dutch moves into the clinch.
Dutch has a couple of punches blocked by Smirnov.
Smirnov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Dutchs head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Alexander Smirnov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alexander Smirnov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Smirnov clobbers Dutch with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Smirnov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Dutch doesn't manage to clinch there - Smirnov circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Dutch gets through Smirnov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Smirnov.
Dutch can't find room to land a body shot as Smirnov controls the action.
Dutch lands an elbow just above Smirnov 's eye.
Dutch tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Dutch goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Smirnov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dutch waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Smirnov.
Smirnov throws a leg kick that misses.
Dutch misses with a body shot.
Smirnov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Dutch.
Dark Dutch has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Dutch.
Smirnov tried to score with a low kick but Dutch checks it.
Nice shot lands for Smirnov.
Dutch stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Smirnov.
Smirnov avoids the body shot from Dutch.
A swing and a miss from Dutch.
Smirnov feints and then cracks Dutch's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Dutch down.
Smirnov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Dutch.
Dutch throws a good cross that connects.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Smirnov.
Dutch misses with a looping right.
Smirnov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Dutch.
Dutch misses with an uppercut.
Dutch avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov swinging wildly here.
Smirnov avoids a kick to the body.
Dutch swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Smirnov scores with a nice strike.
Smirnov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A bone on bone clash there as Smirnov blocks the leg kick.
Smirnov slips under a jab from Dutch.
Smirnov moves out of range of the body kick.
Smirnov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Dutch throws a head kick but Smirnov moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A leg kick checked by Dutch.
Smirnov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Smirnov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Dutch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Smirnov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Smirnov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 50:46
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 50:45
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Smirnov!
Alexander Smirnov spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.