PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cain Velasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Christiano Smokeleaf (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Velasquez comes into the arena with UFC - Face the Pain blaring out of the sound system. Smokeleaf has chosen Clawfinger Biggest & the Best as his entrance music. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Velasquez
vs
Smokeleaf

186 cm
30
244 lbs
24 - 10 - 0

200 cm
33
242 lbs
22 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Cain Velasquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Christiano Smokeleaf!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Illya Tyunina and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smokeleaf thuds a left hand into Velasquez's body.

Smokeleaf gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Smokeleaf lands with a left to the head.
Velasquez is trying to drag Smokeleaf to the mat but Smokeleaf just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Velasquez gets control of Smokeleaf's arms and successfully pulls guard. Velasquez will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Velasquez keeping full guard, as Smokeleaf tries to pass.
Velasquez is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Smokeleaf is controlling him.
Smokeleaf passes into half guard.
Velasquez is staying active underneath Smokeleaf, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Smokeleaf is taking a breather. Velasquez 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.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smokeleaf looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez is trying to stand up here but Smokeleaf is controlling him well.
Smokeleaf not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Velasquez pushes Smokeleaf off looking to stand but Smokeleaf dives back in and keeps control.
Velasquez might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Smokeleaf is trying to control. Velasquez wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Smokeleaf throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Smokeleaf trying to mount his opponent but Velasquez defends it.
Smokeleaf sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Velasquez defending well though.
Velasquez pushes Smokeleaf off looking to stand but Smokeleaf dives back in and keeps control.
Smokeleaf is trying to control. Velasquez wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smokeleaf thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Velasquez is trying to stand.
Velasquez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Smokeleaf.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Velasquez tries to kick Smokeleaf off but Smokeleaf keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Smokeleaf throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smokeleaf trying to mount his opponent but Velasquez defends it.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Smokeleaf connects with a nice short shot to Velasquez's temple.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smokeleaf stops Velasquez from getting back to his feet.
Velasquez blocking the ground and pound attempt from Smokeleaf.
Smokeleaf slows the pace down in half guard.
Smokeleaf missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Smokeleaf prevents Velasquez from standing back up.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Smokeleaf lands a nice short elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Velasquez gets back to full guard.
Smokeleaf has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Smokeleaf advances to half guard.
Still in half guard, Smokeleaf seems content to control.
Velasquez is staying active underneath Smokeleaf, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Smokeleaf wants to pass to mount but Velasquez is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez is trying to stand.
Velasquez wants to improve his position but Smokeleaf is controlling well.
Smokeleaf tries to pass the half guard into mount. Velasquez knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Smokeleaf missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Smokeleaf is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Velasquez is just riding it out for now. Smokeleaf eventually gives up the hold.
Smokeleaf trying to pass the guard but Velasquez defending well.
Smokeleaf keeps trying to improve his position.
Velasquez trying to control here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smokeleaf is trying to control the action in half guard but Velasquez is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Velasquez gets full guard.
Velasquez looking for a sweep. Not yet Velasquez, not yet.
Velasquez is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Smokeleaf is controlling him.
Smokeleaf pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Velasquez is keeping the position for now.
Smokeleaf engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Smokeleaf stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Smokeleaf wants it to stay on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christiano Smokeleaf dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Smokeleaf throws out a leg kick but Velasquez moves out of range and Smokeleaf only half commits.
Smokeleaf cracks Velasquez with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
A leg kick checked by Velasquez.
Good work by Velasquez as he checks the leg kick.
A shot to the liver by Smokeleaf. Beautiful body shot.
Smokeleaf just misses with a punch to the body.
Cain Velasquez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smokeleaf throws a head kick that Velasquez semi-blocks.

It looks like Cain Velasquez has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smokeleaf is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Smokeleaf misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smokeleaf throws a looping overhand right but Velasquez ducks down to avoid it.
Smokeleaf throws a body punch but Velasquez moves out of range.
Velasquez dodges the punch combination from Smokeleaf.
Smokeleaf lands a right hook to the body.
Velasquez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Velasquez closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Smokeleaf.
Smokeleaf tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Velasquez is able to avoid easily.
Velasquez blocks the body kick.
Velasquez moves out of range as Smokeleaf strikes.
Smokeleaf scores with a jab to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smokeleaf throws a body shot but no joy.
Smokeleaf misses with a wild body shot.
Velasquez's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Smokeleaf connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Velasquez scrambles back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Velasquez takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nice body punch from Smokeleaf.
Smokeleaf rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Velasquez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nice body punch from Smokeleaf.
Smokeleaf scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Good leg kick by Smokeleaf there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Smokeleaf tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Velasquez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smokeleaf throws a body shot but no joy.
Velasquez misses with a takedown attempt - Smokeleaf sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Smokeleaf misses with a body shot.
Smokeleaf is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Velasquez rather than just go for the knockout.
Smokeleaf fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Velasquez looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Smokeleaf dips to his left and cracks Velasquez with an uppercut!
Smokeleaf has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nice body punch from Smokeleaf.
Smokeleaf fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christiano Smokeleaf showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Cain Velasquez's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Velasquez avoids a punch combination nicely.
Smokeleaf misses with a takedown attempt - Velasquez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Smokeleaf takes a swing at Velasquez's ribcage but misses.
Smokeleaf scores with a sloppy right hand. Velasquez should have avoided that one.
Velasquez ducks under a wild hook from Smokeleaf.
Velasquez closes the distance and clinches up with Smokeleaf, looking for a takedown. Velasquez pushes Smokeleaf against the cage but Smokeleaf circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Smokeleaf is defended easily by Velasquez.
Smokeleaf stuffs the takedown attempt from Velasquez. Velasquez gets slowly back to his feet.
Smokeleaf throws a body shot but no joy.
Smokeleaf connects with a body shot.
Smokeleaf throws a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez shoots and misses

and Smokeleaf counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Velasquez's guard now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cain Velasquez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smokeleaf engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Velasquez 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.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Velasquez is looking to stand up but Smokeleaf isn't so interested in that idea.
Smokeleaf looking to pass the guard.
Smokeleaf lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Smokeleaf 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.
Velasquez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Smokeleaf trying to control the position from guard on top but Velasquez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Velasquez has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Smokeleaf.
No luck for Velasquez with that takedown attempt.
Smokeleaf throws a nice outside leg kick.
Smokeleaf is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smokeleaf dives in for a single leg takedown but Velasquez sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Good body shot from Smokeleaf.
Smokeleaf gets through Velasquez's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Smokeleaf.
Smokeleaf throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Smokeleaf has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Velasquez regains guard immediately.
Smokeleaf works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Smokeleaf stops Velasquez from getting back to his feet.
Smokeleaf is trying to control the action in half guard but Velasquez is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Smokeleaf is nestled in close to Velasquez, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Smokeleaf keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Cain Velasquez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Smokeleaf is keen to just control but Velasquez is a slippery customer.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Smokeleaf is looking to advance position but Velasquez won't allow it.
Smokeleaf trying to control from half guard but Velasquez is working away.
Smokeleaf perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Christiano Smokeleaf comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Smokeleaf 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 26:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 26:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Christiano Smokeleaf!
A victorious Christiano Smokeleaf thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.