PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Smithing (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Mugabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Smithing
vs
Mugabe

177 cm
25
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
245 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Arcticus University: London

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, John Smithing!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Robert Mugabe!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Ryoma Takatsuka and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mugabe forces Smithing back against the cage and clinches.

Mugabe manages to pull guard.
Smithing trying to control the position from guard on top but Mugabe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mugabe looking to control.
Smithing with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mugabe is looking to stand up but Smithing isn't so interested in that idea.
Mugabe wants to sweep here but Smithing controlling him for the moment.

Smithing thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mugabe not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Smithing preventing the sweep.
Smithing trying to control the position from guard on top but Mugabe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smithing passes Mugabe's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Smithing is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mugabe doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Smithing.
Mugabe tries to roll over but Smithing keeps him under control.
Mugabe missing with punches from the bottom.

Mugabe is defending against the submission attempts here by Smithing.

Smithing is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smithing is trying to control the action in half guard but Mugabe is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Mugabe controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Mugabe is trying to get back to full guard.

Smithing is working for a kimura but Mugabe is defending it quite comfortably.
Mugabe really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Smithing. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Smithing wants to take a breather but Mugabe is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smithing is working for a submission of some sort.
Mugabe avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Smithing.
Smithing stops Mugabe from getting back to his feet.

Smithing is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Smithing is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Mugabe sees it coming and defends easily.
Mugabe wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Mugabe is refusing to be controlled, as Smithing sits in half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Smithing doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Mugabe counters with a left to the body.
Smithing is breathing heavily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nice sprawl there from Smithing as Mugabe shoots in.

Mugabe rushes Smithing and presses him up against the cage.
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 John Smithing will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Mugabe forces Smithing back against the cage and clinches.
Mugabe wants to break free but Smithing has control.
Smithing is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Mugabe wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Mugabe is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Smithing gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Mugabe is pressed up against the cage. Smithing has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mugabe down to the mat. Mugabe avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Smithing dives in and grabs Mugabe's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mugabe pushes down on Smithing's head and hops out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mugabe shoots for a takedown but Smithing saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
John Smithing has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Robert Mugabe.
Mugabe fails to land the takedown.
Smithing attempts a counter takedown but Mugabe avoids it well and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mugabe wants to clinch but Smithing slips to the side
and Smithing counters with a nice body kick.
Mugabe misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Smithing fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Smithing changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mugabe tries to avoid it but Smithing manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mugabe to the ground. Mugabe escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Smithing looking for a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mugabe lands a body shot in the clinch.
Smithing is pressed up against the cage. Mugabe has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Smithing down to the mat. Smithing avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Mugabe shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Smithing but Smithing pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Mugabe fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Mugabe will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Mugabe moves into the clinch successfully.
Mugabe wants a takedown but no success here.
Mugabe is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mugabe is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Mugabe pulls Smithing into guard.

Smithing drops back looking for a leg! Mugabe is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mugabe manages to kick Smithing off! Smithing jumps back into Mugabe's guard.
Smithing slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mugabe takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smithing tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Smithing has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Mugabe tries to improve position but can't.

Smithing is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Mugabe has escaped the position, nice work there.
Smithing has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Smithing jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Mugabe manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Mugabe is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Smithing has just dragged him back down to the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Smithing dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Mugabe tries a head kick but it misses.
Smithing attempts a counter takedown but Mugabe avoids it well and moves away.

Mugabe drives through and clinches with Smithing against the cage.
Mugabe looking for a takedown.

Smithing breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mugabe slaps away a takedown attempt from Smithing, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mugabe throws a right and a left that both miss.
As Mugabe looks to move away, Smithing throws a big counter combo bu Mugabe just gets out of the way.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mugabe fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Smithing avoids it really well and circles away.
Smithing attempts a counter takedown but Mugabe avoids it well and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smithing blocks a leg kick.
It looked like Smithing was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Smithing avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Smithing throwing a counter right hand but Mugabe manages to avoid it.

Mugabe has closed the distance and engaged Smithing in a clinch.
A shot in the inside from Mugabe.

Smithing escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Smithing displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mugabe.
John Smithing has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Robert Mugabe.
Mugabe tries to score a power double leg takedown but Smithing sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mugabe somewhat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smithing throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Mugabe.
Smithing blocks a leg kick.
Smithing shoots for a double leg takedown but Mugabe sprawls well. He's pushed Smithing's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mugabe wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mugabe looks for a takedown but Smithing sprawls well.
Mugabe moves to clinch but Smithing breaks away
and Smithing counters with a two punch combo.
Mugabe fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Mugabe with a lazy takedown attempt
and Smithing counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Mugabe takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Smithing misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smithing throws a right hand that Mugabe ducks under and follows up with a left that Mugabe also avoids with ease.
Smithing throws a sloppy head kick and Mugabe moves out of range easily.
Mugabe fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Smithing avoids it really well and circles away.
John Smithing is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Smithing misses with an uppercut

and Mugabe counters with a shoot takedown. Smithing fights it but they end up in guard.

Smithing looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Smithing is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Smithing showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Smithing, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight for John Smithing!
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight for John Smithing!
Judge Josh West scores the fight for John Smithing!

John Smithing wins by unanimous decision!