PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between JR Adams (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Adams comes to the cage accompanied by 'Looking For The Stone' by Dry Branch Fire Squad. Smith comes into a darkened arena with his song building. frenzal rhomb - Mum changed the locks kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Joe Smith has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with JR Adams's chin.

Adams
vs
Smith

177 cm
30
191 lbs
19 - 2 - 0

186 cm
25
199 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Sun-Tzu

Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)
Milwaukee's Best 160 (85% laundry)

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 19 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, JR Adams!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joe Smith!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Phil Schofield and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Adams misses with an uppercut.
Smith stuffs the takedown attempt from Adams. Adams gets slowly back to his feet.
Smith dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Adams tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
Adams on the wrong end of a nice jab.

It looks like JR Adams has been cut.
Adams fails in his attempt to clinch.
Smith has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Adams is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Smith scores with a jab. Adams acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Joe Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith throws a shot from downtown. Adams moves away and avoids it.
Adams keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Smith tries to clinch there but Adams circles away.
Smith stuffs the takedown attempt from Adams. Adams gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith clinches with his opponent.
We've been hearing reports that Adams has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
A nice left hand lands by Adams.
Smith looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Adams breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Adams walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A solid leg kick lands there for Smith.
Adams tries for a takedown but Smith circles away easily
and Smith makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for JR Adams. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Adams stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The crowd cheers as Smith lands an impressive looking overhand right. Adams doesn't seem phased though.
Smith scores with the left hand. Adams knows he should have avoided that one.
Smith connects with a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice body punch from Adams.
Adams throws a series of punches but Smith moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Smith.
Smith thows a left - swing and a miss!
Adams connects with an inside leg kick.
Adams avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Smith avoids a punch combination nicely.
Smith throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Adams fails with an attempt to clinch.
Adams swings for the body but Smith moves out of range.
Smith moves away from the strike by Adams.
Smith cracks Adams with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Smith throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Adams counters with a body kick.
Adams dives in for a single leg takedown but Smith sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Smith has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Adams shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Smith's guard.
Smith keeping full guard, as Adams tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to stand up but Adams is controlling him.
Adams pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Smith is keeping the position for now.
Adams is stalling in the full guard.
Smith wants to get back to his feet but Adams is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Adams trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Adams pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Smith is keeping the position for now.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Smith wants to get back to his feet but Adams is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Smith throws a big shot that misses.

Adams clinches.
Smith leaning his opponent against the cage.
Smith wants to break free but Adams has control.
Smith wants to get back to striking at distance but Adams won't allow it.
Smith is trying to break free.
Adams keeps control of Smith as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Smith scores with a nice hook to the head.

JR Adams's cut is getting worse.
Adams keeps control of Smith as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Adams has Smith pressed against the cage, preventing Smith from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Adams blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Smith dominated that round.
The cut man is working on JR Adams'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.

Smith thows a leg kick but Adams checks it

and Adams counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Adams.
Smith can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Adams controls the pace.
Smith is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Adams trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Smith working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Adams.
Smith wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Adams manages to pass to side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Adams misses with a head shot. Smith uses the momentum to regain guard.
Adams tries to free his leg and advance position but Smith is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is looking to stand up but Adams isn't so interested in that idea.
Adams trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith is looking to stand up but Adams isn't so interested in that idea.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Adams throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Adams fails in his attempt to clinch.
Adams tries to close the distance and clinch but Smith swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Adams fails to land with a series of punches.
Adams thuds a left hand into Smith's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Adams steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Smith.
Adams attempts a counter takedown but Smith avoids it well and moves away.
Smith throws a right and a left that Adams avoids nicely.
Adams will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Smith misses with a body kick.
Adams takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Adams scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Adams drops his hands momentarily and Smith takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Smith jabs Adams right on the nose. Adams blinks but takes it well.
Adams uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
Adams checks a leg kick nicely.
Adams throws a big counter combination but Smith scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Adams shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Smith but Smith pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Adams misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Adams throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Smith misses with a looping left.
Adams appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Joe Smith seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Smith throws a body punch but Adams moves out of range.
Joe Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Adams is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Smith.
A jab from Smith finds it's way through Adams's defenses.
Smith connects with a solid leg kick.
Smith lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Smith stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Smith wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for JR Adams. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Adams just misses with a punch to the body.
Smith misses with a body kick.
Adams wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Adams attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Smith let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Adams avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Adams uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
Smith connects with a nice looking jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a body shot but no joy.
Adams changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Adams is looking to wear down Smith with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Adams fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smith throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Adams shoots in for a double leg but Smith sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Adams feints and as Smith raises his hands in defense, Adams changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Adams passes Smith's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Smith kicks Adams off and gets back to his feet.
JR Adams is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smith throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Adams throws a right hand that Smith ducks under and follows up with a left that Smith also avoids with ease.
Smith stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

JR Adams's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Smith fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Adams manages to avoid it.
Smith keeps the fight on the outside.
Smith scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on JR Adams's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Adams's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Smith connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Adams scrambles back to his feet.
Adams tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smith paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Adams fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Smith missing with a left hand there. Adams was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Smith throws out a leg kick but Adams moves out of range and Smith only half commits.
Adams circles away from the clinch attempt.
Adams cracks the inside of Smith's front leg.
Smith throws a leg kick

and Adams counters with a single leg into guard. Smith didn't expect that.
Smith lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Smith controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Smith tries to stand but Adams is controlling from the bottom.
Adams working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith won't allow Adams to sweep him here.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Adams is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith controls from within his opponent's guard.
Adams is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Smith taking some punishment here, with Adams in his half guard.
Smith wants to get back to his feet.
JR Adams has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith is not content to let Adams control the position.
Adams frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Adams takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
JR Adams overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Smith really wants to buck Adams off and get back to his feet.
Smith is working to get back to half guard.
Smith is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Smith is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Smith is in all sorts of trouble here.
Adams wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Smith is trying desperately to improve position.
Adams lands a nice shot to the head.
Joe Smith is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Adams trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Adams throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Adams with shots to the head and body - Smith looks very uncomfortable down there.
Smith is in a horrible position here. Adams smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adams misses with a head shot.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith wants to try and get back to his feet.
Adams throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Adams is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Smith can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Adams fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Poor strikes thrown by Adams there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Smith wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Adams throws some wild stikes that Smith manages to avoid easily.
Smith trying desperately to get to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
JR Adams showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Smith has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 James Atkins scores the fight 28:29
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Smith!
Joe Smith managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Milwaukee's Best 160 (85% laundry), into his post fight interview.
JR Adams spoke after the fight, saying 'Ain't this terrible?!'.