PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dave Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Escobar Alexander (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexander is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Let it Rock- Kevin Rudolf. The key to victory for Dave Smith has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Smith
vs
Alexander

200 cm
24
260 lbs
3 - 7 - 0

210 cm
19
255 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Dave Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Escobar Alexander!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, James Ackerman and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Alexander moves into the clinch.

Alexander jumps guard and drags Smith to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Alexander is trying to control the position but Smith postures up.
Smith tries to stand but Alexander is controlling from the bottom.

Smith gets to his feet. Alexander looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Smith throws a sloppy head kick and Alexander moves out of range easily.
Alexander fails to land the takedown.
Smith tries a head kick but it misses.

Alexander takes the fight into the clinch.
Alexander fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Smith with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Alexander tries to pull guard but Smith won't allow it.
Dave Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Escobar Alexander.

Alexander pulls guard successfully.
Smith stopping the sweep attempt from Alexander.
Alexander is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Alexander wriggles free and stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Alexander clinches with his opponent.
Smith looking to throw knees to the head but Alexander is blocking nicely.
Smith misses with a knee to the head.
Alexander jumps guard but Smith stands there with Alexander around his waist. Alexander gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Alexander tries for a takedown. No joy.
Nice body punch from Alexander - that landed with a thud.
Alexander jumps guard but Smith stands there with Alexander around his waist. Alexander gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Alexander jumps into guard, dragging Smith to the mat.
Alexander is trying to control the position but Smith postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Smith decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Smith misses with a head kick.
Smith is breathing heavily.

Smith closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Alexander to the mat! Alexander manages to get full guard.
Smith tries to stand but Alexander is controlling from the bottom.
Alexander is looking to stand up but Smith isn't so interested in that idea.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Alexander can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Alexander manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Smith throws a head kick that misses.
Smith lands with a kick to the temple. Alexander shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Dave Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Alexander tries to close the distance and clinch but Smith swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Alexander fails to land the takedown.
Alexander scores with a head kick.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Alexander scoring well with a low kick there.
Alexander fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Smith tries a head kick but it misses.

Alexander moves into the clinch.

Alexander ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Alexander no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Alexander trying to keep a closed guard but Smith is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexander keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Alexander is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Smith is controlling him.
Alexander working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Alexander is on top in guard.
Alexander stops Smith from standing up.
Alexander tries to free his leg and advance position but Smith is retaining full guard.
Alexander stops Smith from standing up.
Alexander thows a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Alexander is looking to advance position but Smith has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Alexander really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Alexander wants to try and get back to his feet.
Alexander tries to hold on but Smith postures up.
Alexander can't escape the position.
Alexander throwing hammer fists to the chest of Smith. What's that going to do exactly?
Alexander tries to hold on but Smith postures up.
Alexander tries to buck Smith off but he can't manage it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Escobar Alexander will probably get the nod.
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 throws a head kick that misses.
Smith shoots for a takedown but Alexander saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Alexander throws a right hand that Smith ducks under and follows up with a left that Smith also avoids with ease.

Alexander scores a takedown into full mount!
Alexander lands a big elbow.

Alexander wants to finish this one by submission but Smith is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Alexander.
Alexander tries to control but Smith wriggling away.
Smith is trying desperately to improve position.
Alexander working Smith over with strikes here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith wants to try and get back to his feet.
Smith wants to hold on but Alexander pushes him away.
Smith wants to try and get back to his feet.
Alexander pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Smith wants to hold on but Alexander pushes him away.
Smith is in a horrible position here. Alexander smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

Alexander looking to secure an arm triangle but Smith defends it well.
Smith is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Alexander scoring with strikes but Smith is staying in there.

Alexander looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Alexander landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Alexander is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Smith has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Smith is working to get back to half guard.
Alexander with shots to the head and body - Smith looks very uncomfortable down there.
Smith holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Alexander tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

Alexander looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Alexander cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Alexander won't let Smith get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is looking to improve his position but Alexander isn't that keen on the idea.
Alexander is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Smith can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Alexander looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Alexander working the ground and pound effectively.
Smith holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Alexander tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Alexander dominating with strikes here.

Alexander jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Smith manages to avoid the submission attempt.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Smith tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Alexander counters by moving into the clinch.
Alexander tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Smith smiles and moves away.
Smith throws a sloppy head kick

and Alexander counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Alexander.
Smith looking to throw knees to the head but Alexander is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alexander blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Smith misses with a knee strike.
Smith tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Smith creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Alexander's defenses.
Smith tries to land a knee to the head but Alexander blocks with his arms.
Smith tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Smith lands a knee to the head.
Smith misses with a knee strike.
Smith with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Smith tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Smith tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Alexander manages to pull guard.
Smith wants to get up but he can't break Alexander's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Alexander wants to sweep but no luck.
Smith wants to control from the top but Alexander keeps moving.
Alexander wants to stand up but Smith is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Escobar Alexander showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Smith's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Alexander gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Alexander avoiding damage as Smith throws knees to the body.
Alexander fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Alexander.
Alexander tries to pull guard but Smith won't allow it.
Smith lands a knee to the head.
Smith landing knees to the head.
Alexander tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Smith just stands there and leans against the cage.
Dave Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Escobar Alexander.
Smith using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Alexander has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Alexander fails to pull guard.
Smith tries to land a knee to the head but Alexander blocks with his arms.
Alexander takes a knee right on the jaw!
Alexander fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Smith tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Alexander tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Alexander tries for a takedown but Smith manages to get underhooks.
Alexander fails to pull guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smith tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexander on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
Alexander tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Smith tries a head kick but it misses.

Alexander closes the distance and clinches.
Alexander tries to pull guard but Smith won't allow it.
Smith looking to throw knees to the head but Alexander is blocking nicely.
Alexander tries to pull guard but Smith holds him up against the cage and eventually Alexander drops back down to his feet.
Smith using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Alexander tries to pull guard but Smith won't allow it.
Alexander can't get the takedown.
Smith with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Smith tries to land a knee to the head but Alexander blocks with his arms.
Smith throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Alexander blocks it with crossed arms.
Alexander tries for a takedown but Smith manages to get underhooks.
Alexander fails to pull guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexander tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Smith smiles and moves away.
Alexander moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
Smith throws a head kick but Alexander moves out of range.
Smith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Alexander fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Smith, pushing him back against the cage.
Alexander tries to pull guard but Smith won't allow it.

Alexander decides to pull guard.

Smith decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Alexander tries to clinch up.
Smith throws a nice head kick!
Alexander misses with a body shot.

Alexander closes the distance and pushes Smith back into the cage.
Alexander has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Smith avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexander tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Smith just stands there and leans against the cage.
Alexander goes for a takedown attempt but Smith pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Smith throws a lazy head kick

and Alexander counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Alexander.
Alexander missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Smith wants to stand but Alexander is controlling the position.
Smith is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Alexander from controlling successfully.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Alexander's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Alexander wants to get up but he can't break Smith's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Alexander trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Dave Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Smith tries a head kick but it misses.
Smith throws a sloppy head kick

and Alexander holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Alexander has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Smith uses from the top position.
Smith wants to control from the top but Alexander keeps moving.

Alexander looking for a guillotine here but Smith defends easily.
Alexander wants to sweep but no luck.

Smith gets to his feet. Alexander looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Alexander gets a clinch.
Alexander avoiding damage as Smith throws knees to the body.
Smith using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Alexander has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Escobar Alexander is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Smith throws a knee to the head but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Escobar Alexander.
I've got Alexander winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Escobar Alexander!