PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Donald Richards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Donald Richards had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Richards
vs
Smith

155 cm
18
214 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

189 cm
20
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Donald Richards!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joe Smith!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Viktor Lagutenko and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Richards as he jumps to the side.

Smith closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Richards to the mat! Richards manages to get full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith wants to stand but Richards is controlling his posture from full guard.
Richards is adopting a defensive guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smith accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Richards preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Richards looking to control.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Richards is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Smith moves into the clinch.

Smith's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Smith is trying hard to land a takedown here. Richards sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Richards drops down looking for a counter takedown but Smith sprawls and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith shoots in for a double leg but Richards sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Donald Richards has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Smith.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but Richards shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Smith tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Richards defends well and Smith ends up having to push Richards into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Smith tries for a takedown but Richards sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Richards seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Smith tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Richards swivels and escapes.
Richards seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

Richards tries to keep at a distance but Smith has taken the fight into the clinch.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
Smith throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Richards's waist but Richards gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Smith off to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Richards was covering up waiting for the punch and Smith finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Smith looks winded!
Smith distracts Richards with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Smith being controlled here momentarily.
Richards could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Smith avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Richards keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Smith is posturing up here but Richards has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Smith tries to roll out but it's too tight and Smith has to tap! Slick submission there by Richards!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:29 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Donald Richards!