PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Earl Sanders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenny Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sanders's entrance music is LL Cool J. A fine choice. Earl Sanders had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 157.9lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. This should be a great matchup!

Sanders
vs
Smith

172 cm
22
162 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

180 cm
23
160 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Earl Sanders!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Kenny Smith!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Richard Clark and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanders does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Smith throws a nice looking combination but Sanders bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sanders fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sanders throws a left and a right that both miss
and Smith counters with a nice body kick.
Smith moves out of range of the body kick.
Sanders is breathing heavily.
Good standup being displayed there by Smith as he connects with a hook.
Earl Sanders seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sanders misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Smith with a hook.
Smith throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Sanders on the side of the head.
A head kick by Sanders misses

and Smith counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Smith 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.

Smith gets to his feet - Sanders follows without any prompting.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sanders tries for a takedown but Smith circles away easily
enabling Smith to counter with a crisp jab.
Smith throws a combination. Sanders tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Sanders is rocked!
Smith circles away from the clinch attempt

and Smith counters with a takedown into side control.
Oh Sanders is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanders is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Sanders seems to have got his legs back now.

Smith swings around for an armbar but Sanders sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Smith's guard.

Smith looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Smith had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Sanders is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Smith Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Sanders's back instead.

Smith is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Smith lands shots from the back.
Sanders trying to control the hands but Smith won't let him.
Sanders is trapped and Smith is scoring with shots to the head and body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Smith. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!

Sanders showing good submission defense here.

Smith has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Smith is controlling the position but Sanders somehow manages to roll and ends up with half guard.

Smith is trying to work for a kimura but Sanders is defending well.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Smith decides to return to a standing position.
Sanders lands a head kick. Smith smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanders throws a head kick that misses

and Smith counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Smith passes the guard and advances to mount!

Smith looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Smith get's back to his feet.
Sanders missing with a left hand there. Smith was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
No joy there for Sanders, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Smith moves out of range as Sanders strikes.
A punch combination from Smith misses.
Sanders throws a lazy head kick

and Smith counters with a single leg into guard. Sanders didn't expect that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Smith is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Sanders is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Sanders has escaped and now he's on top!

Smith working for submissions but it's allowed Sanders to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sanders is working for a kimura but Smith is defending it quite comfortably.

Smith kicks Sanders off and gets back to his feet.
Sanders scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Sanders looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Sanders, right into the meat.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sanders shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Smith decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Sanders's guard.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanders is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith forces his way into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenny Smith dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Sanders scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Sanders misses with a wild body shot.
Sanders throws a right and a left that both miss.

Smith shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Sanders's guard.
Smith trying to control but Sanders is working from the bottom.

Smith is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Kenny Smith has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sanders keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.

Smith gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Smith shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Sanders is keeping the position.

Smith drops back looking for a leg! Sanders is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sanders manages to kick Smith off! Smith jumps back into Sanders's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith advances to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Smith is trying to work for a kimura but Sanders is defending well.

Smith is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Smith wants to stand but Sanders has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Smith has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sanders wants to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Smith stands up and beckons Sanders to join him on the feet.
Sanders uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Smith.
Sanders misses with a body punch

and Smith counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Smith.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Nice uppercut lands for Smith. That snapped Sanders's head back.
Earl Sanders is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Smith feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith passes Sanders's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Smith stands up out of the half guard.
Sanders throws a head kick that misses.
Sanders throws a leg kick

and Smith counters with a single leg into guard. Sanders didn't expect that.
Smith passes Sanders's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Smith is working for a submission of some sort.

Sanders looking for submissions off his back.
Smith looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanders is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Smith stands up and beckons Sanders to join him on the feet.
Smith closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sanders circles away.
Sanders lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

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

Smith manages to break the clinch.

Smith rushes Sanders and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Sanders stops a takedown attempt from Smith.
Sanders tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Smith just stands there and leans against the cage.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sanders fails with the takedown

and Smith counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Smith uses his free foot to push down on Sanders's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Sanders.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith lands with some strikes.

Smith looking for a guillotine from mount but Sanders is having none of it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith mounts Sanders! Really nice guard pass there!
Sanders is looking to improve his position but Smith isn't that keen on the idea.

Smith working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Smith looking for a guillotine from mount but Sanders is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sanders is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Smith has taken his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenny Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Sanders doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Smith cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Smith showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sanders.
Sanders steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Smith.
Sanders gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

so Smith counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Smith gets to his feet - Sanders follows without any prompting.
Sanders wants to clinch
and Smith connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sanders has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Smith finds it's way round the side to connect with Sanders's head.
Smith takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sanders throws a head kick but Smith moves out of range.
Sanders with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Smith to counter with a crisp jab.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Earl Sanders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanders lands with a kick to the temple. Smith shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sanders misses with a few strikes there.

Smith looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Sanders!

Smith get's back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith scores with a takedown into Sanders's guard.
Sanders is trying to control the position but Smith postures up.

Smith gets to his feet - Sanders follows without any prompting.
Smith jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sanders tries to score with a low kick but Smith moves his leg out of the way.

Smith darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Smith looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Smith works his way into side control.

Smith is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sanders knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Smith stands up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Sanders takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Sanders scores with a head kick.
Sanders connects with a nice looking jab.
A slapping leg kick lands for Sanders.

Smith has taken the fight to the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Sanders can't break the clinch.
The is referee keeping an eye on Sanders - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Smith works on Sanders's body with a couple of short punches.
Sanders stops a takedown attempt from Smith.
Sanders wants to break free but Smith has control.
Smith is leaning against Sanders and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Smith holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Smith working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith breaks from the clinch.
Sanders wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
Sanders ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smith moves away.
Sanders throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Sanders throws a poor cross that misses

and Smith counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Sanders is in trouble now - Smith has advanced to mount!
Sanders prevents Smith from taking his back.
Smith lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

Smith is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Sanders gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Smith counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Smith stands and steps away. Sanders gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Sanders misses with a takedown
and Smith counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith misses with a double jab
and Sanders counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Smith might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Sanders tries to clinch but Smith moves out of range.
Sanders lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Sanders lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Sanders darts in trying to clinch

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

Smith pulls guard.
Smith manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sanders manages to get himself to full guard.

Smith stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Sanders moves out of range of the body kick from Smith.
Earl Sanders has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sanders tries to clinch up
and Smith counters with a three punch combo that has Sanders backing up. Sanders nods at Smith to acknowledge the strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Smith forces Sanders back against the cage and clinches.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Smith.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenny Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Smith 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 26:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 26:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenny Smith!