PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rodney Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Erik Hiller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hiller has chosen Rush and Run - Shake and Jump as his entrance music. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Smith
vs
Hiller

173 cm
25
154 lbs
15 - 6 - 0

176 cm
27
169 lbs
8 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Aspire Clothing

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 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rodney Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Erik Hiller!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hiller wants to clinch up but Smith keeps it at a distance.
Hiller fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hiller lands a right hook to the body.
Smith takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Hiller plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Hiller.
Smith is looking to reverse the position.

Hiller stands up.
Hiller throws a head kick that misses

and Smith counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hiller slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hiller keeping full guard, as Smith tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Smith trying to control but Hiller is working from the bottom.
Smith cracks Hiller with a solid left hand.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Hiller has wrist control.
Smith works over Hiller with some ground and pound from guard.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hiller wants to sweep here but Smith controlling him for the moment.
Hiller is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Smith cracks Hiller with a solid left hand.
Smith throwing strikes from guard but Hiller blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hiller wants to stand and escape but Smith is having none of it.
Hiller is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hiller trying to strike off his back.
Smith missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Smith throwing strikes but missing.
Hiller told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Hiller is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith is looking to advance position but Hiller has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Smith tries to hold on but Hiller postures up.
Smith manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hiller stands up and beckons Smith to join him on the feet.
Nice takedown defense from Smith. No joy for Hiller on that attempt.
A head kick misses from Hiller.
Smith tries to counter by clinching up but Hiller breaks away and moves out of range.
Hiller throws a sloppy head kick and Smith moves out of range easily.
Hiller throws a right hand that Smith ducks under and follows up with a left that Smith also avoids with ease.
Hiller pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Smith wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Hiller fails with the takedown.
Rodney Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erik Hiller.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A nice left hand lands by Hiller.
Smith tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith jumps guard but Hiller turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Hiller lands a body shot.

Hiller jumps guard and drags Smith to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Smith throws an elbow that misses. Hiller uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Smith's guard. Nice move by Hiller!

Smith looking for a sweep. Not yet Smith, not yet.

Smith is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hiller defends well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Smith throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Hiller escapes and throws Smith's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Smith can't do much from the bottom here.
Smith tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erik Hiller dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hiller instigates a clinch.
Hiller tries to throw a body punch but Smith avoids it by throwing Hiller back against the cage.

Hiller breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hiller tries to bum rush Smith with a series of wild strikes but Smith uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hiller swings widly with a right hand

and Smith counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Hiller!
Erik Hiller has got the better of the ground game so far.

Hiller sneaks out the side door and pushes Smith away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

Hiller closes the distance and clinches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hiller tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Hiller has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Smith regains guard immediately.
Smith is adopting a defensive guard.
Hiller trying to control the position from guard on top but Smith is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hiller slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hiller cracks Smith with a big right hand but Smith just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Smith manages to work his way to half guard, despite Hiller's best efforts.

Hiller wants to work for an arm triangle but Smith is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Hiller keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Smith looking for submissions off his back.
Hiller passes the guard and advances to mount!
Hiller pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Smith really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Hiller has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hiller tries to control but Smith wriggling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hiller prevents Smith from getting the reversal.
Hiller wants to control the pace but Smith is squirming around nicely.
Hiller is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Smith can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Hiller prevents Smith from getting the reversal.
Hiller sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Hiller pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hiller with good strikes from the mount here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith is in all sorts of trouble here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith regains half guard.
Hiller controlling the action here.
Smith is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hiller's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hiller's back!

Hiller preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Smith.
Hiller manages to reverse the position and now he's in Smith's guard. Nice work there by Hiller.

Smith had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hiller defends it easily.
Hiller's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Hiller won't allow Smith to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hiller wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.

Smith looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hiller wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.
Hiller landing some decent shots from guard.

Smith working for a triangle but Hiller defends it easily.
Hiller trying to stand up but can't free himself from Smith's guard.

Smith escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hiller gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Smith managing to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erik Hiller 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. And we move into the final round!

Hiller fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hiller throws a body shot but no joy.
Smith seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Hiller shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Smith bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Smith looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Hiller is avoiding damage well.
Hiller is looking to reverse the position.
Smith working the ground and pound but Hiller is defending the strikes.

Smith swings around for an armbar but Hiller sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Smith's guard.
Hiller won't allow Smith to sweep him here.

Smith pushes a forearm under Hiller's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Hiller is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rodney Smith!
Rodney Smith took his opportunity to call for a title shot in his post fight interview.