PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paulo Luciano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smith comes to the cage accompanied by Face the Pain. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Paulo Luciano was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Smith
vs
Luciano

194 cm
20
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

188 cm
22
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ryan Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Paulo Luciano!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Gwen Towbar and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Smith. No joy for Luciano on that attempt.

Smith has closed the distance and engaged Luciano in a clinch.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
Smith misses with a wild combination.
Luciano shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Smith as he avoids it easily.
Ryan Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith misses with a body shot.
Smith looks to land a body kick but Luciano moved away.
Luciano uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
Smith will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Smith throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith throws a right and a left that both miss.
Luciano shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Smith but Smith pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ryan Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paulo Luciano.
Smith lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Luciano circles away from the clinch attempt.
Luciano fails with a takedown attempt.
Smith will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Smith throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Smith misses with a wild combination.
A punch combination from Smith misses.
Smith throws a right hand that Luciano ducks under and follows up with a left that Luciano also avoids with ease.
Horrible takedown by Luciano or perhaps it was just good defense by Smith which made him look bad.
A chopping leg kick lands by Smith.
Luciano looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Smith is fending him off so far but Luciano persists. Nope, Smith circles away and we're back to standing.
Smith throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A slapping body kick lands there for Smith.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Smith keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Smith is trying to control the action in half guard but Luciano is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
It looks like Smith is going to stand back up.
Luciano makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Luciano.
Smith is breathing heavily.
Smith won't allow Luciano to sweep him here.
Smith has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Smith avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Smith controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Luciano working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Smith doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Smith manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Luciano working for submissions but it's allowed Smith to get to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Luciano wants to get back to full guard.
Smith wants to stand up but Luciano is controlling the position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Smith in particular looking to stall.
Smith seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Luciano for as long as he can get away with.
Smith tries to stand and escape but Luciano is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Smith dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Smith swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Luciano shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Smith counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Luciano's guard now.

Luciano has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Smith can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Luciano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith tries to free his leg and advance position but Luciano is retaining full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Luciano is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Luciano looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Smith has picked Luciano up and slammed him! Luciano can't keep hold of the triangle and Smith manages to pass to side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Smith scores with punches from side control.
Smith wants to control but Luciano is keeping him busy.
Smith taking a breather here.
Luciano manages to get back to half guard.
Luciano trying to get back to full guard but Smith takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Luciano is trying desperately to improve position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Smith wants to control the pace but Luciano is squirming around nicely.
Luciano is wriggling around trying to escape.
Luciano manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Luciano wants to control but Smith is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The fighters are battling for position here. Luciano manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Luciano is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Luciano has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Smith can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Smith trying to control but Luciano is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to free his leg and advance position but Luciano is retaining full guard.

Luciano is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Luciano escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Smith gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Luciano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Smith won't allow Luciano to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith trying to stand up but can't free himself from Luciano's guard.

Luciano looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Luciano is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Luciano swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Paulo Luciano has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Luciano is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a tringle but Smith frees his head nicely. Oh but Luciano has switched to an armbar! Smith is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Paulo Luciano!