PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Eksem Von Ketler (ranked 1920 p4p, 202 weight class) and Rodney Smith (ranked 2988 p4p, 288 weight class). Von Ketler comes to the cage accompanied by Bonecracker- Shocore. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Von Ketler
vs
Smith

166 cm
32
153 lbs
23 - 13 - 0

173 cm
32
148 lbs
19 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Great elbows
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Eksem Von Ketler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rodney Smith!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Saam Ante and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Von Ketler fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Smith to the ground. Von Ketler is now in Smith's guard.
Smith keeping moving, preventing Von Ketler from controlling successfully.

Smith has his foot on Von Ketler's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Von Ketler works his way back into a safe position though.

Smith has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Von Ketler can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Von Ketler throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Smith works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Von Ketler preventing the sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Von Ketler controlling from the top position.
Von Ketler has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Smith looking for subs off his back but Von Ketler has passed one foot through into half guard.
Von Ketler drops an elbow to the side of Smith's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Von Ketler lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Von Ketler looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Smith with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Smith is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Von Ketler winds up and cracks Smith with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Smith looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Smith on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Von Ketler is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Smith doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Von Ketler.
Smith has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Von Ketler is working away from the top position though.

Smith looking for submissions off his back.
Von Ketler takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Von Ketler is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Smith has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to get to full guard but Von Ketler has control of the leg.
Von Ketler seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Smith looking for submissions off his back.
Smith trying to control from the bottom.
Von Ketler trying to control from half guard but Smith is working away.
Von Ketler lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Von Ketler looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Smith looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Von Ketler lands a nice short elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith is looking to improve his position.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Von Ketler working Smith over with strikes.
Von Ketler lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Smith has hold of Von Ketler's hands but Von Ketler slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Smith is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Von Ketler working over Smith with some ground and pound. Smith looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Smith is rocked!
Von Ketler is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Smith is still in real trouble! Can Von Ketler finish him?
Smith is not content to let Von Ketler control the position.
Von Ketler working the head and body with strikes.

Smith looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Smith trying to hold on to Von Ketler's head to control him but Von Ketler postures up.
Smith is trying to get back to full guard.
Smith is trying to maintain the position but Von Ketler is very close to passing his half guard.

Smith looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Smith seems to have recovered his senses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Von Ketler passes to full mount!
Von Ketler looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Von Ketler lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith is desperately trying to improve his position but Von Ketler has a good base and remains in mount.
Smith wants to hold on but Von Ketler pushes him away.
Von Ketler postures up and throws a couple of big shots that have Smith in real trouble here! The ref calls for Smith to improve his position which he doesn't do, so the referee has no choice but to end the fight due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Eksem Von Ketler!
Eksem Von Ketler managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Sin City Allstars, into his post fight interview.
In defeat, Rodney Smith stepped up to the mic, saying 'I would like a rematch. I messed up the flight times getting here and I think that played a factor in my performance.'.