PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Maurice Smith (ranked 6264 p4p, 518 weight class) and Jose Arroya Ramirez (ranked 23801 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Smith
vs
Arroya Ramirez

175 cm
22
160 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

178 cm
27
158 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Maurice Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jose Arroya Ramirez!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, John Roberts and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith misses with a series of wild punches.
Smith throws a nice looking combination but Ramirez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ramirez tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Smith defends well and Ramirez ends up having to push Smith into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Ramirez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Smith.
It seemed like Ramirez was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Smith looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Smith throws a body shot but no joy.
Ramirez shoots in for a takedown but Smith shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Maurice Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Decent striking displayed by Smith there.
Smith misses with a jab to the body
and Ramirez cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Smith connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Smith fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ramirez looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Smith leaves Ramirez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Maurice Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Arroya Ramirez.

Smith clinches up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith lands with a left to the head.
Smith leaning against his opponent.
Ramirez taking a breather.
Ramirez wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Smith has him pressed against the cage.
Smith lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Smith digs a right hand underneath Ramirez's ribcage. Ramirez let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A body shot lands from Smith.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Smith displaying some good clinch control by pressing Ramirez up against the cage.
Smith lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Ramirez tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ramirez tries to break the clinch but Smith is controlling the position.
Smith tries to throw a body punch but Ramirez avoids it by throwing Smith back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez working hard to break the clinch.
Nice body punch from Smith - that landed with a thud.
Smith lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ramirez is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Smith to keep the fight standing.
Ramirez is trying to break the clinch but Smith has him pressed against the cage.
Smith lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Smith lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Smith lands a nice uppercut.
Smith misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smith doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ramirez lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ramirez being controlled against the cage.
Smith has Ramirez pushed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Smith.
Smith doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Ramirez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Maurice Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Smith throws a right hand that Ramirez ducks under and follows up with a left that Ramirez also avoids with ease.
Smith swings for the body but Ramirez moves out of range.
A head kick by Ramirez misses
and Smith counters with a nice uppercut.

Smith moves into the clinch successfully.
Smith struggles to land a body shot inside as Ramirez controls his hands.
Smith manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Come on Smith - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Smith lands a left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Smith pressing his opponent against the cage.
Smith stalling against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Maurice Smith.
Smith lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ramirez circles away quickly and effectively.

Smith moves into the clinch.
Ramirez is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Smith.
Smith blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Smith stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Ramirez goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maurice Smith dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Smith closes the distance and pushes Ramirez back into the cage.
Ramirez prevents a body shot from Smith.
Ramirez is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Smith is defending well.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Smith.
Ramirez takes a shot to the head.
Smith digs a right hand underneath Ramirez's ribcage. Ramirez let out a lung full of air as it connected.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Smith takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Ramirez is trying to break the clinch but Smith has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ramirez is trying to pull guard but Smith turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Ramirez can't break the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Smith is stalling here.
Smith gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is pushing Ramirez up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Smith lands a right hand.
Ramirez is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Smith gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Maurice Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Arroya Ramirez.
Ramirez is trying to force a seperation but Smith has the dominant position.
Smith lands a body shot.
Smith pressing his opponent against the cage.
Ramirez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Smith fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Nice uppercut there from Smith.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ramirez feints the counter takedown.
Smith throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ramirez.
Ramirez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Smith has managed to clinch.
Smith dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Smith is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ramirez can do to turn this around?
Ramirez takes a shot to the head.
Smith lands a left hand.
Smith has Ramirez pressed against the cage, preventing Ramirez from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Smith lands a body punch.
Smith lands a hook to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ramirez jumps guard but Smith stands there with Ramirez around his waist. Ramirez gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Smith misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Smith lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Smith works on Ramirez's body with a couple of short punches.
Smith stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Smith lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Smith lands a shoulder strike.
Smith tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ramirez takes a shot to the head.
Smith digs a right hand into Ramirez's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ramirez's gas tank.
Ramirez missing with knees to the body.
Ramirez is trying to force a seperation but Smith has the dominant position.
Smith lands a shoulder strike.
Ramirez being controlled against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ramirez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Jab from Smith.
Smith fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ramirez goes for a takedown in the clinch but Smith prevents it.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Smith as Ramirez tries to tie him up.
Smith is leaning against Ramirez and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Smith controlling the action here for a moment.
Ramirez is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Smith to keep the fight standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maurice Smith dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Smith has closed the distance and engaged Ramirez in a clinch.
Ramirez tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Smith smiles and moves away.
Smith misses with a body punch
and Ramirez finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.

Smith moves into the clinch.
A short uppercut from Smith.
Smith stalling in the clinch.
Smith prevents a takedown attempt there.
Ramirez is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Smith is keeping busy.
A shot in the inside from Smith.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A short right from Smith on the inside.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Smith lands a hook that snaps the head of Ramirez backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ramirez has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Smith avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Maurice Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Arroya Ramirez.
Smith working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The referee is keeping an eye on Smith - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Smith tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ramirez's elbow.
Smith lands an uppercut.
Smith working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Smith lands a shot to the body.
Smith misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Maurice Smith has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Smith stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Ramirez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez prevents a body shot from Smith.
Smith lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ramirez backwards.
Smith taking a breather.
Ramirez is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Smith is pressed up against the cage. Ramirez has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Smith down to the mat. Smith avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Smith stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Smith wants it to stay on the feet.

Smith has Ramirez up against the cage in a clinch.
Smith digs a right hand into Ramirez's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ramirez's gas tank.
Ramirez tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Smith just stands there and leans against the cage.
Smith gets through Ramirez's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez wants to break the clinch but can't.
A frustrated look appears on Ramirez's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Smith throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ramirezs head.
Smith lands with a right to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Smith.
Smith lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A right hand to the body from Smith.
Smith softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Smith slows down the pace here.
Smith pressing his opponent against the cage.
Smith blocks the elbow strike.
Maurice Smith is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith avoiding damage.
Smith presses Ramirez against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A body shot lands from Smith.
Smith throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A short right from Smith.
Ramirez misses with the head strike.
Smith lands an uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smith tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Smith just leaning against Ramirez, taking a breather.
Smith avoiding damage.
Ramirez has had enough of the clinch but Smith keeps him there for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maurice Smith showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Smith has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 30:25
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:25
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:25

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