PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Neves (ranked 764 p4p, 101 weight class) and James Smith (ranked 1764 p4p, 210 weight class). Neves comes into the arena with Emicida - Sorriso Favela blaring out of the sound system. Thiago Neves had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Neves
vs
Smith

165 cm
28
158 lbs
13 - 3 - 0

176 cm
28
164 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Dark Knight Nutrition
FIGHTSPORT Apparel™

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 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Thiago Neves!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Smith!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Topper Green and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Smith, as that shot connected.
Neves is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Smith looks to throw the jab but Neves is out of range.
Smith lands a nice shot that snaps Neves's head back.
Neves tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Smith counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Smith tries to bum rush Neves with a series of wild strikes but Neves uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Neves instigates a clinch.

Neves decides to pull guard.

Neves 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.

Neves has his foot on Smith's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Smith works his way back into a safe position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Neves looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Smith postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Neves had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Smith defends it easily.
Smith lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Smith with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Smith works over Neves with some ground and pound from guard.
Smith is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Smith working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Neves's head.
Smith looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Neves had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Smith defends it easily.
Smith trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Neves had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Smith defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Neves is looking for a sweep.
Neves is not content to let Smith control the position.
Smith lands a nice forearm strike.
Neves struggling a bit here.
Neves is looking for a sweep.
Smith scores with punches from side control.
Neves tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Smith wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Neves struggling a bit here.
Neves tries to bench press Smith off him but Smith keeps the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neves is working hard here to advance position.
Smith working away.
Smith working the ground and pound.
Smith grinds an elbow into Neves's temple.
Neves wants to control but Smith postures up.
Smith controlling the position.
Smith is chipping away with strikes.
Smith lands an elbow.
Smith working the head and body with strikes.
Smith working the head and body with strikes.

Neves is rocked!
Neves gets back to half guard.
Smith lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Neves actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Oh Neves is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Smith drops an elbow to the side of Neves's head.
Smith lands a massive shot from half guard that has rocked Neves! More strikes land and this one is all over! Smith jumps to his feet and is applauded loudly by the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:32 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). James Smith!