PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Danny Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Pearce (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pearce has chosen Enter Sandman (Metallica) as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Michael Pearce is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Smith
vs
Pearce

188 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
200 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Danny Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Michael Pearce!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Colin Fotheringham and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pearce moves into the clinch.
Pearce looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

Smith successfully pulls guard.
Smith looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith is pulling down on Pearce's head. It's preventing any offense from Pearce, at least for the moment.
Smith is trying to keep Pearce in close.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Pearce postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith wants to sweep here but Pearce controlling him for the moment.
Smith is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Smith looking for a sweep. Not yet Smith, not yet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Pearce keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Smith.
Pearce has his takedown stuffed

and Smith counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Smith seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Smith is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Smith wants to take a breather but Pearce is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith not doing much here.
Smith moves nicely into side control.
Smith tries to advance to mount but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Smith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pearce keeps working.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Smith looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Smith scores with a leg kick.
Michael Pearce seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Pearce counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Pearce.
Pearce trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Smith not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Pearce is breathing heavily.
Smith is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Smith lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Pearce!

That's one minute gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Pearce defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Smith.
Smith sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Danny Smith just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Pearce.

Smith fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Pearce, pushing him back against the cage.
Smith wants a takedown.
Pearce lands a shot to the body.
Pearce jumps guard but Smith stands there with Pearce around his waist. Pearce gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Pearce breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries for a takedown but Pearce circles away easily

and Pearce counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Pearce.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Danny Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pearce postures up.
Pearce showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Smith looking to control but Pearce passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Smith is trying to control the position but Pearce postures up.
Smith controlling Pearce's posture.
Smith working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Pearce 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. This is the final round!

Smith with a lazy takedown attempt

and Pearce counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Pearce.
Smith controls Pearce momentarily but Pearce frees himself.
Smith is controlling Pearce's posture.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Danny Smith just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Smith will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Smith throws a nice inside leg kick.
Pearce takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Smith tries to clinch but Pearce moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Smith looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Smith closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith stalling in the clinch but Pearce improves position.
Pearce fails to pull guard.

Pearce breaks from the clinch.
Pearce keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Danny Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith fails to land the takedown.
Pearce circles away from the clinch attempt.
Danny Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smith tries for a takedown but Pearce sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Smith closes this distance looking for a takedown but Pearce circles away.
Smith tries to clinch up but Pearce circles away and keeps his distance.
Pearce takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Horrible takedown by Smith or perhaps it was just good defense by Pearce which made him look bad.
Smith looks frusrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Smith shoots in but Pearce avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Pearce misses with the body kick

and Smith counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Still in half guard, Smith seems content to control.
Smith has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Smith trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith stands up from mount. Strange move.
Smith shoots in for a takedown but Pearce shows good takedown defense.

Smith scores with a takedown into Pearce's guard.
Pearce keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pearce punching from the bottom - just letting Smith know he's still in a fight.
Smith is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Danny Smith.
I think Smith has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:28

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