No images? Click here
BEHIND-THE-SCENES SPOTLIGHT: PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS LEAGUE
From ROOSTER to ringside: A firsthand look at SMT's PFL operations
Thanks to Nicole Walker, SMT Marketing Content Manager, for this report and photos. Thanks to SMT Video Editor Shaun Bales for the highlight reel.
Even if you don’t follow the PFL (Professional Fighters League), you probably know that SMT has partnered with the league for almost a decade, helping them push the boundaries of the fan experience in some really exciting ways.
Our partnership began in 2018, when SMT introduced scoring to the league and powered the first-ever SmartCage—a unique system new to mixed martial arts that used SMT sensors to deliver real-time biometric and positional data.
Over the years, we expanded our technology to include kick and strike speed, strike counts, fighter tracker, Fighter Performance Rating (FPR) and the GOTO Betting Board.
While PFL’s budget cuts have shifted the scope of our products and services in recent years, our 2025 deliverables still showcase SMT's innovative approach to MMA, including FPR, punch stats, our SportsCG graphics publishing system, a stats prompter and the ringside clock.
Nicole Walker, left, works onsite at an NASCAR event.
Much of this work happens remotely from ROOSTER, SMT’s Durham-based production studio. That’s where a team of seven operators—including four font operators, one stats operator, and two FPR/stats operators—input stats and graphics for the show. A PFL font coordinator is sent by the league, working closely with the producer and director to sell the right graphics at key moments.
SMT intern Zach Wilson, left, and SMT Remote Ops II Kyle Henn in front of the cage in Charlotte. Kyle serves as Tech Manager at each event location, ensuring the hardware runs smoothly and keeping the remote team in sync with the production crew.
Since we didn’t have an SMT operator working ringside, I spent most of my time in the production truck, but I made sure to step inside the arena to watch a fight up close and experience that live energy.
Last Friday, Nicole met with Kyle onsite in Charlotte for PFL 9 to learn how his responsibilities differ from those of the ROOSTER team, as well as how the hardware in the truck powers the stats, graphics and clock that are essential for both the in-venue and broadcast experience.
Kyle walks through his setup, explaining each piece he monitors during the show. From the bugs, fonts, feeds and stats to the ringside clock, he explains how every element works together to produce the graphics and enhancements that are essential in telling the stories of the fights that make PFL so thrilling to watch.
In 2024, while capturing content in ROOSTER during the 2024 regular season opener, I was amazed by how locked-in the operators were—some with headsets on inputting stats and scores, others clicking through screens to track distance around the cage. Their intensity and focus was palpable, even as they worked remotely without the benefit of being onsite and feeling that same adrenaline.
Moving from the truck to the ring and comparing it to what I’d experienced in ROOSTER gave me a much clearer picture of how everything comes together. It was a valuable experience that sparked new ideas for how we can showcase SMT’s technology and expertise across our marketing channels. As we’re seeing a shift from photo to video content, my goal is to find more creative ways to share SMT's stories, whether through our website, social media channels or in our newsletters.
SMT’s Isaac Wesley using a controller to input scoring from ROOSTER last season.
Timeline: SMT & PFL Innovation
2018 – SmartCage™ Debut
SMT introduced scoring to the PFL and powered the first-ever SmartCage™, using SMT sensors to deliver real-time positional data.
2019 – Live Punch Speed Tracking
SMT developed sensors embedded in gloves to measure and transmit live punch speeds to 16 readers around and under the cage, laying the foundation for advanced fighter tracking.
2020 – Cagenomics™ Expansion
Fighter tracking data expanded to include kick speed, power ratings, heart rate, and energy exerted. Stats were displayed on commentator prompters and integrated into on-air graphics.
2021 – Fighter Performance Rating (FPR)
A new metric showing fans how rounds are won or lost based on weighted stats collected live. Relayed from SMT’s Durham-based ROOSTER studio and integrated into on-air graphics.
2021 – OASIS Platform Integration
SMT’s OASIS Platform combined live scoring with biometric and positional data, powering deeper storytelling and graphics across regular season, playoffs, and championships.
2021 – Kick Speed Tracking (Beta)
Using overhead optical tracking cameras, SMT debuted the first MMA kick-speed metric—calculated frame by frame and primarily used on replays.
2022 – GOTO Betting Board
Developed in partnership with PFL production leadership, SMT created a live, data-driven betting board delivering constant real-time odds and wagering info to fans.
2023 – Graphics Refresh & Punch Speed Sensor Upgrade
SMT implemented a new graphics package in POP SportsCG, including an updated in-fight stats bar and redesigned inserts. At the same time, new two-way RF punch speed sensors were launched, improving accuracy and reliability while reducing size and battery needs.
2024 – Comprehensive Services Package
SMT delivered a full suite of production systems, including:
Graphics: SportsCG with multiple channels for bug/scorebar, inserts, world feed, and international feeds.
Scoring: Strike-Stat System (tracking strikes, knockdowns, submissions, control time, etc.), GEM Stat admin tool, and ringside clock.
Fighter Tracking (Cagenomics™): Punch speed, kick speed, and fighter location tracking with distance traveled and ring control metrics.
Talent Support: Commentator information screens, telestration tools, and interactive GOTO betting.
Operational Support: Onsite production truck setup plus ROOSTER remote operation from Durham HQ.
2025 – Streamlined Deliverables
With shifting budgets, SMT continues to provide PFL with core services including FPR, punch stats, SportsCG graphics, stats prompters, and ringside clock operations.
IN THE NEWS: CINCINNATI OPEN
SMT powered the 28-foot LED display inside the Cincinnati Open’s new fan plaza.
SMT expands LED display presence at Cincy Open
By Rob Schaefer, SportsBusinessJournal
08.11.2025
SMT, in its 36th year as a technology services provider of the Cincinnati Open, has expanded its presence at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in the wake of the recently completed $260M infrastructure upgrades to the grounds.
New for 2025, SMT is powering a new 28-foot video board in the tennis center’s fan pavilion; has lifted its overall number of LED displays on-site to 101 (up from 81 in last year); expanded its serve speed display systems to cover every competition court; and increased its number of practice court displays to cover every practice court.
In all, SMT, which works with 40+ ATP/WTA Tour events, is responsible for more than 9,000 square feet of LED displays and 44 million pixels on-site.
“[The focus for 2025] was really establishing a number of screens for us to help educate and inform fans in an entertaining way in specific locations,” SMT Senior Business Development Manager Stephen Kemper told SBJ. “Really, this is establishing the base of what fans can expect for years to come.”
Upon signing a four-year renewal with the tournament that starts this year, SMT also invested in a new, 600-square-foot production studio under the Cincinnati Open’s Grandstand court, Kemper added. From this space, SMT will remotely produce content programmed for screens inside all of the tennis center’s courts except for P&G Center Court.
SMT also handles scoring/data distribution and serve clock displays for the tournament. Coming out of 2025, Kemper said he and Cincinnati Open COO Jansen Dell will discuss further ways SMT can enhance the fan experience on the grounds.
SMT invested in a 600-square-foot production studio under the Grandstand court.
NOMINATE A COLLEAGUE (OR YOURSELF!)
Click here to anonymously nominate someone to be featured in Talent Spotlight!
Events and Remote Teams
We are staffing 32 events this week. Safe travels to all!
Content in Oculus is proprietary and should not be shared outside of SMT without permission.