PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Lester Limbaugh (ranked 1282 p4p, 1141 weight class) and Richie Simpson (ranked 152 p4p, 133 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Limbaugh
vs
Simpson

172 cm
29
148
9 - 5 - 0

180 cm
30
154
17 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Arcticus University: London

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 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lester Limbaugh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Richie Simpson!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Stewart Dunkirk and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Limbaugh throws a leg kick but Simpson moved away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Simpson! But no joy.
Limbaugh keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jab from Limbaugh.
Limbaugh with a poor takedown
and Simpson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Simpson misses with a body shot.
Limbaugh fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Simpson is out of range.
Simpson misses with a straight right.
Limbaugh thumps Simpson with a low kick.
Limbaugh throws a looping overhand right but Simpson ducks down to avoid it.
Limbaugh slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
We've been told by Limbaugh's head coaches at Dark Horse MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simpson scores with a jab to the jaw.
Lester Limbaugh seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice uppercut there from Limbaugh.
Limbaugh staying out of range there.
Limbaugh misses with a straight right.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Limbaugh's corner calls for a 1-2. Limbaugh obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Limbaugh throws a low kick but it's checked well by Simpson.
Simpson throws out a counter right but Limbaugh avoids it with no problem.
Limbaugh throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
An inside leg kick from Limbaugh misses.
Simpson throws a jab but it's blocked by Limbaugh.
Simpson avoids the body shot from Limbaugh.
It seemed like Simpson was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Limbaugh has Simpson up against the cage in a clinch.
Simpson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Simpson stops a takedown attempt from Limbaugh.
Simpson prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lester Limbaugh. That's going to take a lot out of him.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Simpson.
Simpson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Simpson gets underhooks to prevent Limbaugh's takedown attempt.
Simpson throws a punch but it's blocked by Limbaugh.
Simpson misses with a short punch on the inside.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Limbaugh takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Simpson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Simpson misses with a straight right.
Limbaugh lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Simpson circles away quickly and effectively.
Simpson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Limbaugh finds it's way round the side to connect with Simpson's head.

Simpson gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Limbaugh to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Limbaugh stops Simpson from standing up.
Limbaugh throwing strikes but missing.
Limbaugh is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Simpson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Limbaugh advances to half guard.

Limbaugh is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Simpson sees it coming and defends easily.
Limbaugh is taking a breather. Simpson says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Simpson trying to control here.
Simpson is not content to let Limbaugh control the position.

Limbaugh looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Simpson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Limbaugh. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Simpson is refusing to be controlled, as Limbaugh sits in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Limbaugh is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Limbaugh trying to control from half guard but Simpson is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lester Limbaugh dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Limbaugh tries to close the distance and clinch up but Simpson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Simpson throws out a counter right but Limbaugh avoids it with no problem.
Limbaugh fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Simpson manages to avoid it.
Limbaugh does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Limbaugh closes the distance and clinches up with Simpson, looking for a takedown. Limbaugh pushes Simpson against the cage but Simpson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Simpson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Limbaugh!
Simpson throws a hook but Limbaugh avoids it easily.
Limbaugh throws a series of punches but Simpson moves out of range.
Limbaugh fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Simpson manages to avoid it.
Simpson looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Lester Limbaugh is winning the standup battle so far.
A jab from Limbaugh does it's job there.
Limbaugh tries to close the distance and clinch up but Simpson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simpson looks to throw the jab but Limbaugh is out of range.
Limbaugh throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Limbaugh tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Simpson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Simpson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Simpson moves out of range of the leg kick from Limbaugh.
Simpson looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simpson misses with a hook.
Simpson misses with a looping right.
Limbaugh bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Simpson's head backwards.
Limbaugh tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nice uppercut lands for Limbaugh. That snapped Simpson's head back.
A lazy body kick from Limbaugh
and Simpson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Limbaugh throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A little jabbing left from Simpson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Limbaugh misses with the combination.
That kick from Limbaugh tenderised Simpson's leg. Simpson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Richie Simpson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Limbaugh dives in and grabs Simpson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Simpson pushes down on Limbaugh's head and hops out.
Simpson throws out a counter right but Limbaugh avoids it with no problem.
Simpson misses with a hook
and Limbaugh connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simpson throws out a loose jab but Limbaugh uses good head movement to avoid it.
Simpson blocks a head kick by Limbaugh.
Limbaugh thows a leg kick but Simpson checks it
and Simpson counters with a stiff right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Limbaugh goes for a double leg but Simpson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Simpson continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lester Limbaugh. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Limbaugh lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Limbaugh fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Limbaugh fails with the takedown
and Simpson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Limbaugh slips a straight right by Simpson.
Limbaugh is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Simpson can do to turn this around?
Simpson misses with a lunging right hand
and Limbaugh counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Simpson takes a swing at Limbaugh's ribcage but misses.
Limbaugh throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Simpson throws a hook but Limbaugh blocks it.
The fighters circling - Limbaugh throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Limbaugh misses the target.
Limbaugh misses the body punch
and Simpson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Limbaugh ducks under a wild hook from Simpson.
Limbaugh shoots in for a double leg but Simpson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
It seemed like Simpson was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Simpson tries to keep at a distance but Limbaugh has taken the fight into the clinch.
Simpson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Limbaugh's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Simpson throws a head punch that misses.
Simpson lands a body punch in the clinch.
Limbaugh swings wildly with an uppercut but Simpson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Simpson lands with a left to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Simpson.
Simpson lands a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simpson lands with a left to the head.
Limbaugh misses with some punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Limbaugh misses with an elbow strike.
Simpson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Limbaugh backwards.
Simpson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Limbaugh lands a shoulder strike.
Richie Simpson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Limbaugh breaks the clinch.
Limbaugh throws a chopping leg kick but Simpson manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Simpson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Simpson might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Good leg kick by Limbaugh.
Limbaugh connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Limbaugh throws a low kick but Simpson avoids it.
Limbaugh fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Limbaugh throws an off balance right hand
and Simpson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Limbaugh smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Simpson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Limbaugh sees it coming and avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Lester Limbaugh will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Limbaugh moves out of range as Simpson strikes.
Limbaugh shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Simpson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Limbaugh fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Limbaugh gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Limbaugh lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Simpson circles away quickly and effectively.
Limbaugh slips a straight right by Simpson.
Simpson staying out of range there.
Simpson lands a really nice looking cross but Limbaugh seems unphased.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simpson gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Limbaugh.
Limbaugh misses with an attempted mid kick.
Limbaugh looks to throw the jab but Simpson is out of range.
Simpson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Simpson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Limbaugh misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Limbaugh throws a sloppy body shot
and Simpson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Limbaugh throws a sloppy head kick
and Simpson counters with a straight right hand.
Limbaugh misses with an uppercut
and Simpson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Limbaugh on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Limbaugh is rocked!
A cross from Limbaugh lands.
Simpson throws a lazy right hand but Limbaugh sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Simpson circles away from the clinch attempt
and Simpson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Limbaugh uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Simpson.
Simpson moves out of range as Limbaugh strikes.
A countering left hand to the body from Simpson misses.
Limbaugh throws a body punch but Simpson moves out of range.
Richie Simpson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Limbaugh misses with a leg kick
and Simpson counters with a nice uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Some wild striking there from Limbaugh.
Sloppy strikes from Limbaugh. Those never looked like landing.
Simpson takes one to the side of the head.
Limbaugh moves away from the strike by Simpson.
Limbaugh appears to be looking for a big counter.
Simpson staying out of range there.
Limbaugh fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Limbaugh defending well as Simpson loads up on a big left hand.
Simpson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Limbaugh tries to score with a low kick but Simpson moves his leg out of the way.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simpson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Limbaugh.
Simpson lunges at Limbaugh with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Limbaugh's hand.
A low kick from Limbaugh is predictable there

and Simpson counters with a crisp right hand that drops Limbaugh! Simpson lets Limbaugh back up to his feet, looking for a finish!
Oh Limbaugh is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Limbaugh looks to clinch
and Simpson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A big right from Limbaugh misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Limbaugh defending well as Simpson loads up on a big left hand.
Simpson takes one on the button.
Limbaugh seems to have got his legs back now.
Simpson throws a right hand that misses
and Limbaugh counters with a nice uppercut.
Simpson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Limbaugh throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Simpson's waist but Simpson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Limbaugh off to one side.
Simpson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lester Limbaugh. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Limbaugh darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Simpson is refusing to be controlled, as Limbaugh sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Simpson actively working from the bottom here.
Limbaugh stalling.
Simpson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Limbaugh scores with a couple of nice shots.
Lester Limbaugh is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Limbaugh is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Simpson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Richie Simpson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Limbaugh 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lester Limbaugh!
Lester Limbaugh gave a mention to UnderGround Supplements in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).