PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Don Simon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Booker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Michael Booker is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Simon
vs
Booker

163 cm
25
142 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

160 cm
19
135 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Don Simon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Michael Booker!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Tarja Halkonen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Booker has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Simon finds it's way round the side to connect with Booker's head.
Simon throws a low kick but it's checked well by Booker.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Simon. Booker shrugs it off though.
Booker takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Simon gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Booker to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Simon looking to control.

Booker is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Booker wants to pass the guard but Simon is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simon is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Booker stopping the sweep attempt from Simon.
Simon trying to control the position.
Booker is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Simon cracks Booker with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Simon lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

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.
Simon lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Booker backs up against the cage.
Simon throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Simon throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Booker.
Simon scores with a jab to the head.
Booker shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Simon defends it nicely.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Booker checks a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Booker fails with a takedown attempt.
Booker keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Simon scores with a jab.
Simon jabs Booker right on the nose. Booker blinks but takes it well.
Simon keeps Booker at a distance using the push kick.
Booker tries to clinch up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simon avoids a punch combination nicely.
Simon slaps away a takedown attempt from Booker, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Don Simon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Booker.
Simon fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Booker looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Booker takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Simon's corner calls for a 1-2. Simon obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Booker on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Simon. Simon obviously looking to wear him down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Don Simon dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Booker is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Simon.
Simon misses with the combination.
Booker takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Don Simon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Simon pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Simon scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Booker tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Simon swivels and escapes.
Simon throws a push kick but Booker slaps the foot to one side.
Some wild striking there from Simon.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simon throws a head kick but Booker moves out of range.
Booker shoots for a takedown but Simon saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Simon scores with a nice head shot.
Simon jabs at Booker's body.
Simon moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Simon stuffs the takedown.
Don Simon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Booker.
Good exchange - Simon coming out on top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simon takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Booker shoots in but no luck this time.
Simon fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Simon throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Simon lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Booker takes one to the chin there.
Simon throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Simon lands a nice looking body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Booker dives in and grabs Simon's left leg, looking for a takedown. Simon pushes down on Booker's head and hops out.
Simon feints and then cracks Booker's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Booker down.
Simon sizes up Booker with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Simon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Booker moves away.
Booker looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Simon is fending him off so far but Booker persists. Nope, Simon circles away and we're back to standing.
Booker shoots for a takedown but Simon saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Simon misses with a wild combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Simon circles away from the clinch attempt.
Simon scoring well with a low kick there.

Booker bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Simon throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Booker takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Simon throws a right hand that Booker ducks under and follows up with a left that Booker also avoids with ease.
Simon looking to land some kicks to the body here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Don Simon dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

A head kick misses from Simon.
Simon lands a jab-cross combination.

Booker closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
You can see the frustration on Simon's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Simon is pushing Booker's head away, looking to escape. Booker manages to hold on to the position though.
Simon is looking for a sweep.
Booker wants to control but Simon is keeping him busy.
Simon is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Booker's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Booker stops Simon from getting back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simon trying to control from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Simon misses with a double jab.
Simon paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Booker steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Simon.
Simon displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Booker.
Simon connects with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Simon lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Booker at a distance.
Booker closes the distance and clinches up with Simon, looking for a takedown. Booker pushes Simon against the cage but Simon circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Simon swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A left and a right from Simon both land. Nice combination.
Simon lands a lovely overhand right.
Simon swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Booker will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Don Simon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Booker.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Simon does no damage.
Simon throws a head kick that misses.
Booker fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Simon avoids it really well and circles away.
Simon looks to score with a jab to the body but Booker is just out of range.
Booker has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Booker keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Booker on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Simon connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Simon scores with a three punch combo!
Simon connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Booker takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Simon looks to land a combination. Booker sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Simon just misses with a punch to the body.
Michael Booker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Don Simon is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Booker misses with a body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Don Simon showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Simon, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Don Simon!