PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gunner Simpson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thabiso Rowan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Simpson comes to the cage accompanied by Forgotten. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Thabiso Rowan was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Simpson
vs
Rowan

191 cm
27
195 lbs
8 - 6 - 1

180 cm
29
193 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Gunner Simpson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Thabiso Rowan!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rowan closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Simpson to the mat! Simpson manages to get full guard.
Simpson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Rowan controls the pace.
Rowan must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Rowan lands a couple of elbows.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rowan throwing strikes from guard but Simpson blocks nicely.

Simpson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rowan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rowan trying to control but Simpson is working from the bottom.

Simpson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rowan doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rowan manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rowan thows a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rowan throwing strikes from guard but Simpson blocks nicely.
Simpson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rowan.
Simpson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rowan really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Simpson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Simpson throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Rowan scoring with punches to the head and body.
Simpson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rowan is one step ahead there.

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.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rowan lands a couple of digs.
Simpson trying to control the position.
Rowan working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Simpson's head.
Rowan trying to control the position from guard on top but Simpson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rowan scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Rowan throws a big right hand that misses.
Simpson keeping moving, preventing Rowan from controlling successfully.
Simpson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Simpson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Rowan sees it coming and defends easily.

Simpson is looking for a kimura here.
Rowan wants to control but Simpson is keeping busy.
Rowan manages to get to full guard.
Simpson advances to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Simpson seems to be working for a kimura but Rowan defends the submission attempt.
Rowan blocking the ground and pound attempt from Simpson.
Rowan has hold of Simpson's hands but Simpson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Rowan flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Simpson drops an elbow to the side of Rowan's head.
Rowan moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Rowan looking for a sweep. Not yet Rowan, not yet.
Rowan is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Thabiso Rowan will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Simpson gets caught napping as Rowan dives in and scores a takedown. Simpson manages to retain guard.
Rowan landing some decent shots from guard.

Simpson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rowan is aware though and is defending well.

Rowan got a little sloppy there for a moment and Simpson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rowan has managed to get both his arms back between Simpson's legs - danger averted.

Simpson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rowan gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rowan working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Rowan advances position into side control!
Simpson is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simpson is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Simpson actively working from the bottom here.
Simpson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rowan is working away from the top position though.
Rowan thows a huge punch but Simpson dodges it nicely.
Rowan looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Simpson tries to roll over but Rowan keeps him under control.
Simpson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Rowan scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Simpson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rowan pulls his head out easily.
Rowan throwing shots but Simpson is blocking nicely.
Rowan not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rowan lands with a punch from half guard.
Thabiso Rowan has got the better of the ground game so far.
Simpson wants to control but Rowan is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Simpson works his way to full guard. Good work.
Rowan lands a couple of digs.

Simpson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rowan in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rowan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Simpson wants to get back to his feet but Rowan is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Simpson looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Rowan has picked Simpson up and slammed him! Simpson can't keep hold of the triangle and Rowan manages to pass to side control!

Rowan tries for a kimura but Simpson is defending well.
Rowan working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Simpson wants to control but Rowan postures up.
Simpson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Rowan's best efforts.

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.
Simpson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rowan lands strikes from half guard.
Rowan scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Rowan thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Simpson to regain full guard.
Rowan is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Rowan avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rowan working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Rowan being controlled here momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Thabiso Rowan will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Rowan shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Rowan lands a couple of elbows.
Rowan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rowan throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Simpson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Simpson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rowan defends it easily.
Simpson keeping moving, preventing Rowan from controlling successfully.

Rowan is posturing up here but Simpson has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Rowan tries to roll out but it's too tight and Rowan has to tap! Slick submission there by Simpson!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:05 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Gunner Simpson!