PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Steven Simpson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Ibanz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Steven Simpson had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Simpson
vs
Ibanz

186 cm
18
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
19
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Steven Simpson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ben Ibanz!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simpson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ibanz.
Simpson closes the distance and clinches up with Ibanz, looking for a takedown. Simpson pushes Ibanz against the cage but Ibanz circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Ibanz throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Simpson tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Ibanz is in Simpson's guard.

Simpson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ibanz content to stall in guard here.
Simpson looking to control.
Ibanz must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ibanz trying to control but Simpson is working from the bottom.
Ibanzis looking to pass into half guard but Simpson pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Simpson is in guard.
Simpson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Ibanz keeping moving, preventing Simpson from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simpson being controlled here momentarily.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Ibanz working a defensive guard here.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Ben Ibanz hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Ibanz has managed to clinch.

Ibanz breaks from the clinch.
Ibanz loads up on a big right hand but Simpson slips the punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ibanz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Simpson manages to avoid it.

Ibanz moves into the clinch successfully.

Ibanz drags the fight down to the ground.
Simpson passes into half guard.
Simpson wants to pass the guard but Ibanz is defending well.
Ibanz is in trouble now - Simpson has advanced to mount!
Simpson controlling the pace for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poor strikes thrown by Simpson there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Simpson looking to control but Ibanz is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Simpson sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Ibanz tries to reverse the position but Simpson maintains control.
Simpson wants to take his opponent's back but Ibanz doesn't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simpson controlling from mount.

Simpson looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Ibanz is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Ibanz tries to hold on but Simpson pushes him away.
Simpson looking to control but Ibanz is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Simpson misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Ibanz is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Steven Simpson will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ibanz gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Ibanz jumps into guard, dragging Simpson to the mat.
Steven Simpson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ibanz keeping moving, preventing Simpson from controlling successfully.
Simpson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Simpson stands and throws Ibanz's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Simpson is staying tight to Ibanz's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Ibanz wants to control but Simpson postures up.

Simpson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ibanz, who protects the arm well.
Ibanz is not content to let Simpson control the position.
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.
You can see the frustration on Ibanz's face as Simpson controls the position.

Simpson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Simpson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Ibanz tries to get back to half guard but can't.
A lull in the action here as Simpson stalls from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simpson tries to move to mount but Ibanz blocks the move with his legs.
Ibanz tries to improve position but can't.
Ibanz trying to remain calm as Simpson controls from the top position.
Ibanz is not content to let Simpson control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simpson advances to full mount.
Ibanz prevents Simpson from taking his back.
Simpson controlling his opponent.
Simpson's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Simpson is working to isolate an arm here. It's a telegraphed submission attempt but he's gone for it anyway - and he's got it! Simpson extends the arm and Ibanz is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:04 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Steven Simpson!