PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Steve Hershey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steven Simpson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hershey's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Rising to the Top. Simpson has chosen The Fire by The Roots as his entrance music. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Hershey
vs
Simpson

169 cm
21
175 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

186 cm
18
193 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid 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 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Steve Hershey!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Steven Simpson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hershey lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Simpson circles away quickly and effectively.

Hershey fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Simpson sprawls well initially but Hershey persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Simpson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hershey is working away from the top position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Simpson wants to get back to full guard.
Hershey wants to stand but Simpson has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Hershey throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hershey knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Simpson on the ground.
Simpson wants to improve his position but Hershey is controlling well.
Hershey trying to control from half guard but Simpson is working away.
Simpson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hershey's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hershey's back!
Simpson wants to control but Hershey is keeping busy.
Hershey trying to control the hands but Simpson breaks the grip.

Simpson looking for the choke but no joy.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Simpson throwing wild punches that miss their target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simpson is trying to stick to Hershey's back but Hershey is turning into Simpson. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Simpson's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Hershey.
Hershey stopping the sweep attempt from Simpson.

Hershey gets to his feet. Simpson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Hershey clinches up against the cage.
Hershey presses Simpson against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Hershey manages to break the clinch.

Hershey looking to score a takedown here. Simpson is defending well but Hershey drives through and ends up in Simpson's guard.
Hershey pushes down on Simpson's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Hershey thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Simpson's head.
Hershey is controlling the pace.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hershey throwing shots but Simpson is blocking nicely.
Simpson is trying to control but can't.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Hershey looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Hershey thows a huge punch but Simpson dodges it nicely.
Simpson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hershey is working away from the top position though.
Hershey moves into full mount! Simpson won't be happy about that!
Simpson is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Hershey breaks from Simpson's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Simpson is desperately trying to improve his position but Hershey has a good base and remains in mount.
Hershey looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hershey lands a nice shot to the head.
Simpson is in a horrible position here. Hershey smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Hershey lands a big elbow.
Simpson regains half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Simpson taking some punishment here, with Hershey in his half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Simpson manages to get to full guard.
Hershey postures up in Simpson's guard and throws a big left but Simpson blocks it.
Simpson wants to sweep but no luck.
Hershey lands a couple of elbows.
Hershey working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Simpson's head.
Hershey might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hershey postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hershey avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hershey working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hershey postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Simpson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hershey manages to get himself to full guard.

Hershey has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Simpson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hershey controls Simpson momentarily but Simpson frees himself.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hershey looking to hit a scissor sweep but Simpson is one step ahead there.
Hershey wants to stand and escape but Simpson is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Hershey dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hershey misses with a low kick as Simpson jumps back.
Simpson lands with a slapping head kick.
Hershey tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Simpson gets caught napping as Hershey dives in and scores a takedown. Simpson manages to retain guard.

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

Hershey drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hershey jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Simpson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hershey can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hershey working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Simpson's head.

Hershey gets to his feet. Simpson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Simpson is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Hershey.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hershey shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Simpson as he avoids it easily.
Hershey is trying hard to land a takedown here. Simpson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Steve Hershey is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Simpson is looking to clinch.
Simpson goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Simpson avoids the head kick by Hershey.
Hershey changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Simpson tries to avoid it but Hershey manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Simpson to the ground. Simpson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Hershey. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hershey fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Simpson avoids it really well and circles away.
Horrible takedown by Simpson or perhaps it was just good defense by Hershey which made him look bad.
Steve Hershey seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Hershey. No joy for Simpson on that attempt.

Hershey shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Hershey not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Simpson looking to control.
Hershey loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Hershey here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Hershey wants to control from the top but Simpson keeps moving.
Simpson is trying to keep Hershey in close.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Hershey fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Simpson shoots in for a takedown but Hershey shows good takedown defense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hershey punishes Simpson's body with a nice straight punch.
Simpson stuffs the takedown attempt from Hershey. Hershey gets slowly back to his feet.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Simpson enables Hershey to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Simpson manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Simpson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Hershey!
Simpson throws some wild stikes that Hershey manages to avoid easily.

Simpson looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Poor strikes thrown by Simpson there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hershey is desperately trying to improve his position but Simpson has a good base and remains in mount.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Simpson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hershey is looking to escape.
Simpson is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Simpson looking to ground and pound but Hershey is blocking nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hershey tries to lock up and control but Simpson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Steve Hershey overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Simpson wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.

Simpson looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hershey shoots in and drives through. Simpson sprawls well.

Simpson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hershey looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Hershey is trying to get back to his feet.
Hershey can't do much from the bottom here.
Simpson moves into full mount!
Hershey has given up his back here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Simpson is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Simpson trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Simpson looking for the RNC.

Simpson looking for the choke from the back.
Simpson is trying to stick to Hershey's back but Hershey is turning into Simpson. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Simpson's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Hershey.

Hershey stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Simpson doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Hershey moves into the clinch.

Hershey escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Hershey darts in and clinches Simpson up against the cage.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Simpson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hershey walks away with a smile on his face. Simpson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Simpson doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Hershey counters with a single leg into guard. Simpson didn't expect that.
Steven Simpson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Steve Hershey has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steven Simpson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hershey missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Simpson looking for a guillotine here but Hershey defends easily.
Hershey pushing down on Simpson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Simpson is not content to let Hershey control the position.

Hershey is trying to work for a kimura but Simpson is defending well.
Simpson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Hershey not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simpson is trying to maintain the position but Hershey is very close to passing his half guard.
Simpson trying to get back to full guard but Hershey takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Hershey lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Simpson is looking to get to half guard.
Hershey with the ground and pound from mount.
Simpson is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Hershey wants to control the pace but Simpson is squirming around nicely.
Simpson is looking to get to half guard.

Hershey working for a guillotine from mount but Simpson is in no mood to give up.
Simpson working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steve Hershey is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hershey trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Hershey lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Hershey lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Hershey looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Simpson throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hershey working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Simpson wants to hold on but Hershey pushes him away.
Hershey working Simpson over with strikes here.
Hershey landing strikes from the mount and Simpson is in trouble!

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Hershey showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hershey has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Hershey!