PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Leon Bridges (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Craig Simpson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Craig Simpson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bridges
vs
Simpson

184 cm
18
196 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
185 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Leon Bridges!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Craig Simpson!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Anthony Taglia and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simpson tries to work over Bridges's front leg with a kick but Bridges checks it.
Simpson shoots for a takedown but Bridges saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Bridges, as that shot connected.
Simpson connects with a body shot.
Bridges lands a nice looking body shot.
Bridges slips under a jab from Simpson.
Bridges just misses with a punch to the body.
Bridges just misses with a punch to the body.
Bridges uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Simpson.
Simpson works the jab nicely.
Simpson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bridges.
Simpson blocks a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bridges just misses with a punch to the body.
Simpson throws a right hand that Bridges ducks under and follows up with a left that Bridges also avoids with ease.
Bridges throws a nice looking combination but Simpson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Craig Simpson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bridges keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Simpson shoots in but no luck this time.
Bridges swings for the body but Simpson moves out of range.
Bridges misses with a wild body shot.
Nice takedown defense from Simpson. No joy for Bridges on that attempt.
Bridges misses with a body shot.

Bridges closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Bridges lands in his opponent's guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Simpson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bridges has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simpson wants to stand up but Bridges is controlling him.
Bridges passes Simpson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bridges not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bridges content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Bridges thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bridges lands strikes from half guard.
Bridges misses with a head shot. Simpson uses the momentum to regain guard.
Bridges trying to control but Simpson is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bridges looking to sit in guard and control but Simpson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Simpson won't allow Bridges to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leon Bridges dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Bridges throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice straight punches there by Simpson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Simpson.
Simpson throws a hook but Bridges blocks it.
Simpson throws a hook to the side of Bridges's head but Bridges sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Simpson moves in looking to clinch but Bridges pushes him off.
A slow jab from Simpson misses its intended target.
Bridges shoots for a double leg takedown but Simpson sprawls well. He's pushed Bridges's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A swing and a miss from Bridges.
Bridges throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Simpson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bridges swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Bridges shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bridges defending well as Simpson loads up on a big left hand.
Simpson lands an overhand right.
A punch combination from Simpson misses.
Bridges uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Simpson.
A lazy body kick from Bridges
and Simpson counters with a nice uppercut.
Bridges on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Simpson moves to clinch but Bridges breaks away
and Bridges counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Simpson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bridges.
Simpson shoots in but no luck this time.
Bridges is looking to wear down Simpson with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bridges swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Simpson misses with a wild combination.
Bridges misses the shot to the body.
Simpson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Bridges scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Simpson is not content to let Bridges control the position.
Bridges not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bridges passes to full mount!
Bridges throwing strikes here but Simpson is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

Bridges swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Simpson is now in Bridges's guard. A big mistake from Bridges there, giving up the dominant position!
Bridges is pulling down on Simpson's head to control his posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Leon Bridges wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Simpson avoids the body shot from Bridges.
Bridges throws a sloppy body shot
and Simpson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Simpson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bridges connects with a body shot that sends Simpson's belly button to the back.
Simpson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Bridges misses with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leon Bridges dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Simpson avoids the body shot from Bridges.
Bridges looks to score with a jab to the body but Simpson is just out of range.
Leon Bridges is winning the standup battle so far.
Bridges throws a body punch but Simpson moves out of range.
Simpson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bridges shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Simpson throws an overhand right that lands on Bridges's shoulder, as Bridges tries to avoid the shot.
Simpson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bridges avoids it really well and circles away.
Bridges lands a glancing blow to the side of Simpson's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bridges misses with a jab to the body
enabling Simpson to counter with a crisp jab.
Simpson checks the leg kick.
Bridges throws a lazy right hand but Simpson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Simpson cracks Bridges with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Simpson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Simpson lands a nice shot to the body.
Simpson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bridges is fending him off so far but Simpson persists. Nope, Bridges circles away and we're back to standing.
Bridges uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Simpson.
Simpson swings widly with a right hand
and Bridges counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Leon Bridges is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bridges dives in and scores a takedown into Simpson's guard.
Bridges is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Bridges seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Simpson for as long as he can get away with.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Simpson looks to score with a jab to the body but Bridges is just out of range.
Craig Simpson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simpson misses with a body shot.
Simpson has a takedown stuffed.
Leon Bridges has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Craig Simpson.
Bridges tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Simpson was well out of range. Poor timing from Bridges.
Simpson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bridges sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bridges misses with a series of wild punches.
Simpson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bridges misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Simpson.
Simpson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bridges lands a body shot.
Bridges misses the shot to the body.
Bridges just misses with a punch to the body.
Bridges jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bridges throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Bridges ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bridges circles away from the clinch attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bridges misses with a right hand
and Simpson counters with a nice uppercut.
Simpson misses with a head kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leon Bridges showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bridges 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leon Bridges!