PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Steven Simpson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Buddy Barnett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Simpson kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is The Fire by The Roots. Barnett has chosen Stand Up as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Simpson
vs
Barnett

186 cm
20
193 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

182 cm
21
194 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Fast

Real Fighters Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Steven Simpson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Buddy Barnett!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simpson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Barnett as he jumps to the side.
Simpson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Barnett.
Barnett tries to close the distance and clinch but Simpson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Simpson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Barnett but Barnett pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Buddy Barnett seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barnett connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Simpson momentarily.
An inside leg kick lands from Barnett.
Barnett misses with a leg kick.
Simpson's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Barnett connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Simpson scrambles back to his feet.
Barnett's corner calls for a 1-2. Barnett obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Simpson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steven Simpson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Barnett tries to work over Simpson's front leg with a kick but Simpson checks it.
Simpson has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barnett looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Barnett connects with a nice short shot to Simpson's temple.
Simpson is looking to improve his position.
Barnett thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Simpson's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Simpson is looking to improve his position.
Barnett lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Barnett has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Simpson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Barnett.
Barnett scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Simpson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Barnett missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barnett looks to land a strike but Simpson avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Barnett with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Simpson is trying to control the position but Barnett postures up.
Barnett missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Barnett preventing the sweep.
Barnett stands up over Simpson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Barnett postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Simpson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Barnett makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Barnett lands a couple of digs.
Barnett lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Barnett lands a couple of elbows.
Simpson has momentary wrist control but Barnett slips an elbow through the middle.
Barnett postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Barnett distracts Simpson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnett tries to free his leg and advance position but Simpson is retaining full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Barnett accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Barnett throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Simpson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Simpson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Barnett.
Barnett trying to control the position from guard on top but Simpson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Barnett is in close to Simpson's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Barnett throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Simpson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Barnett working some strikes from top position.
Simpson keeping moving, preventing Barnett from controlling successfully.
Barnett throws a big right hand that misses.
Barnett scoring with punches to the head and body.
Simpson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Barnett is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnett in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Simpson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Simpson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Barnett is one step ahead there.
Barnett is looking to work some ground and pound but Simpson has wrist control.
Barnett cracks Simpson with a solid left hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barnett trying to control but Simpson is working from the bottom.
Barnett postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Barnett has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Simpson to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Barnett is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Simpson pulls down on the head and he's put Barnett to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Steven Simpson!
Steven Simpson is the new middleweight champion!
An out of breath Steven Simpson thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.