PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Demian Gaea (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gunner Simpson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gaea comes into the arena with When I'm Gone (Remix) blaring out of the sound system. Simpson has chosen Forgotten as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gaea
vs
Simpson

180 cm
29
214 lbs
28 - 9 - 1

191 cm
30
195 lbs
15 - 9 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Powerful

SPARTA FIGHTWARE-GTI

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Demian Gaea!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Gunner Simpson!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Josh West and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gaea avoids the head kick by Simpson.
Gaea has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Gaea there as he acknowledges the shot.
Gaea doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Simpson counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Simpson throws a leg kick but Gaea moved away.
Simpson feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Gaeas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Gaea has his takedown stuffed
and Simpson counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Gaea is lucky that one didn't land flush.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gaea shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Simpson counters with a good low kick that Gaea was not able to check.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Demian Gaea. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gaea gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Simpson counters with a body kick.
Gaea closes the distance and clinches up with Simpson, looking for a takedown. Gaea pushes Simpson against the cage but Simpson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Simpson dives in and scores a takedown into Gaea's guard.
Simpson works over Gaea with some ground and pound from guard.
Simpson won't allow Gaea to sweep him here.
Simpson wants to control from the top but Gaea keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simpson won't allow Gaea to sweep him here.
Simpson with a nice head shot there.
Gaea wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Simpson throws an elbow that misses. Gaea uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Simpson's guard. Nice move by Gaea!
Simpson keeping moving, preventing Gaea from controlling successfully.
Simpson manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Simpson lands a heavy elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaea tries to lock up and control but Simpson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Gaea is in a horrible position here. Simpson smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Gaea is desperately trying to improve his position but Simpson has a good base and remains in mount.
Gaea is working hard here to advance position.
Simpson lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Simpson punishing his opponent with strikes.
Gaea taking shots to the head.
Simpson postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Gaea looks a forlorn figure.
Gaea's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simpson trying to control but Gaea is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Simpson lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Gaea hang on?
Gaea might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Simpson connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Simpson dominating with strikes here.
Simpson lands a big shot there that rocks Gaea but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Simpson postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Gaea looks a forlorn figure.
Simpson cracks Gaea with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Gaea keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Gaea sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gaea avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Simpson.
Gaea is trying to stand.
Gaea wants to improve his position but Simpson is controlling well.
Simpson is keen to just control but Gaea is a slippery customer.
Simpson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gaea with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Simpson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gaea's head.
Simpson wants to pass to mount but Gaea is defending the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Simpson looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Simpson is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunner Simpson dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gaea drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Gaea trying to control the position from guard on top but Simpson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gaea wants to stand but Simpson is controlling his posture from full guard.
Gaea trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gaea trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gaea 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's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Simpson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gaea keeping full guard, as Simpson tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simpson distracts Gaea with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Simpson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gaea swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Gaea working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Simpson has passed into half guard!
Simpson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Gaea blocking the ground and pound attempt from Simpson.
Simpson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Simpson lands with a punch from half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gaea is not content to let Simpson control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaea controlling the position for now.
Simpson is nestled in close to Gaea, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Gaea moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
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 scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Simpson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Simpson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Gaea is trying to keep Simpson in close.
Simpson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simpson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Simpson tries to free his leg and advance position but Gaea is retaining full guard.
Simpson wants to control from the top but Gaea keeps moving.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Gaea is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Simpson defends well.
Simpson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gaea is trying to keep Simpson in close.
Simpson distracts Gaea with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simpson throws a big elbow that misses.
Simpson trying to control the position from guard on top but Gaea is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gaea is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Gaea working for a triangle but Simpson defends it easily.
Simpson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gaea works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gaea keeping full guard, as Simpson tries to pass.
Gaea has momentary wrist control but Simpson slips an elbow through the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunner Simpson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Simpson lands with a thumping leg kick.
Simpson slaps away a takedown attempt from Gaea, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Gaea shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Simpson sprawls well. Simpson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gaea gets slowly back to his feet.
Simpson scores with a head kick.
Gaea changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Simpson tries to avoid it but Gaea 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 Demian Gaea. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A clash of legs there as Gaea blocks the low kick.
Gaea misses with a takedown
and Simpson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Simpson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
No luck for Gaea with that takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gaea gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Simpson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Simpson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simpson performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Simpson trying to control from half guard but Gaea is working away.
Gaea has hold of Simpson's hands but Simpson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Simpson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gaea with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Simpson trying to control from Gaea's half guard. Gaea has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Simpson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Gaea utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gaea is on top in guard.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Simpson. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gaea decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Simpson, up you get!
Simpson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gaea checks a low kick from Simpson.
Gaea fails with the takedown
letting Simpson counter with a right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gaea takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Gaea shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Simpson counters with a stiff right hand.

Simpson forces Gaea back against the cage and clinches.

Gaea breaks from the clinch.
Demian Gaea seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Some bone on bone action there as Gaea checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

Simpson darts in and clinches Gaea up against the cage.
Simpson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gaea changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Simpson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Demian Gaea is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gaea fails with the takedown

and Simpson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simpson passes into half guard.
Gunner Simpson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Simpson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Simpson controlling the action here.
Ground and pound from Simpson.
Simpson is keen to just control but Gaea is a slippery customer.
Simpson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Simpson is thwarting Gaea's attempts to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Simpson lands a nice short elbow.
Gaea is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gaea tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Simpson has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Simpson is landing with some decent strikes but Gaea is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gaea is looking to improve his position but Simpson isn't that keen on the idea.
Simpson has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Gaea's face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunner Simpson really dominated that round.
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.

Gaea shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Simpson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Simpson is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Simpson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gaea shoots in for a takedown but Simpson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Gaea with a poor takedown
and Simpson counters with a low kick, right behind Gaea 's knee.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Demian Gaea. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Simpson is looking to slow Gaea down with leg kicks.
Simpson throws a head kick that half lands.
Simpson throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Gaea is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Simpson takes the fight into the clinch.
Oh Gaea is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Simpson throws a punch but it's blocked by Gaea.
Gaea goes for a takedown in the clinch but Simpson prevents it.
Gaea seems to have got his legs back now.
Simpson lands a body shot.
Simpson lands an uppercut.
A short left from Simpson.
Gaea is trying to force a seperation but Simpson has the dominant position.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Simpson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Simpson has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Simpson.
Simpson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Gaea backwards.
Simpson throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gaeas head.
Simpson lands a body punch in the clinch.
Simpson lands an elbow that stopped Gaea in his tracks for a moment.
Simpson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Simpson lands an uppercut in the clinch that drops Gaea to his knees! Simpson keeps firing more shots against his stricken opponent and the referee jumps in to save him!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:33 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Gunner Simpson!
Gunner Simpson is the new light heavyweight champion!
An out of breath and clearly excited Gunner Simpson thanked SPARTA FIGHTWARE-GTI for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).