PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Isto Benson Simomaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Welsh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Welsh has chosen Wicked as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Benson Simomaa
vs
Welsh

180 cm
26
283 lbs
17 - 13 - 0

199 cm
31
265 lbs
12 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Isto Benson Simomaa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Johnny Welsh!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Wesley Smith and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simomaa swings for the body but Welsh moves out of range.
Welsh takes a swing at Simomaa's ribcage but misses.
Welsh swings widly with a right hand
and Simomaa counters with a straight right hand.
Welsh misses with a double jab.
Good shot there by Welsh.
Simomaa throws a shot from downtown. Welsh moves away and avoids it.
Welsh misses with a looping left.
Simomaa misses the shot to the body.
Simomaa misses with a wild body shot.
Johnny Welsh seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Simomaa takes a swing at Welsh's ribcage but misses.
Welsh fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Welsh misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Simomaa.
Welsh misses with a low kick.
Simomaa rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Welsh moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Welsh cracks the inside of Simomaa's front leg.
Horrible takedown by Welsh or perhaps it was just good defense by Simomaa which made him look bad.
Welsh thows a left - swing and a miss!
Welsh throws a leg kick
and Simomaa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Simomaa loads up on a big right hand but Welsh slips the punch.
A jab lands there for Welsh.
Welsh scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Simomaa looks to land a combination but Welsh avoids it well.
Simomaa gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Welsh thows a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab from Welsh.
Simomaa misses with a two punch combination.
Simomaa throws a looping overhand right but Welsh ducks down to avoid it.
Welsh getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Welsh misses with a jab to the body

and Simomaa counters by clinching up.
Welsh blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Simomaa creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Welsh's defenses.

It looks like Johnny Welsh has been cut.
Welsh wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Simomaa has him pressed against the cage.
Simomaa lands an elbow inside that Welsh shrugs off.
Simomaa pushes off an throws an elbow but Welsh leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Welsh misses with some punches.
Welsh blocks the elbow strike.
Simomaa lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Welsh tries to work over Simomaa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Simomaa misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simomaa lands an elbow inside that Welsh shrugs off.
Simomaa manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Welsh blocks an elbow strike from Simomaa.
Welsh is trying to force a seperation but Simomaa has the dominant position.
Simomaa blocks the elbow strike.
Welsh is trying to break free.
Simomaa scores with a knee to the head.
Welsh misses with a body punch.

Welsh breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Welsh lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Simomaa at a distance.
Welsh has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Simomaa moves out of range of the strikes.
Welsh fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Welsh misses.
Welsh just misses with a punch to the body.
Simomaa walks into a stiff left hand from Welsh.
Simomaa ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Simomaa moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Isto Benson Simomaa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Welsh throws a jab when Simomaa was well out of range.
Good work by Simomaa as he checks the leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Welsh throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Simomaa sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Simomaa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Welsh.
Welsh looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Simomaa is fending him off so far but Welsh persists. Nope, Simomaa circles away and we're back to standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Welsh dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Johnny Welsh's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Welsh throws a hook but Simomaa avoids it easily.

Welsh drives through with a takedown into Simomaa's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Welsh throws a strike but Simomaa rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Simomaa got a little sloppy there for a moment and Welsh has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Simomaa has managed to get both his arms back between Welsh's legs - danger averted.
Simomaa tries to stand but Welsh is controlling from the bottom.
Welsh not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Welsh is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Simomaa defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simomaa has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Welsh is proving hard to escape from.
Welsh tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Simomaa would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Simomaa stands up and waves to Welsh to follow him.
Simomaa tries to move into range but Welsh moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Welsh there.
Simomaa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Welsh.
Welsh takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Welsh scores with a crisp jab that stopped Simomaa in his tracks.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Simomaa dodges the punch combination from Welsh.
Simomaa dodges the punch combination from Welsh.
Simomaa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Welsh swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Welsh just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simomaa displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Welsh throws out the jab.
Welsh scores with a jab to the head.
Simomaa lands a right hook to the body.
Simomaa uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Welsh.
Some wild striking there from Welsh.
Welsh ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A combination from Welsh does no damage.
Simomaa dodges the punch combination from Welsh.
Welsh has a takedown stuffed.
Welsh connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Simomaa momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Welsh misses.
Welsh scores with a punch to the head.
Welsh slips a jab and a cross from Simomaa.
Simomaa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Isto Benson Simomaa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Welsh fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Simomaa avoids it really well and circles away.
Welsh is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Welsh throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Welsh bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Welsh showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Johnny Welsh's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Welsh throws a chopping leg kick but Simomaa manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Simomaa tries to move into range but Welsh moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Simomaa lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Welsh circles away quickly and effectively.
Welsh ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Welsh is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Simomaa.
Simomaa throws a sloppy body shot
and Welsh counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Welsh throws a right and a left that Simomaa avoids nicely.
Welsh showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Simomaa.
Simomaa slips a straight right by Welsh.
Simomaa tries to clinch but Welsh moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Simomaa. Welsh does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Welsh tries to work over Simomaa's front leg with a kick but Simomaa checks it.
Welsh fails to land with a series of punches.
Welsh misses with a wild body shot.
Simomaa walks into a stiff left hand from Welsh.
Simomaa clobbers Welsh with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Welsh looks to score with a jab to the body but Simomaa is just out of range.

Simomaa fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Welsh, pushing him back against the cage.
Simomaa blocks an elbow strike.
Welsh blocks an elbow strike from Simomaa.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Simomaa.
Simomaa misses with an elbow over the top.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Simomaa.
Simomaa lands an elbow just above Welsh 's eye.
Isto Benson Simomaa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Welsh blocks the elbow strike.
Welsh is trying to stall.

Welsh has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Simomaa regains guard immediately.
Johnny Welsh is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
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!
Simomaa wants to stand but Welsh is controlling the position.
Welsh throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Simomaa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Simomaa keeping moving, preventing Welsh from controlling successfully.
Simomaa not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Welsh trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Simomaa keeping full guard, as Welsh tries to pass.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Welsh accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simomaa is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Simomaa throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Simomaa controlling the position.
Simomaa working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Welsh.
Welsh wants to control from the top but Simomaa keeps moving.
Welsh wants to pass the guard but Simomaa is keeping the position.
Welsh trying to control the position from guard on top but Simomaa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Simomaa might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Welsh keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Simomaa's head.
Simomaa trying to control the position.
Simomaa is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Welsh trying to control the position from guard on top but Simomaa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Simomaa looking for a guillotine here but Welsh defends easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Welsh avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny Welsh comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Welsh winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Welsh!
An out of breath Johnny Welsh thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.