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). Chooooooooon! I think Simpson might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The Fire by The Roots. Barnett has chosen Stand Up as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Simpson
vs
Barnett

186 cm
21
193 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

182 cm
22
194 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

ADCC Champion
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 10 - 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 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Buddy Barnett!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simpson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Barnett.
Barnett cracks Simpson with a right hand to the side of the head.
Barnett throws the left hand but Simpson avoids the punch easily.
Barnett throws a leg kick but Simpson sees it coming and moves out of range.
A swing and a miss from Barnett.
Simpson misses with an attempted mid kick.

Simpson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Barnett is trying to control but can't.
Barnett is looking for a sweep. Simpson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Barnett avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Simpson.
Simpson trying to control from half guard but Barnett is working away.
Barnett is looking to improve his position.
Simpson passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Barnett!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett is looking to get to half guard.
Simpson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Barnett is looking to escape.
Simpson looking to control and managing it successfully.
Simpson moves to take his opponent's back.
Barnett trying to control but not successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simpson has the hooks in. Barnett is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Barnett is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Barnett just trying to survive but Simpson is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Simpson keeps control of the position as Barnett tries to break free.

Simpson looking for the choke but no joy.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Simpson is trying to control but Barnett is trying to escape here - he's now mounted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simpson punching from mount but Barnett doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Simpson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Barnett is looking to escape.
Simpson throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Simpson is trying to take his opponent's back.
Simpson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Simpson sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

Simpson goes for an armbar but Barnett turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Barnett.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Simpson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Barnett gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Simpson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Barnett is one step ahead there.
Barnett throws a strike but Simpson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Simpson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Barnett is keeping the position for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Barnett pulls Simpson in close to prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven Simpson dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Simpson fails with the takedown.

Barnett looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barnett throws a big right hand that misses.
Simpson wants to sweep but no luck.
Barnett is working Simpson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Barnett lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Simpson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Barnett makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barnett not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Barnett is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Barnett drops back looking for a leg! Simpson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Simpson manages to kick Barnett off! Barnett jumps back into Simpson's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Barnett trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Barnett looking to pass the guard.
Barnett chips away with some ground and pound.
Simpson tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Simpson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Barnett throws a strike but Simpson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Barnett tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simpson passes into half guard.
Barnett keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Simpson is just content to waste time from the top position. Barnett takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Barnett looking to control.
Barnett has control of Simpson's left arm, preventing Simpson from doing any damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Buddy Barnett has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Simpson looks for a takedown but Barnett sprawls well.

Barnett closes the distance and clinches.
Barnett lands a shot to the body.
Simpson blocks a body shot from Barnett.
Barnett scores with a hook to the body.
Barnett works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
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!
Barnett using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Barnett.
Barnett working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Barnett lands a right hand that snaps the head of Simpson backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Barnett.
Barnett landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Barnett lands with a short head shot on the inside.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Barnett.
Barnett cracks Simpson with a nice body shot.
Barnett working Simpson over with knees to the body.
Barnett lands a body shot in the clinch.
Barnett putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Simpson in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Barnett.
Barnett pushes off an throws an elbow but Simpson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Barnett prevents Simpson from breaking the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Barnett as the two fighters clinch.
Simpson is trying to pull guard but Barnett turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steven Simpson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Barnett cracks Simpson with a nice body shot.
Good body shot from Barnett.
Barnett scores a nice knee to the body.
Barnett lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Barnett.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Buddy Barnett showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Barnett lands a slapping body shot.
Barnett feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Simpson's calf.
Simpson looks for a takedown but Barnett sprawls well.
A nice leg kick lands there from Barnett.
Barnett cracks Simpson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Barnett throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Simpson was covering up waiting for the punch and Barnett finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Barnett working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Barnett keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Simpson's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barnett content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Barnett cracks Simpson with a solid left hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Simpson wants to sweep but no luck.
Barnett throwing strikes from guard but Simpson blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett throwing strikes but missing.
Barnett is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Barnett wants to control from the top but Simpson keeps moving.
Barnett working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Barnett makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Barnett postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Barnett won't allow Simpson to sweep him here.
Barnett is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Barnett works over Simpson with some ground and pound from guard.
Barnett wants to control from the top but Simpson keeps moving.
Barnett's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barnett postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Barnett lands a couple of digs.
Barnett working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Simpson looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Barnett puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Barnett looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Barnett slips a nice elbow through Simpson's hands, connecting with Simpson's forehead.
Simpson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Barnett scores with a couple of nice shots.
Simpson is refusing to be controlled, as Barnett sits in half guard.

Barnett is trying to work for a kimura but Simpson is defending well.
Barnett thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Simpson's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnett scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Simpson taking some punishment here, with Barnett in his half guard.
Simpson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Barnett working some strikes from top position.
Barnett postures up and lands a big shot to Simpson's brow.
Barnett distracts Simpson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Barnett looking to pass the guard.
Barnett trying to control but Simpson is working from the bottom.
Simpson can't keep his opponent in guard - Barnett advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Barnett working Simpson over with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Simpson moves into full guard.
Barnett lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Barnett pushes down on Simpson's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Simpson is staying active underneath Barnett, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Barnett thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Simpson's head.

Barnett is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Simpson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Barnett takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Barnett seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Simpson has recovered full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Buddy Barnett really dominated that round.
That's time! Simpson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Simpson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Barnett pinned against the cage. Barnett gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Simpson takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Simpson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Barnett moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Barnett misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Barnett scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Barnett fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Simpson manages to avoid it.
Barnett fails with an attempt to clinch.
Barnett throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Barnett rushes Simpson and presses him up against the cage.

Barnett works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Barnett postures up and lands a big shot to Simpson's brow.
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!
Barnett throwing strikes from guard but Simpson blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simpson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Barnett is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Barnett works over Simpson with some ground and pound from guard.
Simpson throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Barnett drops back, looking for a kneebar! Simpson looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Simpson looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Simpson!
Simpson throws an elbow but Barnett slips to the side and avoids it well.
Simpson tries to move into full mount but can't pass Barnett's legs.
Simpson trying to control the action but Barnett is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simpson tries to move into full mount but can't pass Barnett's legs.
Barnett is trying to improve his position.
Barnett is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Barnett has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Barnett prevents Simpson from moving into mount.
Sloppy strikes there by Simpson.

Simpson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Simpson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simpson wants to control but Barnett is keeping him busy.
Barnett has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Simpson tries to advance to mount but Barnett instead regains half guard.
Simpson prevents Barnett from improving his position.
Barnett is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Simpson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Barnett has his hands clasped together around Simpson's back. He's all about the action.

Simpson is working for a submission of some sort.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Simpson wants to take a breather but Barnett is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Buddy Barnett dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Simpson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Barnett misses with a few strikes there.
Barnett is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Simpson.

Barnett dives in and scores a takedown into Simpson's guard.
Barnett is looking to work some ground and pound but Simpson has wrist control.
Simpson keeping moving, preventing Barnett from controlling successfully.
Barnett with a flurry of punches that miss.
Simpson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Barnett missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Barnett throws a strike but Simpson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Simpson tries to free his leg and advance position but Barnett is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barnett is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Simpson defends well.
Simpson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Barnett swivels though and keeps the full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Barnett holds on and takes a little breather.
Simpson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Barnett is keeping the position for now.
Simpson postures up.
Steven Simpson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simpson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Barnett swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Simpson is working hard here to advance position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Barnett looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Simpson is looking to work some ground and pound but Barnett has wrist control.
Barnett seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Simpson trying to control but Barnett is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Simpson closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Barnett's guard.
Barnett bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Simpson's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simpson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Barnett's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Buddy Barnett has got the better of the ground game so far.
Barnett is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Barnett throwing strikes from guard but Simpson blocks nicely.
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.
Barnett throws a strike but Simpson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Simpson postures up in Barnett's guard and throws a big left but Barnett blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simpson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Barnett looking to hit a scissor sweep but Simpson is one step ahead there.
Barnett trying to keep a closed guard but Simpson is proving a slippery customer.
Barnett is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Simpson lands a couple of digs.
Buddy Barnett is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Simpson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

And that's the end of the fight!
Buddy Barnett comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Barnett has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 46:49
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 46:49
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Buddy Barnett!
Buddy Barnett is the new middleweight champion!
A very excited looking Buddy Barnett made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.