PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Luke Kennedy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jean Simon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kennedy
vs
Simon

185 cm
24
182 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

176 cm
24
175 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Luke Kennedy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jean Simon!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simon dodges the punch combination from Kennedy.
A punch combination from Kennedy misses.
Simon scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kennedy throws a right and a left that Simon avoids nicely.
Kennedy ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Simon misses the shot to the body.
Kennedy will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kennedy misses with a two punch combination.
Kennedy looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Simon throws a looping overhand right but Kennedy ducks down to avoid it.
A shot to the liver by Simon. Beautiful body shot.
Kennedy throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Simon.
Kennedy swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Simon showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kennedy.
Kennedy lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Simon circles away quickly and effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kennedy bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Simon's head backwards.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kennedy is defended easily by Simon.
Kennedy swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kennedy throws a combination that misses
and Simon counters with a nice uppercut.
Simon is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Simon misses with the combination.
Kennedy looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Simon misses with a looping left.
A cross from Simon lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kennedy shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half 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!
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Simon is pressing down on Kennedy's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Simon wants to stand up but Kennedy is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kennedy wants to control from the top but Simon keeps moving.
Simon working a defensive guard here.

Simon is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kennedy defends well.
Simon is looking to stand up but Kennedy isn't so interested in that idea.
Kennedy has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simon is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Kennedy wants to pass the guard but Simon is keeping the position.
Simon 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.
Simon trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Jean Simon.
Kennedy goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Jean Simon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kennedy throws a right and a left that both miss.
Good exchange - Kennedy coming out on top.
Simon loads up on a big right hand but Kennedy slips the punch.
Simon connects with a body shot.
Kennedy misses with a double jab.
Simon throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kennedy sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Some wild striking there from Kennedy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Simon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kennedy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jean Simon will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Simon misses the shot to the body.
Kennedy tries for a takedown but Simon sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kennedy looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Simon is fending him off so far but Kennedy persists. Nope, Simon circles away and we're back to standing.
Kennedy misses with a few strikes there.
Simon takes a swing at Kennedy's ribcage but misses.
Kennedy dodges the punch combination from Simon.
Simon throws an off balance right hand
and Kennedy counters with a left and a right that stings Simon.
No luck for Kennedy with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luke Kennedy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Simon thuds a left hand into Kennedy's body.
Kennedy takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kennedy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Simon.
Kennedy pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Simon back to the cage. Kennedy follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Kennedy moves out of range as Simon strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simon misses with a jab to the body
and Kennedy counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kennedy shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Simon but Simon pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Luke Kennedy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Simon feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kennedys jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Simon scores with a one two! Kennedy had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Simon is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kennedy.
A jab lands there for Simon.
Luke Kennedy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Simon with a hook.
Kennedy shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Simon sprawls well. Simon wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kennedy gets slowly back to his feet.
Kennedy misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kennedy misses with a two punch combination.
Kennedy tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Simon swivels and escapes.
No luck for Kennedy with that takedown attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Simon throws a body punch but Kennedy moves out of range.
Kennedy on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kennedy takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Simon just misses with a punch to the body.
Simon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Simon jabs at Kennedy's body.

Simon tries to sprawl but Kennedy drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Simon gets full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Simon holds on and takes a little breather.
Kennedy looking to pass the guard.
Kennedy trying to control the position from guard on top but Simon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Simon tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Simon trying to keep a closed guard but Kennedy is proving a slippery customer.
Kennedy sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Luke Kennedy just wasn't active enough.
Kennedy connects with a good right hand that stumbles Simon. Simon circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Jean Simon seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kennedy misses with a series of wild punches.
Simon swings for the body but Kennedy moves out of range.
Simon displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kennedy.
Kennedy on the wrong end of a nice jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Simon scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kennedy scores with a one two! Simon had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Kennedy shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jean Simon showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Simon throws a hook but Kennedy avoids it easily.
Sloppy strikes from Kennedy. Those never looked like landing.
Kennedy dodges the punch combination from Simon.
Simon misses with a shot to the body

and Kennedy counters with a nice double leg into side control. Simon won't be happy with that.
Kennedy tries to advance to mount but Simon denies him.
Simon is trying to get back to his feet.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Kennedy tries to advance to mount but Simon instead regains half guard.
Simon holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Simon is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kennedy's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kennedy's back!
Simon tries to keep control of the position but Kennedy is staying busy.
Kennedy tries to roll but Simon sticks to his back.
Simon keeps control of the position easily here as Kennedy tries to buck him off.
Simon takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Simon is not going to allow Kennedy to sit and survive in this position.
Kennedy controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simon is not going to allow Kennedy to sit and survive in this position.
Luke Kennedy overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kennedy wants to get back to his feet.
Simon trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Kennedy trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Simon trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Simon has the hooks in. Kennedy is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy trying to control the hands but Simon breaks the grip.
A lull in the action here.
Kennedy rolls, trying to escape but Simon keeps control of the position.
Kennedy is keeping busy.
Kennedy trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Simon biding his time, looking for the opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simon trying to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Simon has good solid back control here.

Jean Simon has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
A combination from Kennedy does no damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kennedy misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kennedy slips a jab from Simon.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Luke Kennedy.
I think Simon has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight for Jean Simon!
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Jean Simon!
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Jean Simon!

Jean Simon wins by unanimous decision!
Jean Simon was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.