PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bryan Vang (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Niko Simonenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Vang
vs
Simonenko

189 cm
18
278 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

210 cm
18
245 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Bryan Vang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Niko Simonenko!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Radbod Blank and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vang misses with a takedown attempt

and Simonenko counters with a single leg into guard. Vang didn't expect that.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Simonenko postures up in Vang's guard and throws a big left but Vang blocks it.
Simonenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Vang is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vang is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Simonenko is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Niko Simonenko hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Vang has his takedown stuffed

and Simonenko counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Simonenko.
Vang could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Simonenko decides to pull 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!
Simonenko keeping moving, preventing Vang from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simonenko working a defensive guard here.
Vang won't allow Simonenko to sweep him here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Simonenko can do anything to dispel that myth.
Vang controlling from the top position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Vang wants to stand but Simonenko is controlling his posture from full guard.

Bryan Vang has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Simonenko stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bryan Vang. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Simonenko fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Simonenko looking to score a takedown here. Vang is defending well but Simonenko drives through and ends up in Vang's guard.

Simonenko avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Vang working a defensive guard here.
Vang keeping moving, preventing Simonenko from controlling successfully.
Simonenko won't allow Vang to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vang throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Simonenko is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Vang keeping moving, preventing Simonenko from controlling successfully.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Niko Simonenko was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Simonenko misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Simonenko shoots in and bounces Vang off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Simonenko looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vang not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Simonenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Vang is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Simonenko won't allow Vang to sweep him here.
Vang is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Vang might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Bryan Vang.
Vang tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niko Simonenko 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.

Simonenko shoots in looking for a takedown. Vang tries to sprawl out of it but Simonenko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Vang manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Simonenko shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Simonenko shoots in for a takedown but Vang shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Bryan Vang has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Niko Simonenko.
Simonenko throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

so Vang counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Simonenko has a closed guard, preventing Vang from standing up.

Simonenko working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Vang has passed into half guard!
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Simonenko. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Vang looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Simonenko is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vang landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Vang working Simonenko over with strikes.
Vang works his foot free and advances to mount.
Vang cracks Simonenko with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Vang cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

Vang moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Simonenko has worked his arm free - good work by Simonenko!
Simonenko is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Simonenko on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Vang trying to control the position but Simonenko is working away.
Bryan Vang overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Vang looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Simonenko takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Vang is looking to take a break and control but Simonenko is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vang is chipping away with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simonenko tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Vang tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Simonenko parries the strikes from Vang easily there. Vang is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Simonenko to escape.
Simonenko tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Vang wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Vang tries to get to his feet but Simonenko is in the middle of advancing position himself and ends up with Vang in his guard.
Vang controlling from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simonenko is trying to hold Vang in close to prevent damage but Vang has managed to pass into half guard.
Simonenko trying to control but Vang postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vang wants to stand up but Simonenko has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Vang missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bryan Vang dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Simonenko shoots in but Vang avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Simonenko lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Vang has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Vang and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

Simonenko shoots in and gets a takedown into Vang's guard.
Vang is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Simonenko wants to get up but he can't break Vang's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Vang trying to control the position.
Simonenko stops Vang from standing up.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Vang looking for a sweep. Not yet Vang, not yet.
Vang lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Simonenko!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vang landing strikes from the mount.
Simonenko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Vang looking to control but Simonenko is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Simonenko can't escape the position.

Vang jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Simonenko is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Simonenko and Vang has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vang is working Simonenko over with some ground and pound from side control.
Simonenko struggling a bit here.
Simonenko is trying to improve his position.

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

Vang tries for a kimura but Simonenko is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simonenko manages to get back to half guard.
Simonenko tries to kick Vang off in order to stand up. Vang Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Vang wants to lay and pray for a moment but Simonenko keeps working.
Vang scoring with punches and elbows.
Vang tries to get to his feet but Simonenko is in the middle of advancing position himself and ends up with Vang in his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vang slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Vang trying to control but Simonenko is working from the bottom.
Simonenko tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vang wants to control from the top but Simonenko keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bryan Vang showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Vang has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight 29:28
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:28
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bryan Vang!