PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Link Pettis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brett Simmons (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Link Pettis has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Pettis
vs
Simmons

175 cm
20
155 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

164 cm
19
140 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Can Moonwalk

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Link Pettis!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brett Simmons!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Robert Twigg and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Simmons feints and as Pettis raises his hands in defense, Simmons changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Pettis is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Simmons is controlling him.
Pettis will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Simmons in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Simmons trying to control but Pettis is working from the bottom.
Pettis seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Pettis seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Pettis preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Simmons trying to control the position from guard on top but Pettis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Simmons trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Simmons looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Simmons won't allow Pettis to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pettis knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Simmons on the ground.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Simmons takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Pettis lands with a slapping head kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Simmons shoots for a double leg takedown but Pettis sprawls well. He's pushed Simmons's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pettis stuffs the takedown.
Simmons shoots in but no luck this time.
Link Pettis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brett Simmons.
Pettis tries to score a power double leg takedown but Simmons sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Pettis somewhat.
Simmons fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Simmons shoots for a double leg takedown but Pettis sprawls well. He's pushed Simmons's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Simmons is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Pettis's half guard.
Pettis is looking to improve his position.
Pettis trying to control here.
Pettis wants to get back to his feet.
Pettis tries to get to full guard but Simmons has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simmons seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Pettis does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Pettis keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Simmons is looking to take a break and control but Pettis is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Simmons seems to be looking for submissions.
Simmons has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pettis wants to get back to his feet.
Pettis keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Simmons is taking a breather. Pettis says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Simmons lands strikes from half guard.
Pettis wants to control but Simmons is keeping busy.
Simmons is trying to control. Pettis wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Simmons is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Pettis has managed to free his arm - good work.
Simmons is trying to control. Pettis wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Pettis tries to roll over but Simmons keeps him under control.
Simmons tries to pass to full mount but Pettis defends it.
Pettis wants to get back to his feet.
Simmons has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Simmons is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Pettis has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Pettis!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simmons trying to keep a closed guard but Pettis is proving a slippery customer.
Pettis wants to control from the top but Simmons keeps moving.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Simmons is on top in guard.
Simmons lands a couple of elbows.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pettis is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Simmons tries to free his leg and advance position but Pettis is retaining full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Simmons connects with a couple of short punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brett Simmons dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Simmons fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Pettis to the ground. Simmons is now in Pettis's guard.
Pettis keeping moving, preventing Simmons from controlling successfully.
Simmons's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Simmons connects with a couple of short punches.
Simmons tries to free his leg and advance position but Pettis is retaining full guard.
Simmons missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Pettis working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Simmons.
Simmons wants to control from the top but Pettis keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pettis controls Simmons momentarily but Simmons frees himself.
Simmons prevents Pettis from getting back to his feet.
Brett Simmons has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Simmons dives in and scores a takedown into Pettis's guard.
Pettis is looking to stand up but Simmons isn't so interested in that idea.
Pettis working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Simmons.
Simmons works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Simmons stops Pettis from getting back to his feet.

Simmons seems to be looking for submissions.

Simmons wants to work for an arm triangle but Pettis is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Pettis missing with punches from the bottom.

Pettis has one foot on Simmons's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simmons shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Pettis sprawls well. Pettis wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Simmons gets slowly back to his feet.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Pettis fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Simmons has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pettis stuffs the takedown attempt from Simmons. Simmons gets slowly back to his feet.
Horrible takedown by Simmons or perhaps it was just good defense by Pettis which made him look bad.
Link Pettis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brett Simmons.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Simmons is defended easily by Pettis.
Simmons is breathing heavily.
Simmons shoots in and drives through. Pettis sprawls well.
Pettis connects with an inside leg kick.
Pettis shoots in for a takedown but Simmons shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Simmons dives in and grabs Pettis's left leg, looking for a takedown. Pettis pushes down on Simmons's head and hops out.
Pettis tries a head kick but it misses.
Pettis connects with a solid leg kick.
Link Pettis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pettis throws a sloppy head kick and Simmons moves out of range easily.
That kick from Pettis tenderised Simmons's leg. Simmons is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pettis keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Pettis lands a really nice looking cross but Simmons seems unphased.
Pettis is looking to slow Simmons down with leg kicks.

Simmons tries to keep at a distance but Pettis has taken the fight into the clinch.
Pettis has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Simmons is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Pettis landing knees to the head.

Pettis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Simmons fails with the takedown.
Pettis stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Pettis wants it to stay on the feet.
Simmons shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Brett Simmons seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pettis connects with a leg kick. Simmons looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Pettis throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Simmons's waist but Simmons gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pettis off to one side.
Simmons has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Pettis.
Pettis lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Pettis.
Simmons chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Pettis can pounce on him.
Simmons takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Pettis misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Simmons looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Pettis!
Sloppy strikes there by Simmons.
Pettis is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Simmons has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Simmons wants to control but Pettis is keeping him busy.

Simmons tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Simmons has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Simmons tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Brett Simmons will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nice takedown defense from Simmons. No joy for Pettis on that attempt.
Simmons will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A head kick misses from Pettis.
Nice body kick there by Pettis.
Simmons fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Pettis misses with the combination.
A chopping leg kick lands by Pettis.
Pettis cracks the inside of Simmons's front leg.
Crunch! Pettis slams his shin into Simmons's torso.
Simmons takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Simmons shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Pettis as he avoids it easily.
Link Pettis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brett Simmons.
Pettis scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Simmons fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Pettis lands a head kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pettis turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A good leg kick by Pettis.
Simmons fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Pettis throws a head kick that Simmons semi-blocks.

Simmons is rocked!
Simmons on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Pettis. Pettis obviously looking to wear him down.
Simmons is still on wobbly legs! Can Pettis finish him?
Simmons closes the distance and clinches up with Pettis, looking for a takedown. Simmons pushes Pettis against the cage but Pettis circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Pettis throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Simmons tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Pettis is in Simmons's guard.

Pettis drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Pettis jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Pettis missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Simmons being controlled here, momentarily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pettis wants to get up but he can't break Simmons's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Pettis trying to control but Simmons is working from the bottom.
Pettis has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Simmons trying to control the position here.
Pettis trying to control but Simmons is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Link Pettis.
Simmons with a poor takedown
and Pettis counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Link Pettis is winning the standup battle so far.
Pettis lands a brutal head kick. Simmons looks out on his feet and Pettis throws more strikes until the ref is forced to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:10 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Kick and Punches). Link Pettis!
Link Pettis is the new featherweight champion!
Our winner, Link Pettis, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.