PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Manuel Simpson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nero Fire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Manuel Simpson has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Manuel Simpson seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Simpson
vs
Fire

184 cm
18
140 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

155 cm
25
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Manuel Simpson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nero Fire!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Taro Takaoka and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fire swats away the attempt to clinch by Simpson.
Fire throws a sloppy head kick and Simpson moves out of range easily.

Simpson closes the distance and clinches.

Fire has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Simpson clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Fire keeps control of the position as Simpson tries to break free.
Simpson manages to reverse the position and now he's in Fire's guard. Nice work there by Simpson.
Simpson cracks Fire with a solid left hand.
Simpson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Simpson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Fire is trying to keep Simpson in close.
Simpson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Fire preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simpson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Fire is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Simpson throws a big right hand that misses.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Fire is on top in guard.
Simpson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Fire manages to get himself to full guard.
Fire has Simpson pulled in close to control his posture.
Simpson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Simpson throws a big right hand that misses.
Fire looking for a sweep. Not yet Fire, not yet.
Simpson landing some decent shots from guard.
Simpson stopping the sweep attempt from Fire.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simpson throws a big elbow that misses.

Fire has his foot on Simpson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Simpson works his way back into a safe position though.
Simpson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Fire controls Simpson momentarily but Simpson frees himself.
Simpson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Simpson is looking to work some ground and pound but Fire has wrist control.
Simpson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Simpson is working Fire over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Simpson throwing strikes from guard but Fire blocks nicely.
Fire managing to control the position.
Fire is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fire trying to control the position here.

Nero Fire has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Fire shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Simpson eats them both and turns towards Fire to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Horrible takedown attempt by Simpson or perhaps it was just good defense by Fire, which made it look bad.
The fight stays on the outside here - Fire looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Simpson circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fire shoots in but no luck this time.
Simpson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fire shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fire shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Simpson sprawls well. Simpson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Fire gets slowly back to his feet.
Manuel Simpson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nero Fire.

Simpson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Simpson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Manuel Simpson will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nice takedown defense from Simpson. No joy for Fire on that attempt.
Fire throws a series of punches but Simpson avoids them all with ease.
Fire misses with a takedown attempt

and Simpson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Fire is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Simpson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Manuel Simpson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nero Fire.

Fire breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Fire clinches.
Simpson tries to land a knee to the head but Fire blocks with his arms.
Simpson tries to pull guard but Fire holds him up against the cage and eventually Simpson drops back down to his feet.

Fire has Simpson pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Fire pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Simpson tumbling to the mat - Fire dives into Simpson's guard.
Fire must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simpson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Fire manages to get himself to full guard.
Simpson throws a big right hand that misses.
Simpson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Simpson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Fire has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Simpson has managed to get both his arms back between Fire's legs - danger averted.
Fire is trying to keep Simpson in close.
Simpson lands a couple of digs.

Simpson postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Fire is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Simpson, into his guard.
Simpson is pulling down on Fire's head to control his posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simpson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Simpson trying to control the position here.
Fire tries to free his leg and advance position but Simpson is retaining full guard.
Fire trying to control but Simpson is working from the bottom.
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.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nero Fire was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Fire looks to clinch

and Simpson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Simpson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Fire defending well though.
Fire pushes Simpson off looking to stand but Simpson dives back in and keeps control.
Fire has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Simpson is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simpson lands with a punch from half guard.
Fire is looking for a sweep. Simpson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Fire is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Simpson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Fire wants to control but Simpson is keeping busy.
Fire is breathing heavily.
Fire on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Simpson is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Fire blocking the ground and pound attempt from Simpson.
Fire is looking to control Simpson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Fire avoid being mounted?
Fire wants to get back to full guard.
Simpson throwing shots but Fire is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simpson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Simpson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Fire keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Simpson throwing shots but Fire is blocking nicely.
Simpson throwing shots but Fire is blocking nicely.
Fire is looking to control Simpson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Fire avoid being mounted?
Fire keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Fire is looking for a sweep. Simpson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
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!
Simpson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Simpson prevents Fire from improving his position.
Simpson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manuel Simpson dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Fire has a takedown stuffed.
Fire shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Simpson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Fire as he jumps to the side.
Fire shoots for a takedown but Simpson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Manuel Simpson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nero Fire.
Fire shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Simpson defends it nicely.
Fire takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fire keeps the fight on the outside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fire is trying hard to land a takedown here. Simpson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Simpson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Fire with a lazy takedown attempt

and Simpson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Fire avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Simpson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Simpson lands a couple of elbows.
Simpson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Simpson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Simpson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Simpson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Fire's head.
Simpson is in close to Fire's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Simpson working some strikes from top position.

Fire isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Simpson stacks Fire on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Simpson!
Simpson landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Fire is trying to control Simpson's posture but Simpson avoids it.
Simpson working the ground and pound from side control.
Simpson throws an elbow but Fire slips to the side and avoids it well.
Fire managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Simpson.
Fire wants to control but Simpson postures up.
Simpson scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Fire to see if he's OK.
Simpson working away.

Simpson tries for a kimura but Fire is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simpson landing strikes.
Fire is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Simpson lands some shots froms side control.
Fire defending against the ground and pound.
Fire struggling a bit here.
Fire takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Simpson working the head with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Simpson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Fire knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Fire is trying to work for a sweep but Simpson has mounted him!
Manuel Simpson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The referee warns Fire that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Fire bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Fire trying to control but Simpson is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fire wants to get up but he can't break Simpson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Nero Fire has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Manuel Simpson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
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!
Simpson looking for a sweep. Not yet Simpson, not yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Manuel Simpson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Simpson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:28
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Manuel Simpson!