PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Francis Atkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Simmons (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Atkins
vs
Simmons

187 cm
24
279 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

192 cm
25
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Francis Atkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Michael Simmons!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Chris Downing and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simmons tries for a takedown but Atkins sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Simmons shoots and misses
and Atkins counters with a two punch combo.
Atkins fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Simmons avoids it really well and circles away.

Simmons clinches.

Simmons's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Atkins shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Simmons defends it nicely.

Simmons rushes Atkins and presses him up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Simmons manages to break the clinch.
Atkins throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Simmons shoots in looking for a takedown. Atkins tries to sprawl out of it but Simmons keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Atkins manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Francis Atkins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Simmons.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Atkins shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Simmons is trying to defend but Atkins finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Simmons lands one or two decent shots to the body here. Although from his own half guard, he's not going to be causing too much damage.
Simmons is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Atkins trying to control the pace.
Atkins is thwarting Simmons's attempts to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atkins not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Atkins is nestled in close to Simmons, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Atkins not doing much here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Simmons lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Atkins circles away quickly and effectively.
Atkins misses with a takedown attempt - Simmons sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Michael Simmons seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simmons fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Simmons tries for a takedown but Atkins circles away easily
and Atkins counters with a series of strikes. Simmons will be more careful next time no doubt.

Simmons drives through and clinches with Atkins against the cage.
Simmons is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Atkins pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Atkins tries to pull guard but Simmons won't allow it.
Atkins has Simmons pushed against the cage.

Atkins has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Simmons uses from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Atkins manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Simmons manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Atkins sitting in guard here, content to control.
Simmons looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Atkins puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Ground and pound from Atkins.
Atkins sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Atkins has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francis Atkins 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.

Simmons gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Simmons is trying to pull guard but Atkins has him pressed against the cage.
Simmons taking a breather.
Atkins tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Simmons just stands there and leans against the cage.

Atkins jumps into guard, dragging Simmons to the mat.
Simmons would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Simmons tries to free his leg and advance position but Atkins is retaining full guard.
Atkins is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Simmons can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Atkins trying to keep a closed guard but Simmons is proving a slippery customer.

Simmons is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Atkins is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Atkins has escaped and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atkins slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Atkins working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Francis Atkins overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Simmons wants to control the position but Atkins says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

Atkins stands up and beckons Simmons to join him on the feet.
Atkins really is a fat lump.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Atkins throws a sloppy head kick and Simmons moves out of range easily.
Simmons throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Atkins.

Simmons forces Atkins back against the cage and clinches.
Simmons fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Atkins decides to pull guard.
Atkins keeping moving, preventing Simmons from controlling successfully.
Atkins 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.
Simmons wants to pass the guard but Atkins is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simmons looking to sit in guard and control but Atkins gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Atkins engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Simmons working a defensive guard here.
Atkins controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Atkins's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Simmons striking off his back but it's not causing Atkins any problems.
Atkins has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Simmons is proving hard to escape from.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Simmons wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Atkins is now in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Atkins perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Simmons wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francis Atkins dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Atkins takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nice sprawl there from Simmons as Atkins shoots in.
Atkins slips a jab and a cross from Simmons.
Simmons is looking to score with low kicks.

Simmons has taken the fight to the clinch.

Simmons ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Simmons no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Atkins postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Atkins working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Simmons working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Atkins.
Simmons trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atkins lands a couple of elbows.
Atkins working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Simmons is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Simmons seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Atkins does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Atkins is trying to escape back to his feet but Simmons uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Atkins wants to control but Simmons postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atkins tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Simmons wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Atkins throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
Atkins tries to control but Simmons manages to take his back.
I really don't envy Atkins right now.
Simmons is looking to control Atkins but Atkins is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Atkins trying to control the action but Simmons just sinks the hooks in.
Simmons has the hooks in. Atkins is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Simmons tries to get the hooks in deep but Atkins pushed the leg off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Atkins right now.

Simmons working for the choke.
Simmons has the hooks in. Atkins is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Simmons working for the choke.
Simmons takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Simmons is controlling the position but Atkins somehow manages to roll and ends up with half guard.
Simmons stops Atkins from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Atkins manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Simmons keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Atkins gets underhooks to prevent Simmons's takedown attempt.

Atkins manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Simmons preventing the sweep.
Atkins lands some strikes from the bottom.
Simmons is fighting to break Atkins's control of his arms but Atkins is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Atkins wants to stand but Simmons is controlling the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Simmons trying to control but Atkins is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Simmons comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Atkins 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Francis Atkins!