PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jan Olov Hermansson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergei Simenkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jan Olov Hermansson has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Olov Hermansson
vs
Simenkov

178 cm
37
168 lbs
26 - 24 - 1

165 cm
43
169 lbs
26 - 19 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 24 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Jan Olov Hermansson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 19 - 1, fighting out of New York, Sergei Simenkov!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Alec Ball and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hermansson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Simenkov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Simenkov throws a nice looking combination but Hermansson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Simenkov pushes Hermansson up against the cage in a clinch.
Simenkov controlling the action here for a moment.
Simenkov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hermansson prevents it.
Hermansson goes for a takedown attempt but Simenkov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Simenkov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simenkov throwing strikes from guard but Hermansson blocks nicely.
Simenkov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simenkov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Hermansson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Simenkov throws an elbow that misses. Hermansson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Simenkov's guard. Nice move by Hermansson!

Hermansson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Simenkov shoots for a takedown but Hermansson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Jan Olov Hermansson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Simenkov gets tackled into the cage by Hermansson. Hermansson maintains the clinch.
Simenkov wants to get back to striking at distance but Hermansson won't allow it.

Simenkov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Hermansson rushes Simenkov and presses him up against the cage.
Hermansson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Simenkov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jan Olov Hermansson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Simenkov.

Simenkov manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simenkov closes the distance and clinches up with Hermansson, looking for a takedown. Simenkov pushes Hermansson against the cage but Hermansson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hermansson swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Hermansson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Simenkov is looking to break free of the clinch but Hermansson has double underhooks.
Simenkov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hermansson after a bit of a struggle.
Simenkov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hermansson fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Hermansson clinches up against the cage.
Simenkov tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hermansson stops a takedown attempt from Simenkov.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Simenkov stops a takedown attempt from Hermansson.
Simenkov can't get the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hermansson has clasped his hands together around Simenkov's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Simenkov is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Hermansson asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Hermansson stands up and beckons Simenkov to his feet.

Hermansson clinches.
Come on Simenkov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Hermansson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Simenkov pulls his leg out and moves away.

Hermansson moves into range and clinches up with Simenkov.
Hermansson tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simenkov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hermansson after a bit of a struggle.
Simenkov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hermansson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Simenkov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Hermansson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Simenkov is trying to push Hermansson away but Hermansson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Simenkov tries for a takedown but Hermansson manages to get underhooks.

Simenkov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A nice inside leg kick there by Simenkov. That's going to slow Hermansson down.

Hermansson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Simenkov, pushing him back against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hermansson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hermansson tries for a takedown but Simenkov manages to get underhooks.
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 Jan Olov Hermansson will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Simenkov scores with a jab to the body.

Hermansson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Simenkov postures up in Hermansson's guard and throws a big left but Hermansson blocks it.
Hermansson wants to stand and escape but Simenkov is having none of it.
Hermansson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Simenkov wants to control from the top but Hermansson keeps moving.
Simenkov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simenkov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Hermansson clinches.
Hermansson is pressed up against the cage. Simenkov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hermansson down to the mat. Hermansson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Sergei Simenkov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hermansson tries to close the distance and clinch but Simenkov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Hermansson has Simenkov up against the cage in a clinch.
Hermansson wants a takedown.
Hermansson is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Simenkov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Simenkov tries a head kick but it misses.

Hermansson forces Simenkov back against the cage and clinches.
Hermansson gets underhooks to prevent Simenkov's takedown attempt.
Jan Olov Hermansson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Simenkov.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hermansson drives through and clinches with Simenkov against the cage.
Simenkov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Jan Olov Hermansson has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Simenkov has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Hermansson is trying to keep an underhook but Simenkov manages to get the takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hermansson is looking to escape.
Simenkov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Simenkov is looking for submissions but instead, Hermansson has regained full guard.
Hermansson is looking to stand up but Simenkov isn't so interested in that idea.
Simenkov throwing strikes from guard but Hermansson blocks nicely.

Simenkov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Hermansson dives on top into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hermansson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Simenkov's guard.

Simenkov isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Hermansson stacks Simenkov 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 Hermansson!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hermansson stands up and beckons Simenkov to his feet.
Simenkov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Simenkov throws a right and a left that both miss.

Simenkov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Simenkov looking to sit in guard and control but Hermansson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Jan Olov Hermansson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Simenkov working for a triangle but Hermansson defends it easily.
Hermansson wants to get up but he can't break Simenkov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Hermansson stands up from Simenkov's guard - Hermansson perhaps looking for a knockout.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Simenkov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Hermansson's half guard.
Simenkov prevents Hermansson from standing back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jan Olov Hermansson will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Hermansson gets tackled into the cage by Simenkov. Simenkov maintains the clinch.
Hermansson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Simenkov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Simenkov tries for a takedown but Hermansson manages to get underhooks.
Hermansson gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Simenkov.
Hermansson is looking for a takedown.
Simenkov throws a head punch that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simenkov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jan Olov Hermansson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Simenkov.
Hermansson prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Simenkov breaks the clinch.
Simenkov is looking to land body kicks.
Hermansson fails with an attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hermansson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Hermansson darts in and clinches Simenkov up against the cage.
Simenkov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hermansson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Simenkov is pressed up against the cage. Hermansson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Simenkov down to the mat. Simenkov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Simenkov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Simenkov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Simenkov counters with a stiff right hand.
Simenkov misses with a takedown attempt - Hermansson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jan Olov Hermansson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simenkov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Simenkov stalks Hermansson and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Hermansson's face. Hermansson staggers backwards, shaken.

Hermansson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Simenkov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hermansson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Simenkov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Simenkov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Simenkov breaks from the clinch.

Hermansson has Simenkov up against the cage in a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hermansson is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Hermansson is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Simenkov is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simenkov tries to score a body lock takedown but Hermansson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Simenkov looking for a takedown.

Simenkov gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Hermansson regains guard.
Simenkov throws a big elbow that misses.
Simenkov postures up in Hermansson's guard and throws a big left but Hermansson blocks it.

Hermansson kicks Simenkov off and gets to his feet.
Hermansson is looking to clinch but Simenkov is avoiding it.
Hermansson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Simenkov keeps the fight on the outside.
Simenkov misses with a takedown attempt - Hermansson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hermansson tries to clinch but Simenkov is having none of it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hermansson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hermansson is looking to clinch.
A countering left hand to the body from Simenkov misses.
Hermansson wants to clinch up but Simenkov keeps it at a distance.
Hermansson tries to clinch but Simenkov moves out of range.
Simenkov swats away the attempt to clinch by Hermansson.

Hermansson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Simenkov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sergei Simenkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hermansson is looking to clinch but Simenkov is avoiding it.
Hermansson wants to clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hermansson moves in looking to clinch but Simenkov pushes him off.
Hermansson wants to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergei Simenkov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hermansson 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Sergei Simenkov!
Sergei Simenkov thanked the fans post fight for their support.