PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Zharkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeff Simpson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Zharkov
vs
Simpson

200 cm
21
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

179 cm
21
198 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good knees
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ivan Zharkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jeff Simpson!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Peter Branson and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zharkov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zharkov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Simpson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Zharkov goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Zharkov throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Simpson counters with a series of strikes. Zharkov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Zharkov throws a lazy head kick

and Simpson moves into the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Simpson.

Simpson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zharkov tries to clinch up
and Simpson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Zharkov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Simpson shapes to counter with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zharkov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zharkov lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Zharkov tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Simpson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Zharkov won't be happy with that.
Simpson remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simpson advances to full mount.
Simpson controlling his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zharkov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Zharkov tries to get out of the position.
Simpson is continuing to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The adventures of Simpson the control monster continue. Boring.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Simpson dominated that round.
That's time! Zharkov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Zharkov is looking to clinch but Simpson is avoiding it.
Zharkov sets himself, and Simpson steps forward looking for the clinch! Zharkov avoids it this time.
Zharkov wants to clinch
and Simpson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Zharkov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And Simpson tries to counter it with a takedown but Zharkov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Zharkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Simpson lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Zharkov is looking to clinch.
Simpson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Zharkov defends it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zharkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Zharkov clinches.

Simpson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zharkov tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zharkov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zharkov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Simpson throws a big counter head kick but Zharkov avoids it with no problem.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zharkov wants to clinch

and Simpson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Zharkov's guard.
Simpson passes into half guard.
Simpson controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simpson is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Zharkov!
Simpson sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Jeff Simpson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Simpson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Zharkov throws the left hand but Simpson avoids the punch easily.
Simpson wants to counter the offense by Zharkov and move into the clinch position.
Zharkov tries to clinch up.
Simpson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Zharkov looks to clinch
and Simpson counters with a slapping leg kick.
Zharkov moves in looking to clinch but Simpson pushes him off.
Simpson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Zharkov closes the distance but Simpson moves to the side
and Simpson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Zharkov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Simpson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simpson avoids the head kick by Zharkov.
Simpson lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Zharkov tries to clinch but Simpson moves away
and Simpson counters with a right, left combo that wobbles Zharkov badly! Simpson follows up with a massive right hook, straight to the bridge of the nose that knocks Zharkov out cold! Oh wow, what a finish! Very reminiscent of Koscheck vs Yoshida as Simpson finished him against the cage.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:53 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Jeff Simpson!