PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mads Holst Simonsen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rick Beezy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rick Beezy will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Holst Simonsen
vs
Beezy

178 cm
18
190 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

189 cm
18
190 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mads Holst Simonsen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rick Beezy!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Beezy throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rick Beezy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Beezy throws a nice looking combination but Simonsen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A head kick misses from Beezy.
Simonsen throws a big counter combination but Beezy scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

Beezy drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Simonsen regains half guard, as Beezy was trying to land strikes.
Simonsen regains full guard. Nicely done.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Beezy wants to pass the guard but Simonsen is keeping the position.
Simonsen seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Simonsen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simonsen is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Simonsen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Beezy is aware though and is defending well.

Simonsen manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

Simonsen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Beezy swinging wildly here.

Beezy shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Simonsen is trying to defend but Beezy finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Simonsen manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Simonsen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Beezy.
Simonsen dodges the punch combination from Beezy.
Beezy looks winded!
A low kick from Beezy is predictable there
and Simonsen counters with a nice uppercut.
Beezy shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Simonsen pinned against the cage. Simonsen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Beezy wants to clinch up but Simonsen keeps it at a distance.
Beezy showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Simonsen.
A combination from Beezy does no damage.

Simonsen throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Beezy was covering up waiting for the punch and Simonsen finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Simonsen content to stall in guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beezy has momentary wrist control but Simonsen slips an elbow through the middle.
Beezy wants to stand but Simonsen is controlling the position.
Simonsen engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Beezy working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Simonsen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Simonsen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Simonsen slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Simonsen chips away with some ground and pound.
Simonsen might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Simonsen landing some decent shots from guard.
Simonsen landing with the ground and pound.
Simonsen with a nice head shot there.
Simonsen showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Simonsen trying to control the position from guard on top but Beezy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A right-left combo lands from Beezy.
Simonsen takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Simonsen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Beezy can do to turn this around?
Simonsen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Beezy's waist but Beezy gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Simonsen off to one side.
Beezy tries to close the distance and clinch but Simonsen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Simonsen fails with the takedown.
Beezy throws a leg kick that misses.
Simonsen keeps the fight on the outside.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Beezy is defended easily by Simonsen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Simonsen bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Beezy bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Simonsen stuns Beezy with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simonsen tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Beezy defends well and Simonsen ends up having to push Beezy into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mads Holst Simonsen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Beezy lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Beezy shoots in for a takedown but Simonsen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rick Beezy seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Beezy fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Simonsen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Simonsen closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Beezy to the mat! Beezy manages to get full guard.
Beezy 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.
Beezy can't keep his opponent in guard - Simonsen advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Simonsen is controlling the pace.
Beezy has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Simonsen is working away from the top position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Simonsen decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
A combination from Beezy does no damage.
Simonsen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Beezy scores with a three punch combo!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Simonsen fails with a takedown attempt.

Simonsen shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beezy lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Simonsen circles away quickly and effectively.
Beezy tries to score with a low kick but Simonsen moves his leg out of the way.
Simonsen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Beezy moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Beezy tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Simonsen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Beezy shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Simonsen but Simonsen pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Simonsen has Beezy up against the cage in a clinch.

Simonsen gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Beezy regains guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simonsen chips away with some ground and pound.
Simonsen would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Beezy keeping moving, preventing Simonsen from controlling successfully.
Simonsen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Beezy thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Simonsen trying to control the position from guard on top but Beezy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Simonsen stops Beezy from standing up.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Simonsen controlling from the top position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Simonsen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Beezy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Beezy fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Simonsen tries to clinch up.
Simonsen sets himself, and Beezy steps forward looking for the clinch! Simonsen avoids it this time.
Beezy rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Simonsen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Beezy is looking to clinch but Simonsen is avoiding it.
Beezy darts in looking for a takedown but Simonsen gets double underhooks and turns Beezy into the cage.
Simonsen looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Beezy darts in and clinches Simonsen up against the cage.

Beezy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Beezy shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Simonsen keeps the fight on the outside.
Simonsen lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Simonsen drives through with a takedown into Beezy's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Simonsen chips away with some ground and pound.
Simonsen works over Beezy with some ground and pound from guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Simonsen controlling from the top position.
Beezy is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Simonsen is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simonsen content to stall in guard here.
Simonsen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Simonsen gets to his feet. Beezy looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Beezy stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Beezy wants it to stay on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Beezy throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Simonsen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Beezy swivels and escapes.
Simonsen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Beezy swats away the attempt to clinch by Simonsen.
Simonsen sizes up Beezy with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Beezy gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Beezy breaks the clinch.
Simonsen has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Beezy stuffs the takedown attempt from Simonsen. Simonsen gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mads Holst Simonsen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Horrible takedown attempt by Beezy or perhaps it was just good defense by Simonsen, which made it look bad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Simonsen closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Beezy did well to prevent Simonsen getting side control.
Beezy has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Simonsen working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Simonsen not doing much here.
Simonsen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Beezy defending well though.
Beezy is looking to control Simonsen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Beezy avoid being mounted?
Simonsen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Beezy is looking to improve his position.
Simonsen slips a nice elbow through Beezy's hands, connecting with Beezy's forehead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Simonsen postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Beezy to stand up.
Simonsen fails with the takedown.
Mads Holst Simonsen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Simonsen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Beezy pinned against the cage. Beezy gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Simonsen takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Simonsen takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Beezy throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Beezy displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rick Beezy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Beezy has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rick Beezy!
During a confident post fight interview, Rick Beezy thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.