PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Edgars Simans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eric Skinner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Eric Skinner has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Edgars Simans's chin.

Simans
vs
Skinner

188 cm
32
182 lbs
14 - 11 - 0

179 cm
32
177 lbs
14 - 9 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Edgars Simans!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 1, fighting out of New York, Eric Skinner!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Daniel Cesar and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Skinner uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Simans walks forward, straight into a front kick from Skinner.
Skinner throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Simans shoots in for a takedown but Skinner shows good takedown defense.
Simans throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
No joy there for Skinner, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Horrible takedown attempt by Simans or perhaps it was just good defense by Skinner, which made it look bad.
Skinner throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Simans tries to counter with a takedown but Skinner is quick to defend against it.
Simans bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Skinner throws a chopping leg kick but Simans manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Simans throws a big counter combination but Skinner scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

Simans shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Simans was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Skinner struggling a bit here.
Skinner might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Simans haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skinner wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Skinner is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Skinner is looking to regain half guard here but Simans keeps moving and retains side control.

Simans stands up and beckons Skinner to his feet.
Simans pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Simans closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
You can see the frustration on Skinner's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Skinner tries to buck Simans off but Simans is having none of it.

Simans thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skinner struggling a bit here.
Skinner is looking for a sweep.
Simans wants to control but Skinner is keeping him busy.
Simans working away.
Skinner tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Simans trying to control the action but Skinner is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skinner is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Simans stands up.
A telegraphed right hand from Skinner misses the target.
Simans lands a head shot.
Simans shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Skinner as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edgars Simans. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Simans moves out of range of the body kick.
Skinner lands with a thumping leg kick.
Skinner throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Simans rushes Skinner and presses him up against the cage.
Skinner scores with a nice hook to the head.

Simans has clasped his hands together around Skinner's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Skinner sneaks out the side door and pushes Simans away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Simans shoots for a double leg takedown but Skinner sprawls well. He's pushed Simans's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Skinner uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Simans.
A jab from Skinner finds it's way through Simans's defenses.
Skinner misses with a head kick.
Skinner takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Skinner throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Eric Skinner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Skinner takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Simans blocks a head kick by Skinner.
Skinner tries to land a front kick but Simans steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Skinner misses with a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Skinner misses with a wild body shot.
Skinner defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Simans.
Skinner replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Simans blocks it well.
Skinner is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Simans.
Simans tries to bum rush Skinner with a series of wild strikes but Skinner uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Edgars Simans is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Simans on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Skinner misses with a head kick.
A low kick from Skinner misses
and Simans counters with a straight right hand.
Skinner throws a quick inside leg kick.
Simans fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simans slips under a jab from Skinner.
Simans closes the distance and clinches up with Skinner, looking for a takedown. Simans pushes Skinner against the cage but Skinner circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edgars Simans. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Some wild striking there from Skinner.
Skinner has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Skinner's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Skinner duly obliges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skinner takes a swing at Simans's ribcage but misses.
Skinner looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Simans misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Simans uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Skinner.
It looked like Simans was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Skinner throws a sloppy head kick and Simans moves out of range easily.
Skinner throws a body shot but no joy.
A counter left hand to the body from Simans misses its target.
Skinner throws a wild body kick that Simans sees coming a mile off.
Skinner's corner calls for a 1-2. Skinner obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Simans lands a nice looking kick to the body. Skinner takes a step back to recover.

Skinner tries to keep at a distance but Simans has taken the fight into the clinch.
Simans has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Skinner after a bit of a struggle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skinner pushes Simans back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Skinner lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Simans is looking to break free of the clinch but Skinner has double underhooks.
Skinner is looking to break free of the clinch but Simans has double underhooks.
Skinner wants to break the clinch but can't.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Skinner.
Skinner misses with a punch to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Skinner creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee is keeping an eye on Simans - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Skinner misses with some punches.
Skinner misses with a body punch.
Skinner tries to work over Simans's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skinner tries to throw a body punch but Simans avoids it by throwing Skinner back against the cage.

Simans is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Skinner can't fight it off and eventually Simans manages to take the fight to the floor. Skinner looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Simans passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Skinner can't do much from the bottom here.
Skinner is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Simans is staying active.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Simans in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Skinner wants to get back to his feet but Simans drags him back down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skinner is trying to get back to half guard.
Skinner keeps trying to improve his position.
Simans wants to control for a moment but Skinner uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Skinner is trying is best to control the position here.
Skinner wants to get back to full guard but Simans has mounted him!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Skinner 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! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Simans manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Skinner on his heels. He'll look to pass Skinner's guard now, I'm sure.
Skinner tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Edgars Simans overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Simans wants to pass the guard but Skinner is keeping the position.
Simans not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Simans trying to control but Skinner is working from the bottom.
Skinner is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Simans is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Skinner working a defensive guard here.

Skinner wriggles free and stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Skinner misses.
A nice leg kick lands there from Skinner.
Simans fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Eric Skinner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Skinner throws a head kick but Simans moves out of range.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Skinner. Simans shrugs it off though.
Simans shoots for a takedown but Skinner saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Simans.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edgars Simans. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Skinner scores with a jab to the body.
Simans throws a jab but it's blocked by Skinner.
Skinner lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Eric Skinner is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skinner misses with a kick to the body.
Simans looks to land a combination but Skinner avoids it well.
Simans fails to land with a series of punches.
Skinner throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Simans counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Simans is looking to clinch.
It seemed like Skinner was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Simans closes the distance but Skinner moves to the side
and Skinner connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Eric Skinner seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Skinner loads up on a big right hand but Simans slips the punch.
Skinner lands a jab to the nose.
Simans ducks under a wild hook from Skinner.
Skinner with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Skinner misses with a straight left.
Simans is looking to counter the offense by Skinner and move into the clinch.
Simans checks a low kick from Skinner.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simans tries for a takedown but Skinner circles away easily
and Skinner connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Simans throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Skinner tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Simans is in Skinner's guard.
Simans postures up.

Simans decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Simans tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Skinner swivels and escapes.
Simans shoots for a takedown but Skinner saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Simans shoots in looking for a takedown but Skinner manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Simans's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Skinner scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Simans chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Skinner can pounce on him.
Skinner scores with a hook to the body. Simans takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Skinner throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Skinner connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Simans momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Skinner lands with a good body shot.
Skinner misses with a wild body shot.
Decent striking displayed by Skinner there.
Skinner smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Skinner throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Simans stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Simans avoids a kick to the body.
Simans has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Skinner finds it's way round the side to connect with Simans's head.
Skinner throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Simans on the side of the head.
Skinner throws a jab when Simans was well out of range.
Skinner throws a jab when Simans was well out of range.
Simans bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Simans moves out of range of the leg kick from Skinner.
Edgars Simans has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A nice inside leg kick there by Skinner. That's going to slow Simans down.
Skinner swings for the body but Simans moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eric Skinner comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Skinner winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eric Skinner!
Eric Skinner decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.