PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Simmalavong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Halifax (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Simmalavong
vs
Halifax

180 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
170 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rafael Simmalavong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Joe Halifax!
The judges for this bout are Ben Watson, Damien Edna and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Halifax circles away from the clinch attempt.
Simmalavong tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Halifax manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Simmalavong tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Halifax swats away the attempt to clinch by Simmalavong.
Halifax takes a swing at Simmalavong's ribcage but misses.
Simmalavong takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
The fight stays on the outside here - Simmalavong looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Simmalavong takes one to the side of the head.
Simmalavong is looking to clinch.
And Halifax tries to counter it with a takedown but Simmalavong pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Simmalavong tries to close the distance and clinch up but Halifax swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Simmalavong tries to clinch but Halifax is having none of it.
Halifax misses with a two punch combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Halifax fails to land the takedown.
Simmalavong tries to clinch but Halifax is having none of it.
Simmalavong wants to clinch up but Halifax keeps it at a distance.
Simmalavong doesn't manage to clinch there - Halifax circles away.
Simmalavong tries to close the distance and clinch up but Halifax swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Simmalavong tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Halifax decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Simmalavong's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simmalavong is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Halifax controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Halifax chips away with some ground and pound.
Halifax controlling from the top position.
Halifax wants to control from the top but Simmalavong keeps moving.
Halifax won't allow Simmalavong to get back to his feet.
Halifax stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Simmalavong swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Halifax is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two 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.
Halifax is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Halifax chips away with some ground and pound.
Halifax seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Halifax chips away with some ground and pound.
Simmalavong is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Halifax is controlling him.
Halifax sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Simmalavong's guard.
Halifax lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Halifax working Simmalavong over with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Simmalavong looks like he's trying to stand up.
Halifax is taking a breather. Simmalavong says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Halifax is keen to just control but Simmalavong is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halifax is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Halifax stops Simmalavong from getting back to his feet.
Halifax takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Halifax sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Halifax seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Simmalavong does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Halifax might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Simmalavong haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Simmalavong tries to kick Halifax off but Halifax keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Halifax wants to take a breather but Simmalavong is having none of it.
Halifax looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Simmalavong with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Halifax is keen to just control but Simmalavong is a slippery customer.
Halifax landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Simmalavong is rocked!
Halifax trying to control the action but Simmalavong is working from the bottom.
Halifax working over Simmalavong with some ground and pound. Simmalavong looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Oh Simmalavong is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Halifax scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Simmalavong kicks Halifax off and gets back to his feet.
Simmalavong doesn't manage to clinch there - Halifax circles away.
Halifax connects with a superb combination that knocks Simmalavong out cold! The referee charges across the mat and tackles Halifax before he can land any more shots to the unconscious Simmalavong!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:13 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Joe Halifax!