PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Uri Haber (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Edgars Simans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Haber
vs
Simans

182 cm
29
176 lbs
13 - 7 - 2

188 cm
32
182 lbs
15 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 13 - 7 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Uri Haber!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Edgars Simans!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Jonathan Paton and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simans tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Haber paws at him with a jab and circles away.
And Haber counters with a quick kick to the body but Simans blocks it.
Haber jabs Simans to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Nice sprawl there from Haber as Simans shoots in.
Simans is looking to clinch.
Simans defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Haber.
Haber tries to bum rush Simans with a series of wild strikes but Simans uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Simans changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Haber closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Simans wants to improve his position but Haber is controlling well.
Simans punching from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simans is looking to improve his position.
Haber takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Haber is working for a submission of some sort.
Haber is keen to just control but Simans is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haber is looking to stall here but Simans recovers full guard.

Simans escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Haber gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Simans working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Simans is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Simans lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haber 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.
Haber controls Simans momentarily but Simans frees himself.
Haber trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Haber is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Haber being controlled here, momentarily.

Haber is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simans is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Haber is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Simans throwing strikes but missing.
Simans trying to stand up but can't free himself from Haber's guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Haber keeps the fight on the outside.
Simans shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Haber pinned against the cage. Haber gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Simans tries to close the distance and clinch but Haber swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Haber changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A slapping body kick lands there for Simans.
Haber lands a jab-cross combination.

It looks like Edgars Simans has been cut.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Simans, as that shot connected.

It looks like Uri Haber has been cut.
Haber scores with a shot to the body.
Simans walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Simans ducks under a wild hook from Haber.
Haber leaves Simans with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Uri Haber has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Edgars Simans.
Simans shoots in looking for a takedown but Haber manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Simans's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Haber closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Haber grinds an elbow into Simans's temple.
Check out the look on Haber's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Haber lands an elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Uri Haber dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Haber lands a nice leg kick that just misses Simans's sensitive parts.
Haber is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Simans can do to turn this around?
Simans tries to clinch up but Haber circles away and keeps his distance.
Haber bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Simans's head.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Simans.
Simans tries to clinch but Haber moves out of range.
Simans gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Simans wants to slow Haber down by chopping away at his legs.
A big left from Haber misses.

Haber shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Simans napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Haber trying to control the action but Simans is working from the bottom.
Simans is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Haber's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haber tries to pass to full mount but Simans defends it.
Haber throwing shots but Simans is blocking nicely.
Simans tries to roll over but Haber keeps him under control.
Simans keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Haber lands strikes from half guard.
Haber scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Haber perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Simans wants to get back to full guard but Haber has mounted him!
Haber looking to control but Simans is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haber sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Haber looking to finish Simans with some ground and pound. This is bad for Simans!
Simans tries to lock up and control but Haber gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Simans keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Haber punishing his opponent with strikes.
Haber scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Simans is desperately trying to improve his position but Haber has a good base and remains in mount.
Simans tries to hold on but Haber postures up.
Haber lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Simans hang on?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simans is looking to get to half guard.
Haber is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Haber punishing his opponent with strikes.

Simans is rocked!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Haber cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Simans is still in real trouble! Can Haber finish him?
Simans wants to control but Haber is having none of it.
Simans is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Haber is staying active.
Haber raining down hammerfists from mount.
Haber postures up and connects with a big shot that has rocked Simans badly. He's trying desperately to grab hold of Haber around the waist but Haber pushes him off and unloads with more strikes, forcing the referee to jump in and save him! Haber is the winner by TKO! Haber jumps onto the cage and shouts into the camera. "We did it momma!"

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Uri Haber!
Uri Haber was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.