PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ben Simmons (ranked 6329 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Tester (ranked 6398 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Simmons
vs
Tester

195 cm
22
234 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
230 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ben Simmons!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mark Tester!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Peter Branson and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tester throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Simmons was covering up waiting for the punch and Tester finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tester is pushing down on Simmons's leg trying to pass to half guard. Simmons is fighting to maintain full guard but Tester has managed to sneak the leg through.
Simmons is trying to get back to full guard.
Nice strikes from Tester there.
Tester with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Simmons trying to control from the bottom.
Simmons wants to improve his position but Tester is controlling well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tester seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Tester is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tester connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Tester content just to control the position here.
Simmons is wriggling around trying to escape.
Tester with a couple of short strikes.
Simmons knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Tester on the ground.
Simmons is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Tester has hold of Simmons's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Simmons manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Tester lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Simmons hang on?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tester can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Simmons is looking to escape.
Tester takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Simmons is wriggling around trying to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tester controlling the pace for now.

Tester has control of Simmons's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Simmons regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tester controlling from mount.

Simmons defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Tester.

Tester looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Simmons is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tester is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Simmons can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

It looks like Ben Simmons has been cut.
Simmons is squirming around, avoiding Tester's attempts to control the action.
Tester might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Simmons haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Simmons is trying to escape the mount.
Simmons is working hard here to advance position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Tester dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ben Simmons's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Simmons shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Simmons takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Simmons wants to clinch up but Tester keeps it at a distance.
Tester misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tester throws a nice looking combination but Simmons bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Simmons is defended easily by Tester.
Tester has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Tester gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simmons is working for takedown but Tester is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Simmons. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Tester drags the fight down to the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tester manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Simmons manages to get himself to full guard.

Tester showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Tester trying to control the position from guard on top but Simmons is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mark Tester has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tester wants to pass the guard but Simmons is keeping the position.
Tester passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Tester controlling the position from side mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tester trying to control the position but Simmons is working away.

Tester tries for a kimura but Simmons is defending well.

Tester is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Simmons is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Tester in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Simmons tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Tester wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tester stands up and beckons Simmons to his feet.

Tester throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Simmons tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Tester is in Simmons's guard.
Tester passes Simmons's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Tester wants to free his trapped foot but Simmons is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Tester is trying to work for a kimura but Simmons is defending well.
Tester works his way into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tester wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Simmons, who protects the arm well.
Simmons wants to control but Tester postures up.

Tester tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Simmons on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Simmons tries to get out of the position.
Simmons tries to improve position but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Tester showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ben Simmons's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Tester punishes Simmons's body with a nice straight punch.
Ben Simmons is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Simmons.
Tester tries to counter by closing the distance.
Tester throws a head kick that half lands.

Tester closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Simmons to the mat! Simmons manages to get full guard.
Simmons is looking to stand up but Tester isn't so interested in that idea.
Simmons wants to sweep here but Tester controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tester content to stall in guard here.
Tester is in close to Simmons's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tester drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Simmons manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Tester has Simmons in his guard.

Simmons with a flurry of punches that miss.
Simmons is looking to pass into half guard but Tester pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Tester is in guard.

Tester decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Simmons looks for a takedown but Tester sprawls well.
Mark Tester is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simmons gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Tester counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Tester stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Tester listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Simmons closes the distance and clinches up with Tester, looking for a takedown. Simmons pushes Tester against the cage but Tester circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Simmons. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Simmons throws a combination that misses
and Tester counters with a nice body kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Tester closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Tester lands in his opponent's guard.
Simmons is looking to stand back up but Tester counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Simmons.

Tester controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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.
Tester prevents Simmons from improving his position.
Tester is controlling the pace.
Simmons taking some punishment here, with Tester in his half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tester stalling.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Tester comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tester has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 26:30
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 26:30
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Tester!