PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Vance Hardin (ranked 23399 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ovie Simpson (ranked 4994 p4p, 0 weight class). Ovie Simpson has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Vance Hardin's chin.

Hardin
vs
Simpson

225 cm
21
140 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

168 cm
27
146 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vance Hardin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ovie Simpson!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Dean Styles and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simpson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hardin defends well and Simpson ends up having to push Hardin into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Simpson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Simpson misses with a takedown attempt - Hardin sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Vance Hardin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ovie Simpson.
Simpson darts in looking for a takedown but Hardin gets double underhooks and turns Simpson into the cage.
Simpson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Simpson.
Simpson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Simpson looks winded!

Simpson shoots in and bounces Hardin off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Hardin has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Simpson has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

Hardin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Simpson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Hardin slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardin working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hardin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hardin wants to sweep here but Simpson controlling him for the moment.

Simpson drops back looking for a leg! Hardin is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hardin manages to kick Simpson off! Simpson jumps back into Hardin's guard.
Simpson tries to free his leg and advance position but Hardin is retaining full guard.
Simpson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
It looks like Simpson might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Simpson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Simpson in side control, just content to control the action for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simpson prevents Hardin from escaping the position.

Simpson swings around for an armbar but Hardin sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Simpson's guard.

Simpson looking for a guillotine here but Hardin defends easily.
Hardin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hardin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Hardin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Simpson looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Hardin is defending well. Simpson quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Hardin has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Simpson celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ovie Simpson!