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SFL 49 | Simon vs O'Neil PBP Commentary |
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
O'Neil misses with a leg kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Simon blocks the leg kick.
O'Neil misses with an uppercut. Simon saw that one coming.
O'Neil throws a head kick but Simon moves out of range.
Simon swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Simon ducks under a wild hook from O'Neil.
Simon tries to counter with a takedown but O'Neil is quick to defend against it.
O'Neil throws a looping overhand right but Simon ducks down to avoid it.
Simon shoots and misses
and O'Neil counters with a big head kick but Simon shrugs it off.
O'Neil misses the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
O'Neil lands with a right hand.
Simon fails to land the takedown.
That's one minute gone in the round.
O'Neil misses with a hook.
O'Neil is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Simon.
Simon ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from O'Neil. Simon shrugs it off though.
Simon shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Simon is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Simon slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
O'Neil wants to control but Simon postures up.
Simon is looking to take a break and control but O'Neil is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simon tries for a kimura but O'Neil is defending well.
Simon working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Simon is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. O'Neil knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
O'Neil tries to buck Simon off but Simon is having none of it.
Simon trying to control the action but O'Neil is working from the bottom.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Simon working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
O'Neil tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Simon wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Simon throws an elbow but O'Neil slips to the side and avoids it well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
O'Neil struggling a bit here.
Simon tries to move into full mount but can't pass O'Neil's legs.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Mickey O'Neil dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
O'Neil is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
That kick from O'Neil tenderised Simon's leg. Simon is trying to keep his angry face on.
Simon takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Simon fails to land the takedown.
O'Neil missing with a left hand there. Simon was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Simon appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simon tries to close the distance and clinch but O'Neil swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
O'Neil takes a swing at Simon's ribcage but misses.
O'Neil misses with a straight right.
O'Neil throws a body kick that misses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Simon shoots in but O'Neil avoids the takedown attempt easily.
O'Neil misses with a low kick.
Simon throws out a loose jab but O'Neil uses good head movement to avoid it.
No joy there for O'Neil, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
O'Neil takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
O'Neil misses with a straight right.
Simon appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Simon manages to get an easy takedown there - catching O'Neil on his heels. He'll look to pass O'Neil's guard now, I'm sure.
O'Neil keeping full guard, as Simon tries to pass.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
O'Neil looking for a sweep. Not yet O'Neil, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Simon looking to sit in guard and control but O'Neil gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Jay Simon overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Simon is trying to keep O'Neil in close.
Simon isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. O'Neil stacks Simon on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by O'Neil!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simon is looking for a sweep.
Simon is working hard here to advance position.
Simon manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Simon wants to free his trapped foot but O'Neil is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Simon wants to control but O'Neil is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simon is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because O'Neil is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
O'Neil is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Simon wants to pass the guard but O'Neil is defending well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Simon is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Mickey O'Neil showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
O'Neil misses with an attempted mid kick.
O'Neil scores with a nice right hand.
Simon slips under a jab.
Simon ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Simon pushes O'Neil up against the cage in a clinch.
Simon ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Simon no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Simon is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
O'Neil 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
O'Neil is continuing to stall.
That's one minute gone in the round.
O'Neil trying to control but Simon is working from the bottom.
Simon not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Simon can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as O'Neil controls the pace.
Simon has his foot on O'Neil's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. O'Neil works his way back into a safe position though.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Simon seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Nice body kick there by O'Neil.
O'Neil misses with a straight right.
O'Neil lands a nice hook to Simon's body. Simon takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
O'Neil misses with a body kick.
O'Neil throws a big shot that misses.
A little feinted left hand from Simon on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
O'Neil works the jab nicely.
Mickey O'Neil seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
O'Neil throws a head kick that misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
O'Neil looks to land a right hand but Simon moved out of range.
Simon tries to counter with a takedown but O'Neil is quick to defend against it.
Simon moves out of range of the body kick.
Simon drops down looking for a counter takedown but O'Neil sprawls and moves away.
O'Neil takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Simon misses with a looping right.
O'Neil gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
O'Neil misses with a leg kick
and Simon counters with a left to the body.
O'Neil listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Simon looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Simon wants to control from the top but O'Neil keeps moving.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simon pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. O'Neil is keeping the position for now.
Simon works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
O'Neil is looking to improve his position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
O'Neil makes his way to full guard. A much better position for O'Neil.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close third round but Mickey O'Neil just about did enough to take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Nice uppercut there from O'Neil.
A big right from Simon misses.
O'Neil swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Simon moves away from the strike by O'Neil.
Simon attempts a counter takedown but O'Neil avoids it well and moves away.
Simon ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Simon changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A decent looking cross lands there for Simon.
O'Neil throws a hook but Simon blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A good leg kick by O'Neil.
A jab from Simon does it's job there.
Simon feints and as O'Neil raises his hands in defense, Simon changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Simon wants to control from the top but O'Neil keeps moving.
Simon preventing the sweep.
Simon pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. O'Neil is keeping the position for now.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Simon keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from O'Neil.
A counter left hand to the body from Simon misses its target.
O'Neil throws out a loose jab but Simon uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jab by Simon.
O'Neil lets loose with a powerful body kick. Simon will feel that in the morning.
O'Neil throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Simon changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Simon uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from O'Neil.
Simon throwing a counter right hand but O'Neil manages to avoid it.
O'Neil misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Simon.
Simon swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
O'Neil works the jab nicely.
Mickey O'Neil seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Simon takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
O'Neil buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
O'Neil throws a looping overhand right but Simon ducks down to avoid it.
Decent striking displayed by O'Neil there.
Simon tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but O'Neil defends well and Simon ends up having to push O'Neil into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Simon blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
O'Neil misses with a punch on the inside.
O'Neil swings away with an uppercut that misses.
O'Neil blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Simon scores with a nice hook to the head.
O'Neil taking a breather.
Simon lands with a short punch from the clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simon is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables O'Neil to keep the fight standing.
O'Neil has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Simon tries a body shot but O'Neil blocks it.
O'Neil trying to stall but Simon improves his position.
O'Neil has a couple of punches blocked by Simon.
O'Neil digs a right hand into Simon's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Simon's gas tank.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
O'Neil misses with a short punch on the inside.
Simon tries to pull guard but O'Neil won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jay Simon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
O'Neil tries to break free but Simon pushes him back against the cage.
O'Neil lands a shoulder strike.
Simon has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. O'Neil avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
O'Neil misses with a hook from the clinch.
Simon lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of O'Neil backwards.
A short right from O'Neil.
Simon lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
O'Neil has a couple of punches blocked by Simon.
O'Neil looking to slow down the pace here.
Simon blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Simon has a couple of punches blocked by O'Neil.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Mickey O'Neil dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!
O'Neil misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Simon counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
O'Neil felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Simon looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
O'Neil wants to improve his position but Simon is controlling well.
Simon trying to mount his opponent but O'Neil defends it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simon wants to control but O'Neil is keeping him busy.
That's one minute gone in the round.
O'Neil is trying to control but can't.
Simon is sneakily working for an arm triangle but O'Neil sees it coming and defends easily.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Simon takes a kick to the side of the head.
O'Neil tries a head kick but it misses.
Simon tries to clinch but O'Neil is having none of it.
O'Neil throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
O'Neil throws a big shot that misses.
Nice jab there from Simon.
Jay Simon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
O'Neil looks to land a right hand but Simon moved out of range.
O'Neil scores with a nice strike.
Simon is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Simon lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
O'Neil waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Simon.
O'Neil gets caught flat footed, as Simon shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Simon stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. O'Neil swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Simon trying to control the position from guard on top but O'Neil is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
O'Neil looking for a sweep. Not yet O'Neil, not yet.
Simon wants to control from the top but O'Neil keeps moving.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Simon closes this distance looking for a takedown but O'Neil circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Simon is defended easily by O'Neil.
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.
Simon 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.
O'Neil thuds his right hand into Simon's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
O'Neil lands a glancing blow to the side of Simon's head.
Simon scores with a sloppy right hand. O'Neil should have avoided that one.
Simon jabbing away but nothing is landing.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jay Simon.
I think O'Neil has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 45:50
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 46:50
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 46:49
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mickey O'Neil!
Mickey O'Neil is the new lightweight champion!
An out of breath Mickey O'Neil thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career. |
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