PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tacitus Kilgore (ranked 109 p4p, 131 weight class) and Jay Simon (ranked 15 p4p, 16 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kilgore
vs
Simon

175 cm
27
160
12 - 3 - 0

179 cm
27
165
18 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction
Core Combat

Shadow Warrior Nutrition
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tacitus Kilgore!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jay Simon!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Sosuke Kotani and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kilgore scores with a jab.
Kilgore looks to score with a jab to the body but Simon is just out of range.
Simon changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Simon tries to close the distance and clinch but Kilgore swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kilgore appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Kilgore throws a hook but Simon avoids it easily.
Simon throws a body punch but Kilgore moves out of range.
Simon cracks Kilgore with an open hand slap.
Kilgore throws a lazy uppercut
and Simon counters with a stiff right hand.
Simon throws a hook but Kilgore avoids it easily.
Kilgore throwing a counter right hand but Simon manages to avoid it.

Simon closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Simon lands in his opponent's guard.
Simon pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kilgore is keeping the position for now.
Simon keeps trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simon pushes down on Kilgore's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Simon wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kilgore keeps working.
Simon tries to pass to full mount but Kilgore defends it.
Kilgore moves into full guard.

Simon is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Simon looking to pass the guard.
Simon trying to control but Kilgore is working from the bottom.
Simon looking to pass the guard.
Simon trying to control the position from guard on top but Kilgore is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Simon trying to move into half guard but instead Kilgore has managed to sweep!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kilgore trying to control but Simon is working from the bottom.
Kilgore postures up.
Simon might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Kilgore haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kilgore throws the left hand but Simon avoids the punch easily.
Simon throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Simon takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kilgore scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Simon doesn't seem bothered though.
Tacitus Kilgore is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Simon wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kilgore takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kilgore scores with a jab to the jaw.

Simon shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Simon showed some decent athleticism there.
Kilgore won't allow Simon to pass to mount.

Simon is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kilgore doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Simon.
Simon wants to pass to mount but Kilgore is defending the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jay Simon dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kilgore stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kilgore wants it to stay on the feet.
Simon shoots for a takedown but Kilgore saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Simon throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kilgore sees it coming and avoids it easily.
It looked like Kilgore wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kilgore with a nice cross.
Kilgore looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Simon throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kilgore's waist but Kilgore gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Simon off to one side.
Tacitus Kilgore has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jay Simon.
Kilgore uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Simon.
Simon lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kilgore at a distance.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kilgore lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Simon has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Simon and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kilgore takes one on the button.
Simon has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Simon moves away from the strike by Kilgore.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kilgore throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Simon let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Simon walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kilgore jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A looping hook to the body misses from Simon. Kilgore does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kilgore explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simon uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kilgore.
Simon moves away from the strike by Kilgore.
Kilgore lands with a right hand.
Kilgore is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Crunch! Kilgore slams his shin into Simon's torso.
Kilgore looks to throw the jab but Simon is out of range.
Kilgore slips under a jab.
Kilgore with a nice cross.
Simon bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Simon tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kilgore sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Simon somewhat.
Simon ducks right into an uppercut from Kilgore.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simon misses with an uppercut. Kilgore saw that one coming.
Kilgore is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Simon.
Kilgore looks to score with a jab to the body but Simon is just out of range.
Simon appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Kilgore looks to land a left hand but Simon moved out of range nicely.
Simon darts in trying to clinch
and Kilgore counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Simon thinking.
Kilgore fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Simon wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Simon takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kilgore throws out a loose jab but Simon uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kilgore works Simon's body with a nice hook.
Kilgore fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Simon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simon throws out a loose jab but Kilgore uses good head movement to avoid it.
Simon shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kilgore as he jumps to the side.
Kilgore stuffs the takedown.
Simon wants to clinch.
Simon throws a hook but Kilgore blocks it.
Simon throws a shot from downtown. Kilgore moves away and avoids it.
Kilgore ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Simon moves away.
Simon misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kilgore.
The fight stays on the outside here - Simon looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Simon closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Simon lands in his opponent's guard.
Simon trying to control the position from guard on top but Kilgore is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Simon is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Simon stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kilgore swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Simon controlling from the top position.
Simon forces his way into half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tacitus Kilgore dominated that second round.
That's time! Kilgore's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Simon moves out of range as Kilgore strikes.
Simon is looking to clinch but Kilgore is avoiding it.
Kilgore swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Kilgore takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Simon shoots in looking for a takedown but Kilgore manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Simon's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Simon is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kilgore sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Simon wants to clinch up but Kilgore keeps it at a distance.
Tacitus Kilgore is winning the standup battle so far.
Simon pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kilgore defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Simon.
Tacitus Kilgore has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jay Simon.
Kilgore lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Simon at a distance.
Simon misses with an uppercut
and Kilgore connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simon swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kilgore lands with a nice body punch.
Kilgore dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kilgore throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Simon counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kilgore won't be happy with that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simon trying to control the action but Kilgore is working from the bottom.
Kilgore gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Kilgore controlling the position for now.
Simon is looking to advance position but Kilgore won't allow it.

Simon looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Simon is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Simon tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kilgore knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Jay Simon has got the better of the ground game so far.
Simon sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kilgore is in trouble now - Simon has advanced to mount!
Simon tries to control but Kilgore wriggling away.
Kilgore wants to hold on but Simon pushes him away.
Simon pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Kilgore working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Simon swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Kilgore is now in Simon's guard. A big mistake from Simon there, giving up the dominant position!

Simon looking for a guillotine here but Kilgore defends easily.
Kilgore trying to control the position from guard on top but Simon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Simon looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Kilgore has picked Simon up and slammed him! Simon can't keep hold of the triangle and Kilgore manages to pass to side control!
Simon is trying to control Kilgore's posture but Kilgore avoids it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Tacitus Kilgore did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kilgore throws a hook to the side of Simon's head but Simon sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Simon throws out a counter right but Kilgore avoids it with no problem.
Kilgore throws a push kick but Simon slaps the foot to one side.
Tacitus Kilgore seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Good exchange - Simon coming out on top.
Kilgore throws a jab when Simon was well out of range.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kilgore.
Kilgore swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A telegraphed right hand from Simon misses the target.
Kilgore scores with a jab.
Kilgore misses with a hook
and Simon counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simon dives in for a single leg takedown but Kilgore sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kilgore throws a lazy right hand but Simon sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kilgore misses with a straight right.
Kilgore misses with a hook.
Kilgore fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Simon.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kilgore throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Simon swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kilgore's corner calls for a 1-2. Kilgore obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kilgore scores with a sloppy right hand. Simon should have avoided that one.

Simon closes the distance and pushes Kilgore back into the cage.
Simon tries to pull guard but Kilgore forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Simon lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Simon lands a shoulder strike.
Kilgore tries to break free but Simon pushes him back against the cage.
Simon lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kilgore backwards.

Kilgore manages to break the clinch.
The fighters circling - Kilgore throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A head kick misses from Kilgore.
Simon tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A big left from Kilgore misses.
Simon swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Simon throws a lazy right hand but Kilgore sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A counter left hand to the body from Kilgore misses its target.
Simon misses with an uppercut
and Simon takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kilgore walks into a straight right hand from Simon.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kilgore loads up on a big right hand but Simon slips the punch.
Simon tries to clinch but Kilgore is having none of it.
Simon fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kilgore manages to avoid it.
It looked like Kilgore was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Simon.
Kilgore digs a good body shot into Simon's ribs.
Kilgore misses with a hook. Simon ducked under it nicely.
Simon is looking to clinch but Kilgore is avoiding it.
Kilgore sizes up Simon with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Simon misses with a takedown attempt
and Kilgore connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tacitus Kilgore has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jay Simon.
Kilgore swings for the body but Simon moves out of range.
Kilgore misses with an uppercut.
Simon looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simon throws a shot from downtown. Kilgore moves away and avoids it.
An attempted straight right counter from Kilgore misses the target.
Kilgore fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Simon looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Simon shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kilgore as he avoids it easily.
Simon dives in and grabs Kilgore's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kilgore pushes down on Simon's head and hops out.
A telegraphed right hand from Kilgore misses the target.
An inside leg kick lands from Kilgore.
An inside leg kick lands from Kilgore.
Simon tries to clinch up but Kilgore circles away and keeps his distance.
Kilgore throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Simon on the side of the head.
Kilgore connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kilgore misses with a body kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Simon! But no joy.
Simon looks to throw the jab but Kilgore is out of range.
Simon misses with a looping right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simon cracks Kilgore with an open hand slap.
Simon tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kilgore swivels and escapes.
Kilgore slips under a jab.
Simon misses with a looping right.
Simon slips under a jab from Kilgore.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kilgore punishes Simon's body with a nice straight punch.
Simon moves in looking to clinch but Kilgore pushes him off.
Simon tests Kilgore's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kilgore lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kilgore misses with a hook.
Simon misses with an uppercut.
Simon scores with a nice head shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tacitus Kilgore had his way with Jay Simon in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Kilgore lands a nice shot to the body.
Kilgore lands a slapping body shot.
Simon on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

Simon instigates a clinch.
A short right from Simon on the inside.

Kilgore breaks the clinch.
Simon moves in looking to clinch but Kilgore pushes him off.
A big left from Kilgore misses.
Kilgore misses with a few strikes there.
Kilgore misses with an uppercut. Simon saw that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kilgore swings widly with a right hand

so Simon counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kilgore keeping moving, preventing Simon from controlling successfully.
Simon looking to sit in guard and control but Kilgore gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Simon escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kilgore gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kilgore showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Simon working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kilgore doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kilgore manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Jay Simon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kilgore wants to control from the top but Simon keeps moving.
Simon lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Simon drops back looking for a leg! Kilgore is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kilgore manages to kick Simon off! Simon jumps back into Kilgore's guard.
Kilgore managing to control the position.
Tacitus Kilgore is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kilgore continues to stall.
Simon trying to control the position from guard on top but Kilgore is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Simon looking to sit in guard and control but Kilgore gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kilgore has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kilgore wants to control from the top but Simon keeps moving.

Kilgore avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Simon trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

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 Tacitus Kilgore.
I think Kilgore has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 49:46
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 47:48
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Jay Simon!
Jay Simon is the new lightweight champion!
Jay Simon spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.