PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between King Simbolon (ranked 5459 p4p, 4674 weight class) and Michael Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). King Simbolon has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Simbolon
vs
Smith

185 cm
21
180
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
25
185
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, King Simbolon!
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, Michael Smith!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Peter Branson and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Simbolon moves into the clinch.
Smith stalls.
Our sources have told us that Simbolon has been working on his elbows in the gym.

Simbolon breaks from the clinch.
Smith shoots in for a double leg but Simbolon sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Simbolon fails with the takedown.
Simbolon will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Smith! But no joy.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Simbolon seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

Simbolon throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Smith tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Simbolon is in Smith's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith working a defensive guard but Simbolon passes into half guard.
Smith tries to roll over but Simbolon keeps him under control.
Simbolon controlling the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Simbolon is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Smith sees it coming and defends easily.
Smith punching from the bottom.
Simbolon content to control rather than advance.
Smith tries to get to full guard but Simbolon has control of the leg.
Simbolon wants to lay and pray for a moment but Smith keeps working.

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.
Smith is trying to maintain the position but Simbolon is very close to passing his half guard.
Simbolon thows a huge punch but Smith dodges it nicely.
Simbolon throwing shots but Smith is blocking nicely.
Simbolon controlling the action here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Smith closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Simbolon quickly recovers to half guard.
Smith prevents Simbolon from improving his position.
Still in half guard, Smith seems content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simbolon keeping control of the position.

Simbolon actively working from the bottom here.

Smith is trying to work for a kimura but Simbolon is defending well.
Simbolon wants to improve his position but Smith is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Smith wants to stand up but Simbolon is controlling the position.
Simbolon keeps control of the position for the meantime.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Simbolon shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Smith defends it nicely.
Smith throws a quick inside leg kick.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Smith keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

King Simbolon dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Simbolon shoots in looking for a takedown. Smith tries to sprawl out of it but Simbolon keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Smith manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Smith changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
A combination from Simbolon does no damage.
Smith throws a head kick that half lands.
Smith fails with a takedown attempt.
Simbolon fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Simbolon misses with a low kick as Smith jumps back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Smith feints and as Simbolon raises his hands in defense, Smith changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Smith must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Smith wants to control from the top but Simbolon keeps moving.

Smith drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Smith jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Simbolon has his foot on Smith's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Smith works his way back into a safe position though.
Simbolon keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Smith wanted to stand there but Simbolon had control of the position.

Simbolon has his foot on Smith's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Smith works his way back into a safe position though.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Simbolon with a poor takedown
and Smith counters with a lovely shot to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for King Simbolon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Simbolon misses with a series of wild punches.
Smith is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Simbolon with a body shot.
Some wild striking there from Smith.
Simbolon shoots in for a double leg but Smith sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Smith is looking to clinch.
Smith misses with a jab, cross combination.
Smith wants to clinch up but Simbolon keeps it at a distance.
King Simbolon is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Simbolon sprawls well. Simbolon wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Smith gets slowly back to his feet.
An inside leg kick lands from Smith.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Simbolon manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Smith shoots in but Simbolon avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Simbolon closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Smith working hard to break the clinch.
Smith tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Simbolon just stands there and leans against the cage.
Simbolon looking for a takedown.
Smith prevents the takedown attempt.
Smith stalls.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Simbolon has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Simbolon has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Smith is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Smith has Simbolon pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Simbolon manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Simbolon jumps guard and drags Smith to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Smith decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Simbolon, up you get!
Simbolon has a takedown stuffed.
Michael Smith seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Smith tries to clinch but Simbolon moves out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Simbolon walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Simbolon as he avoids it easily.
Simbolon stuffs the takedown.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Smith fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smith fails with the takedown
and Simbolon counters with a series of strikes. Smith will be more careful next time no doubt.
Smith tries for a takedown but Simbolon sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Simbolon lands a lovely overhand right.
Smith wants to clinch.
Simbolon defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Smith.
King Simbolon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Smith.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith fails to land the takedown.
King Simbolon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Simbolon throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Smith's waist but Smith gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Simbolon off to one side.

Simbolon drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Simbolon decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simbolon misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Simbolon darts in and clinches Smith up against the cage.

Simbolon manages to break the clinch.
Smith looks for a takedown but Simbolon sprawls well.
Smith stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Smith wants it to stay on the feet.

Smith scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Simbolon sneaks out the side door and pushes Smith away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Simbolon avoids it really well and circles away.
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!

Simbolon closes the distance and clinches.
Simbolon wants a takedown but no success here.

Simbolon breaks the clinch.
Simbolon looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Smith is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Simbolon with a body shot.
Smith is trying hard to land a takedown here. Simbolon sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
It looked like Simbolon was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Simbolon shoots in but Smith avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Smith is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Simbolon as Smith shoots in.
Smith fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
No luck for Simbolon with that takedown attempt.
Simbolon fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Smith looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Smith doesn't manage to clinch there - Simbolon circles away.
Simbolon throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Simbolon throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Smith's waist but Smith gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Simbolon off to one side.
Smith is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Simbolon stuffs the takedown attempt from Smith. Smith gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Simbolon. No joy for Smith on that attempt.
Simbolon shoots in but no luck this time.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch up but Simbolon swats him away and circles back towards the center.

And that's the end of the fight!
King Simbolon showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Simbolon has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 29:28
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 29:28
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... King Simbolon!
After winning the bout, King Simbolon thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.