PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Koda Simpson (ranked 4993 p4p, 4952 weight class) and Mike Wilmer (ranked 0 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.

Simpson
vs
Wilmer

175 cm
23
135
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
21
140
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Koda Simpson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mike Wilmer!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Joseph Jones and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wilmer throws a one two combo.

Wilmer tries to keep at a distance but Simpson has taken the fight into the clinch.

Simpson manages to break the clinch.

Simpson moves into the clinch.
Simpson tries to pull guard but Wilmer holds him up against the cage and eventually Simpson drops back down to his feet.

Wilmer manages to break the clinch.
Wilmer looks to clinch
and Simpson counters with a left and a right that stings Wilmer.
Simpson tries to close the distance and clinch but Wilmer swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Wilmer throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Simpson's waist but Simpson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Wilmer off to one side.
Simpson tries to clinch up but Wilmer circles away and keeps his distance.
Wilmer darts in looking for a takedown but Simpson gets double underhooks and turns Wilmer into the cage.
Simpson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Wilmer stalks Simpson and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Simpson's face. Simpson staggers backwards, shaken.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Simpson fails to land the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Simpson takes the fight into the clinch.
Simpson slows down the pace here.
Simpson wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Koda Simpson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Wilmer manages to break the clinch.
Wilmer tries for a takedown but Simpson circles away easily
and Simpson counters with a series of strikes. Wilmer will be more careful next time no doubt.
Wilmer changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Simpson tries to avoid it but Wilmer manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Simpson to the ground. Simpson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Simpson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Simpson wants it to stay on the feet.
Wilmer shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wilmer throws a body punch but Simpson moves out of range.
Wilmer slaps away a takedown attempt from Simpson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Simpson shoots in looking for a takedown but Wilmer manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Simpson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Wilmer fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Simpson avoids it really well and circles away.
It looked like Simpson was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Wilmer looks winded!
Wilmer tries to close the distance and clinch but Simpson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Wilmer shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Simpson pinned against the cage. Simpson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Wilmer moves into the clinch successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wilmer is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Simpson is defending well.

Simpson breaks the clinch.
Simpson misses with a wild body shot.

Simpson pushes Wilmer up against the cage in a clinch.
Wilmer is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Simpson is defending well.
Wilmer trying to control the position but instead, Simpson has worked for underhooks and has pushed Wilmer into the cage.
Simpson is trying to pull guard but Wilmer has him pressed against the cage.
Wilmer is trying to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wilmer looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Nice elbow from Simpson.

Simpson pulls guard effortlessly.
Wilmer stays in close to Simpson's body and controls the position.
Simpson is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Simpson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Simpson keeping moving, preventing Wilmer from controlling successfully.

Simpson manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Koda Simpson dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Wilmer changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Simpson tries to avoid it but Wilmer manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Simpson to the ground. Simpson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Wilmer throws a sloppy head kick and Simpson moves out of range easily.
Simpson leaves Wilmer with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Simpson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Koda Simpson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Simpson throws a head kick but Wilmer moves out of range.
Wilmer will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Koda Simpson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Wilmer.
Simpson dives in and grabs Wilmer's left leg, looking for a takedown. Wilmer pushes down on Simpson's head and hops out.
Simpson thuds a left hand into Wilmer's body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wilmer lands the left hand.
Simpson misses with a head kick.
Wilmer lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Simpson has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Wilmer.
Wilmer shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Simpson counters with a series of strikes. Wilmer will be more careful next time no doubt.
Wilmer is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wilmer shoots in for a takedown but Simpson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Simpson tries for a takedown but Wilmer sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Wilmer tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Simpson misses with a double jab.
A little jabbing left from Wilmer on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Simpson tries for a takedown but Wilmer sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Simpson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Simpson throws a front kick that sends Wilmer stumbling back into the cage.
Wilmer avoids the head kick by Simpson.
Wilmer just misses with a punch to the body.
Simpson shoots in for a takedown but Wilmer shows good takedown defense.
Wilmer wants to counter the offense by Simpson and move into the clinch position.
Wilmer displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Simpson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wilmer tries to clinch up.
Simpson thinks about countering with a head kick.
Wilmer fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Simpson avoids it really well and circles away.
Simpson is looking to clinch but Wilmer is avoiding it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Wilmer.
Simpson looks to score with a jab to the body but Wilmer is just out of range.
Simpson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Wilmer tries to avoid it but Simpson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Wilmer to the ground. Wilmer escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Simpson gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wilmer tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Simpson smiles and moves away.

Wilmer has Simpson up against the cage in a clinch.

Wilmer escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Simpson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
As Simpson backs off Wilmer throws a huge counter combo but Simpson manages to avoid it all.
Wilmer tries to score a power double leg takedown but Simpson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Wilmer somewhat.

Simpson pushes Wilmer up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simpson is trying to drag Wilmer to the mat but Wilmer just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Wilmer blocks a body shot from Simpson.
Simpson tries to pull guard but Wilmer forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Simpson is trying to break free.
Simpson looking for a takedown.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wilmer keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Simpson's efforts to push away.

Wilmer escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Koda Simpson will probably get the nod.
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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Wilmer tries to score a power double leg takedown but Simpson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Wilmer somewhat.
Simpson tries to counter by clinching up but Wilmer breaks away and moves out of range.
Simpson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Wilmer but Wilmer pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Simpson sets himself, and Wilmer steps forward looking for the clinch! Simpson avoids it this time.
Wilmer defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Simpson.
Wilmer keeps the fight on the outside.
Wilmer shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Simpson as he jumps to the side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wilmer throws a head kick but Simpson moves out of range.
Simpson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Wilmer can do to turn this around?
No joy there for Wilmer, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Simpson feinted with a counter takedown.
Simpson shoots for a double leg takedown but Wilmer sprawls well. He's pushed Simpson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Koda Simpson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simpson shoots in for a takedown but Wilmer shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Simpson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
It looked like Simpson was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Simpson.
Simpson throws a head kick that misses.
Wilmer shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Wilmer takes the fight into the clinch.
Wilmer fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Wilmer has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Simpson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Wilmer leaning his opponent against the cage.

Simpson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simpson shoots in and drives through. Wilmer sprawls well.
Wilmer displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Simpson.
Nice sprawl there from Wilmer as Simpson shoots in.
Wilmer shoots in and drives through. Simpson sprawls well.
A solid body kick from Wilmer.
Simpson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Wilmer paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Wilmer fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Simpson as Wilmer shoots in.
Simpson shoots in and drives through. Wilmer sprawls well.
Wilmer fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Wilmer fails with a takedown attempt.
Simpson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Wilmer fails with the takedown
and Simpson counters with a head kick.
Wilmer closes the distance but Simpson moves to the side
and Simpson counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Wilmer thinking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wilmer misses with a head kick.
Simpson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Wilmer sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Simpson somewhat.
Wilmer with a poor takedown
and Simpson counters with a three punch combo that has Wilmer backing up. Wilmer nods at Simpson to acknowledge the strikes.
Simpson scores with a head kick. Wilmer tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Simpson shoots and misses
and Wilmer counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Simpson thinking.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Simpson avoids a punch combination nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wilmer stuffs the takedown.
Mike Wilmer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Koda Simpson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A decent looking cross lands there for Wilmer.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mike Wilmer.
Well Simpson 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight for Koda Simpson!
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight for Koda Simpson!
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight for Koda Simpson!

Koda Simpson wins by unanimous decision!