PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Royal Halsti (ranked 144 p4p, 354 weight class) and Joey Simone (ranked 23 p4p, 60 weight class). Simone has chosen Gucci Mane - Trap God Intro as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Halsti
vs
Simone

190 cm
33
205
29 - 13 - 1

198 cm
39
175
26 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Bondi MMA 🏝️
NARCOS

Furnace Performance 🔥

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Royal Halsti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joey Simone!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Winston Howard and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simone throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice uppercut there from Simone.
A big left from Simone misses.
Halsti misses with the combination.
We've been hearing reports that Halsti has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Simone tries to clinch up.
Simone loads up on a big right hand but Halsti slips the punch.
Halsti is looking to counter punch.

Simone rushes Halsti and presses him up against the cage.
Halsti goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A nice left hand lands by Halsti.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Halsti tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Simone's elbow.
Simone works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Halsti tries to work over Simone's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Halsti doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Halsti misses with a hook to the ribs.
Simone lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Simone tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Halsti just stands there and leans against the cage.
Halsti misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simone swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Halsti can't find room to land a body shot as Simone controls the action.
Simone lands a body shot in the clinch.
Halsti throws a head punch that misses.
Simone misses with a hook to the ribs.
Simone lands with a light punch inside.
Halsti working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Halsti.
Simone fails to pull guard.
Simone scores with a shoulder strike.
Halsti tries to work over Simone's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Simone tries a body shot but Halsti blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Halsti.
Halsti stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Halsti blocking some punches.

Halsti manages to break the clinch.
Halsti has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Simone finds it's way round the side to connect with Halsti's head.
Simone connects with the punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Halsti closes the distance and pushes Simone back into the cage.
Simone tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Halsti just stands there and leans against the cage.
Royal Halsti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey Simone.
Halsti lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simone misses with a punch on the inside.
Halsti lands a body punch in the clinch.
Simone tries to work over Halsti's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Simone.
Halsti misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Simone pulls guard successfully.

Simone is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Halsti is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Halsti preventing the sweep.
Simone is trying to control the position but Halsti postures up.
Halsti trying to control the position from guard on top but Simone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Simone being controlled here, momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simone not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Simone looking for subs off his back but Halsti has passed one foot through into half guard.
Simone wants to control but Halsti is keeping busy.
Simone is looking for a sweep. Halsti is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Simone is refusing to be controlled, as Halsti sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Simone manages to get to full guard.
Halsti is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Halsti wants to control from the top but Simone keeps moving.
Halsti won't allow Simone to sweep him here.
Halsti is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Jab, jab by Simone - just one landing.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Joey Simone will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Halsti pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Joey Simone seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Simone lands with an overhand left.
Simone throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Halsti on the side of the head.
Simone uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Halsti tried to score with a low kick but Simone checks it.
Halsti tries to clinch there but Simone circles away.
Simone swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Simone fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Simone throws a right hand that misses
enabling Halsti to counter with a crisp jab.

It looks like Joey Simone has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A left and a right from Simone both land. Nice combination.
Simone punishes Halsti's body with a nice straight punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Simone throws a body shot but no joy.
Halsti throws a big counter combination but Simone scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
The fighters circling - Halsti throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A countering left hand to the body from Simone misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halsti is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Simone.
A head kick misses from Halsti.
Simone catches Halsti with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Simone has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Halsti throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Simone sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Simone wants to clinch up but Halsti keeps it at a distance.
Halsti keeps the fight on the outside.
Simone scores with a jab to the body.
Simone throws a shot from downtown. Halsti moves away and avoids it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Simone looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Simone fails with an attempt to clinch.
An attempted straight right counter from Halsti misses the target.
Simone lands a lovely overhand right.
Halsti avoids the body shot from Simone.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Halsti closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Simone ducks right into an uppercut from Halsti.

Simone closes the distance and clinches.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Simone. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Simone softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Halsti cracks Simone with a nice body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Halsti.
Halsti misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Simone prevents a body shot from Halsti.
Halsti scores with a shot to the side of Simone's head.
Halsti tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Simone's elbow.

Simone pulls Halsti into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Simone working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Halsti doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Halsti manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Halsti is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Simone looking for a guillotine here but Halsti defends easily.
Halsti trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Halsti has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Simone can't keep his opponent in guard - Halsti advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Simone moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Simone looking to control.
Halsti forces his way into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simone is pressing down on Halsti's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Simone is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Simone seems to be looking for submissions.
Halsti wants to improve his position but Simone is controlling well.

Simone seems to be looking for submissions.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joey Simone showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Joey Simone's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Simone scores with a body shot.
Royal Halsti has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Simone on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Halsti misses with a straight right.
Halsti misses the shot to the body.
Simone connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Halsti momentarily.
Simone connects with a nice looking jab.
Simone throws a right and a left that Halsti avoids nicely.
Halsti went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Halsti connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Simone's hands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Halsti misses with a hook. Simone ducked under it nicely.
Halsti is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Simone tries to clinch up.
Simone connects with a body shot.
Simone connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simone avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Simone tries to clinch but Halsti moves out of range.
Halsti looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Halsti throws a left and a right that both miss
and Simone counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Halsti throws a looping overhand right but Simone ducks down to avoid it.
Nice jab there from Halsti.
Halsti avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Simone has closed the distance and engaged Halsti in a clinch.
Simone is trying to pull guard but Halsti has him pressed against the cage.
Halsti tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Simone's elbow.
Royal Halsti has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Halsti scores with a nice hook to the head.
Halsti tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Simone's elbow.
Halsti scores with a shoulder strike.

Halsti breaks the clinch.
Halsti takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Simone has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Simone lands with an uppercut that bounces Halsti off the cage and back into range.
A jab from Halsti misses.
Simone throws out a powerful jab.
Simone just misses with a punch to the body.

Simone rushes Halsti and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Simone working aggressively here.
Halsti blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Simone softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Halsti tries to work over Simone's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Simone tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Halsti just stands there and leans against the cage.
Halsti throws a punch but it's blocked by Simone.
Halsti is leaning against Simone and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Simone takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Halsti lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Halsti creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A hook to the body from Halsti.
Halsti lands a shot to the body.
Halsti scores with a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simone misses with the head strike.
A right hand to the body from Halsti.
Halsti misses with a hook to the ribs.
Simone tries to pull guard but Halsti won't allow it.
Royal Halsti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey Simone.
Halsti tries a body shot but Simone blocks it.
Halsti tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Halsti tries a body shot but Simone blocks it.
Halsti goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Halsti lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Simone backwards.
Simone misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Simone blocks a body shot from Halsti.
Simone prevents a body shot from Halsti.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Halsti.
Simone takes a shot to the head.
Halsti blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Halsti lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Simone jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Halsti walks away with a smile on his face. Simone gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Simone misses with a straight right.
Simone doesn't manage to clinch there - Halsti circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simone looks to throw the jab but Halsti is out of range.
The crowd cheers as Halsti lands an impressive looking overhand right. Simone doesn't seem phased though.
Simone lands the left hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Simone scores with a three punch combo!
Simone uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Halsti.
Simone throws a right hand that Halsti ducks under and follows up with a left that Halsti also avoids with ease.
Halsti was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Joey Simone is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Halsti throws a lazy right hand but Simone sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Halsti takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Simone lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Simone is looking to clinch.
Halsti throwing a counter right hand but Simone manages to avoid it.
Simone lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Simone scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Joey Simone.
I've got Simone winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joey Simone!
Joey Simone decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.