PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jay Russell (ranked 4277 p4p, 4182 weight class) and Clearmont Simmons (ranked 0 p4p, 431 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.

Russell
vs
Simmons

187 cm
25
195
0 - 0 - 0

193 cm
22
185
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jay Russell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Clearmont Simmons!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Roger Salmon and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Russell moves into the clinch successfully.
Russell stalling against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Russell.
Simmons blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Simmons is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Russell gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Russell lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Russell scores with a nice short uppercut.
Russell lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Simmons backwards.
Simmons is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Russell lands with a short shot to the head.
Simmons wants to take the fight to the mat but Russell manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Russell tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Simmons's elbow.
Russell avoiding damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simmons wants to stall.
Russell slows down the pace here.
Russell displaying some good clinch control by pressing Simmons up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Simmons being controlled against the cage.
Russell will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Simmons up against the cage.
Russell seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Jay Russell.

Russell moves into range and clinches up with Simmons.
Simmons jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Russell walks away with a smile on his face. Simmons gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Jay Russell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Clearmont Simmons.

Russell has taken the fight to the clinch.
Russell taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Russell taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Russell gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Russell leaning against his opponent.
Russell goes for a takedown attempt but Simmons pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simmons fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Russell avoids it really well and circles away.
It looked like Russell was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Simmons.

Russell gets a clinch.
Russell leaning his opponent against the cage.
Simmons stalling in the clinch but Russell improves position.
Simmons's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Russell's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Russell slowing the pace effectively.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Jay Russell.

Russell has Simmons up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell slows down the pace here.
Russell lands with a left to the head.
Russell lands a left hand that snaps the head of Simmons backwards.
Russell leaning his opponent against the cage.
Russell working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Russell lands a right hand that snaps the head of Simmons backwards.
A short uppercut from Russell.

Simmons manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Simmons is on top in guard.

Russell keeping full guard, as Simmons tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simmons throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Simmons postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Russell avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Simmons throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Russell works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Simmons is pushing down on Russell's leg trying to pass to half guard. Russell is fighting to maintain full guard but Simmons has managed to sneak the leg through.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Simmons content to control rather than advance.
Simmons trying to pass the guard but Russell defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jay Russell dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Russell fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Simmons, pushing him back against the cage.
Simmons tries to score a body lock takedown but Russell shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Simmons wants a takedown.
Jay Russell has scored more points in the clinch so far.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Russell takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Russell effectively controlling the action here.
Simmons is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Russell to keep the fight standing.
Jay Russell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Clearmont Simmons.
Simmons jumps guard but Russell stands there with Simmons around his waist. Simmons gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Russell taking a breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Simmons gets control of Russell's arms and successfully pulls guard. Simmons will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Russell knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Simmons on the ground.
Simmons looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Simmons is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Simmons is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Russell controlling from the top position.
Simmons working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Russell showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Russell ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Simmons moves away.
Simmons shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Russell defends it nicely.

Russell moves into range and clinches up with Simmons.
Simmons's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Russell stalls.
Russell stalling.
Russell throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Russell slowing the pace effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Russell breaks from the clinch.
Russell fails with a takedown attempt.

Russell instigates a clinch.
Russell is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Simmons can do to turn this around?
Russell lands with a light punch inside.
Russell lands a right hand that snaps the head of Simmons backwards.
Russell is struggling to control the position.
Russell taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Simmons fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Simmons tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Russell just stands there and leans against the cage.
Russell taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell lands with a left to the head.
Russell lands a right hand.
Simmons letting Russell take a breather here.
Russell works on Simmons's body with a couple of short punches.
Simmons is breathing heavily.
Russell lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Simmons has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Russell after a bit of a struggle.
Russell pushes Simmons back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Russell has Simmons pressed against the cage, preventing Simmons from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Russell stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Russell scores with an uppercut up the middle.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Come on Russell - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Russell makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jay Russell dominated that second round.
That's time! Russell's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Russell rushes Simmons and presses him up against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Russell creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Russell lands a hook to the side of the head.
Russell leaning his opponent against the cage.
Russell is leaning against Simmons and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Simmons is trying to break the clinch but Russell has him pressed against the cage.
The referee calls for Russell to work.
Simmons looking to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Russell lands with a right to the head.
Russell is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Russell prevents a takedown attempt there.
Simmons takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Simmons has had enough of the clinch but Russell keeps him there for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Russell.
Russell lands a right hand that snaps the head of Simmons backwards.
Russell is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Simmons being controlled against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Jay Russell.

Russell fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Simmons, pushing him back against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Russell creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Russell wants a takedown but no success here.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Russell.
Russell is pushing Simmons up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Russell is stalling here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russell lands with a light punch inside.
Russell stalling.
Simmons trying to control the position but instead, Russell has worked for underhooks and has pushed Simmons into the cage.
Russell controlling the action here for a moment.
Simmons working hard to break the clinch.
Russell lands a nice uppercut.
Russell lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Russell scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Simmons is rocked!
Russell lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Simmons is still on wobbly legs! Can Russell finish him?
Russell lands a nice shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell scores with a shot to the side of Simmons's head.
Russell has Simmons pressed against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Russell.
Russell lands a right hand.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Jay Russell.

Simmons gets tackled into the cage by Russell. Russell maintains the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Russell.
Simmons throws a head punch that misses.
Jay Russell is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Simmons is trying to break free.
Russell taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Russell as Simmons tries to tie him up.
Simmons is trying to pull guard but Russell turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Simmons goes for a takedown in the clinch but Russell prevents it.
Simmons seems to have recovered his senses.
Jay Russell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Clearmont Simmons.
Russell lands a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell blocks an elbow strike from Simmons.
Russell throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Russell dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Russell digs a right hand underneath Simmons's ribcage. Simmons let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Russell lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Simmons or not.
Clearmont Simmons has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Simmons is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Russell is defending well for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jay Russell showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Russell, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Colin Fray scores the fight 30:25
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:25
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jay Russell!