PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brandon Simpson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Simpson has chosen Last of the Mohicans Theme as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Smith
vs
Simpson

190 cm
25
219 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

185 cm
26
210 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brandon Simpson!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Wesley Smith and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Simpson.
Smith attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Simpson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smith.
Smith keeps the fight on the outside.
Smith misses with a head kick.
Simpson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Smith.
Simpson tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Smith moves out of range as Simpson strikes.
John Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Simpson shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Smith manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Smith looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Simpson tries to free his leg and advance position but Smith is retaining full guard.
Simpson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Simpson drops back, looking for a kneebar! Smith looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Smith looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Smith!
Simpson being controlled for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simpson manages to get back to half guard.
Simpson is staying active underneath Smith, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Simpson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Smith is trying to control. Simpson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Smith controlling the pace.
Simpson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Simpson.
Smith slips nicely into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simpson gets back to full guard.
Simpson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Smith!
Simpson breaks from Smith's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Simpson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Smith is working to get back to half guard.
Simpson looking to control but Smith is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Simpson.
Smith is in a horrible position here. Simpson smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Simpson with the ground and pound from mount.
Simpson trying to control but Smith is having none of it.
Simpson scoring with strikes but Smith is staying in there.
Simpson lands with some strikes.
Smith is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simpson in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Smith is working to get back to half guard.

Simpson goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Smith is on top in guard.

Simpson 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.
Simpson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Simpson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Smith gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Smith postures up in Simpson's guard and throws a big left but Simpson blocks it.
Simpson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Smith is one step ahead there.
Simpson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Simpson dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Simpson moves away.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Smith misses with a wild body shot.
Smith misses with a head kick.
Smith takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Smith gets a clinch.
Smith utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Smith stalling.
Smith wants to stall.
Simpson throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Smith misses with an elbow over the top.
Smith has Simpson pressed against the cage.
Simpson working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Smith is trying to maintain a safe position but Simpson gets an underhook and turns Smith into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simpson cracks Smith with a nice body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Simpson throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Smiths head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Smith.
Smith tries a body shot but Simpson blocks it.
Simpson pushes Smith back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A body shot lands from Smith.
Smith gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Simpson.
Smith looking to slow down the pace here.
Simpson tries a body shot but Smith blocks it.
Smith working aggressively here.
Simpson tries for a takedown but Smith manages to get underhooks.
Simpson digs a right hand underneath Smith's ribcage. Smith let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Simpson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Smith throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Simpson blocks it with crossed arms.
A right hook to the body lands for Simpson.
Smith prevents a takedown attempt there.
John Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brandon Simpson.
Simpson blocking some punches.
Simpson digs a right hand underneath Smith's ribcage. Smith let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A hook to the body from Smith.
A short body shot lands from Simpson as the two fighters clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simpson lands a body punch.
Simpson is leaning against Smith and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Simpson trying to stall but Smith improves his position.
A short left from Simpson.
Good body shot from Simpson.
Simpson 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.
A nice left hand lands by Simpson.
Simpson lands an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith is trying to break the clinch but Simpson has him pressed against the cage.
Smith landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Simpson lands a right hand.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Simpson as Smith tries to tie him up.
Smith tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Simpson lands a right hand.
A short body shot lands from Simpson as the two fighters clinch.
Simpson prevents a body shot from Smith.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Simpson as Smith tries to tie him up.
Simpson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A nice left hand lands by Smith.
Simpson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Simpson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith can't find room to land a body shot as Simpson controls the action.
Smith misses with a body punch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Smith gets underhooks to prevent Simpson's takedown attempt.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Simpson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Simpson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Smith swivels and escapes.
John Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Simpson lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Smith throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Simpson lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Smith tries to close the distance and clinch up but Simpson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Smith throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Simpson.
Smith thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simpson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Simpson connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Simpson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Smith's head backwards.

Simpson gets the takedown into side control.
Simpson sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Smith is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Smith prevents Simpson from improving position.
Smith regains half guard, as Simpson was trying to land strikes.

Smith is defending against the submission attempts here by Simpson.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Simpson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Smith is just riding it out for now. Simpson eventually gives up the hold.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Simpson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Smith's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Smith tries to clinch up

and Simpson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Smith won't be happy with that.
An elbow from Simpson crashes against the mat.
Smith regains half guard, as Simpson was trying to land strikes.

Simpson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Smith is just riding it out for now. Simpson eventually gives up the hold.

Simpson is looking for a kimura here.
Simpson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simpson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Smith defending well though.
Smith taking some punishment here, with Simpson in his half guard.
Simpson misses with a head shot. Smith uses the momentum to regain guard.
Simpson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Simpson trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Simpson throws and elbow that misses. Smith uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Simpson's guard. Nice move by Smith!

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 frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Smith got a little sloppy there for a moment and Simpson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Smith has managed to get both his arms back between Simpson's legs - danger averted.
Smith controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Simpson is trying to keep Smith in close.
Brandon Simpson has got the better of the ground game so far.

Simpson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simpson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Simpson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Smith passes into side control.
Smith wants to control but Simpson is keeping him busy.
Smith lands an elbow.
You can see the frustration on Simpson's face as Smith controls the position.
Simpson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Smith wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Simpson regains half guard.
John Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice strikes from Smith there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simpson is not content to let Smith control the position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Smith connects with a nice short shot to Simpson's temple.

Simpson looking for subs from the bottom but Smith mounts him!
Simpson is trying desperately to improve position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Brandon Simpson.
I've got Simpson 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brandon Simpson!