PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between OJ Simpson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Kesler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kesler has chosen Cancer Bats - Deathsmarch as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Simpson
vs
Kesler

179 cm
21
195 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

182 cm
22
200 lbs
12 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

WIN Nutritional
WIN Nutritional

Next Level Nutrition (158q for $50!!!!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, OJ Simpson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ryan Kesler!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Russell Pearce and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A leg kick checked by Kesler.
Simpson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kesler.
Good exchange - Kesler coming out on top.
Simpson tries to clinch there but Kesler circles away.
Simpson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Simpson walks into a stiff left hand from Kesler.
Kesler throws a jab but it's blocked by Simpson.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kesler, right into the meat.
Simpson takes a kick to the side of the head.

It looks like OJ Simpson has been cut.
Kesler fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Simpson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kesler looks to land a right hand but Simpson moved out of range.
Kesler with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Simpson to score with a decent uppercut.
Simpson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kesler thows a left - swing and a miss!
Simpson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kesler moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Simpson gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Simpson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kesler sprawls well. Kesler wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Simpson gets slowly back to his feet.
Kesler tries to clinch up but Simpson circles away and keeps his distance.

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.
Simpson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kesler.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kesler. That's going to slow Simpson down.
A head kick misses from Kesler.
Simpson staying out of range there.
Kesler scores with a nice strike.
An inside leg kick lands from Kesler.
Simpson keeps the fight on the outside.
Kesler misses with a looping right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simpson thuds his right hand into Kesler's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Kesler checks a low kick from Simpson.
Kesler throws a hook to the side of Simpson's head but Simpson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kesler wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kesler swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Simpson counters with a three punch combo that has Kesler backing up. Kesler nods at Simpson to acknowledge the strikes.
Simpson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Simpson throws a low kick but Kesler avoids it.
Kesler throws a shot from downtown. Simpson moves away and avoids it.
Ryan Kesler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Simpson slips a straight right by Kesler.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kesler is looking to clinch.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Simpson.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Simpson checks a leg kick.
Kesler throws a lazy right hand but Simpson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Simpson misses with a leg kick
and Kesler counters with a nice uppercut.
Simpson slips under a jab.
A nice inside leg kick there by Simpson. That's going to slow Kesler down.
No joy there for Simpson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Simpson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Kesler dominated that round.
The cut man is working on OJ Simpson's cut.
That's time! Simpson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kesler throws an overhand right that lands on Simpson's shoulder, as Simpson tries to avoid the shot.
Simpson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kesler.
Simpson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kesler falls off balance throwing a combination
and Simpson counters with an outside leg kick.
Kesler moves out of range of the leg kick from Simpson.
A low kick from Kesler misses

and Simpson counters with a shoot takedown. Kesler fights it but they end up in guard.
Kesler pulls Simpson in close to his closed guard and prevents Simpson from doing any damage or advancing position.
Simpson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kesler bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Simpson's guard.
Kesler looking to pass the guard.
Kesler postures up.
Kesler showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Simpson working a defensive guard here.
Kesler looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Simpson looking to control.
Kesler wants to control from the top but Simpson keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kesler tries to close the distance and clinch up but Simpson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Simpson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A punch lands to the side of Kesler 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Kesler lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kesler throws out a loose jab but Simpson uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kesler throws a right and a left that both miss.
Simpson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Simpson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kesler.
Kesler thuds his right hand into Simpson's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Simpson throws a leg kick
and Kesler counters with a nice uppercut.
Nice jab there from Kesler.
Simpson misses with a double jab.
Kesler tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kesler misses with a kick to the body
and Simpson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simpson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Simpson misses with a body kick.
OJ Simpson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kesler with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kesler motions for Simpson to come forward. Kesler throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Simpson throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kesler counters with a nice leg kick.
Simpson throws a chopping leg kick but Kesler manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Simpson moves out of range as Kesler strikes.
Kesler misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Simpson counters with a stiff right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ryan Kesler will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on OJ Simpson's cut.
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.

Kesler tries to clinch but Simpson moves out of range.
Kesler throws a body punch but Simpson moves out of range.
Simpson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kesler.
Good leg kick by Kesler there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kesler throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Simpson ducks under a wild hook from Kesler.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simpson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Simpson throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Simpson misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simpson avoids the body shot from Kesler.
Simpson misses with a leg kick
and Kesler counters with a big head kick but Simpson shrugs it off.
Ryan Kesler seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kesler misses with an uppercut. Simpson saw that one coming.
Simpson blocks a jab.
Kesler fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kesler tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Simpson counters with a nice low kick that buckles Kesler's knee momentarily.
Simpson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kesler misses with a looping right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simpson throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kesler.
Simpson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kesler. That did some damage!
Kesler tries to close the distance and clinch but Simpson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ryan Kesler is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kesler is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Simpson.
Kesler misses with a two punch combination.
Simpson lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Simpson lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Kesler tries to clinch
and Simpson counters with a slapping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simpson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
An inside leg kick from Simpson misses.
Donk. Kesler catches Simpson right on the button with a cross.
Kesler's corner calls for a 1-2. Kesler obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kesler checks a leg kick.
Simpson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Simpson throws a front kick aimed at Kesler's knee but Kesler avoids it well.
Kesler misses with a hook.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kesler looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kesler with a jab.
Kesler needs to keep his hands up - Simpson had a free shot at his head there.
Simpson slips a jab from Kesler.
Kesler thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kesler scores with a spinning back kick!
Kesler misses the shot to the body.
Kesler looks to score with a jab to the body but Simpson is just out of range.
A big left from Kesler misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Kesler really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on OJ Simpson's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Simpson is looking to score with low kicks.
Simpson shoots in for a takedown but Kesler shows good takedown defense.
A low kick from Kesler misses
and Simpson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Simpson throws an overhand right that lands on Kesler's shoulder, as Kesler tries to avoid the shot.
Simpson tried to score with a low kick but Kesler checks it.
Simpson fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kesler is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The crowd cheers as Simpson lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kesler doesn't seem phased though.
Simpson tries to work over Kesler's front leg with a kick but Kesler checks it.
Simpson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kesler misses with a body shot.
Kesler throws an overhand right that lands on Simpson's shoulder, as Simpson tries to avoid the shot.
Simpson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kesler throws a low kick but it's checked well by Simpson.
Simpson throws a nice looking combination but Kesler bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kesler throws a quick inside leg kick.
Simpson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kesler catches Simpson with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Simpson needs to keep his hands up - Kesler had a free shot at his head there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simpson chopping away at his opponent's legs.
An inside leg kick from Simpson misses.
Kesler throws a leg kick
and Simpson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kesler checks a leg kick nicely.
Simpson finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Simpson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kesler moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kesler throws out a loose jab but Simpson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Simpson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simpson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Simpson misses with a leg kick
letting Kesler counter with a right hand.

Simpson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Well, if Simpson is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Kesler moves into full guard.
Kesler wants to sweep but no luck.
Simpson wants to control from the top but Kesler keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simpson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Kesler looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kesler keeping moving, preventing Simpson from controlling successfully.
Simpson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Kesler dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on OJ Simpson's cut.
That's time! Simpson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Simpson looks for the body kick but Kesler saw that one coming.
Simpson throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kesler counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Simpson throws a leg kick that misses.
Kesler tries to close the distance and clinch up but Simpson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kesler showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Simpson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simpson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Simpson throws the kick towards the body but Kesler avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simpson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kesler.
Kesler's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kesler is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kesler throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Simpson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kesler.
Simpson moves away from the strike by Kesler.
Kesler falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kesler takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kesler misses the shot to the body.
Simpson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Simpson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kesler loads up on a big right hand but Simpson slips the punch.
Simpson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Simpson throws a right and a left that Kesler avoids nicely.
Kesler keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Nice shot by Kesler.
Simpson slips a straight right by Kesler.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kesler displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Simpson throws out the jab.
Simpson throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kesler lands with a hook. Simpson tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A head kick misses from Simpson.
A jab lands there for Simpson.
OJ Simpson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A big left from Kesler misses.
Kesler cracks Simpson with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Kesler throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Simpson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kesler jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simpson throws a low kick, looking for Kesler's leg but Kesler calmly moves out of range.
Kesler keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Simpson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Simpson swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Simpson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kesler.
Kesler throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Simpson crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Kesler - the referee stops the clock and Simpson gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Kesler. Simpson manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Simpson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A punch combination from Kesler misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryan Kesler comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kesler 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 46:50
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 46:49
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryan Kesler!
Ryan Kesler is the new middleweight champion!