PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dion Simon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bjarne Maksimov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maksimov has chosen ironman as his entrance music. Bjarne Maksimov has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Dion Simon's chin.

Simon
vs
Maksimov

154 cm
19
193 lbs
1 - 6 - 0

178 cm
21
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 1 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dion Simon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Bjarne Maksimov!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Igor Prikhodko and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Maksimov. No joy for Simon on that attempt.
Simon defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Maksimov.

Maksimov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You can see the frustration on Simon's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Maksimov stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Simon stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Simon wants it to stay on the feet.
Maksimov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Simon counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Dion Simon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bjarne Maksimov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simon fails with the takedown
and Maksimov counters with a left and a right that stings Simon.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maksimov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Maksimov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Simon counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Simon misses with a takedown attempt - Maksimov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Maksimov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Simon as he avoids it easily.
Maksimov looks winded!
Simon shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Maksimov sprawls well. Maksimov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Simon gets slowly back to his feet.
Maksimov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Maksimov wants it to stay on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maksimov shoots in but no luck this time.

Maksimov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Simon looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
You can see the frustration on Simon's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Simon is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Maksimov passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Simon!
Simon working to try and regain half guard.
Simon is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maksimov lands with some strikes.
Simon holds on to Maksimov around his waist, trying desperately to prevent any attacks.
Simon wants to control but Maksimov is having none of it.

Maksimov goes for an armbar but Simon turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Simon.
Maksimov pulls Simon in close to his closed guard and prevents Simon from doing any damage or advancing position.
We've been informed that Maksimov has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Simon has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maksimov wants to sweep but no luck.
Maksimov is trying to hold Simon in close to prevent damage but Simon has managed to pass into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bjarne Maksimov dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Maksimov rushes Simon and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Simon tries to pull guard but Maksimov holds him up against the cage and eventually Simon drops back down to his feet.

Maksimov ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Maksimov no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Maksimov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Simon stopping the sweep attempt from Maksimov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maksimov trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Maksimov pulls Simon in close to prevent any damage.
Simon really is a fat lump.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maksimov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Simon is one step ahead there.
Maksimov will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Maksimov looking to control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Maksimov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Maksimov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maksimov wants to pass the guard but Simon is keeping the position.
Simon controls Maksimov momentarily but Maksimov frees himself.
Simon avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Simon keeping moving, preventing Maksimov from controlling successfully.
Maksimov sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maksimov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Maksimov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Horrible takedown attempt by Maksimov or perhaps it was just good defense by Simon, which made it look bad.
Maksimov is breathing heavily.

Maksimov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Simon, pushing him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The referee is keeping an eye on Maksimov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Maksimov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Simon tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Maksimov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Simon tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dion Simon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maksimov tries to pull guard but Simon holds him up against the cage and eventually Maksimov drops back down to his feet.
Simon tries to break the clinch but Maksimov is controlling the position.
Maksimov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Simon just stands there and leans against the cage.
Maksimov with a knee to the head.

It looks like Dion Simon has been cut.
Maksimov wants to stall.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Maksimov goes for a takedown attempt but Simon pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Maksimov misses with a takedown attempt
and Simon counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bjarne Maksimov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Dion Simon's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Simon.
You can see the frustration on Maksimov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Maksimov is trying to improve his position.
Maksimov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simon wants to stand but Maksimov is controlling his arm.
Maksimov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maksimov tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Simon presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Bjarne Maksimov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Maksimov is in all sorts of trouble here.
Maksimov manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Maksimov wants to get back to full guard.
Maksimov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Maksimov.
Maksimov is trying to hold Simon in close to prevent damage but Simon has managed to pass into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maksimov wants to control but Simon is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Maksimov is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Simon jumps into side control!
Maksimov trying to control but Simon flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Simon is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Maksimov up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simon tries to keep control of the position but Maksimov is staying busy.
Simon connects with a big shot to the side of Maksimov's head.
Maksimov covering up well and avoiding damage.
Simon looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Maksimov has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Simon.
Simon not allowing Maksimov to control his hands.
Maksimov covering up well under a barage of strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simon misses with a punch to the head.
Maksimov breaks Simon's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Maksimov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Maksimov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Maksimov throws a big elbow that misses.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Simon keeping moving, preventing Maksimov from controlling successfully.
Dion Simon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bjarne Maksimov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Simon is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Maksimov defends well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dion Simon showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Maksimov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bjarne Maksimov!
An out of breath Bjarne Maksimov thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.