PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kirby Simon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Igeu Kabesa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kirby Simon has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Simon
vs
Kabesa

172 cm
24
178 lbs
1 - 6 - 0

175 cm
18
162 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

One stop Shop $30 and below

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Kirby Simon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Igeu Kabesa!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Phil Schofield and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simon moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Kabesa looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Kabesa will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Kabesa has Simon up against the cage in a clinch.
Simon changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kabesa fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kabesa doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Simon counters with a nice uppercut.
Kabesa dives in for a single leg takedown but Simon sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
As Kabesa tries to get set, Simon tries to push him back and clinch up but Kabesa manages to avoid the attempt.
Kirby Simon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Igeu Kabesa.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Simon gets tackled into the cage by Kabesa. Kabesa maintains the clinch.

Simon pulls guard.

Simon looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simon bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kabesa's guard.

Simon throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kabesa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Simon is looking to work some ground and pound but Kabesa has wrist control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kabesa can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kabesa wants to stand and escape but Simon is having none of it.
Simon postures up in Kabesa's guard and throws a big left but Kabesa blocks it.
Kabesa is looking to stand up but Simon isn't so interested in that idea.
Kabesa working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Simon.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Simon postures up in Kabesa's guard and throws a big left but Kabesa blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simon trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Simon throws a strike but Kabesa rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Simon looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Simon looking for a guillotine here but Kabesa defends easily.

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

Simon working for a triangle but Kabesa defends it easily.
Simon is trying to control the position but Kabesa postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Simon has his foot on Kabesa's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kabesa works his way back into a safe position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Simon is looking for a triangle but Kabesa pushes his legs off easily.
Kabesa not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Simon lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Simon stuffs the takedown.
Kirby Simon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four 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.
Kabesa throws a leg kick but Simon moved away.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Simon. Kabesa shrugs it off though.

Kabesa closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Simon did well to prevent Kabesa getting side control.
We've been informed that Kabesa has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Simon is pressing down on Kabesa's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Simon is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kabesa must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Simon throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Simon wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kirby Simon dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kabesa misses with a takedown attempt
and Simon counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kabesa throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Simon connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Simon scoring well with a low kick there.

Kabesa clinches up against the cage.
Simon doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simon is looking to break free of the clinch but Kabesa has double underhooks.
Kabesa looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Simon looking for a takedown.
Kabesa with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kabesa is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kabesa is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Simon can't fight it off and eventually Kabesa manages to take the fight to the floor. Simon looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Simon looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kabesa really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Simon. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Simon throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Simon is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kabesa is aware though and is defending well.
Simon striking off his back but it's not causing Kabesa any problems.

Simon looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Kabesa drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kabesa jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kabesa decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Kabesa fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kabesa shoots in looking for a takedown but Simon manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kabesa's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kirby Simon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Igeu Kabesa.
Simon tries to clinch up but Kabesa circles away and keeps his distance.
Kabesa dives in and grabs Simon's left leg, looking for a takedown. Simon pushes down on Kabesa's head and hops out.
Simon fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simon lands a jab.
Simon is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kabesa can do to turn this around?
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Simon - that will leave a mark!
Simon connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kabesa. Kabesa circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Simon throws a front kick that sends Kabesa stumbling back into the cage.
Simon lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick from Simon.
Kabesa takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Kabesa misses with a takedown
and Simon counters with a nice uppercut.
Kabesa has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Simon.
Simon stalks Kabesa and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kabesa's face. Kabesa staggers backwards, shaken.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Simon throws a good cross that connects.

Kabesa instigates a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kirby Simon dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Kabesa misses with a double jab
and Simon counters with a two punch combo.
Simon lands a high kick!
A slapping body kick lands there for Simon.
Simon lands with a kick to the ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kabesa moves into range and clinches up with Simon.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kabesa as Simon tries to tie him up.
Kabesa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Simon is looking to break free of the clinch but Kabesa has double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simon tries to pull guard but Kabesa forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Kabesa wants a takedown but no success here.
Kabesa is pressed up against the cage. Simon has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kabesa down to the mat. Kabesa avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Simon lands a head kick. Kabesa smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Kabesa sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Kabesa throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Simon counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kabesa on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simon lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kabesa will feel that in the morning.
Simon scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Simon throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Simon connects with a high kick.
Kabesa fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slapping body kick lands there for Simon.
Kabesa fails with the takedown
enabling Simon to counter with a crisp jab.
Kirby Simon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Igeu Kabesa.
Kabesa has his takedown stuffed
and Simon counters with a series of strikes. Kabesa will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kabesa.
Kabesa tries to score a power double leg takedown but Simon sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kabesa somewhat.
Kirby Simon is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Simon tries to close the distance and clinch but Kabesa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kirby Simon showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Simon, 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:26
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kirby Simon!