PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Norbert Simpson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Wood (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Norbert Simpson had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Simpson
vs
Wood

174 cm
21
193 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

172 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
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 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Norbert Simpson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Wood!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Dean Styles and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wood fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
As Wood looks to move away, Simpson throws a big counter combo but Wood just gets out of the way.

Simpson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
You can see the frustration on Wood's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The ground and pound from Simpson seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Simpson is looking to take a break and control but Wood is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Simpson could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Wood tries to control but Simpson manages to take his back.
Wood trying to control the position but Simpson manages to sink in the hooks.
Wood is covering up but some of the strikes from Simpson are getting through and doing damage.
Simpson lands punches and elbows.
Wood trying to control the position but Simpson manages to sink in the hooks.
Simpson controlling well, preventing Wood from escaping the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wood preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Simpson.
Wood tries to roll but Simpson sticks to his back.
Wood is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Simpson lands punches and elbows.
Wood is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Wood trying to control the position but Simpson manages to sink in the hooks.
Can Wood hold on?! Simpson is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Simpson not allowing Wood to control his hands.
Wood is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Simpson lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simpson gets his hands free as Wood looks to control.
Simpson doesn't have the hooks in and Wood manages to turn into his guard.
Wood wants to control from the top but Simpson keeps moving.
Wood is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wood tries to free his leg and advance position but Simpson is retaining full guard.
Wood trying to control the position from guard on top but Simpson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wood is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wood is looking to stand up but Simpson won't let him.

Wood is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Simpson is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Simpson has escaped and now he's on top!

Wood is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Simpson defends well.
Simpson wants to control from the top but Wood keeps moving.

Wood looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Simpson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Wood is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Simpson throwing strikes from guard but Wood blocks nicely.

Simpson throws a sloppy strike and Wood has hooked up an armbar on the loose arm! He's turned and extended fully! Simpson is forced to tap! Great BJJ from Wood!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:52 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). James Wood!
During a confident post fight interview, James Wood thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.