PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joey Simone (ranked 1773 p4p, 997 weight class) and Abdullah Zaire (ranked 264 p4p, 148 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Simone might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Gucci Mane - Trap God Intro. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Simone
vs
Zaire

198 cm
35
175
13 - 7 - 0

189 cm
36
206
17 - 10 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Brooklyn Apothecary
Conquer

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 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joey Simone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Abdullah Zaire!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simone ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Zaire swats away the attempt to clinch by Simone.
Simone connects with a looping right hand.
Simone shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Simone misses with an uppercut. Zaire saw that one coming.
Zaire throws a leg kick but Simone checks it.
Zaire throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zaire looks to score with a jab to the body but Simone is just out of range.
Zaire misses with a leg kick.
Zaire misses with a looping left.
Zaire lunges at Simone with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Simone's hand.
A swing and a miss from Zaire.
Simone ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Zaire swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zaire throws an off balance right hand
and Simone connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Abdullah Zaire seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Simone tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Zaire manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Zaire keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Simone.
Zaire rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Simone makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Simone has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Marty Robbin's Fight Ranch in the buildup to the fight.
Zaire misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Simone.
Good leg kick by Zaire.
Simone ducks under a wild hook from Zaire.
Good standup being displayed there by Simone as he connects with a hook.
Zaire takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Zaire lands a right hook to the body.
Simone connects with a crisp jab.
Zaire throws a hook but Simone blocks it.
Zaire lands a jab to Simone's midsection.
Simone connects with a nice looking jab.
Zaire is looking to slow Simone down with leg kicks.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Zaire, as that shot connected.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Simone misses with a straight right.
Simone ducks under a wild hook from Zaire.
The fighters circling - Simone throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Simone lands a jab to Zaire's midsection.
Simone blocks a low kick nicely.
Zaire's jab looks to have found its range, popping Simone under the eye.
Zaire lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simone misses with an uppercut.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Zaire! But no joy.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Simone checks a leg kick.
Simone throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zaire.
Simone scores with a jab. Zaire acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A decent looking cross lands there for Zaire.
Zaire is looking to chop away at Simone's legs.
Simone connects with a jab.
Simone uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zaire.
Simone sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Simone scores with a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Simone. Zaire does a little dance to reset his feet.
A big left from Simone misses.
Zaire looks to land a combination but Simone avoids it well.
Simone bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Zaire's head.
Simone connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Simone really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Simone takes a jab right on the kisser.
A chopping leg kick lands by Zaire.
Simone is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zaire.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simone misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zaire.
Simone swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Simone moves away from the strike by Zaire.
Simone throws a hook but Zaire blocks it.

Simone gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Zaire fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Simone's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Zaire misses with a punch on the inside.
Simone misses with the head strike.

Zaire pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zaire swings away with a body shot that misses
and Simone counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Simone throws a right and a left that both miss.
Zaire tries to work over Simone's front leg with a kick but Simone checks it.
Simone just misses with a punch to the body.
Zaire throws a low kick, looking for Simone's leg but Simone calmly moves out of range.
Simone displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zaire throws out the jab.
Simone throwing a counter right hand but Zaire manages to avoid it.
Simone is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Simone takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Simone lands an overhand right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zaire pivots, looking for a leg kick but Simone is out of range and Zaire settles back down.
Zaire displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Simone throws out the jab.
Simone ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zaire moves away.
Simone dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Zaire throws a lazy right hand but Simone sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Simone fails with an attempt to clinch.
Simone on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Simone fails with an attempt to clinch.
Zaire looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Simone changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Zaire avoids the body shot from Simone.
Simone is looking to clinch.
Simone throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zaire sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Simone takes a swing at Zaire's ribcage but misses.
Zaire tries to work over Simone's front leg with a kick but Simone checks it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Simone swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zaire lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Zaire throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Simone is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
A swing and a miss from Zaire.
A little feinted left hand from Simone on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Joey Simone will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Nice defenses there by Zaire.
Simone digs a good body shot into Zaire's ribs.
Simone misses with an uppercut.
Zaire slips a jab from Simone.
A swing and a miss from Simone.
Zaire misses with a low kick.
Zaire's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Simone connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Zaire scrambles back to his feet.
Simone takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
A leg kick checked by Simone.
Simone tries to counter by clinching up but Zaire breaks away and moves out of range.
Simone bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Zaire's head backwards.
Zaire throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Simone ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Simone on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Simone throws a body shot but no joy.
Zaire throws out a powerful jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Simone drives through and clinches with Zaire against the cage.
Zaire swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zaire working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Zaire is looking to control Simone's arms but Simone gets an underhook and turns him. Now Zaire has his back to the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Simone has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Zaire uses from the top position.
Simone has a closed guard, preventing Zaire from standing up.
Zaire wants to control from the top but Simone keeps moving.
Zaire would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Simone wants to control but Zaire passes easily into half guard.
Simone manages to get to full guard.
Zaire sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Zaire stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simone misses with a wild body shot.
Simone fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zaire manages to avoid it.
Nice defenses there by Zaire.
Simone throws a right and a left that Zaire avoids nicely.
Zaire ducks right into an uppercut from Simone.
Simone misses with an uppercut.
Simone lands a nice shot that snaps Zaire's head back.
Zaire moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Simone tests Zaire's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Joey Simone is winning the standup battle so far.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zaire. Simone does a little dance to reset his feet.
Simone was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zaire uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Simone.
Zaire throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Zaire jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Zaire misses with a leg kick.
Zaire takes one on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simone takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Zaire fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
The fighters circling - Simone throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Simone wants to clinch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Zaire! But no joy.

Simone closes the distance and clinches.
Simone lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Simone misses with a short punch on the inside.

Simone successfully pulls guard.
Simone looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

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

Zaire stands and steps away. Simone gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Zaire takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simone checks the leg kick.
Simone tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Simone avoids the body shot from Zaire.
Simone chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Zaire can pounce on him.
A low kick from Zaire is predictable there
and Simone connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A low kick lands for Zaire.
Zaire works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Simone tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zaire was well out of range. Poor timing from Simone.
Zaire darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Zaire scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Simone doesn't seem bothered though.
Zaire throws an overhand right that lands on Simone's shoulder, as Simone tries to avoid the shot.
Simone throws out a powerful jab.
Zaire missing with a left hand there. Simone was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zaire throws a hook but Simone avoids it easily.
Zaire digs a good body shot into Simone's ribs.
Simone cracks Zaire with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Zaire scoring well with a low kick there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Joey Simone will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Simone takes a swing at Zaire's ribcage but misses.
Simone ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zaire moves away.
Simone cracks Zaire with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Zaire throws a predictable looking body shot
and Simone counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Simone throws a hook to the side of Zaire's head but Zaire sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zaire misses with a hook. Simone ducked under it nicely.
Simone scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Simone misses the jab.
Simone fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Zaire throws a low kick but it's checked well by Simone.
Simone is looking to counter the offense by Zaire and move into the clinch.
Jab, jab by Simone - just one landing.
Zaire drops his hands momentarily and Simone takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Zaire has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Simone ducks under a wild hook from Zaire.
Zaire throws out a loose jab but Simone uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zaire takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
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!
Zaire throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Simone sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A little feinted left hand from Simone on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Simone uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zaire.
Simone throws a big counter combination but Zaire scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Zaire takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaire shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A punch lands to the side of Simone 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Simone throws a body punch but Zaire moves out of range.
Simone misses with an uppercut.
Simone missing with a left hand there. Zaire was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A nice leg kick from Zaire, right into the meat of the thigh.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Simone here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Zaire throws a solid leg kick but Simone takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Zaire.
Simone is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Simone pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Zaire looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Simone jabs at Zaire's body.
Zaire throws a hook but Simone avoids it easily.
Zaire slips a jab and a cross from Simone.
Zaire scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Zaire scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Simone misses with a looping right.
Simone fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Zaire on the side of the head.
Zaire ducks under a wild hook from Simone.
Zaire tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Simone is able to avoid easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Simone is looking to clinch but Zaire is avoiding it.
Zaire shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Simone, as that shot connected.
Simone swings widly with a right hand
and Zaire counters with an outside leg kick.
Simone fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Zaire on the side of the head.
Simone digs a good hook to Zaire's body.
Zaire swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Zaire throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Simone sees it coming and avoids it easily.
As Zaire looks to move away, Simone throws a big counter combo but Zaire just gets out of the way.
Zaire's jab looks to have found its range, popping Simone under the eye.

Simone has closed the distance and engaged Zaire in a clinch.

Zaire breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zaire misses with an uppercut. Simone saw that one coming.
Simone tries to clinch up.
Zaire connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Simone's hands.
Simone tests Zaire's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Zaire connects with a good right hand that stumbles Simone. Simone circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simone keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Zaire walks into a stiff left hand from Simone.
Simone fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Zaire looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Zaire tried to score with a low kick but Simone checks it.
Zaire changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Simone ducks under a wild hook from Zaire.
Simone misses with a wild body shot.
Zaire appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Zaire ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Simone moves away.
Zaire looks to score with a jab to the body but Simone is just out of range.
Zaire misses with a low kick.
Zaire misses with a looping right.
The fighters circling - Simone throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Simone scores with a punch to the head.
Simone moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Zaire misses with a right hand
and Simone counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Simone slips a jab from Zaire.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaire lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Zaire takes a swing at Simone's ribcage but misses.
Zaire ducks under a wild hook from Simone.
Simone avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Simone blocks the body kick.
Zaire thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zaire scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Zaire misses with a looping right.
Zaire does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Joey Simone is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zaire takes a swing at Simone's ribcage but misses.
Zaire will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Zaire throws a hook but Simone blocks it.
Simone wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Abdullah Zaire has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Simone checks a low kick from Zaire.
Simone tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Simone moves out of range of the strikes.
A little feinted left hand from Simone on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A shot to the liver by Simone. Beautiful body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Joey Simone.
Well Simone has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joey Simone!
A very excited looking Joey Simone made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.