PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Simon Hedegaard (ranked 560 p4p, 2198 weight class) and John Edmonds (ranked 66 p4p, 256 weight class). Edmonds has chosen Frankie Smith - Double Dutch Bus as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hedegaard
vs
Edmonds

208 cm
31
195
30 - 14 - 0

185 cm
38
190
36 - 28 - 2

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Brooklyn Apothecary

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 30 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Simon Hedegaard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 36 - 28 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Edmonds!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Nard Betker and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Edmonds catches Hedegaard with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Edmonds throws a one two combo.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hedegaard is defended easily by Edmonds.
Edmonds throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hedegaard sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Edmonds keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Edmonds throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Edmonds fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hedegaard.
Hedegaard shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Edmonds as he avoids it easily.
Edmonds stuns Hedegaard with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Hedegaard has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Hedegaard there as he acknowledges the shot.
Hedegaard throws a sloppy body shot
and Edmonds counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
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!
Hedegaard dives in and grabs Edmonds's left leg, looking for a takedown. Edmonds pushes down on Hedegaard's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simon Hedegaard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Edmonds with a jab.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Edmonds has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Edmonds digs a good hook to Hedegaard's body.
Edmonds waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hedegaard.
Hedegaard walks into a straight right hand from Edmonds.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Edmonds scores with a four punch combination!
Edmonds avoids the head kick by Hedegaard.
Hedegaard fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Good exchange - Edmonds coming out on top.
Hedegaard fails with a takedown attempt.
Hedegaard takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Edmonds shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Hedegaard moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Edmonds wants to control from the top but Hedegaard keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hedegaard looking to control.

Hedegaard is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hedegaard really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Hedegaard isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Edmonds stacks Hedegaard on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Edmonds!
Hedegaard gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Hedegaard is trying to control but can't.
Edmonds tries to pass the half guard into mount. Hedegaard knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Edmonds is trying to work for a kimura but Hedegaard is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hedegaard makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hedegaard.
Edmonds stops Hedegaard from standing up.
Edmonds trying to control but Hedegaard is working from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hedegaard is on top in guard.

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

Hedegaard drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Edmonds manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Hedegaard has Edmonds in his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Edmonds works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Edmonds wants to free his trapped foot but Hedegaard is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Hedegaard looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Edmonds is thwarting Hedegaard's attempts to control the position.
Hedegaard is looking to improve his position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

John Edmonds dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Edmonds lands a nice shot that snaps Hedegaard's head back.
Hedegaard fails with the takedown.
Edmonds misses with a straight right.
Hedegaard fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Edmonds throws a body punch but Hedegaard moves out of range.
Edmonds is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Edmonds lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Hedegaard backs up against the cage.
Hedegaard takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Hedegaard uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Edmonds.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hedegaard shoots for a takedown but Edmonds saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simon Hedegaard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hedegaard takes one to the side of the head.
Hedegaard goes for a double leg but Edmonds avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Edmonds continues to drive forward.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Edmonds gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Hedegaard is looking for a takedown.
Edmonds lands a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edmonds pushes off an throws an elbow but Hedegaard leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Hedegaard's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Edmonds stalling in the clinch.

Edmonds breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hedegaard throws a hook but Edmonds blocks it.
Edmonds throws a nice inside leg kick.

Edmonds closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Edmonds lands in his opponent's guard.

Hedegaard looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Edmonds has picked Hedegaard up and slammed him! Hedegaard can't keep hold of the triangle and Edmonds manages to pass to side control!

Edmonds wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hedegaard, who protects the arm well.

Edmonds is trying to get an arm triangle but Hedegaard is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hedegaard sneaks back into half guard.
Hedegaard is looking to control Edmonds's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hedegaard avoid being mounted?

Hedegaard looking for submissions off his back.
Edmonds has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Edmonds prevents Hedegaard from improving his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Edmonds is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hedegaard is just riding it out for now. Edmonds eventually gives up the hold.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hedegaard is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Edmonds pulls his head out easily.
Edmonds trying to control the pace.
Hedegaard is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Edmonds's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Edmonds's back!
Hedegaard trying to control.

Hedegaard is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Edmonds knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Edmonds for a finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Edmonds is trying to break free.
Edmonds trying to control the position but Hedegaard manages to sink in the hooks.
Hedegaard will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Edmonds is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Hedegaard gets his way!
Hedegaard wants to control but Edmonds is keeping busy.
Hedegaard not allowing Edmonds to control his hands.

Hedegaard patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

John Edmonds showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

No joy there for Hedegaard, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Edmonds looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Edmonds lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Hedegaard misses with a takedown
and Edmonds counters with a nice uppercut.
Edmonds uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Hedegaard shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Edmonds defends it nicely.
It seemed like Edmonds was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hedegaard with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Edmonds to score with a decent uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Edmonds misses with a hook.
Hedegaard shoots in but Edmonds avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simon Hedegaard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hedegaard misses with an uppercut. Edmonds saw that one coming.
It seemed like Edmonds was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Nice sprawl there from Edmonds as Hedegaard shoots in.
It seemed like Edmonds was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hedegaard takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

Edmonds fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Hedegaard to the ground. Edmonds is now in Hedegaard's guard.
Edmonds trying to control but Hedegaard is working from the bottom.
Hedegaard seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Edmonds pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hedegaard is keeping the position for now.
Hedegaard is trying to hold Edmonds in close to prevent damage but Edmonds has managed to pass into half guard.

Edmonds is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Edmonds looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hedegaard manages to get to full guard.

Hedegaard has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Edmonds can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Edmonds slips nicely into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Edmonds passes to full mount!
Edmonds prevents Hedegaard from getting the reversal.
Hedegaard sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Hedegaard moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Edmonds content to stall in guard here.
Edmonds passes easily into side control. Nice work.
John Edmonds is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Edmonds is trying to get an arm triangle but Hedegaard is defending well.
Hedegaard is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Edmonds's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Hedegaard wants to get back to his feet.
Hedegaard trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Edmonds controlling the pace for now.
Simon Hedegaard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Edmonds looking to control but Hedegaard is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Edmonds comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Edmonds has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Aken scores the fight 27:30
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30

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