PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cain Slyker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brandon Simpson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Slyker comes to the cage accompanied by Richard Wagner - Ride of the Valkyries. Simpson has chosen Last of the Mohicans Theme as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Slyker
vs
Simpson

186 cm
25
215 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

185 cm
26
210 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

[JMFC] Club Tops 'n' Hot Pants
[JMFC] Club Tops 'n' Hot Pants

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 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cain Slyker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brandon Simpson!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Stewart Dunkirk and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Slyker bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Slyker misses with a head kick.
Slyker misses with a head kick.
Slyker waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Simpson.
Slyker uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Simpson.
Nice takedown defense from Simpson. No joy for Slyker on that attempt.
Slyker tries to clinch up.
Simpson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Slyker decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Slyker looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Slyker decides to stand and escape the position.
Slyker lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slyker wants to clinch up but Simpson keeps it at a distance.
Slyker shoots in looking for a takedown. Simpson tries to sprawl out of it but Slyker keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Simpson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Slyker tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Slyker uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Simpson.
Simpson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Simpson misses with a body shot.
Slyker lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Simpson circles away quickly and effectively.
Nice sprawl there from Simpson as Slyker shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cain Slyker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Slyker finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Simpson. No joy for Slyker on that attempt.
Simpson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Slyker as he jumps to the side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Slyker throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Slyker keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The fighters circling - Simpson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Simpson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Slyker.
Simpson misses with a body shot.
Simpson throws a body punch but Slyker moves out of range.
Simpson wants to clinch up but Slyker keeps it at a distance.
A decent looking cross lands there for Slyker.
Slyker walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Simpson is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Slyker rather than just go for the knockout.
Simpson has his takedown stuffed

and Slyker counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simpson trying to control but Slyker postures up.
Simpson wants to get back to full guard but Slyker has mounted him!
Simpson can't escape the position.
Slyker trying to control but Simpson is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Simpson is looking to get to half guard.
Slyker tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Slyker wants to control the pace but Simpson is squirming around nicely.
Slyker tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Simpson tries to reverse the position but Slyker maintains control.
Simpson is squirming around, avoiding Slyker's attempts to control the action.
Simpson is looking to improve his position but Slyker isn't that keen on the idea.
Simpson tries to lock up and control but Slyker gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Simpson is working to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Simpson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Slyker dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A shot to de liver by Slyker. Beautiful body shot.
Slyker shoots in for a takedown but Simpson shows good takedown defense.
Simpson tries to clinch but Slyker is having none of it.

Slyker closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Simpson did well to prevent Slyker getting side control.

Simpson actively working from the bottom here.
Slyker is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Simpson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Simpson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Slyker passes into half guard.
Simpson is not content to let Slyker control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slyker controlling the action here.
Slyker trying to control from half guard but Simpson is working away.
Simpson trying to control but Slyker postures up.

Simpson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Simpson is looking for a sweep. Slyker is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Slyker is pressing down on Simpson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Simpson is holding on for now.
Simpson wants to improve his position but Slyker is controlling well.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Slyker throws a right and a left that Simpson avoids nicely.
Simpson lands a nice shot that snaps Slyker's head back.
Simpson misses with a body shot.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Slyker.
Cain Slyker is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Simpson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Slyker manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slyker connects with a jab.
Simpson connects with a body shot.
Slyker tries to clinch up.
Slyker misses with a series of wild punches.
Simpson misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Slyker counters with a takedown into side control.
Simpson is trying to improve his position.
Simpson gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Simpson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Slyker's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Slyker's back!
Simpson cracks Slyker with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Slyker from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slyker controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Slyker covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Simpson is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Simpson is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Slyker has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Simpson lands punches and elbows.
Simpson punishes Slyker with strikes from the back mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Cain Slyker 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!

Simpson ducks under a wild hook from Slyker.
Simpson wants to clinch

and Slyker counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Still in half guard, Slyker seems content to control.
Simpson tries to roll over but Slyker keeps him under control.
Slyker stalling.

Simpson looking for submissions off his back.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Slyker connects with a nice short shot to Simpson's temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simpson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Slyker missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Slyker content to stall in guard here.

Simpson looking for subs off his back but Slyker has passed one foot through into half guard.
Slyker perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Slyker passes to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simpson is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Simpson sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Simpson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Slyker working Simpson over with strikes.
Simpson wants to get back to full guard.

Simpson looking for submissions off his back.
Simpson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Slyker decides to stand and escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slyker throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Simpson's waist but Simpson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Slyker off to one side.
Simpson misses with a hook to the body

and Slyker counters by moving into the clinch.
Slyker wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Simpson has him pressed against the cage.
Slyker wants to break the clinch but can't.
Slyker is leaning against Simpson and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Slyker lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Cain Slyker is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Slyker prevents a takedown attempt there.
Simpson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Slyker's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Slyker is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Simpson.

Slyker darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Simpson wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slyker sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Slyker has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Brandon Simpson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Simpson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Slyker's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Slyker's back!
Simpson lands a shot to the head.
Simpson throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cain Slyker showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Slyker, 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 30:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cain Slyker!