PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nicky Simmonds (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juan Gomez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Simmonds comes to the cage accompanied by 'Unsettling Differences' by Blue Smock Nancy. 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?

Simmonds
vs
Gomez

190 cm
20
248 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

187 cm
18
265 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Nicky Simmonds!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Juan Gomez!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Damien Edna and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gomez closes the distance and clinches.
Gomez tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gomez can't break the clinch.
Gomez stalling against the cage.
Simmonds stalling.
Simmonds is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gomez is defending well for now.
Gomez throws a punch but it's blocked by Simmonds.
Simmonds prevents a takedown attempt there.
Gomez gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Simmonds.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Simmonds breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gomez tries to clinch up but Simmonds circles away and keeps his distance.
Simmonds swings for the body but Gomez moves out of range.
Simmonds tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Simmonds avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Simmonds throws a head kick but Gomez moves out of range.
Gomez shoots in for a double leg but Simmonds sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Simmonds throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gomez shoots in and drives through. Simmonds sprawls well.
Nicky Simmonds has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Juan Gomez.
Gomez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gomez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Simmonds but Simmonds pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Simmonds scores with a head kick. Gomez tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

It looks like Juan Gomez has been cut.
Gomez tries to close the distance and clinch up but Simmonds swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Simmonds lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gomez at a distance.

Gomez fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Simmonds, pushing him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simmonds lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Gomez throws a head punch that misses.
Gomez misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Simmonds.
Simmonds prevents a takedown attempt there.

Simmonds manages to break the clinch.

Simmonds drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gomez wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Simmonds creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Simmonds lands a few punches from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simmonds scores with a couple of short elbows.
Gomez looks gassed!
Simmonds throws an elbow but Gomez slips to the side and avoids it well.
Simmonds could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Simmonds in side control, throwing shots but Gomez defends.

Simmonds is trying to get an arm triangle but Gomez is defending well.
Simmonds throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Gomez wants to control but Simmonds postures up.
Gomez is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Simmonds is staying active.
Gomez taking punishment in the form of punches.
Simmonds has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Simmonds lands a nice forearm strike.
Simmonds tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Simmonds scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Gomez to see if he's OK.
Simmonds wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gomez keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gomez manages to get back to half guard.
Simmonds wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gomez keeps working.
Gomez is looking to escape.
Gomez is not content to let Simmonds control the position.
Gomez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Simmonds.
Gomez is trying to stand up here but Simmonds is controlling him well.
Gomez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Simmonds.
Simmonds is looking to advance position but Gomez won't allow it.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Simmonds trying to control from half guard but Gomez is working away.
Simmonds throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicky Simmonds dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Juan Gomez's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Simmonds swings for the body but Gomez moves out of range.
Gomez tries to close the distance and clinch up but Simmonds swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nicky Simmonds seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gomez tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Simmonds shoots in for a takedown but Gomez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Simmonds has taken the fight to the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Simmonds's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Simmonds working Gomez over with knees to the body.

Simmonds manages to break the clinch.
Simmonds shoots for a takedown but Gomez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Gomez closes this distance looking for a takedown but Simmonds circles away.
Juan Gomez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gomez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Simmonds as he jumps to the side.
Simmonds avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

Simmonds scores a takedown into full mount!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simmonds working Gomez over with strikes here.
Gomez wants to hold on but Simmonds pushes him away.
Simmonds looking to control but Gomez is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Simmonds dominating with strikes here.
Gomez tries to lock up and control but Simmonds gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Simmonds postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Gomez looks a forlorn figure.
Gomez is trying desperately to improve position.
BOOM! Simmonds connects with a massive shot to the dome!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simmonds tries to control but Gomez wriggling away.
Simmonds lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Simmonds looking to finish Gomez with some ground and pound. This is bad for Gomez!
Gomez is in all sorts of trouble here.

Simmonds is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Gomez has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Gomez!
Gomez wants to control from the top but Simmonds keeps moving.
Simmonds looking to control.
Simmonds is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Gomez is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simmonds is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Gomez is controlling him.
Gomez wants to control from the top but Simmonds keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Juan Gomez was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Simmonds lands with a slapping head kick.
Gomez uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Simmonds.
Simmonds on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Simmonds showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gomez.

Gomez has closed the distance and engaged Simmonds in a clinch.
Simmonds tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Simmonds is working for takedown but Gomez is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nicky Simmonds. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four 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.
Simmonds gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gomez.
Gomez cracks Simmonds with a nice body shot.
Gomez is working for takedown but Simmonds is calmly controlling the position for now.
Still in the clinch, Gomez scores with a nice short uppercut.
Simmonds tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gomez has Simmonds pushed against the cage.
Gomez has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Simmonds avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicky Simmonds dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Juan Gomez's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Simmonds cracks Gomez with a good jab.
Gomez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gomez wants it to stay on the feet.
Simmonds pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gomez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Simmonds.
Simmonds displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gomez.
Simmonds fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gomez shoots in for a takedown but Simmonds shows good takedown defense.
Gomez has his takedown stuffed

and Simmonds counters with a single leg into guard. Gomez didn't expect that.
Nicky Simmonds has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Juan Gomez.
Gomez can't keep his opponent in guard - Simmonds advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Simmonds thows a huge punch but Gomez dodges it nicely.
Gomez has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Simmonds is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Simmonds decides to stand up.
Simmonds cracks a nice hook into Gomez's ribs.
Simmonds lands with a slapping head kick.
Gomez fails with the takedown

and Simmonds counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Simmonds.

Simmonds has hold of one of Gomez's legs. Gomez is fighting the takedown attempt but Simmonds gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Simmonds accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gomez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Simmonds is fighting to break Gomez's control of his arms but Gomez is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Simmonds looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simmonds looking to sit in guard and control but Gomez gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Simmonds wants to get back to his feet but Gomez is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Gomez controls from within his opponent's guard.
Gomez makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gomez is stalling in the full guard.
Simmonds is looking to stand up but Gomez isn't so interested in that idea.
Gomez not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Juan Gomez wasn't active enough on the ground.
Simmonds throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Gomez stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gomez.
Gomez with a poor takedown
and Simmonds counters with a nice uppercut.

Simmonds rushes Gomez and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Gomez tries to circle away but Simmonds has him pinned against the cage.

Simmonds breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simmonds lands a nice hook to Gomez's body. Gomez takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A head kick from Simmonds lands but Gomez takes it in his stride.
Gomez tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Simmonds counters with a takedown into side control.
Gomez is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
You can see the frustration on Gomez's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Gomez wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicky Simmonds clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Juan Gomez's cut.
That's time! Simmonds's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Simmonds scores a takedown into full mount!
Gomez tries to lock up and control but Simmonds gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Simmonds misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Gomez tries to lock up and control but Simmonds gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Simmonds trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Gomez swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Gomez is trying to stand.
Simmonds looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Simmonds prevents Gomez from getting the reversal.
Simmonds has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Gomez's face.
Simmonds scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Simmonds is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Gomez can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Gomez is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simmonds is landing with some decent strikes but Gomez is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Gomez keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Gomez tries to hold on but Simmonds postures up.
Simmonds lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Gomez hang on?

Simmonds is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Gomez can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Gomez tries to lock up and control but Simmonds gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Simmonds won't let Gomez get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Simmonds lands a big elbow.
Simmonds fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Simmonds punishing his opponent with strikes.
Simmonds lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Gomez hang on?
Simmonds pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Simmonds raining down shots from the mount!
Simmonds won't let Gomez get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Simmonds raining down hammerfists from mount.
Simmonds sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Simmonds lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Gomez is squirming around, avoiding Simmonds's attempts to control the action.
Gomez wants to hold on but Simmonds pushes him away.
Gomez might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Simmonds kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Simmonds scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Gomez?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gomez keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Simmonds trying to control but Gomez is having none of it.
Gomez really wants to buck Simmonds off and get back to his feet.
Gomez is trying to escape the mount.
Gomez takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Simmonds with the ground and pound from mount.
Gomez wants to get back to his feet.
Gomez tries to hold on but Simmonds pushes him away.

That's four 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.
Simmonds cracks Gomez with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Simmonds postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Gomez looks a forlorn figure.
Simmonds connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Gomez is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.

Simmonds is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Gomez has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Gomez wants to hold on but Simmonds pushes him away.
Simmonds can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Gomez is looking to escape.
Gomez really wants to buck Simmonds off and get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicky Simmonds had his way with Juan Gomez in that round.
The cut man is working on Juan Gomez's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Simmonds with a hook.
Simmonds misses with a head kick.
Gomez moves in looking to clinch but Simmonds pushes him off.
Gomez misses with a low kick as Simmonds jumps back.
Gomez takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Simmonds connects with a body shot.
Gomez tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Simmonds counters with a nice double leg into side control. Gomez won't be happy with that.
Gomez is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Simmonds tries to move to mount but Gomez blocks the move with his legs.
Simmonds is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gomez can do to turn this around?
Simmonds working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Simmonds trying to control the action but Gomez is working from the bottom.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
You can see the frustration on Gomez's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gomez is pushing Simmonds's head away, looking to escape. Simmonds manages to hold on to the position though.
Simmonds connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Gomez some visible discomfort.
Simmonds working the ground and pound.
Gomez takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Simmonds working away.
Gomez tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gomez struggling a bit here.
Simmonds tries to advance to mount but Gomez denies him.
Simmonds grinds an elbow into Gomez's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Simmonds connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Gomez some visible discomfort.
Gomez is trying to improve his position.
Gomez is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Simmonds has just dragged him back down to the mat.
You can see the frustration on Gomez's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Simmonds tries to move to mount but Gomez blocks the move with his legs.
Simmonds working away.
Gomez is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Simmonds is controlling him well.
Simmonds lands some shots froms side control.
Gomez can't do much from the bottom here.
Nicky Simmonds overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Simmonds is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gomez has escaped the position, nice work there.
Simmonds cracks Gomez with a big elbow.
Nicky Simmonds is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gomez trying to remain calm as Simmonds controls from the top position.
Simmonds postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Simmonds prevents Gomez from escaping the position.
A lull in the action here.
Gomez prevents Simmonds from moving into mount.
Gomez wants to control but Simmonds postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Gomez is trying to get back to his feet.
Simmonds working away.
Simmonds lands a nice forearm strike.
Simmonds controls the position from side control.
Gomez is trying to control Simmonds's posture but Simmonds avoids it.
Gomez is being controlled here.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Gomez tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gomez is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Juan Gomez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gomez is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nicky Simmonds showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Simmonds 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 50:45
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 50:45
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nicky Simmonds!
Nicky Simmonds is the new heavyweight champion!