PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Craig Simpson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nawal Chekhemani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Craig Simpson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Simpson
vs
Chekhemani

185 cm
26
185 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

170 cm
19
203 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Enjoys gardening

Milwaukee's Best 160 -$100 SALE!!!!!!!!!!!!

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Craig Simpson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nawal Chekhemani!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Chad Campbell and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chekhemani wants to clinch.
Simpson jabs Chekhemani right on the nose. Chekhemani blinks but takes it well.
Nawal Chekhemani seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Chekhemani loads up on a big right hand but Simpson slips the punch.
Good exchange - Simpson coming out on top.
Simpson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Chekhemani wants to clinch.
Chekhemani misses with an uppercut
and Simpson counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Simpson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Chekhemani.
Chekhemani has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Simpson finds it's way round the side to connect with Chekhemani's head.
Simpson lands with a shot to the body.
Simpson stuns Chekhemani with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nice cross by Simpson.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Chekhemani sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Simpson lands a head kick!
Simpson ducks under a wild hook from Chekhemani.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simpson cracks Chekhemani with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Chekhemani misses with a looping left.
Simpson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A swing and a miss from Chekhemani.
Chekhemani ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Simpson moves away.
Chekhemani is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Simpson lands a head kick. Chekhemani smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Simpson keeps the fight on the outside.
Chekhemani misses with a double jab.
Simpson lands with a nice body punch.
A head kick misses from Simpson.
Chekhemani takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Chekhemani shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Simpson connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Chekhemani's hands.
Craig Simpson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simpson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Chekhemani takes one to the side of the head.
Simpson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Chekhemani gets the takedown into side control.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Simpson is trying to get back to his feet.
Chekhemani throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

Chekhemani looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Chekhemani stands up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chekhemani fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Chekhemani looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Chekhemani thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Simpson's head.
Chekhemani slows the pace down in half guard.
Chekhemani stops Simpson from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chekhemani content to control rather than advance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Nawal Chekhemani hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Some wild striking there from Simpson.
Chekhemani tries to close the distance and clinch but Simpson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Chekhemani takes one to the side of the head.
Chekhemani wants to clinch up but Simpson keeps it at a distance.
Simpson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Simpson throws a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Simpson dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Simpson moves into range and connects with a jab.

Chekhemani is rocked!
Simpson lands with a nice body punch.
Chekhemani is still on wobbly legs! Can Simpson finish him?
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!
A big right followed by a crushing left from Simpson knocks Chekhemani out cold! Ouch - that one's going to be featured in highlight reels for years to come!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:11 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Craig Simpson!