PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Adam Simpson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stephan Henki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stephan Henki will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Simpson
vs
Henki

182 cm
25
281 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

205 cm
18
255 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

[GTI] Divine Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Adam Simpson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Stephan Henki!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Seu Braga and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Henki misses with a takedown attempt

and Simpson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Simpson.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Simpson decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
A clash of legs there as Simpson blocks the low kick.
Henki tries to clinch

and Simpson counters with a single leg into guard. Henki didn't expect that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Simpson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Simpson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Henki working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Simpson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Simpson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Simpson controlling from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Henki is looking for a triangle but Simpson pushes his legs off easily.
Henki looks gassed!

Simpson stands up from Henki's guard - Simpson perhaps looking for a knockout.

Simpson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Henki!
Simpson controlling the pace for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Simpson is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Henki is surviving well by controlling Simpson's body position as best he can.
Simpson fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Henki can't escape the position.
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!
Henki tries to hold on but Simpson postures up.
Simpson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Henki 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simpson content to control rather than advance.

Henki is defending against the submission attempts here by Simpson.
Henki taking some punishment here, with Simpson in his half guard.
Simpson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Simpson not doing much here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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. Simpson connects with a nice short shot to Henki's temple.

Simpson stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Henki to get to his feet.

Henki gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Simpson controls from within his opponent's guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Simpson stands up and waves to Henki to follow him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Adam Simpson 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.

Simpson shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Simpson showed some decent athleticism there.
Simpson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Simpson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Henki sees it coming and defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Simpson is controlling the pace.
Henki tries to roll over but Simpson keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, if Simpson is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Henki looking for submissions off his back.
Henki is breathing heavily.
Simpson slips a nice elbow through Henki's hands, connecting with Henki's forehead.
Henki trying to get back to full guard but Simpson takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Simpson sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Simpson could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simpson has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Simpson seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Henki for as long as he can get away with.
Henki tries to improve his position but instead Simpson has taken his back!

Simpson patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Henki just trying to survive but Simpson is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Simpson has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Henki has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simpson is trying to stick to Henki's back but Henki is turning into Simpson. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Simpson's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Henki.
Simpson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Simpson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Simpson has his foot on Henki's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Henki works his way back into a safe position though.
Henki trying to control the position from guard on top but Simpson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Henki might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Simpson kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Simpson is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Simpson gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simpson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Simpson trying to pass the guard but Henki defending well.

Simpson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Henki sees it coming and defends easily.
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!

Simpson stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Henki darts in and clinches Simpson up against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Henki is trying to drag Simpson to the mat but Simpson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Adam Simpson dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Henki gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Simpson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Henki's guard now.
Simpson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Henki can do to turn this around?

Henki throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Simpson escapes and throws Henki's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Henki throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
Check out the look on Simpson's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

Simpson has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Simpson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Henki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simpson is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Henki struggling a bit here.

Simpson stands up and beckons Henki to his feet.
Henki has his takedown stuffed

and Simpson counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simpson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Simpson passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Henki takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Henki tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Simpson cracks Henki with a big right hand but Henki just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Simpson is staying tight to Henki's torso, preventing him from escaping.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Simpson has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Stephan Henki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Simpson dives in and scores a takedown into Henki's guard.
Simpson stays in close to Henki's body and controls the position.

Simpson stands and steps away. Henki gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Simpson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Henki to the mat! Henki manages to get full guard.
Simpson sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Adam Simpson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Simpson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Henki tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Simpson counters with a shoot takedown. Henki fights it but they end up in guard.
Simpson postures up.
Simpson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Simpson postures up.
Simpson works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Stephan Henki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Adam Simpson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Simpson seems to be looking for submissions.

And that's the end of the fight!
Adam Simpson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Simpson, 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 30:27
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Adam Simpson!