PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Luke Simon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aiken Cullens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Simon
vs
Cullens

175 cm
20
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
19
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Luke Simon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Aiken Cullens!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cullens shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Simon as he jumps to the side.
Simon shoots in for a double leg but Cullens sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Simon forces Cullens back against the cage and clinches.
Simon tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Cullens is trying to pull guard but Simon has him pressed against the cage.

Simon pulls guard successfully.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Simon looking to control.
Simon keeping moving, preventing Cullens from controlling successfully.
Simon is trying to control the position but Cullens postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Luke Simon has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Cullens shoots in but no luck this time.
Luke Simon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aiken Cullens.
A head kick misses from Cullens.
Simon will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Cullens wants to clinch

and Simon counters by clinching up.
Cullens is trying to push Simon away but Simon has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Simon is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Simon tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Simon wants the takedown. Cullens is fighting it off but Simon persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Cullens's guard against the cage.
Cullens throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Cullens keeping moving, preventing Simon from controlling successfully.
Cullens looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cullens tries to strike from the bottom.
Cullens is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Simon is controlling him.
Simon trying to control but Cullens is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Luke Simon just wasn't active enough.
Cullens misses with an attempted mid kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Horrible takedown by Simon or perhaps it was just good defense by Cullens which made him look bad.
Cullens is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Simon changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cullens tries to avoid it but Simon manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cullens to the ground. Cullens escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Simon is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cullens shoots in looking for a takedown. Simon tries to sprawl out of it but Cullens keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Simon manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Cullens moves into range and clinches up with Simon.

Simon pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Simon.
Cullens stalks Simon and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Simon's face. Simon staggers backwards, shaken.
Simon shoots in for a takedown but Cullens shows good takedown defense.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cullens looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Cullens is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Simon's half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cullens is working for a submission of some sort.

Cullens seems to be working for a kimura but Simon defends the submission attempt.
Cullens trying to control the pace.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Cullens is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Simon defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Aiken Cullens will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Simon forces Cullens back against the cage and clinches.
Simon jumps guard but Cullens turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Simon jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Cullens walks away with a smile on his face. Simon gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Cullens changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Simon tries to avoid it but Cullens manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Simon to the ground. Simon escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Cullens tries to clinch up.
Cullens closes the distance and clinches up with Simon, looking for a takedown. Cullens pushes Simon against the cage but Simon circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Luke Simon is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A head kick misses from Cullens.
Cullens fails with the takedown.
Luke Simon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aiken Cullens.
Simon misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Cullens has managed to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Simon pulls Cullens into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Simon throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Cullens trying to control the position from guard on top but Simon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cullens postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Simon is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Simon controls Cullens momentarily but Cullens frees himself.

Simon pushes Cullens off and scrambles back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cullens tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Simon counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Simon is looking for a takedown.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cullens is looking to take this one to the mat.
Cullens jumps guard but Simon stands there with Cullens around his waist. Cullens gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Cullens tries for a takedown. No joy.

Simon breaks the clinch.
Simon tries to clinch up but Cullens circles away and keeps his distance.

Cullens takes the fight into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Simon breaks from the clinch.
Cullens fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simon tries to clinch there but Cullens circles away.
Simon shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Simon shoots in looking for a takedown but Cullens manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Simon's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Cullens lunges at Simon with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Simon's hand.
Cullens misses with a two punch combination.
Simon fails with a takedown attempt.
Simon defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cullens.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cullens.

Simon closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simon lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Simon tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Simon misses with a knee to the head.
Cullens working aggressively here.
Cullens jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Simon walks away with a smile on his face. Cullens gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
A head kick by Cullens misses

and Simon counters by moving into the clinch.

Simon breaks the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cullens throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Simon's waist but Simon gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cullens off to one side.
Simon shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Aiken Cullens seems to be getting the better of the standup.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Simon circles away from the clinch attempt.
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 Luke Simon will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Simon rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cullens moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cullens shoots in but Simon avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Simon has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Simon tries to clinch up.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cullens.
Simon misses with a series of wild punches.
Simon fails to land the takedown.
Cullens changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Simon tries to avoid it but Cullens manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Simon to the ground. Simon escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Luke Simon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aiken Cullens.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cullens throws a leg kick
and Simon counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cullens shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Simon as he avoids it easily.
Simon shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Simon throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cullens's waist but Cullens gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Simon off to one side.
Cullens keeps the fight on the outside.
Cullens misses with a takedown attempt - Simon sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Cullens shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cullens keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cullens lands a nice looking body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cullens tries to clinch but Simon moves away
and Simon finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.

Cullens drives through and clinches with Simon against the cage.

Simon breaks from the clinch.
Cullens will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Simon has closed the distance and engaged Cullens in a clinch.
Simon putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Cullens in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Cullens looking to stall.

Simon manages to break the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cullens misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cullens throws a head kick but Simon moves out of range.
Cullens avoids the head kick by Simon.
Simon shoots in for a takedown but Cullens shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Cullens wants to clinch.
Cullens shoots for a double leg takedown but Simon sprawls well. He's pushed Cullens's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cullens goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Cullens misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cullens.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simon fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Cullens rushes Simon and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Cullens tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Simon smiles and moves away.
Cullens shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
No luck for Cullens with that takedown attempt.
Simon fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Aiken Cullens.
I think Cullens has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aiken Cullens!