PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jay Simon (ranked 147 p4p, 562 weight class) and Tacitus Kilgore (ranked 19 p4p, 64 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Simon
vs
Kilgore

179 cm
25
165
15 - 1 - 0

175 cm
26
160
9 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Shadow Warrior Nutrition
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Conviction
Core Combat

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jay Simon!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tacitus Kilgore!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Arvi Lind and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simon digs a good hook to Kilgore's body.
Kilgore looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kilgore wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Simon dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Simon has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Kilgore fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Tacitus Kilgore seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kilgore misses with a lunging right hand
and Simon counters with a left to the body.

Simon rushes Kilgore and presses him up against the cage.
Kilgore wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kilgore blocks a body shot from Simon.
Kilgore can't break the clinch.
Kilgore cracks Simon with a nice body shot.

Kilgore breaks from the clinch.
Kilgore throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Simon counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
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!
Kilgore swings widly with a right hand
and Simon counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kilgore cracks Simon with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simon doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kilgore throws a lazy right hand but Simon sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Simon walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kilgore scores with a sloppy right hand. Simon should have avoided that one.
Simon moves out of range of the strikes.

Simon throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Kilgore tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Simon is in Kilgore's guard.
Simon won't allow Kilgore to sweep him here.
Simon works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Simon is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Kilgore as he works his way to full guard.
Kilgore is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simon slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Simon passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kilgore is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Simon off and has taken his back!
Simon looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Can Simon hold on?! Kilgore is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kilgore controlling well, preventing Simon from escaping the position.
Simon trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Simon is really stuck here.
Kilgore punishes Simon with strikes from the back mount.
Simon tries to escape but Kilgore has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Kilgore scores with strikes from the back.
Kilgore looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Kilgore tries to keep control of the position but Simon is staying busy.
Simon rolls, trying to escape but Kilgore keeps control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kilgore lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Simon.
Kilgore controlling well, preventing Simon from escaping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kilgore gets his hands free as Simon looks to control.
Kilgore biding his time, looking for the opening.
Kilgore scores with punches and elbows.
Kilgore lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tacitus Kilgore dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nice jab there from Kilgore.
Simon bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Simon checks a low kick from Kilgore.
Simon shoots in for a takedown but Kilgore shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Simon wants to clinch
and Kilgore cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Simon wants to clinch
and Simon takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kilgore lands with a straight right. Simon didn't see that one coming.
A good leg kick by Kilgore.
Kilgore misses the body punch
and Kilgore takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simon moves out of range as Kilgore strikes.
Kilgore throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kilgore takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

It looks like Tacitus Kilgore has been cut.
Kilgore has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kilgore lands with a straight right. Simon didn't see that one coming.
Simon clobbers Kilgore with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

Simon has Kilgore up against the cage in a clinch.
Simon misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kilgore has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kilgore working aggressively here.
Kilgore gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Simon.
Kilgore blocks an uppercut.
Simon misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simon tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kilgore smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jay Simon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kilgore moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Simon moves in looking to clinch but Kilgore pushes him off.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Simon moves away from the strike by Kilgore.
Simon shoots in for a double leg but Kilgore sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Simon is looking to clinch but Kilgore is avoiding it.
Kilgore throws a poor cross that misses
and Simon connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kilgore.
Kilgore rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Simon counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simon staying out of range there.
Simon drops down looking for a counter takedown but Kilgore sprawls and moves away.
Kilgore misses with the combination.
Simon throws a hook to the side of Kilgore's head but Kilgore sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
It seemed like Kilgore was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Simon shoots and misses
and Kilgore counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kilgore throws a sloppy head kick and Simon moves out of range easily.
Kilgore tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Simon bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Simon jabs Kilgore right on the nose. Kilgore blinks but takes it well.
Kilgore fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Simon manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kilgore stuffs the takedown attempt from Simon. Simon gets slowly back to his feet.
Simon fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kilgore delivers a nice body kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kilgore fails to land with a series of punches.
Kilgore lands a slapping body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kilgore throws an overhand right that lands on Simon's shoulder, as Simon tries to avoid the shot.
Simon misses with a straight left.
A big right from Kilgore misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tacitus Kilgore showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tacitus Kilgore's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kilgore tries to bum rush Simon with a series of wild strikes but Simon uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Simon takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Simon wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kilgore rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Simon counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kilgore lands a nice shot that snaps Simon's head back.
Simon staying out of range there.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kilgore. Simon does a little dance to reset his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kilgore lands with a nice body punch.
A lazy left from Kilgore finds it's target.
Simon blocks a head kick by Kilgore.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simon takes a jab right on the kisser.
Simon moves in looking to clinch but Kilgore pushes him off.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kilgore. Simon does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tacitus Kilgore is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Simon closes the distance and clinches up with Kilgore, looking for a takedown. Simon pushes Kilgore against the cage but Kilgore circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kilgore scores with a decent looking hook.
Kilgore misses with a low kick.
Simon slips under a jab from Kilgore.
It looked like Simon wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A head kick by Kilgore misses
enabling Simon to counter with a crisp jab.
Kilgore lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simon ducks under a wild hook from Kilgore.
Simon misses with a takedown
and Kilgore counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kilgore misses with a hook

and Simon counters with a nice double leg into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Simon postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Kilgore is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Simon, into his guard.

Kilgore avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Simon pulls Kilgore in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kilgore makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kilgore passes Simon's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Kilgore looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Kilgore takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Simon wants to control but Kilgore is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kilgore wants to lay and pray for a moment but Simon keeps working.
Simon is trying to maintain the position but Kilgore is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kilgore is looking for a kimura here.
Simon makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Simon.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kilgore's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Simon working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kilgore doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kilgore manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tacitus Kilgore really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tacitus Kilgore's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Simon bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kilgore connects with a leg kick.
Kilgore slips a jab from Simon.
Simon uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kilgore.
Kilgore ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Simon takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kilgore pivots, looking for a leg kick but Simon is out of range and Kilgore settles back down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simon takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kilgore smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
That kick from Kilgore tenderised Simon's leg. Simon is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kilgore works Simon's body with a nice hook.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Simon avoids the head kick by Kilgore.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kilgore. Simon does a little dance to reset his feet.
Simon drops down looking for a counter takedown but Kilgore sprawls and moves away.
Kilgore fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kilgore turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Simon. Kilgore does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kilgore throws out a counter right but Simon avoids it with no problem.
Simon ducks under a wild hook from Kilgore.
Simon tries to clinch up but Kilgore circles away and keeps his distance.
Kilgore misses with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kilgore circles away from the clinch attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Simon looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tacitus Kilgore seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kilgore throws a head kick but Simon moves out of range.
Kilgore misses with a left hand
and Simon counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kilgore throws a body kick that misses.
Kilgore circles away from the clinch attempt
and Kilgore connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kilgore lands a jab to the nose.
Kilgore is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Simon.
Kilgore pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kilgore comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Good work by Simon as he checks the leg kick.
Kilgore misses the shot to the body.
Simon tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Simon tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kilgore paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kilgore takes a swing at Simon's ribcage but misses.
Simon feinted with a counter takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simon shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kilgore defends it nicely.
Kilgore throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Simon wants to clinch up but Kilgore keeps it at a distance.
Kilgore scores with a leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kilgore.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nice sprawl there from Kilgore as Simon shoots in.
Kilgore throws out a counter right but Simon avoids it with no problem.
Kilgore dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tacitus Kilgore dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Tacitus Kilgore's cut.
That's time! Simon's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kilgore misses with an uppercut. Simon saw that one coming.
Jab, jab by Kilgore - just one landing.
Kilgore loads up on a big right hand but Simon slips the punch.
Simon is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Simon gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Simon doesn't manage to clinch there - Kilgore circles away.
A lazy body kick from Kilgore

and Simon decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kilgore's guard.

Simon drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Kilgore manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Simon has Kilgore in his guard.

Kilgore showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kilgore is fighting to break Simon's control of his arms but Simon is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Simon is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Simon has momentary wrist control but Kilgore slips an elbow through the middle.
Kilgore is pushing down on Simon's leg trying to pass to half guard. Simon is fighting to maintain full guard but Kilgore has managed to sneak the leg through.
Jay Simon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Simon has a hand on Kilgore's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Kilgore takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
A nice elbow there by Kilgore.
Kilgore wants to control the pace but Simon is squirming around nicely.
Simon tries to reverse the position but Kilgore maintains control.
A nice elbow there by Kilgore.
Kilgore postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Simon looks a forlorn figure.
Simon really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Tacitus Kilgore is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simon slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Kilgore is taking a breather. Simon says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Well,Simon is on his way to losing a decision here. Can he use his experience to pull something off in the closing minutes?
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kilgore lands a nice short elbow.
Simon moves into full guard.
Kilgore content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kilgore trying to control but Simon is working from the bottom.

Simon is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Kilgore frees his head nicely. Oh but Simon has switched to an armbar! Kilgore is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Jay Simon!
Jay Simon retains his lightweight title!
After winning the bout, Jay Simon thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.