PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joey Simone (ranked 943 p4p, 1053 weight class) and Hendrik Vermeulen (ranked 146 p4p, 161 weight class). Simone comes into the arena with Gucci Mane - Trap God Intro blaring out of the sound system. Vermeulen is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Dance Macabre (Carpenter Brut remix) - Ghost. Joey Simone has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Simone
vs
Vermeulen

198 cm
35
175
14 - 7 - 0

187 cm
44
203
36 - 18 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Shadow Realm Apparel
AVALON

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Hoarse Pills

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 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joey Simone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 36 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Hendrik Vermeulen!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simone thows a left - swing and a miss!
Simone moves out of range of the strikes.
Simone thows a left - swing and a miss!
Simone takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Simone blocks a jab.
Joey Simone seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Simone lands a really nice looking cross but Vermeulen seems unphased.
Vermeulen looks to score with a jab to the body but Simone is just out of range.
Vermeulen has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Vermeulen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Simone.
Simone jabs Vermeulen right on the nose. Vermeulen blinks but takes it well.
Simone bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Simone with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Simone connects with a good right hand that stumbles Vermeulen. Vermeulen circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Simone has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Marty Robbin's Fight Ranch in the buildup to the fight.
Vermeulen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Simone wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Simone moves out of range of the strikes.

Simone gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Simone prevents a body shot from Vermeulen.
A short uppercut from Simone.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vermeulen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Simone successfully pulls guard.
Vermeulen has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Simone is proving hard to escape from.
Vermeulen won't allow Simone to sweep him here.
Vermeulen trying to control but Simone is working from the bottom.
Simone is trying to keep Vermeulen in close.
Vermeulen is looking to stand up but Simone won't let him.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Vermeulen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Simone.
Nice defenses there by Simone.
Simone slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Vermeulen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Simone.
Vermeulen cracks Simone with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

It looks like Joey Simone has been cut.
Simone sizes up Vermeulen with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Simone moves out of range of the strikes.
Vermeulen misses with a body punch
and Simone connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Simone lands with a good body shot.
Simone ducks under a wild hook from Vermeulen.
Vermeulen takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Simone is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Simone lands a slapping body shot.
Simone lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Vermeulen feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Simones jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Simone scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Simone moves out of range of the strikes.
Vermeulen drops his hands momentarily and Simone takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Simone is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vermeulen misses the jab.
Simone is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Simone scores with a jab to the jaw.
Simone lands an overhand right.
Simone tries to bum rush Vermeulen with a series of wild strikes but Vermeulen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Vermeulen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Vermeulen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Vermeulen has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Simone finds it's way round the side to connect with Vermeulen's head.
Nice cross by Simone.
Simone throws a hook but Vermeulen blocks it.
Nice uppercut lands for Simone. That snapped Vermeulen's head back.
Simone tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Vermeulen was well out of range. Poor timing from Simone.
Vermeulen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Simone manages to avoid it.
Vermeulen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Simone really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vermeulen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Simone sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Simone misses the shot to the body.
Simone uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vermeulen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simone comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A big right from Vermeulen misses.
Vermeulen misses with a right hand
and Simone counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Vermeulen throws a body punch but Simone moves out of range.
Simone tries to clinch up
and Vermeulen counters with a stiff right hand.
Simone lands with a straight right. Vermeulen didn't see that one coming.
Simone tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Vermeulen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Simone tries to clinch but Vermeulen is having none of it.
Simone swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Vermeulen.
Vermeulen throws a big shot that misses.
Simone was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Simone uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Vermeulen.
Vermeulen takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Vermeulen misses the shot to the body.
A slow jab from Vermeulen misses its intended target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joey Simone dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joey Simone's cut.
That's time! Simone's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Simone slips a straight right by Vermeulen.

Simone fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Vermeulen, pushing him back against the cage.
Simone tries to pull guard but Vermeulen holds him up against the cage and eventually Simone drops back down to his feet.
Simone managing to block the knees to the body from Vermeulen.
Simone tries to pull guard but Vermeulen holds him up against the cage and eventually Simone drops back down to his feet.
Simone lands a body shot in the clinch.

Simone pulls guard effortlessly.
Vermeulen is stalling in the full guard.

Simone has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Vermeulen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vermeulen wants to get up but he can't break Simone's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Vermeulen wants to control from the top but Simone keeps moving.

Simone working for a triangle but Vermeulen defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vermeulen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Simone not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Vermeulen trying to control but Simone is working from the bottom.
Simone manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Vermeulen manages to get himself to full guard.

Simone trying to control but Vermeulen is working from the bottom.
Vermeulen keeping full guard, as Simone tries to pass.
Simone wants to control from the top but Vermeulen keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simone slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Simone trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vermeulen wants to sweep but no luck.
Vermeulen is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hendrik Vermeulen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Simone tries to free his leg and advance position but Vermeulen is retaining full guard.
Simone wants to control from the top but Vermeulen keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vermeulen looking to control.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Vermeulen wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Simone misses the shot to the body.
Simone cracks Vermeulen with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Vermeulen tries to move into range but Simone moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nice straight punches there by Simone. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Simone.
Vermeulen moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Simone is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Vermeulen can do to turn this around?
Vermeulen ducks under a wild hook from Simone.
Simone lands a glancing blow to the side of Vermeulen's head.
Simone throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Vermeulen has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Vermeulen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Simone.
Simone blocks a body shot from Vermeulen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simone is working Vermeulen over against the cage.
Simone misses with some punches.
Vermeulen gets through Simone's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Simone has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Vermeulen uses from the top position.
Vermeulen stopping the sweep attempt from Simone.
Vermeulen wanted to stand there but Simone had control of the position.
Simone wants to sweep but no luck.

Simone has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Vermeulen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Simone is looking for a triangle but Vermeulen pushes his legs off easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vermeulen trying to control the position from guard on top but Simone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Simone has a closed guard, preventing Vermeulen from standing up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joey Simone dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Joey Simone's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Vermeulen throws a lazy right hand but Simone sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Simone uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Vermeulen.
Vermeulen is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Vermeulen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Simone looks to score with a jab to the body but Vermeulen is just out of range.
Vermeulen swings for the body but Simone moves out of range.
Vermeulen misses the jab.
Vermeulen looks to land a left hand but Simone moved out of range nicely.
A shot to the body from Vermeulen misses
and Simone counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Simone ducks under a wild hook from Vermeulen.
A looping hook to the body misses from Simone. Vermeulen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Simone lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simone keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Simone with a hook.
Vermeulen takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Vermeulen shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Simone throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simone scores with a jab to the body.
Simone with a nice cross.
Simone scores with a jab. Vermeulen acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Simone lands with a straight right. Vermeulen didn't see that one coming.
Vermeulen takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Simone blocks a jab.
Simone avoids the body shot from Vermeulen.
Simone was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Simone lands a body shot.
Simone scores with a jab to the jaw.
Vermeulen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Simone.
Simone slips a jab from Vermeulen.
Vermeulen swings for the body but Simone moves out of range.
Simone scores with a decent looking hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vermeulen throws a lazy uppercut
and Simone counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Simone scores with a nice right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vermeulen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Simone's jab looks to have found its range, popping Vermeulen under the eye.
Vermeulen walks into a jab.
Simone scores with a jab. Vermeulen acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Simone throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Vermeulen on the side of the head.
Vermeulen digs a good hook to Simone's body.
Vermeulen takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Vermeulen jabs at Simone's body.
Vermeulen moves out of range as Simone strikes.
Simone scores with the left hand. Vermeulen knows he should have avoided that one.
Joey Simone is winning the standup battle so far.
Vermeulen misses with a wild body shot.
Vermeulen throws a jab but it's blocked by Simone.
Simone lands a nice shot to the body.
Simone tests Vermeulen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Vermeulen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simone ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
An attempted straight right counter from Simone misses the target.
Vermeulen throws a shot to the body.
Vermeulen looks to land a right hand but Simone moved out of range.
Vermeulen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A shot to the liver by Simone. Beautiful body shot.
Vermeulen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Simone sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Simone misses with a two punch combination.
Simone connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Vermeulen's hands.
Vermeulen takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Simone misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vermeulen.
A countering left hand to the body from Vermeulen misses.
Simone tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A nice side step and Vermeulen releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Simone paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Simone's corner calls for a 1-2. Simone obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Simone lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
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!
Simone uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vermeulen.
Simone wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Simone. That snapped Vermeulen's head back.
Vermeulen misses with a left hand
and Simone makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Simone throws a hook to the side of Vermeulen's head but Vermeulen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Vermeulen throws out a counter right but Simone avoids it with no problem.
Simone scores with the left hand. Vermeulen knows he should have avoided that one.
Vermeulen throws a sloppy body shot
and Vermeulen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Vermeulen throws a jab when Simone was well out of range.
Vermeulen misses the shot to the body.
Joey Simone is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Vermeulen drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Simone catches Vermeulen with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Simone lands a right hook to the body.
A left and a right from Simone both land. Nice combination.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Vermeulen tries to keep at a distance but Simone has taken the fight into the clinch.
Vermeulen misses with some punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joey Simone showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Simone 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joey Simone!
A very excited looking Joey Simone made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.