PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Craig Simonsgaurd (ranked 1578 p4p, 24444 weight class) and Michael McConnell (ranked 189 p4p, 444 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Simonsgaurd
vs
McConnell

180 cm
29
155
10 - 7 - 0

183 cm
21
155
0 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Craig Simonsgaurd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Michael McConnell !
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Jonathan Paton and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McConnell fails with an attempt to clinch.
Simonsgaurd was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Sloppy strikes from Simonsgaurd. Those never looked like landing.
McConnell fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
McConnell misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Simonsgaurd rushes McConnell and presses him up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McConnell misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Simonsgaurd.
A short left from Simonsgaurd.
Simonsgaurd holding his opponent close, against the cage.
McConnell lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Simonsgaurd.
Simonsgaurd scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Simonsgaurd 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McConnell on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
McConnell wants to stall.
Simonsgaurd lands with a short shot to the head.
McConnell tries to pull guard but Simonsgaurd won't allow it.
Craig Simonsgaurd has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael McConnell .
McConnell wants to stall.
Simonsgaurd gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from McConnell .
Simonsgaurd is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McConnell is defending well for now.
Simonsgaurd misses with an elbow strike.
Simonsgaurd creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Come on Simonsgaurd - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simonsgaurd throws an elbow but it misses.
McConnell wants a takedown.
Simonsgaurd is stalling here.
McConnell is trying to pull guard but Simonsgaurd turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Simonsgaurd lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of McConnell backwards.
McConnell on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
McConnell jumps guard but Simonsgaurd stands there with McConnell around his waist. McConnell gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Simonsgaurd tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Simonsgaurd misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from McConnell .
Simonsgaurd throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but McConnell blocks it with crossed arms.
McConnell tries to pull guard but Simonsgaurd holds him up against the cage and eventually McConnell drops back down to his feet.
Simonsgaurd lands a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McConnell 's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
McConnell tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Simonsgaurd holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Simonsgaurd is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McConnell is defending well for now.
Simonsgaurd throws a punch but it's blocked by McConnell .
Simonsgaurd scores with a nice hook to the head.
Simonsgaurd using the Thai plumb to throw knees but McConnell has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Simonsgaurd is pressed up against the cage. McConnell has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Simonsgaurd down to the mat. Simonsgaurd avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
McConnell will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
McConnell fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Simonsgaurd avoids it really well and circles away.
An attempted straight right counter from Simonsgaurd misses the target.
McConnell fails with a takedown attempt.
It looked like Simonsgaurd wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McConnell connects with a body shot.
McConnell fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Simonsgaurd swats away the attempt to clinch by McConnell .
An attempted straight right counter from Simonsgaurd misses the target.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Simonsgaurd clinches up with McConnell and pushes him back against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Simonsgaurd dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

McConnell throws a one two combo.

Simonsgaurd gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
McConnell 's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
McConnell tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Simonsgaurd just stands there and leans against the cage.
Simonsgaurd lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
McConnell goes for a takedown attempt but Simonsgaurd pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
McConnell tries for a takedown but Simonsgaurd circles away easily
and Simonsgaurd connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Craig Simonsgaurd has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael McConnell .
McConnell tries to clinch
and Simonsgaurd counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

McConnell is rocked!
Craig Simonsgaurd is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McConnell swinging wildly here.
McConnell is still on wobbly legs! Can Simonsgaurd finish him?
Simonsgaurd misses with a two punch combination.
McConnell seems to have recovered his senses.
Craig Simonsgaurd is winning the standup battle so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Simonsgaurd has taken the fight to the clinch.
Simonsgaurd lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
McConnell trying to stall but Simonsgaurd improves his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Simonsgaurd just misses with a elbow thrown towards McConnell 's brow.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A short uppercut from Simonsgaurd.
Simonsgaurd tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
McConnell is trying to drag Simonsgaurd to the mat but Simonsgaurd just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Simonsgaurd tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Simonsgaurd tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
McConnell blocks the elbow strike.
Simonsgaurd with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Craig Simonsgaurd has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Simonsgaurd throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but McConnell blocks it with crossed arms.
Simonsgaurd is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that McConnell can do to turn this around?
A nice left hand lands by Simonsgaurd.
McConnell has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Simonsgaurd after a bit of a struggle.
Simonsgaurd has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McConnell jumps guard but Simonsgaurd stands there with McConnell around his waist. McConnell gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Simonsgaurd throws a knee to the head but misses.
A short right from Simonsgaurd.
A short right from Simonsgaurd on the inside.
A right hook to the body lands for Simonsgaurd.
Nice body punch from Simonsgaurd - that landed with a thud.
McConnell is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Simonsgaurd misses with a knee to the head.
McConnell tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

McConnell breaks the clinch.
McConnell misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Simonsgaurd.
A little feinted left hand from Simonsgaurd on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Simonsgaurd instigates a clinch.
McConnell tries to score a body lock takedown but Simonsgaurd shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Simonsgaurd lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of McConnell backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McConnell tries to work over Simonsgaurd's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A left hand lands to the body for Simonsgaurd.
Simonsgaurd with an attempt at a knee that misses.
McConnell trying to land knees to the body.
Simonsgaurd misses with a knee to the head.
Simonsgaurd has McConnell pushed against the cage.
McConnell is trying to pull guard but Simonsgaurd turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
McConnell is trying to maintain a safe position but Simonsgaurd gets an underhook and turns McConnell into the cage.
McConnell is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Simonsgaurd pulls him back up using the underhooks.
McConnell tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
McConnell avoids a wild elbow strike from Simonsgaurd.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Simonsgaurd takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
A nice left hand lands by Simonsgaurd.
Simonsgaurd cracks McConnell with a nice body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simonsgaurd with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Simonsgaurd lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of McConnell backwards.
Simonsgaurd throws an elbow but it's blocked.
McConnell blocks an elbow strike from Simonsgaurd.
Simonsgaurd throws an elbow that misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Simonsgaurd.
Simonsgaurd pushes off an throws an elbow but McConnell leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Simonsgaurd tries to land knees in the clinch but McConnell avoids the damage to the body.
McConnell has had enough of the clinch but Simonsgaurd keeps him there for the moment.
Simonsgaurd working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McConnell drops down looking for an ankle pick but Simonsgaurd pulls his leg out and moves away.

Simonsgaurd gets tackled into the cage by McConnell . McConnell maintains the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Simonsgaurd 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!

Simonsgaurd closes the distance and pushes McConnell back into the cage.

McConnell breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McConnell throws a half hearted mid kick.

McConnell looking to score a takedown here. Simonsgaurd is defending well but McConnell drives through and ends up in Simonsgaurd's guard.

Simonsgaurd looking for a guillotine here but McConnell defends easily.

Simonsgaurd has his foot on McConnell 's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McConnell works his way back into a safe position though.

Simonsgaurd is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! McConnell rolls with it to try and escape but Simonsgaurd cranks on the arm and McConnell is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Craig Simonsgaurd!
An out of breath and clearly excited Craig Simonsgaurd thanked Northern Zombie for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).