PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jin Matsushima (ranked 4138 p4p, 3430 weight class) and Freddie Simons (ranked 270 p4p, 240 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Matsushima
vs
Simons

168 cm
25
138
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
25
140
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jin Matsushima!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Freddie Simons!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Peter Branson and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matsushima moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Matsushima shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Matsushima has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Matsushima seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Simons manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Matsushima manages to get himself to full guard.

Matsushima tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Simons is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Matsushima has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Simons can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Simons landing with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simons sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Matsushima's guard.
Matsushima is trying to control but can't.

Simons is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Matsushima doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Simons.
Matsushima wants to improve his position but Simons is controlling well.

Simons is working for a kimura but Matsushima is defending it quite comfortably.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Simons seems to be working for a kimura but Matsushima defends the submission attempt.
Simons is trying to control. Matsushima wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Matsushima tries to get to full guard but Simons has control of the leg.
Matsushima is refusing to be controlled, as Simons sits in half guard.
Simons missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Matsushima looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simons thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Matsushima's head.
Matsushima is looking for a sweep. Simons is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Matsushima knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Simons on the ground.
Simons thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Simons is nestled in close to Matsushima, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Matsushima is trying to get back to full guard.
Simons looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Matsushima with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Matsushima flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Matsushima trying to control from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsushima trying to get back to full guard but Simons takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

Simons looking for a guillotine from mount but Matsushima is having none of it.
Matsushima is desperately trying to improve his position but Simons has a good base and remains in mount.
Matsushima taking shots to the head.
Simons punishing his opponent with strikes.
Matsushima wants to hold on but Simons pushes him away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
BOOM! Simons connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Simons is in the full mount, landing strikes.

Simons looking to secure an arm triangle but Matsushima defends it well.
Simons avoids the attempt from Matsushima to control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Freddie Simons dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Matsushima changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Simons looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Matsushima trying to control the action but Simons is working from the bottom.
Simons sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Simons has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Simons is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Matsushima pulls his head out easily.
Simons has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Simons is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Matsushima pulls his head out easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsushima slows the pace down in half guard.
Simons slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matsushima decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Matsushima looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Simons can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Matsushima controls the pace.
Matsushima advances position into side control!
Matsushima is looking to take a break and control but Simons is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simons is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Matsushima is trying to control. Simons wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Simons looking for submissions off his back.

Simons looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Simons is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Matsushima pulls his head out easily.

Simons looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Simons is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsushima thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Simons is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Matsushima is trying to control the action in half guard but Simons is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Matsushima throws a strike but Simons avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Matsushima looking to pass the guard.
Matsushima controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Simons is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Matsushima preventing the sweep.

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

Simons won't allow Matsushima to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simons loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Freddie Simons has got the better of the ground game so far.
Simons with a flurry of punches that miss.
Matsushima on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Matsushima tries to get out of the position.
Matsushima is trying to keep Simons in close.

Matsushima looking for a guillotine here but Simons defends easily.
Matsushima is looking to stand up but Simons isn't so interested in that idea.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jin Matsushima will probably get the nod.
That's time! Matsushima's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Simons dodges the punch combination from Matsushima.

Matsushima takes the fight into the clinch.
Simons jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Matsushima walks away with a smile on his face. Simons gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Simons shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simons misses with a takedown

and Matsushima moves into the clinch.
Matsushima is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Matsushima works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Simons looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Simons is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Matsushima has hold of Simons's hands but Simons slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Simons trying to control from half guard but Matsushima is working away.
Matsushima is trying to control but Simons manages to pass to mount!
Matsushima is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simons working the ground and pound effectively.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matsushima bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Simons is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Simons looking for a guillotine here but Matsushima defends easily.
Simons wants to sweep here but Matsushima controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsushima wants to control from the top but Simons keeps moving.
Matsushima stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Simons swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Simons is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Matsushima is aware though and is defending well.

Simons escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Matsushima gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Simons takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Matsushima tries to free his leg and advance position but Simons is retaining full guard.
Matsushima wants to stand and escape but instead Simons has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Simons is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Matsushima is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Matsushima has escaped and now he's on top!

Matsushima working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Matsushima not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Matsushima would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Matsushima looking to pass the guard.
Simons trying to strike off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Freddie Simons.
I think Simons 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 Winston Alpacca scores the fight 28:29
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Freddie Simons!