PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Dakota Simcoe (ranked 2981 p4p, 3473 weight class) and Ross Morrow (ranked 212 p4p, 236 weight class). Ross Morrow struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 136.7lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Dakota Simcoe has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Simcoe
vs
Morrow

170 cm
25
144
2 - 2 - 0

177 cm
25
150
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Good gas tank

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Dakota Simcoe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ross Morrow!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Dirk Anderson and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Morrow moves into the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Morrow.
Morrow scores with a shot to the side of Simcoe's head.
A short right from Simcoe.
A short uppercut from Simcoe.
Morrow keeps control of Simcoe as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Morrow prevents Simcoe from breaking the clinch.
Morrow takes a shot to the head.
Morrow blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Morrow scores with a shoulder strike.
A shot in the inside from Morrow.
Morrow goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Simcoe wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A short right from Morrow on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Morrow lands a left hand that snaps the head of Simcoe backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Simcoe fails to land.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Simcoe.
Simcoe has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Simcoe wants to break free but Morrow has control.
A nice right hand lands inside from Morrow.
A frustrated look appears on Simcoe's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Morrow keeps control of Simcoe as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Morrow throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Simcoe tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morrow has Simcoe pressed against the cage, preventing Simcoe from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Morrow stalling against the cage.
Morrow lands a right hand.
Morrow looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
The referee calls for Morrow to work.

Simcoe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Simcoe, as that shot connected.
Morrow scores with a nice right hand.
Morrow misses with a hook
and Simcoe cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Morrow ducks under a wild hook from Simcoe.
Simcoe ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Morrow moves away.
Ross Morrow seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Morrow takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Simcoe swinging wildly here.
Morrow looks to land a right hand but Simcoe moved out of range.
Morrow takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Simcoe moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Simcoe pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Morrow back to the cage. Simcoe follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Simcoe does no damage.
Simcoe looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Simcoe lands a nice shot to the body.
The fighters circling - Morrow throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Simcoe looks to score with a jab to the body but Morrow is just out of range.
Morrow pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Morrow takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Morrow swings widly with a right hand
and Morrow takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Morrow throws a hook but Simcoe avoids it easily.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Simcoe, as that shot connected.
Simcoe lands a jab.
Simcoe connects with a looping right hand.

Morrow moves into the clinch successfully.
Simcoe wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Simcoe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Morrow.
Morrow swings widly with a right hand
enabling Simcoe to counter with a crisp jab.
Simcoe is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Simcoe lands an overhand right.
Morrow bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Simcoe's head.
Simcoe throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Morrow stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Morrow throws a jab when Simcoe was well out of range.
Morrow misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Simcoe.
Simcoe appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

Morrow closes the distance and clinches.
Simcoe working aggressively here.
Simcoe is looking to break free of the clinch but Morrow has double underhooks.
Simcoe lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Morrow stalling against the cage.
Simcoe throws a head punch that misses.
Morrow blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Simcoe tries to break the clinch but Morrow is controlling the position.
Morrow lands a left hand.
Simcoe being controlled against the cage.
Morrow scores with a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morrow lands a body punch in the clinch.
Simcoe fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Morrow lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Morrow lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Morrow blocks an uppercut.
Simcoe is trying to break the clinch but Morrow is controlling him.
Morrow will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Simcoe up against the cage.
Morrow lands a shoulder strike.
Morrow lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Morrow avoiding damage.
Morrow tries a body shot but Simcoe blocks it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Morrow lands a left hand that snaps the head of Simcoe backwards.
Morrow content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Morrow lands a nice uppercut.
Morrow keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Simcoe's efforts to push away.
Simcoe has a couple of punches blocked by Morrow.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Dakota Simcoe will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Simcoe fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Morrow on the side of the head.
Morrow misses with an uppercut
and Simcoe counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Simcoe takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Morrow rushes Simcoe and presses him up against the cage.
Simcoe is trying to break the clinch but Morrow has him pressed against the cage.
Morrow blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Simcoe has had enough of the clinch but Morrow keeps him there for the moment.
Simcoe is looking to break free of the clinch but Morrow has double underhooks.
Simcoe has had enough of the clinch but Morrow keeps him there for the moment.
A bit of stalling here from Morrow.
Simcoe wants to break the clinch but can't.
Morrow has Simcoe pressed against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Morrow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simcoe misses with a punch on the inside.
Morrow avoiding damage.
Morrow prevents Simcoe from breaking the clinch.
Morrow makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Morrow will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Simcoe up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morrow lands a body punch.
A short body shot lands from Morrow as the two fighters clinch.
Simcoe letting Morrow take a breather here.
A short right from Morrow on the inside.
Nice body punch from Morrow - that landed with a thud.
Simcoe tries to circle away but Morrow has him pinned against the cage.
Morrow pushes Simcoe back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Morrow working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Morrow makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Morrow lands a body punch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The referee calls for Morrow to work.
Morrow lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Morrow scores with a nice hook to the head.
Simcoe can't break the clinch.
Simcoe throws a head punch that misses.
Simcoe misses with a hook from the clinch.
Morrow slowing the pace effectively.
Ross Morrow seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Morrow.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Simcoe tries to break the clinch but Morrow is controlling the position.
Simcoe tries to break the clinch but Morrow is controlling the position.
Morrow lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Simcoe is trying to break the clinch but Morrow is controlling him.
Morrow lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Morrow is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Morrow.
Simcoe is trying to break free.
Morrow working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Good body shot from Morrow.
Morrow works on Simcoe's body with a couple of short punches.
Simcoe tries to circle away but Morrow has him pinned against the cage.
Simcoe looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Morrow lands with a right to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Simcoe.
Morrow is stalling here.
Morrow lands a hook that snaps the head of Simcoe backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simcoe wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Morrow lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Simcoe.
Morrow lands with a light punch inside.
Morrow lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Morrow slows down the pace here.
Simcoe swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Simcoe tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Morrow lands with a left to the head.
Simcoe wants to break free but Morrow has control.
Morrow digs a right hand into Simcoe's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Simcoe's gas tank.
Simcoe misses with a hook from the clinch.
Morrow lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Simcoe backwards.
Morrow lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Simcoe backwards.
Stalling in the clinch from Morrow.
Simcoe swings wildly with an uppercut but Morrow uses good head movement to avoid it.
Morrow stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morrow content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Morrow.
Morrow taking a breather.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ross Morrow.
Morrow misses with an uppercut
and Simcoe counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Simcoe lands a two punch combo.

Morrow fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Simcoe, pushing him back against the cage.
Morrow lands an uppercut.
Morrow dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Morrow working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Morrow lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Morrow lands a right hand that snaps the head of Simcoe backwards.
Simcoe wants to break the clinch but can't.
Morrow lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Simcoe backwards.
Simcoe swings wildly with an uppercut but Morrow uses good head movement to avoid it.
Morrow lands with a light punch inside.
A short body shot lands from Morrow as the two fighters clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ross Morrow showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Simcoe's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Morrow loads up on a big right hand but Simcoe slips the punch.
It looked like Simcoe was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Morrow.
Simcoe jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Morrow misses with a right hand
and Simcoe counters with a right hand to the body.
Dakota Simcoe is winning the standup battle so far.
Morrow throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Simcoe counter with a right hand.
A jab from Simcoe does it's job there.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Simcoe.
Morrow ducks right into an uppercut from Simcoe.
Simcoe rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Morrow moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Simcoe misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Morrow counters with a nice uppercut.
Simcoe displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Morrow throws out the jab.
It looked like Simcoe was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Morrow.
Simcoe misses with a straight right.

Morrow forces Simcoe back against the cage and clinches.
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!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Morrow.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Morrow lands a shoulder strike.
Simcoe tries to circle away but Morrow has him pinned against the cage.
Morrow lands a shoulder strike.
Simcoe fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Morrow scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simcoe wants to get back to striking at distance but Morrow won't allow it.
Simcoe misses with the head strike.
Morrow throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Morrow working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Simcoe wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Simcoe creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Morrow presses Simcoe against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Morrow creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Morrow gets through Simcoe's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Morrow is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Morrow is struggling to control the position.
The crowd are getting on Morrow's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Morrow leaning against his opponent.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Morrow scores with a nice hook to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Morrow creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Simcoe breaks the clinch.
A big right from Morrow misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morrow throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Morrow has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Morrow misses with an uppercut
and Simcoe counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Morrow might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Morrow lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Simcoe takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Morrow fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Simcoe, pushing him back against the cage.
Morrow leaning his opponent against the cage.
Simcoe working hard to break the clinch.
Simcoe throws a punch but it's blocked by Morrow.

Simcoe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Morrow misses with a looping left.
Morrow misses with a right hand
and Simcoe counters with a straight right hand.
Morrow slips a jab from Simcoe.

Morrow rushes Simcoe and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Morrow.
Morrow throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Simcoes head.
Morrow lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Simcoe backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simcoe's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Morrow slowing the pace effectively.
Morrow throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Simcoes head.
Morrow lands a right hand.
Morrow stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Morrow blocks an uppercut.
Simcoe has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A frustrated look appears on Simcoe's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Morrow scores with a shoulder strike.
Morrow is pushing Simcoe up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Morrow just leaning against Simcoe, taking a breather.
Morrow controlling the action here for a moment.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Morrow takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Morrow lands a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simcoe tries to circle away but Morrow has him pinned against the cage.
Simcoe misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Morrow.
Good body shot from Morrow.
Morrow lands with a short shot to the head.
Simcoe lands a hook that snaps the head of Morrow backwards.
Simcoe wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Morrow has him pressed against the cage.
Morrow is leaning against Simcoe and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A nice left hand lands by Morrow.
Simcoe tries to circle away but Morrow has him pinned against the cage.
Simcoe misses with a punch on the inside.
Morrow just leaning against Simcoe, taking a breather.
A right handed body shot lands from Morrow.
Morrow lands with a light punch inside.
Morrow scores with an uppercut up the middle.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Morrow softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Morrow has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Morrow lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Morrow works on Simcoe's body with a couple of short punches.
Morrow digs a right hand into Simcoe's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Simcoe's gas tank.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ross Morrow comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Morrow 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ross Morrow!