PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rick Simon (ranked 4202 p4p, 4180 weight class) and Kid Fidlar (ranked 297 p4p, 385 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Simon
vs
Fidlar

182 cm
18
145
0 - 0 - 0

172 cm
23
155
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rick Simon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kid Fidlar!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, John Roberts and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fidlar gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Simon is trying to pull guard but Fidlar has him pressed against the cage.
Simon wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Fidlar has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Simon uses from the top position.
Fidlar seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Fidlar striking off his back but it's not causing Simon any problems.

Fidlar looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Simon avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simon pushing down on Fidlar's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Simon trying to control from half guard but Fidlar is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simon is looking to stall here but Fidlar recovers full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Simon accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Simon's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Simon trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Simon is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Fidlar is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Fidlar can do anything to dispel that myth.
Fidlar tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Fidlar shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Fidlar showed some decent athleticism there.
Simon tries to get to full guard but Fidlar has control of the leg.
Simon trying to control from the bottom.
Fidlar seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Simon is trying to maintain the position but Fidlar is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Fidlar has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Fidlar working Simon over with strikes here.
Fidlar tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Fidlar with good strikes from the mount here!

Simon is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fidlar content just to control the position here.
Fidlar trying to control but Simon is having none of it.
Fidlar controlling his opponent.

Fidlar swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Simon is now in Fidlar's guard. A big mistake from Fidlar there, giving up the dominant position!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fidlar pulls Simon in close to his closed guard and prevents Simon from doing any damage or advancing position.
Fidlar wants to sweep but no luck.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kid Fidlar dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Simon throws a right hand that Fidlar ducks under and follows up with a left that Fidlar also avoids with ease.
Fidlar with the counter takedown but Simon avoids it easily.
Simon has his takedown stuffed
and Fidlar counters with a series of strikes. Simon will be more careful next time no doubt.
Oh Simon is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Fidlar decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Simon has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Fidlar is working away from the top position though.
Simon seems to have got his legs back now.
Fidlar wants to free his trapped foot but Simon is holding on for dear life with his legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simon is trying to maintain the position but Fidlar is very close to passing his half guard.
Fidlar prevents Simon from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fidlar seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Fidlar slows the pace down in half guard.
Simon is pressing down on Fidlar's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kid Fidlar has got the better of the ground game so far.
Simon working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fidlar looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Fidlar postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Fidlar is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Fidlar looking to pass the guard.
Simon is trying to keep Fidlar in close.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Fidlar clinches.
Simon has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Fidlar avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Fidlar has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fidlar looking to throw knees to the head but Simon is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fidlar manages to break the clinch.
Simon wants to clinch.
Fidlar lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

Fidlar rushes Simon and presses him up against the cage.

Fidlar breaks from the clinch.
Crunch! Simon slams his shin into Fidlar's torso.
Simon closes the distance but Fidlar moves to the side
and Fidlar counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Fidlar throws a sloppy head kick and Simon moves out of range easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Simon manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Fidlar on his heels. He'll look to pass Fidlar's guard now, I'm sure.

Fidlar manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Simon is trying to pull guard but Fidlar has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rick Simon. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Fidlar turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Fidlar in side control lands a decent elbow.
Simon takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Fidlar tries to advance to mount but can't.
Simon regains half guard.

Fidlar is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Simon has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kid Fidlar showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Simon dives in and grabs Fidlar's left leg, looking for a takedown. Fidlar pushes down on Simon's head and hops out.
Simon fails in his attempt to clinch.
No luck for Simon with that takedown attempt.

Fidlar has taken the fight to the clinch.

Fidlar breaks the clinch.

Fidlar looking to score a takedown here. Simon is defending well but Fidlar drives through and ends up in Simon's guard.
Fidlar is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fidlar gets to his feet. Simon looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Fidlar gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Fidlar pulls guard.
Simon is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Fidlar pulls Simon in to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fidlar looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Fidlar has control of Simon's left arm, preventing Simon from doing any damage.
Simon stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Fidlar swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Fidlar had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Simon defends it easily.
Simon really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Fidlar is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simon takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Fidlar looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Fidlar takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fidlar stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Simon swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Simon is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Fidlar controls from within his opponent's guard.
Fidlar must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fidlar working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Fidlar slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Fidlar makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fidlar is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Fidlar postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kid Fidlar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Fidlar has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 27:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kid Fidlar!