PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Josh Simpson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wanderlei Nogueria (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Simpson
vs
Nogueria

179 cm
22
170 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

169 cm
22
165 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Josh Simpson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Wanderlei Nogueria!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Hugh Johnson and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simpson scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Nogueria shoots in for a double leg but Simpson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Simpson throws a head kick that Nogueria semi-blocks.

Simpson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Nogueria!
Nogueria's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

Simpson goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Nogueria is on top in guard.
Nogueria wants to get up but he can't break Simpson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Simpson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Nogueria trying to control but Simpson is working from the bottom.
Nogueria won't allow Simpson to sweep him here.
Simpson is breathing heavily.

Nogueria 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.

Simpson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simpson working a defensive guard but Nogueria passes into half guard.
Simpson is looking to improve his position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nogueria ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Nogueria looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Simpson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nogueria is one step ahead there.

Simpson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nogueria gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Simpson has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nogueria wants to get up but he can't break Simpson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Nogueria won't allow Simpson to sweep him here.
Simpson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nogueria is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Simpson looking for a guillotine here but Nogueria defends easily.
Simpson trying to control the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Nogueria works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Nogueria content to control rather than advance.

Nogueria stands up from half guard.
Josh Simpson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nogueria misses with a takedown attempt
and Simpson counters with an inside leg kick.
Nogueria fails with the takedown

and Simpson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Nogueria's guard now.
Josh Simpson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wanderlei Nogueria.

Nogueria kicks Simpson off and gets to his feet.
Simpson fails with the takedown
and Nogueria counters with a nice low kick that buckles Simpson's knee momentarily.
Horrible takedown by Nogueria or perhaps it was just good defense by Simpson which made him look bad.
Nogueria shoots in for a double leg but Simpson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Simpson misses with a takedown

and Nogueria counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Nogueria.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nogueria controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Nogueria working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Simpson's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nogueria is stalling in the full guard.
Nogueria passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Nogueria lands a few punches from side control.

Nogueria decides to stand up, so the ref orders Simpson to his feet.
Simpson misses with a takedown attempt

and Nogueria counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Nogueria wants to take a breather but Simpson is having none of it.
Simpson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Simpson pulls Nogueria in close to prevent any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Simpson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Simpson decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wanderlei Nogueria dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

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

Nogueria manages to pull guard.
Simpson trying to control but Nogueria is working from the bottom.
Simpson won't allow Nogueria to sweep him here.

Nogueria working for a triangle but Simpson defends it easily.
Simpson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Simpson wants to control from the top but Nogueria keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simpson stopping the sweep attempt from Nogueria.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nogueria trying to keep a closed guard but Simpson is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simpson trying to control the position from guard on top but Nogueria is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Simpson misses with the combination.
Nogueria throws a head kick that misses.
Simpson is looking to clinch.
Simpson has his takedown stuffed
and Nogueria counters with a left to the body.
Nogueria fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Simpson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Simpson avoids the attempt from Nogueria to control.
The referee warns Nogueria that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Nogueria tries to buck Simpson off but he can't manage it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simpson blocks Nogueria's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Nogueria tries to hold on but Simpson pushes him away.
Nogueria working to try and regain half guard.
Wanderlei Nogueria has got the better of the ground game so far.

Simpson is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Nogueria has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Nogueria!
Simpson keeping moving, preventing Nogueria from controlling successfully.
Nogueria postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nogueria trying to control but Simpson is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nogueria accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nogueria postures up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Nogueria avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Simpson misses with a head kick.
Nogueria tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Simpson tries for a takedown but Nogueria circles away easily

and Nogueria counters by clinching up.

Simpson manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Simpson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nogueria trying to control but Simpson is working from the bottom.

Simpson manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Simpson jabs at Nogueria's body.

Simpson closes the distance and clinches.
Nogueria prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Simpson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nogueria wants a takedown but no success here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Simpson decides to pull guard.

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

Simpson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Simpson lands in his opponent's guard.
Nogueria lands a good elbow from the bottom.
Simpson is looking to work some ground and pound but Nogueria has wrist control.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Nogueria holds on and takes a little breather.
Nogueria working a defensive guard here.
Simpson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Simpson wants to get up but he can't break Nogueria's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Nogueria seems keen to control Simpson's posture.
Nogueria 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Simpson dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Simpson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Simpson tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Simpson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Simpson preventing the sweep.

Nogueria escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Simpson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Nogueria escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Simpson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Nogueria wants to stand but Simpson is controlling the position.

Simpson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nogueria is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Simpson dives into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Simpson stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Simpson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Nogueria counters with a one-two to the body.
Nogueria fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Simpson gets a clinch.
Simpson tries for a takedown but Nogueria manages to get underhooks.

Nogueria breaks the clinch.
Simpson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Horrible takedown by Simpson or perhaps it was just good defense by Nogueria which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Simpson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nogueria lands with a nice body punch.
Nogueria fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nogueria connects with a single shot there.
Simpson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Nogueria but Nogueria pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Simpson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nogueria as he jumps to the side.
Simpson tries for a takedown but Nogueria circles away easily
and Nogueria counters with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nogueria fails to land the takedown.
Nogueria has his takedown stuffed

and Simpson counters with a takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nogueria tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Nogueria is trying to buck Simpson off.
Simpson slips into full mount, dodging the strikes by Nogueria.
Nogueria tries to hold on but Simpson postures up.

Simpson jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Nogueria is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Nogueria and Simpson has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Simpson working the body and head with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simpson trying to control the position but Nogueria is working away.
Nogueria is looking to regain half guard here but Simpson keeps moving and retains side control.

Nogueria explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Simpson has a takedown stuffed.
Simpson misses with a straight left.

Nogueria gets a takedown into half guard.

Nogueria wants to work for an arm triangle but Simpson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Simpson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Nogueria passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simpson wants to control but Nogueria postures up.
Nogueria controls the position.
Nogueria is working Simpson over with some ground and pound from side control.
Nogueria working the ground and pound from side control.
Nogueria in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Nogueria tries to advance to mount but Simpson denies him.
Simpson takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Nogueria cracks Simpson with a big elbow.
Simpson wants to control but Nogueria postures up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Simpson tries to improve position but can't.

Nogueria stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Simpson misses with a takedown

and Nogueria counters with a nice double leg into side control. Simpson won't be happy with that.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wanderlei Nogueria comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nogueria 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wanderlei Nogueria!