PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between James Morse (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roger Simms (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James Morse could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Roger Simms's chin.

Morse
vs
Simms

172 cm
30
192 lbs
6 - 10 - 0

190 cm
25
195 lbs
6 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, James Morse!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Roger Simms!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Nard Betker and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Morse wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Morse fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Simms shoots in but no luck this time.
Morse throws a series of punches but Simms avoids them all with ease.
Morse scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
A combination from Simms does no damage.
Some wild striking there from Morse.

Morse gets caught napping as Simms dives in and scores a takedown. Morse manages to retain guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Morse wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Simms got a little sloppy there for a moment and Morse has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Simms has managed to get both his arms back between Morse's legs - danger averted.
Morse working a defensive guard here.
Morse keeping moving, preventing Simms from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morse is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Simms takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Simms takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Morse jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Morse fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
No joy there for Morse, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Simms moves away from the strike by Morse.

Simms fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Morse sprawls well initially but Simms persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Morse wants to control but Simms is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Morse might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simms not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Simms trying to mount his opponent but Morse defends it.
Simms seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Morse does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Simms lands with a punch from half guard.
Simms thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Simms missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Simms working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
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.
Simms thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Simms not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Morse wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simms throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Morse moves into full guard.
Morse working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Simms.
Morse wants to stand and escape but Simms is having none of it.
Simms wants to pass the guard but Morse is keeping the position.
Simms prevents Morse from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morse controls Simms momentarily but Simms frees himself.
Simms postures up in Morse's guard and throws a big left but Morse blocks it.
Morse avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Simms with a flurry of punches that miss.
Morse avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Simms drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Morse manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Simms has Morse in his guard.
Morse working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Simms can do anything to dispel that myth.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Simms preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that James Morse will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Simms fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Morse rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Simms moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Morse looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Morse dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Simms. That did some damage!
Simms showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Morse.
A good leg kick by Morse.
Simms misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Simms shoots in for a takedown but Morse shows good takedown defense.
James Morse has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roger Simms.
Morse tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Simms was well out of range. Poor timing from Morse.

Simms gets the takedown into side control.
Simms in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simms lands a decent elbow from side control.

Simms tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Simms has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Morse is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Simms is controlling him well.
Simms lands some shots froms side control.
The ground and pound from Simms seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Morse struggling a bit here.
Morse is not content to let Simms control the position.
Simms throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simms working the head and body with strikes.
Simms tries to score with some ground and pound. Morse controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Simms lands some shots froms side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Simms wants to control but Morse is keeping him busy.
Simms working the ground and pound.
Morse gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Simms is looking to advance position but Morse won't allow it.
Morse is staying active underneath Simms, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Simms.
Morse tries to kick Simms off but Simms keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Morse moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Simms loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Simms looking to sit in guard and control but Morse gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Morse postures up.
Simms keeping moving, preventing Morse from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Simms is working an open guard so Morse takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Morse avoids the body shot from Simms.
James Morse is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Morse leaves Simms with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Morse stuffs the takedown attempt from Simms. Simms gets slowly back to his feet.
Morse stuffs the takedown attempt from Simms. Simms gets slowly back to his feet.
Simms pulls out of a head kick attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Simms shoots for a double leg takedown but Morse sprawls well. He's pushed Simms's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Simms is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Simms on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Morse cracks a nice hook into Simms's ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roger Simms showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Morse lands with a cross.
Simms tries to score a power double leg takedown but Morse sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Simms somewhat.
Simms closes this distance looking for a takedown but Morse circles away.
Morse misses with a few strikes there.
Simms chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Morse can pounce on him.
Morse scores with a push kick.

Simms dives in and scores a takedown into Morse's guard.
Simms must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Morse is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Simms is controlling him.
Morse controls Simms momentarily but Simms frees himself.
Simms takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Morse is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Simms is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morse tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Morse trying to keep a closed guard but Simms is proving a slippery customer.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Morse wants to get back to his feet but Simms is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

James Morse has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Simms takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
James Morse is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Simms stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Morse.
Simms shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Morse sprawls well. Morse wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Simms gets slowly back to his feet.
James Morse has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roger Simms.
Morse throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Simms on the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morse circles away from the clinch attempt.
Simms displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Morse throws out the jab.
Morse darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Simms misses with a series of wild punches.
Simms doesn't manage to clinch there - Morse circles away.
Simms will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Morse tries to bum rush Simms with a series of wild strikes but Simms uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Simms on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Morse. Morse obviously looking to wear him down.
Morse is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Simms.
Morse dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Morse throws a body punch but Simms moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morse avoids a punch combination nicely.
Roger Simms seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Simms defending well as Morse loads up on a big left hand.

Simms dives in and scores a takedown into Morse's guard.

Simms drops back, looking for a kneebar! Morse looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Morse looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Morse!

Morse tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Simms managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Morse.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morse is looking to take a break and control but Simms is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Simms can't do much from the bottom here.
Morse looks up at the clock and then as Simms takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Morse smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Morse misses with the ground and pound.
Morse looks up at the clock and then as Simms takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Morse smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Morse misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Morse showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Morse has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Roger Simms!