PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John Simons III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jerry Ferro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Simons III
vs
Ferro

172 cm
24
142 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

172 cm
25
142 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

[†]FALCON CLOTHING[†]
[†]FALCON CLOTHING[†]

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 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Simons III!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jerry Ferro!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Alexandre Firmino and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Simons III looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Ferro is trying to keep Simons III in close.
Simons III forces his way into half guard.

Simons III is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ferro is just riding it out for now. Simons III eventually gives up the hold.
Simons III wants to free his trapped foot but Ferro is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Simons III wants to work for an arm triangle but Ferro is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Ferro is refusing to be controlled, as Simons III sits in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Simons III is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ferro sees it coming and defends easily.
Ferro is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ferro is trying to control but can't.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ferro misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Simons III.

Simons III gets a takedown into half guard.
Simons III prevents Ferro from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Simons III seems to be working for a kimura but Ferro defends the submission attempt.
Simons III tries to pass to full mount but Ferro defends it.
Ferro moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Simons III looking to pass the guard.
Ferro looking to hit a scissor sweep but Simons III is one step ahead there.

Ferro is looking for a triangle but Simons III pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Simons III drops back looking for a leg! Ferro is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ferro manages to kick Simons III off! Simons III jumps back into Ferro's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Simons III wants to pass the guard but Ferro is keeping the position.
Ferro seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Simons III tries to improve position but can't.
Simons III manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Simons III trying to control from Ferro's half guard. Ferro has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Simons III looking to sit in guard and control but Ferro gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Simons III looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ferro is one step ahead there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Simons III had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Ferro is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Simons III Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Ferro's back instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Simons III dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Simons III has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Simons III moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A combination from Ferro does no damage.
Simons III misses with a double jab
and Ferro counters with a nice uppercut.
Simons III shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ferro counters with a stiff right hand.
Ferro throws a right and a left that both miss.
Simons III doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ferro counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Simons III shoots in but Ferro avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Simons III. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ferro digs a good hook to Simons III's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simons III uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ferro.
Ferro fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Simons III looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Simons III shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Ferro is trying to defend but Simons III finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Simons III is thwarting Ferro's attempts to control the position.
Simons III thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Ferro to regain full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Simons III accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ferro working a defensive guard here.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simons III keeping moving, preventing Ferro from controlling successfully.
Simons III is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ferro advances to half guard.

Simons III looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Simons III trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Simons III looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Still in half guard, Ferro seems content to control.
Ferro drops an elbow to the side of Simons III's head.

Simons III actively working from the bottom here.

Ferro is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Simons III has managed to free his arm - good work.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Simons III tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ferro swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Simons III tries to clinch up but Ferro circles away and keeps his distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Simons III with a poor takedown
and Ferro counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ferro throws a series of punches but Simons III moves out of range.

Simons III closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ferro to the mat! Ferro manages to get full guard.
Ferro keeping moving, preventing Simons III from controlling successfully.

Simons III is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Ferro is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Ferro has escaped and now he's on top!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Simons III working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ferro doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ferro manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jerry Ferro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down 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.

Simons III shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ferro's guard.
Simons III advances position into side control!
Ferro is trying to control Simons III's posture but Simons III avoids it.
Ferro gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Simons III is looking for a kimura here.

Simons III seems to be looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferro trying to hold on to Simons III's head to control him but Simons III postures up.
Simons III is looking to stall here but Ferro recovers full guard.

Simons III has gone for a leg lock! Ferro slips out almost immediately though and dives into Simons III's guard.

Simons III looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Ferro has picked Simons III up and slammed him! Simons III can't keep hold of the triangle and Ferro manages to pass to side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Simons III misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Ferro controls the position from side control.
Simons III wants to control but Ferro postures up.
Ferro trying to control the position but Simons III is working away.
Simons III is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Ferro is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
John Simons III overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Simons III sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Simons III looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Simons III has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ferro is working away from the top position though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Simons III looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ferro stalling.
Simons III is not content to let Ferro control the position.
Ferro passes to full mount!
Simons III regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Simons III looking for a kimura from the bottom but Ferro passes into side control!
Simons III tries to bench press Ferro off him but Ferro keeps the position.
Ferro wants to control but Simons III is keeping him busy.
Ferro is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Simons III's shoulder. That is not cool.
Ferro has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Simons III!
Simons III is working to get back to half guard.
Simons III tries to hold on but Ferro postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jerry Ferro.
I think Ferro 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 29:29
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!