PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between John Simons III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam Maniche (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Simons III
vs
Maniche

172 cm
25
150 lbs
12 - 5 - 1

176 cm
21
156 lbs
9 - 6 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Simons III!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Sam Maniche!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Eliza Hachem and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maniche looks to land a combination but Simons III avoids it well.
Simons III tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Maniche misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Simons III looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Simons III scores with a takedown into Maniche's guard.
Maniche wants to get back to his feet but Simons III is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Maniche keeping moving, preventing Simons III from controlling successfully.
Maniche wants to stand but Simons III is controlling the position.

Simons III drops back looking for a leg! Maniche is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Maniche manages to kick Simons III off! Simons III jumps back into Maniche's guard.
Maniche wants to stand and escape but Simons III is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simons III wants to pass the guard but Maniche is keeping the position.
Maniche is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Simons III looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Simons III wants to clinch up but Maniche keeps it at a distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Simons III.
Maniche throws a right and a left that Simons III avoids nicely.
Simons III shoots in looking for a takedown. Maniche tries to sprawl out of it but Simons III keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Maniche manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Simons III. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Simons III shoots in but no luck this time.
Simons III shoots for a double leg takedown but Maniche sprawls well. He's pushed Simons III's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
No luck for Simons III with that takedown attempt.
Maniche misses with a looping right.
Maniche scores with a nice right hand.

Simons III shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Maniche manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Maniche wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Simons III manages to pass to side control.

Simons III is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Simons III is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Maniche has managed to free his arm - good work.

Simons III is looking for a kimura here.
Simons III takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Simons III moves nicely into side control.

Simons III looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Simons III trying to control the action but Maniche is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Maniche is trying to buck Simons III off.

Simons III swings around for an armbar but Maniche sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Simons III's guard.

Simons III throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Simons III keeping moving, preventing Maniche from controlling successfully.

Maniche has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Simons III to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Maniche is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Simons III pulls down on the head and he's put Maniche to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). John Simons III!
John Simons III is the new featherweight champion!