PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between John Simons III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Siduri Rafter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Siduri Rafter is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Simons III
vs
Rafter

172 cm
26
150 lbs
13 - 5 - 1

168 cm
26
158 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 13 - 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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Siduri Rafter!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Steve Erwin and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rafter scores with a takedown into Simons III's guard.

Simons III has an active guard here but Rafter has managed to pass into half guard.
Rafter keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Simons III looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Simons III is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Rafter jumps into side control!
Rafter scoring with punches and elbows.
Simons III tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rafter wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Simons III manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Rafter working over Simons III with some ground and pound. Simons III looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Rafter drops an elbow to the side of Simons III's head.

Simons III looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rafter tries to pass to full mount but Simons III defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rafter is keen to just control but Simons III is a slippery customer.
Simons III has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rafter is working away from the top position though.

Simons III looking for submissions off his back.
Rafter is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rafter is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Rafter throwing shots but Simons III is blocking nicely.
Simons III wants to get back to full guard.
Rafter working over Simons III with some ground and pound. Simons III looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Rafter scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Rafter is taking a breather. Simons III says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Simons III on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Simons III looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rafter takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Rafter is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Simons III is looking for a sweep. Rafter is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Simons III flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Simons III regains full guard. Nicely done.
Simons III looking to control.
Rafter distracts Simons III with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Rafter avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rafter makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simons III keeping moving, preventing Rafter from controlling successfully.

Simons III has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rafter can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Simons III is breathing heavily.
Rafter throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rafter is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Rafter stands up over Simons III, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

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.
Rafter stopping the sweep attempt from Simons III.

Simons III has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rafter can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Rafter stands up over Simons III, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Rafter throws a strike but Simons III rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Simons III trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Siduri Rafter dominated that round.
That's time! Simons III's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rafter darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Simons III looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Simons III actively working from the bottom here.
Rafter is just content to waste time from the top position. Simons III takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Rafter postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Simons III looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rafter with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Simons III looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rafter connects with a couple of short punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rafter wants to control from the top but Simons III keeps moving.

Simons III throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rafter trying to control the position from guard on top but Simons III is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rafter throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Simons III works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

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 looking to control but Rafter passes into half guard.
Simons III wants to get back to full guard.
Rafter is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Simons III is in trouble now - Rafter has advanced to mount!
Simons III is bucking up trying to escape but Rafter cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Simons III regains half guard.
Rafter is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Rafter thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Rafter lands a nice short elbow.
Rafter is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rafter throwing shots but Simons III is blocking nicely.
Rafter misses with a head shot. Simons III uses the momentum to regain guard.

Simons III looking for a guillotine here but Rafter defends easily.
Rafter wants to control from the top but Simons III keeps moving.

Rafter got a little sloppy there for a moment and Simons III has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rafter has managed to get both his arms back between Simons III's legs - danger averted.
Rafter must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Rafter trying to control the position from guard on top but Simons III is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Simons III trying to control the position.
Simons III preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rafter postures up.
Rafter content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Simons III is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Simons III looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Rafter passes into side control.
Rafter creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

It looks like John Simons III has been cut.
Simons III is not content to let Rafter control the position.
Simons III parries the strikes from Rafter easily there. Rafter is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Simons III to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Siduri Rafter showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on John Simons III's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Simons III tries to clinch up.
Rafter scores with a jab.
Some wild striking there from Rafter.
Simons III bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rafter looks to land a right hand but Simons III moved out of range.
Simons III takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Rafter scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Simons III takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Rafter looks to land a left hand but Simons III moved out of range nicely.
Simons III has his takedown stuffed

and Rafter counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Simons III wants to control but Rafter is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Simons III is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rafter pulls his head out easily.

Simons III actively working from the bottom here.
Rafter trying to control the action but Simons III is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Simons III looking for submissions off his back.
Simons III taking some punishment here, with Rafter in his half guard.
Rafter wants to take a breather but Simons III is having none of it.

Simons III looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Rafter pushes past his half guard into mount!
Rafter lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Simons III really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simons III wants to control but Rafter is having none of it.
Rafter sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Simons III is trying desperately to improve position.
Rafter dominating with strikes here.
Rafter lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Simons III hang on?
Rafter wants to control the pace but Simons III is squirming around nicely.
Rafter prevents Simons III from getting the reversal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rafter connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
A nice elbow there by Rafter.
Rafter breaks from Simons III's wrist control and lands an elbow.
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.
Rafter trying to control the pace.
Rafter is pressing down on Simons III's thigh, looking to free his foot. Simons III is holding on for now.
Rafter prevents Simons III from improving his position.
Rafter thows a huge punch but Simons III dodges it nicely.
Simons III is trying to maintain the position but Rafter is very close to passing his half guard.
Simons III tries to roll over but Rafter keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Simons III is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rafter pulls his head out easily.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Rafter in particular looking to stall.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Simons III with a poor takedown
and Simons III takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Simons III misses with a takedown attempt
letting Rafter counter with a right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Simons III. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Simons III doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rafter counters with a series of strikes. Simons III will be more careful next time no doubt.
Simons III walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Donk. Rafter catches Simons III right on the button with a cross.
Simons III shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Rafter to counter with a crisp jab.
John Simons III is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Simons III takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Rafter closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Simons III did well to prevent Rafter getting side control.

Simons III is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rafter pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Siduri Rafter really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on John Simons III's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Rafter works the jab nicely.
Rafter lands a jab.
Rafter goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Simons III looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Rafter 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.

Simons III has gone for a leg lock! Rafter slips out almost immediately though and dives into Simons III's guard.
Rafter content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rafter throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Simons III working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rafter doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rafter manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Rafter trying to control the position from guard on top but Simons III is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rafter looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Simons III has his feet on Rafter's thighs here. He's pushed Rafter off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Rafter screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:50 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). John Simons III!
John Simons III retains his featherweight title!