PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John Simons III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcus Karlsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Karlsson is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Taivas lyä tulta. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Simons III
vs
Karlsson

165 cm
22
138 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

172 cm
22
135 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 4 - 6 - 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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marcus Karlsson!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Luis Engracia and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simons III changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Karlsson tries to avoid it but Simons III manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Karlsson to the ground. Karlsson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Simons III shoots for a double leg takedown but Karlsson sprawls well. He's pushed Simons III's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Simons III.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Simons III. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Karlsson tries to clinch there but Simons III circles away.
Simons III fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Simons III gets caught flat footed, as Karlsson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Simons III looking for a sweep. Not yet Simons III, not yet.
Karlsson wants to control from the top but Simons III keeps moving.
Simons III trying to keep a closed guard but Karlsson is proving a slippery customer.

Simons III looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Karlsson is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Karlsson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Simons III is trying to control the position but Karlsson postures up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Simons III tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Karlsson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Simons III won't be happy with that.
Simons III is breathing heavily.
Karlsson tries to move into full mount but can't pass Simons III's legs.
Karlsson advances to full mount.
Simons III is squirming around, avoiding Karlsson's attempts to control the action.
Simons III taking shots to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Karlsson jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Simons III is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Simons III and Karlsson has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Simons III avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Karlsson.
Simons III is being controlled here.

Karlsson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Karlsson looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Karlsson tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson tries to advance to mount but can't.

Karlsson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Simons III has escaped the position, nice work there.
Karlsson remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

Karlsson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Simons III, who protects the arm well.

Karlsson swings around for an armbar but Simons III sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Karlsson's guard.
Simons III won't allow Karlsson to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Simons III postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Karlsson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Simons III, into his guard.
Karlsson is pushing down on Simons III's leg trying to pass to half guard. Simons III is fighting to maintain full guard but Karlsson has managed to sneak the leg through.
Simons III wants to control but Karlsson is keeping busy.
Karlsson tries to stand and escape but Simons III actually recovers to full guard.
Simons III 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.
Karlsson trying to control but Simons III is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Simons III gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Karlsson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Simons III's guard.
Simons III seems keen to control Karlsson's posture.

Karlsson stands up and waves to Simons III to follow him.
Simons III has his takedown stuffed

and Karlsson counters with a takedown into side control.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Karlsson in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Simons III is not content to let Karlsson control the position.
Marcus Karlsson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Simons III manages to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Karlsson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Simons III defends it well.
Karlsson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Simons III keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karlsson stalling.
Karlsson trying to control from half guard but Simons III is working away.

Simons III looking for subs from the bottom but Karlsson mounts him!

Karlsson stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

Karlsson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Simons III is trying to escape the mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karlsson pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

Karlsson swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Simons III is now in Karlsson's guard. A big mistake from Karlsson there, giving up the dominant position!
Karlsson keeping full guard, as Simons III tries to pass.
Karlsson keeping moving, preventing Simons III from controlling successfully.
Simons III looking to sit in guard and control but Karlsson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Karlsson wants to pass the guard but Simons III is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simons III wants to sweep here but Karlsson controlling him for the moment.
Karlsson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Simons III has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Karlsson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Karlsson distracts Simons III with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Karlsson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Karlsson wants to pass the guard but Simons III is keeping the position.
Simons III keeping moving, preventing Karlsson from controlling successfully.

Simons III throws his legs up looking for a submission but Karlsson uses it to pass to side control.

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.
Karlsson has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Simons III gets back to half guard.
Simons III has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Karlsson is working away from the top position though.
Simons III is trying to get back to full guard.
Simons III punching from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Simons III looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Simons III manages to get to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Karlsson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Simons III tries for a takedown but Karlsson circles away easily

and Karlsson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Karlsson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Simons III, up you get!

Karlsson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Karlsson controlling the pace.
Simons III trying to control but Karlsson postures up.
Karlsson wants to take a breather but Simons III is having none of it.

Karlsson is working for a submission of some sort.
Karlsson seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Simons III does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Karlsson wants to pass to mount but Simons III is defending the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simons III gets full guard.
Karlsson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Karlsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Simons III is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Karlsson stands and steps away. Simons III gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Simons III shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Karlsson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Simons III's guard now.
Karlsson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Karlsson wants to stand up, so he's looking to wriggle free of Simons III's closed guard. He's half up but Simons III has locked on to an arm! Uh oh! Simons III pivots and extends the arm, Karlsson falls face first to the mat and taps??... does he?? YES! He's tapping! Excellent counter grappling there by Simons III! Well done that man!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:02 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). John Simons III!