PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between John Simons III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mel Gray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mel Gray will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Simons III
vs
Gray

172 cm
27
150 lbs
16 - 7 - 1

170 cm
27
150 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 1, 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 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mel Gray!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Felipe Paraventi and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gray fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Simons III shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gray pinned against the cage. Gray gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
John Simons III seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Simons III shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Gray is trying to stand back up but Simons III is controlling him
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gray is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Gray is defending against the submission attempts here by Simons III.
Gray wants to improve his position but Simons III is controlling well.
Simons III is thwarting Gray's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simons III prevents Gray from improving his position.
Gray holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Simons III is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Gray.

It looks like John Simons III has been cut.
Simons III avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gray throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Simons III gets a takedown into half guard.

Simons III is working for a kimura but Gray is defending it quite comfortably.
Gray wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gray is trying is best to control the position here.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Simons III with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Gray is defending against the submission attempts here by Simons III.
Gray looks like he's trying to stand up.
Simons III tries to pass the half guard into mount. Gray knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Simons III is trying to work for a kimura but Gray is defending well.
Gray wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gray is looking for a sweep. Simons III is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gray holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Gray is not content to let Simons III control the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Simons III shoots in and drives through. Gray sprawls well.
Gray misses with a wild body shot.
Gray displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg 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.
Simons III tries to clinch up.
Mel Gray is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Simons III shoots for a takedown but Gray saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Simons III shoots in for a takedown but Gray shows good takedown defense.
Simons III is breathing heavily.
Simons III is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Simons III shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gray defends it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simons III tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gray swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Gray.
Simons III throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gray's waist but Gray gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Simons III off to one side.
Simons III looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gray is fending him off so far but Simons III persists. Nope, Gray circles away and we're back to standing.
Gray lands a glancing blow to the side of Simons III's head.
Simons III misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gray.
Gray jabbing away but nothing is landing.
An inside leg kick from Gray misses.

Gray feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Simons III sprawling to the canvas! Simons III rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Gray finish him?!

Simons III is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gray leaves Simons III with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Simons III.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mel Gray dominated that round.
The cut man is working on John Simons III's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

John Simons III's cut is getting worse.
Simons III slips a jab and a cross from Gray.
Simons III seems to have got his legs back now.
Mel Gray seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gray takes a swing at Simons III's ribcage but misses.
Simons III changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gray tries to avoid it but Simons III manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gray to the ground. Gray escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Gray scores with a nice right hand.
Simons III seems to be squinting his left eye. Perhaps he got a poke in that previous exchange. Gray shows no mercy and swarms him with a barage of strikes! Simons III is backing up but Gray catches him with a final right hook that drops him! Simons III covers up and the referee steps in to end the fight! Gray Jumps to his feet and flashes his guns to the crowd. Oh yeah, baby! How'd you like them apples?!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:32 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mel Gray!