PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Brian Peppers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Simons III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). John Simons III will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Peppers
vs
Simons III

150 cm
25
144 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

172 cm
28
143 lbs
18 - 9 - 1

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
KO power

ADCC Champion
Counter striker
Granite chin

Hades ®

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brian Peppers!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Simons III!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Daniel Cesar and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Peppers connects with an inside leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Peppers.
Peppers lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Simons III tries for a takedown but Peppers circles away easily
and Peppers counters with an inside leg kick.
Simons III tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Simons III wants to clinch.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Simons III crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Peppers - the referee stops the clock and Simons III gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Peppers. Simons III manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
A head kick misses from Peppers.
Peppers moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Peppers.
Peppers throws a wild body kick that Simons III sees coming a mile off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab from Peppers.
Simons III shoots for a double leg takedown but Peppers sprawls well. He's pushed Simons III's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Brian Peppers seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Peppers, right into the meat.
Simons III tries for a takedown but Peppers circles away easily
and Peppers counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Brian Peppers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Simons III.
Simons III looks gassed!
Simons III moves out of range as Peppers throws a body kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Peppers. That's going to slow Simons III down.
Good leg kick by Peppers there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Peppers throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Peppers looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Peppers throws a series of punches but Simons III moves out of range.
Peppers tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Simons III takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Peppers displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Simons III.
Simons III fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Peppers fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Simons III.
A solid body kick from Peppers.
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!
Peppers throws a front kick that sends Simons III stumbling back into the cage.
Peppers throws a head kick but Simons III moves out of range.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Peppers.
Simons III uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Peppers.
A head kick misses from Peppers.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Peppers misses with a head kick.

Peppers takes the fight into the clinch.

Peppers escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A solid body kick from Peppers.
Peppers lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Peppers scores with a nice body kick.
Peppers is looking to slow Simons III down with leg kicks.
Crunch! Peppers slams his shin into Simons III's torso.
Peppers throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Peppers misses with a series of wild punches.
Simons III walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Peppers connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Simons III crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Peppers - the referee stops the clock and Simons III gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Peppers. Simons III manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Simons III's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Peppers throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Peppers takes a swing at Simons III's ribcage but misses.
Peppers throws a head kick that half lands.
Peppers looks to land a body kick but Simons III moved away.
Peppers lands a high kick!
Peppers feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Simons III's calf.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Simons III takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Peppers's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Peppers duly obliges.

It looks like John Simons III has been cut.
Peppers scores with a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Peppers dominated that round.
The cut man is working on John Simons III's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Peppers lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Peppers turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Peppers lands a nice looking body kick.
Peppers tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Peppers buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Peppers throws a sloppy head kick and Simons III moves out of range easily.
Peppers lands a nice leg kick that just misses Simons III's sensitive parts.

Simons III tries to keep at a distance but Peppers has taken the fight into the clinch.
Peppers working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Peppers is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Simons III can do to turn this around?
Simons III tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Simons III has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Peppers.
Nice body punch from Peppers - that landed with a thud.
Peppers using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Peppers lands a hook that snaps the head of Simons III backwards.
A right hand to the body from Peppers.
Simons III is trying desperately to land a takedown but Peppers is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Simons III.
Simons III is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Peppers.
Peppers is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Simons III is defending well for now.
A right hook to the body lands for Peppers.
Peppers throws a knee to the head but misses.
Peppers lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Peppers escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Simons III blocks a head kick by Peppers.
Simons III tries to clinch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Peppers fakes the leg kick and cracks Simons III in the body.
Peppers throws a sloppy head kick and Simons III moves out of range easily.
Simons III on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Peppers misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Peppers scoring well with a low kick there.
A nice leg kick lands there from Peppers.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simons III with a poor takedown
and Peppers counters with a low kick, right behind Simons III 's knee.
Peppers misses with a jab, cross combination.
A jab lands there for Peppers.
Peppers lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Peppers lands a slapping body shot.
Brian Peppers is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Simons III uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Peppers.
A punch combination from Peppers misses.
Simons III shoots in looking for a takedown but Peppers manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Simons III's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Brian Peppers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Simons III.
Simons III tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Peppers counters with a slapping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Peppers lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Crunch! Peppers slams his shin into Simons III's torso.
Peppers lands with a kick to the ribs.
Peppers turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Peppers jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Peppers thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Simons III if he has to take too many more of those.
Peppers pushes Simons III away with a front kick.
Peppers dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Simons III. That did some damage!
Peppers scores with a nice head shot.
Peppers fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Peppers fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Simons III, pushing him back against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Peppers breaks from the clinch.
Peppers misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Simons III.
Simons III takes a kick to the side of the head.
Peppers throws a right hand that Simons III ducks under and follows up with a left that Simons III also avoids with ease.
Simons III takes a kick to the side of the head.
Peppers cracks the inside of Simons III's front leg.
Peppers lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Peppers chopping away at his opponent's legs.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Peppers tries a head kick but it misses.
Peppers tries to clinch but Simons III is having none of it.
Peppers misses the shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Peppers dominated that second round.
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!

Peppers scoring well with a low kick there.
Simons III shoots in but Peppers avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Simons III avoids the head kick by Peppers.
Simons III uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Peppers.
Peppers lands a nice leg kick that just misses Simons III's sensitive parts.
Peppers throws a leg kick which misses Simons III's front leg but catches the back leg as Simons III tries to avoid it.
A nice leg kick lands there from Peppers.
Simons III shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Peppers but Peppers pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Peppers, right into the meat.
Simons III takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simons III misses with a takedown
and Peppers counters with a low kick, right behind Simons III 's knee.
Brian Peppers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Simons III.
Peppers swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Simons III.
Simons III takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Peppers with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Peppers.
Peppers chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Peppers thows a body kick. Simons III tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Simons III takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Simons III drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Peppers will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters circling a little - Peppers finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
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!
A slapping body kick lands there for Peppers.
Peppers scores with a nice body kick.
Peppers throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Peppers connects with a leg kick. Simons III looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Peppers thows a body kick. Simons III tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Peppers is looking to slow Simons III down with leg kicks.
Peppers lands a head kick!
A solid leg kick lands there for Peppers.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Peppers looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Simons III chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Peppers can pounce on him.
Simons III takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Simons III takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A head kick misses from Peppers.
Simons III on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A nice leg kick lands there from Peppers.
Simons III on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Peppers. Peppers obviously looking to wear him down.
Brian Peppers is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Peppers fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Simons III has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Peppers throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Peppers cracks Simons III with a good jab.
Simons III wants to clinch
and Peppers makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
A good leg kick by Peppers.
Peppers lands a leg kick that knocks Simons III off balance momentarily.
Nice sprawl there from Peppers as Simons III shoots in.
Peppers throws a head kick that misses.
Simons III with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Peppers to score with a decent uppercut.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Simons III takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Simons III takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Peppers lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Peppers clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on John Simons III's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

A decent looking body kick lands there for Peppers.
Peppers connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Peppers misses with a looping right.
Simons III doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Peppers counters with a solid body kick.
Peppers lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Simons III keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Peppers explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Peppers feints a jab promting Simons III to slip. Peppers then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Simons III slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Simons III takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Simons III is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simons III uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Peppers.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Peppers. Simons III shrugs it off though.
Peppers swinging wildly here.
Peppers with a nice cross.
Peppers lands a nice leg kick that just misses Simons III's sensitive parts.
Peppers throws a nice head kick!
Peppers pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Simons III on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Peppers takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Peppers keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Peppers throws a nice head kick!
Simons III moves out of range as Peppers throws a body kick.
Peppers defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Simons III.
Brian Peppers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Simons III.
Simons III misses with a left hand
and Peppers counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Peppers takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Simons III takes a kick to the side of the head.
Peppers throws a leg kick which misses Simons III's front leg but catches the back leg as Simons III tries to avoid it.
Simons III sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Peppers. Simons III shrugs it off though.
Peppers ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simons III shoots in looking for a takedown but Peppers manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Simons III's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Peppers darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Peppers fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Simons III.
Peppers lands a head shot.
Simons III has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Simons III chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Peppers can pounce on him.
Peppers misses with a two punch combination.
Simons III shoots for a takedown but Peppers saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Peppers looks to land a combination. Simons III sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Left hook, right uppercut from Peppers.
Peppers buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Peppers lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Peppers displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
An inside leg kick lands from Peppers.
Peppers slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Peppers tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Peppers has taken the fight to the clinch.

Peppers breaks the clinch.
Simons III takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Simons III tries to clinch but Peppers moves away
and Peppers counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Simons III shoots in for a takedown but Peppers shows good takedown defense.
Simons III takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Peppers had his way with John Simons III in 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Peppers misses with a head kick.
Peppers scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Peppers lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Peppers wants to clinch.
Peppers throws a push kick but Simons III slaps the foot to one side.
Peppers misses with a wild body shot.
Simons III shoots for a double leg takedown but Peppers sprawls well. He's pushed Simons III's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Simons III fails with a takedown attempt.
Simons III is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Peppers throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Peppers lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Simons III misses with a takedown
and Peppers makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Brian Peppers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Simons III.
Peppers lands a nice looking body kick.
Peppers scores with a leg kick.
Simons III on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Peppers swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Simons III takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Peppers lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Simons III backs up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Peppers thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Simons III if he has to take too many more of those.
A solid leg kick lands there for Peppers.
Peppers lands a really nice looking cross but Simons III seems unphased.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Peppers, right into the meat.
Simons III takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Brian Peppers is winning the standup battle so far.
Peppers looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Simons III crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Peppers - the referee stops the clock and Simons III gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Peppers. Simons III manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Peppers throws a series of punches but Simons III moves out of range.
Simons III fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Peppers throws a series of strikes that have Simons III backpedaling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simons III stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Peppers.
Peppers tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Simons III manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Peppers lands a leg kick that knocks Simons III off balance momentarily.
Peppers buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Peppers throws a head kick that misses.
Simons III takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Peppers clinches up against the cage.
Simons III misses with the head strike.
Nice body punch from Peppers - that landed with a thud.
John Simons III has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Simons III tries to score a body lock takedown but Peppers shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A right hook to the body lands for Peppers.
Peppers lands a body shot in the clinch.

Peppers breaks from the clinch.
Peppers connects with a looping right hand.
Brian Peppers is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Peppers cracks the inside of Simons III's front leg.
Peppers throws a nice outside leg kick.
Peppers turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Peppers pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Peppers displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Simons III.
Peppers tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Simons III has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Peppers.
Peppers looks to score with a jab to the body but Simons III is just out of range.
Simons III gets cracked there but stands up to it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brian Peppers showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Peppers has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 50:40
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 50:40
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 50:40

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brian Peppers!
Brian Peppers retains his bantamweight title!