PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mariano Ozawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mantas Simonis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ozawa
vs
Simonis

167 cm
20
147 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

170 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mariano Ozawa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mantas Simonis!
The judges for this bout are , and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Simonis gets the takedown into side control.
Simonis trying to control the position but Ozawa is working away.

Simonis decides to stand back up.
Ozawa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Simonis has his takedown stuffed

and Ozawa counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Ozawa.
Simonis is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Simonis really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ozawa. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ozawa wants to stand but Simonis has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Simonis is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
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!
Simonis is trying to break the clinch but Ozawa has him pressed against the cage.
Ozawa doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Simonis jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ozawa walks away with a smile on his face. Simonis gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ozawa throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Simonis.
Ozawa throws a sloppy body shot
and Simonis counters with a nice low kick that buckles Ozawa's knee momentarily.

Simonis moves into the clinch successfully.
Ozawa lands a nice shot to the body.

Ozawa decides to pull guard.
Simonis trying to control but Ozawa is working from the bottom.
Ozawa wants to stand but Simonis is controlling the position.
Simonis wants to control from the top but Ozawa keeps moving.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Ozawa wants to get back to his feet but Simonis is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
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.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Mantas Simonis wasn't active enough on the ground.
Ozawa falls off balance throwing a combination

and Simonis counters with a nice double leg into side control. Ozawa won't be happy with that.
Ozawa is breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ozawa is pushing Simonis's head away, looking to escape. Simonis manages to hold on to the position though.
Simonis wants to take a breather but Ozawa manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Simonis.
Simonis wants to get up but he can't break Ozawa's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ozawa kicks Simonis off and gets to his feet.
Ozawa closes the distance looking to clinch

and Simonis counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Simonis.

Simonis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ozawa throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Simonis counters with a one-two to the body.

Simonis feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Ozawa has a closed guard, preventing Simonis from standing up.
Simonis won't allow Ozawa to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simonis trying to control but Ozawa is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mantas Simonis was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Simonis looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mariano Ozawa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mantas Simonis.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ozawa rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Simonis moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Simonis gets a takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mantas Simonis dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ozawa gets tackled into the cage by Simonis. Simonis maintains the clinch.

Simonis manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Ozawa preventing the sweep.
Ozawa lands a couple of digs.
Ozawa won't allow Simonis to sweep him here.
Ozawa prevents Simonis from getting back to his feet.
Ozawa lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Ozawa passes Simonis's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Ozawa stands up from half guard.
Ozawa tries to clinch up but Simonis circles away and keeps his distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ozawa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Simonis swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ozawa misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Simonis throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Ozawa throws a nice head kick!
Mariano Ozawa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ozawa fails to land with a series of punches.

Simonis throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Ozawa was covering up waiting for the punch and Simonis finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Ozawa wants to stand up but Simonis is controlling him.
Ozawa keeping moving, preventing Simonis from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simonis trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Ozawa manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Ozawa stands up from Simonis's guard - Ozawa perhaps looking for a knockout.
Ozawa walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Ozawa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Simonis darts in and clinches Ozawa up against the cage.
Simonis drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ozawa pulls his leg out and moves away.
Simonis dodges the punch combination from Ozawa.

Simonis closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ozawa quickly recovers to half guard.
Simonis trying to advance position but Ozawa counters by regaining guard.
Ozawa is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Simonis throws a strike but Ozawa rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ozawa postures up.
Simonis looking for a sweep. Not yet Simonis, not yet.

Ozawa decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Simonis, up you get!
Ozawa wants to clinch

and Simonis counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Simonis postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Simonis wants to control from the top but Ozawa keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mantas Simonis showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Simonis circles away from the clinch attempt

and Simonis counters with a shoot takedown. Ozawa fights it but they end up in guard.
Simonis passes Ozawa's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Ozawa regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Simonis.

Simonis stands and steps away. Ozawa gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ozawa looks to land a combination but Simonis avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Ozawa as Simonis shoots in.
Ozawa tries to clinch

and Simonis counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Simonis wants to control from the top but Ozawa keeps moving.
Ozawa keeping full guard, as Simonis tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simonis sitting in guard here, content to control.
Simonis must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Mantas Simonis has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Simonis lands a nice hook to Ozawa's body. Ozawa takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Ozawa is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Simonis's half guard.

Ozawa postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Simonis to stand up.

Simonis instigates a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Simonis prevents a body shot from Ozawa.
Ozawa gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Simonis.

Simonis's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Simonis shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Ozawa counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Mariano Ozawa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mantas Simonis.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ozawa is fighting off a takedown attempt but Simonis is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Ozawa to the mat. Ozawa regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Simonis won't allow Ozawa to get back to his feet.

Simonis drops back, looking for a kneebar! Ozawa looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Ozawa looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Ozawa!
Simonis struggling a bit here.
Ozawa working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Simonis is trying to control Ozawa's posture but Ozawa avoids it.

Ozawa decides to stand back up. Ozawa steps back and let's Simonis get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ozawa.
Mariano Ozawa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Simonis shoots in looking for a takedown but Ozawa manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Simonis's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Simonis has taken the fight to the clinch.
Simonis tries to pull guard but Ozawa holds him up against the cage and eventually Simonis drops back down to his feet.
Simonis is working for takedown but Ozawa is calmly controlling the position for now.
Ozawa is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Simonis is keeping busy.

Simonis manages to break the clinch.
Mariano Ozawa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Simonis has managed to clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Simonis jumps guard but Ozawa stands there with Simonis around his waist. Simonis gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Simonis manages to break the clinch.
Ozawa throws a left and a right that both miss

and Simonis decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ozawa's guard.
Mantas Simonis is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Simonis gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mantas Simonis comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Simonis winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mantas Simonis!