PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John Simons III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan Stark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Simons III
vs
Stark

172 cm
32
143 lbs
23 - 15 - 1

175 cm
21
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Steel Terror-Trition: Video Proven 160Q
Steel Terror-Trition: Video Proven 160Q

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 23 - 15 - 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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Dan Stark!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Daniel Cesar and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stark takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Simons III manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Stark on his heels. He'll look to pass Stark's guard now, I'm sure.
Stark working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Simons III.
Simons III pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stark is keeping the position for now.
Stark really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Simons III. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Simons III is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Simons III pushing down on Stark's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Simons III is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Stark has managed to free his arm - good work.

Simons III wants to work for an arm triangle but Stark is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simons III wants to pass the guard but Stark is defending well.

Simons III is working for a kimura but Stark is defending it quite comfortably.

Simons III is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Simons III is looking for a kimura here.

Simons III is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Stark has managed to free his arm - good work.

Simons III is working for a submission of some sort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Simons III is working for a submission of some sort.
Simons III moves nicely into side control.

Simons III tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stark is pushing Simons III's head away, looking to escape. Simons III manages to hold on to the position though.

Simons III is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Stark knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Simons III tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Simons III has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Simons III dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Stark takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Stark is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Simons III.
Stark swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Simons III fails with the takedown.
Simons III misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Simons III takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Stark throws a series of punches but Simons III moves out of range.
Simons III tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stark throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Simons III misses with a takedown attempt - Stark sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
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 shoots in looking for a takedown. Stark tries to sprawl out of it but Simons III keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Stark manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simons III shoots in for a takedown but Stark shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Simons III shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Simons III shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stark pinned against the cage. Stark gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Simons III is trying hard to land a takedown here. Stark sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Simons III steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stark.
Simons III tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stark swivels and escapes.
Stark digs a good body shot into Simons III's ribs.
Simons III looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Simons III doesn't manage to clinch there - Stark circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Simons III is defended easily by Stark.
Stark swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Stark misses with the combination.
Simons III misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Simons III with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Stark to score with a decent uppercut.
Dan Stark is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stark blocks a head kick by Simons III.
Simons III shoots for a takedown but Stark saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Stark throws a jab when Simons III was well out of range.
Simons III walks into a left hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stark fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Simons III manages to avoid it.
Stark tries to bum rush Simons III with a series of wild strikes but Simons III uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simons III fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stark avoids it really well and circles away.

Simons III feints and as Stark raises his hands in defense, Simons III changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
John Simons III overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Simons III prevents Stark from getting back to his feet.

Simons III drops back looking for a leg! Stark is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Stark manages to kick Simons III off! Simons III jumps back into Stark's guard.
Simons III stays in close to Stark's body and controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simons III trying to control but Stark is working from the bottom.

Simons III drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Simons III jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Stark keeping moving, preventing Simons III from controlling successfully.
Stark wants to stand and escape but Simons III is having none of it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Simons III drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Stark dives on top into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dan Stark will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Simons III fails to land the takedown.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Simons III.

Simons III swings around for an armbar but Stark sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Simons III's guard.
Stark must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Simons III is trying to control the position but Stark postures up.
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.
Simons III is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Simons III is working for a kimura but Stark is defending it quite comfortably.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Simons III seems to be looking for submissions.

Simons III is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Stark sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Simons III is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Stark is just riding it out for now. Simons III eventually gives up the hold.
Stark looks like he's trying to stand up.
Simons III trying to control from half guard but Stark is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simons III with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Simons III is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Stark has managed to free his arm - good work.

Simons III has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Stark defend it? Simons III steps over the head and cranks it - Stark is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Simons III!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:34 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). John Simons III!
A very excited looking John Simons III made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.