PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John Simons III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Martin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Simons III
vs
Martin

165 cm
22
138 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

165 cm
22
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Paul Martin!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Emerson Jorge and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Martin motions for Simons III to come forward. Martin throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Simons III shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Martin but Martin pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Some wild striking there from Martin.
Simons III fails with a takedown attempt.
Simons III tries for a takedown but Martin sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Simons III. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Martin moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Martin misses with a body shot.
Martin has his takedown stuffed
and Simons III counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Martin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Simons III as he avoids it easily.

Martin decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
It looks like Martin is going to stand back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simons III moves into full guard.
Simons III looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Martin is looking to stand up but Simons III won't let him.
Simons III is trying to keep Martin in close.

Simons III working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Martin doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Martin manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Simons III is breathing heavily.

Martin drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Simons III dives on top into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Martin is looking for a triangle but Simons III pushes his legs off easily.
Martin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Simons III is one step ahead there.
Simons III looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Martin puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Martin is looking to escape.
Simons III content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Simons III is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Martin is just riding it out for now. Simons III eventually gives up the hold.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Martin dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Simons III shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Martin pinned against the cage. Martin gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Simons III has managed to clinch.
Martin throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Simons III blocks it with crossed arms.
Martin misses with a hook to the ribs.
Simons III tries to pull guard but Martin won't allow it.
Martin is pressed up against the cage. Simons III has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Martin down to the mat. Martin avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Simons III. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Martin tries to clinch there but Simons III circles away.

Martin looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Martin prevents Simons III from improving his position.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Martin wants to free his trapped foot but Simons III is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Martin decides to stand and escape the position.
Martin clinches but Simons III breaks the clinch

so Simons III counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Martin looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Martin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Simons III can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Martin looking for a guillotine here but Simons III defends easily.

Simons III avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simons III showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Simons III looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Simons III wants to control from the top but Martin keeps moving.

Martin looking for a guillotine here but Simons III defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Paul Martin will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. 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.

Simons III is looking to clinch.
Simons III throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Martin's waist but Martin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Simons III off to one side.

Martin shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Martin was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Martin is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Simons III has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Simons III!
Simons III trying to control the position from guard on top but Martin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martin wants to stand but Simons III is controlling the position.
Simons III pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Martin is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Martin working for a triangle but Simons III defends it easily.
Simons III trying to control but Martin is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simons III wants to pass the guard but Martin is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Simons III gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Martin counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Simons III's guard now.
Martin works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simons III is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Martin's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Martin's back!
Good control from Simons III.
Simons III thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Simons III struggling to land strikes to the head as Martin covers up.
John Simons III has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Simons III punches the canvas rather than the man.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Martin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Martin 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 27:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Martin!