PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John Simons III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Donald Kerabatsos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Simons III
vs
Kerabatsos

172 cm
36
143 lbs
31 - 20 - 2

170 cm
28
147 lbs
18 - 8 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Steel Penn's Laundry 93%
Mango Nutrition

Steel Penn's Laundry 93%

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 31 - 20 - 2, 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 18 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Donald Kerabatsos!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Matheus Silva and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simons III avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kerabatsos scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kerabatsos throws a shot from downtown. Simons III moves away and avoids it.
Simons III with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kerabatsos to score with a decent uppercut.
Kerabatsos throws an overhand right that lands on Simons III's shoulder, as Simons III tries to avoid the shot.
Simons III shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kerabatsos but Kerabatsos pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kerabatsos plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Kerabatsos tries a head kick but it misses.
Simons III tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kerabatsos 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.

Simons III drives through with a takedown into Kerabatsos's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Simons III wants to pass the guard but Kerabatsos is keeping the position.
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!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerabatsos keeping moving, preventing Simons III from controlling successfully.

Simons III postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Kerabatsos is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Simons III, into his guard.
Simons III looking for a sweep. Not yet Simons III, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Simons III escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kerabatsos gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Simons III is trying to keep Kerabatsos in close.
Kerabatsos controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Simons III working for submissions but it's allowed Kerabatsos to get to half guard.
Kerabatsos prevents Simons III from improving his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Simons III looking for subs from the bottom but Kerabatsos mounts him!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Simons III is looking to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kerabatsos is looking to stand but Kerabatsos has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Simons III tries to reverse the position but Kerabatsos maintains control.
Kerabatsos trying to control but Simons III is having none of it.
Simons III can't escape the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that John Simons III will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kerabatsos leaves Simons III with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
John Simons III is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Simons III shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kerabatsos pinned against the cage. Kerabatsos gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Simons III walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Kerabatsos clinches with his opponent.
Kerabatsos is trying to stall.
Simons III has Kerabatsos pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kerabatsos manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Simons III. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kerabatsos tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Simons III avoids it.
Come on Kerabatsos - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Kerabatsos unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Kerabatsos stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerabatsos tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Simons III has Kerabatsos pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kerabatsos manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kerabatsos lands a nice elbow.
Kerabatsos prevents the takedown attempt.
Kerabatsos gets underhooks to prevent Simons III's takedown attempt.
Kerabatsos misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Simons III tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kerabatsos smiles and moves away.
Simons III uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kerabatsos.
Kerabatsos lands with a hook. Simons III tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kerabatsos misses with a straight right.
Kerabatsos turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kerabatsos misses with a hook.

Simons III closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kerabatsos did well to prevent Simons III getting side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Simons III is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Kerabatsos is defending against the submission attempts here by Simons III.

Simons III wants to work for an arm triangle but Kerabatsos is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
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!
Simons III wants to control but Kerabatsos is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simons III sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kerabatsos defending well though.

Kerabatsos is defending against the submission attempts here by Simons III.
Kerabatsos is refusing to be controlled, as Simons III sits in half guard.

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

Simons III looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Simons III is working for a kimura but Kerabatsos is defending it quite comfortably.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Simons III is looking for a kimura but Kerabatsos is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Simons III to get the leverage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that John Simons III will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

That kick from Kerabatsos tenderised Simons III's leg. Simons III is trying to keep his angry face on.
Simons III tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kerabatsos sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Simons III somewhat.
Kerabatsos tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Simons III was well out of range. Poor timing from Kerabatsos.
Kerabatsos misses with a looping right.
Simons III shoots in for a takedown but Kerabatsos shows good takedown defense.
Simons III slips a jab and a cross from Kerabatsos.
Kerabatsos with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Simons III misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
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 with a takedown attempt and he has Kerabatsos pinned against the cage. Kerabatsos gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A slow jab from Simons III misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simons III shoots in and drives through. Kerabatsos sprawls well.
Simons III avoids the head kick by Kerabatsos.
Simons III takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Simons III has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Simons III there as he acknowledges the shot.
Simons III fails with the takedown.
Simons III staying out of range there.
Simons III on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kerabatsos. Kerabatsos obviously looking to wear him down.
Kerabatsos displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Simons III.
Kerabatsos misses with a hook. Simons III ducked under it nicely.
Donald Kerabatsos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kerabatsos throws a hook but Simons III avoids it easily.
Kerabatsos feints a jab promting Simons III to slip. Kerabatsos then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Simons III slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Donald Kerabatsos is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Simons III looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kerabatsos is fending him off so far but Simons III persists. Nope, Kerabatsos circles away and we're back to standing.
A jab from Kerabatsos does it's job there.
Nice body punch from Kerabatsos.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kerabatsos looks to throw the jab but Simons III is out of range.
Simons III has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kerabatsos finds it's way round the side to connect with Simons III's head.
Simons III shoots for a double leg takedown but Kerabatsos sprawls well. He's pushed Simons III's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kerabatsos throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Donald Kerabatsos seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice uppercut lands for Kerabatsos. That snapped Simons III's head back.
Kerabatsos's corner calls for a 1-2. Kerabatsos obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerabatsos scores with a nice right hand.
John Simons III is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Simons III shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kerabatsos but Kerabatsos pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kerabatsos looks to score with a jab to the body but Simons III is just out of range.
Kerabatsos throws a head kick that misses.
Simons III dives in and grabs Kerabatsos's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kerabatsos pushes down on Simons III's head and hops out.
Simons III takes a kick to the side of the head.

It looks like John Simons III has been cut.
Simons III avoids the body shot from Kerabatsos.

Simons III closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Simons III lands in his opponent's guard.
Simons III stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kerabatsos swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simons III trying to control but Kerabatsos is working from the bottom.
Simons III won't allow Kerabatsos to sweep him here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Simons III seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

We're going to have a standup here because John Simons III wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Kerabatsos lands with a right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Donald Kerabatsos comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Simons III has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:29
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... John Simons III!
After winning the bout, John Simons III thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.