PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John Simons III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ahiga Otaktay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Otaktay has chosen ISIS - THE TOWER as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Simons III
vs
Otaktay

172 cm
39
143 lbs
37 - 23 - 2

169 cm
34
140 lbs
37 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Fight Night Nutrition
Merciless Gladiators

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 37 - 23 - 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 37 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ahiga Otaktay!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Emerson Jorge and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good exchange - Otaktay coming out on top.
Otaktay misses with a body kick.
Otaktay defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Simons III.
Simons III tries for a takedown but Otaktay circles away easily
and Otaktay counters with a nice leg kick.
Otaktay keeps Simons III at a distance using the push kick.
Simons III tries for a takedown but Otaktay circles away easily
and Otaktay counters with a head kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Simons III. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Otaktay darts in and clinches Simons III up against the cage.
Simons III goes for a takedown attempt but Otaktay pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Simons III drives through with a takedown into guard.
Simons III sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Otaktay's guard.
Otaktay is positioning himself well to prevent Simons III advancing to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Otaktay won't allow Simons III to pass to mount.
Simons III passes to side control.
Otaktay is trying to control Simons III's posture but Simons III avoids it.
Otaktay tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Simons III is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Otaktay is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Simons III working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Simons III in the domination position with Otaktay hanging on.
Otaktay is looking for a sweep.
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.
Otaktay regains half guard.
Otaktay controlling the position for now.

Simons III is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Otaktay holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Simons III stops Otaktay from getting back to his feet.
Otaktay has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Simons III is working away from the top position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Otaktay regains full guard. Nicely done.
Simons III postures up.

Simons III postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Otaktay is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Simons III, into his guard.
Otaktay stopping the sweep attempt from Simons III.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Simons III looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Otaktay scoring with punches to the head and body.
Otaktay throwing strikes from guard but Simons III blocks nicely.

Otaktay avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Simons III seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

Otaktay got a little sloppy there for a moment and Simons III has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Otaktay has managed to get both his arms back between Simons III's legs - danger averted.

Simons III working for a triangle but Otaktay defends it easily.
Otaktay keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Simons III's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Otaktay slips nicely into half guard.
Simons III tries to get to full guard but Otaktay has control of the leg.

Otaktay decides to stand and escape the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Simons III takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Simons III gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Otaktay lands with a nice body kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Simons III is trying hard to land a takedown here. Otaktay sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Simons III has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Otaktay.
A big right from Otaktay misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Otaktay displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Simons III.
Simons III misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Simons III shoots in but no luck this time.
Otaktay fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Otaktay throws a nice outside leg kick.
Otaktay darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Otaktay lands a body shot.
Otaktay swings for the body but Simons III moves out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Simons III.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Simons III. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Otaktay connects with an inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Otaktay does no damage.
Ahiga Otaktay seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Simons III keeps the fight on the outside.

Otaktay closes the distance and clinches.
Simons III is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Otaktay to keep the fight standing.
A short right from Otaktay.

Otaktay's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Otaktay pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Otaktay thumps Simons III with a low kick.
A lazy left from Otaktay finds it's target.
Simons III fails with the takedown.
Otaktay fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Simons III.
Otaktay closes the distance looking to clinch

and Simons III holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simons III prevents a body shot from Otaktay.
Otaktay goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Otaktay putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Simons III in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Otaktay using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Simons III has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Otaktay landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Otaktay is pressed up against the cage. Simons III has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Otaktay down to the mat. Otaktay avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Otaktay wants to clinch up but Simons III keeps it at a distance.

Otaktay has taken the fight to the clinch.
Otaktay landing knees to the head.
Simons III has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Otaktay is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Otaktay landing knees to the head.

It looks like John Simons III has been cut.
A right handed body shot lands from Otaktay.
Otaktay misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A knee to the head by Otaktay.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Otaktay lands an uppercut.
Simons III changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Otaktay fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Otaktay throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Simons III.
Ahiga Otaktay seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Otaktay dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Simons III looks to score with a jab to the body but Otaktay is just out of range.
Simons III uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Otaktay.
Otaktay throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Simons III throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Otaktay's waist but Otaktay gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Simons III off to one side.
Otaktay fails with an attempt to clinch.
Otaktay throws a leg kick which misses Simons III's front leg but catches the back leg as Simons III tries to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Otaktay scores with a kick to the midsection.

Otaktay instigates a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Simons III drags the fight down to the ground.
Simons III manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Otaktay is wriggling around trying to escape.
Otaktay slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Otaktay pushes Simons III off looking to stand but Simons III dives back in and keeps control.
Otaktay wants to control but Simons III is keeping busy.
Otaktay wants to improve his position but Simons III is controlling well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Simons III seems to be looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ahiga Otaktay showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on John Simons III's cut.
That's time! Simons III's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Simons III tries for a takedown but Otaktay circles away easily
and Simons III takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Otaktay looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Otaktay looks to score with a jab to the body but Simons III is just out of range.
Simons III is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Otaktay connects with a nice looking jab.

Otaktay drives through and clinches with Simons III against the cage.
Otaktay pushes Simons III back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Simons III tries to pull guard but Otaktay forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Otaktay working Simons III over with knees to the body.
Simons III misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Otaktay.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Simons III tries to score a body lock takedown but Otaktay shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Simons III. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Otaktay lands an uppercut.
Ahiga Otaktay seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Simons III tries to pull guard but Otaktay won't allow it.
Otaktay unloads a knee to the mid-section. Simons III lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Otaktay unloads a knee to the mid-section. Simons III lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simons III takes a shot to the head.
Otaktay presses Simons III against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Otaktay lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Otaktay connects with a knee to the head.
A short right from Otaktay on the inside.
Knees in the clinch landing for Otaktay.
Otaktay scores with a hook to the body.
Otaktay lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Otaktay manages to break the clinch.
Simons III shoots in for a takedown but Otaktay shows good takedown defense.
Otaktay throws a nice outside leg kick.
Otaktay keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Simons III takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Otaktay connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Otaktay scores with a push kick.
Otaktay scores with a punch to the head.
Simons III defending well as Otaktay loads up on a big left hand.
Otaktay cracks a nice hook into Simons III's ribs.
Otaktay connects with a single shot there.
Otaktay throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Otaktay misses with a body kick.
Simons III fails with a takedown attempt.
Otaktay scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Otaktay. That's going to slow Simons III down.
Otaktay throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Otaktay throws a head kick but Simons III moves out of range.
Otaktay connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

Simons III is rocked!
Otaktay moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Otaktay scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Simons III doesn't seem bothered though.
Otaktay lands a nice looking kick to the body. Simons III takes a step back to recover.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Otaktay lands a jab to Simons III's midsection.
John Simons III has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Otaktay shoots in for a double leg but Simons III sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Otaktay tries to clinch but Simons III moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Otaktay throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Simons III shoots for a takedown but Otaktay saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Otaktay tests Simons III's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Otaktay goes for a double leg but Simons III avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Simons III continues to drive forward.

Otaktay turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Simons III is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Otaktay's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Simons III manages to get to full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Otaktay stopping the sweep attempt from Simons III.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ahiga Otaktay comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Otaktay 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 27:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ahiga Otaktay!
Post fight, Ahiga Otaktay took to the microphone: 'Glory to the creator. And my spirit animal the mighty eagle... I am very proud to have gotten this win for my camp, my alliance and of course it feels good to get this win for me too. This guy was a tough opponent, and Im getting old haha.... You haven't seen the last of me! Broken Halo!'.