PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Volk Khan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Simons III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Khan
vs
Simons III

174 cm
35
145 lbs
26 - 8 - 0

172 cm
39
143 lbs
37 - 24 - 2

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
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 26 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Volk Khan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 37 - 24 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Simons III!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Leandro Rodrigues and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Khan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Simons III pinned against the cage. Simons III gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Simons III shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Khan napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

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

Simons III is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Khan knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Khan is trying to control Simons III's posture but Simons III avoids it.
Khan is trying to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Khan's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
We've been hearing good reports from Khan's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khan wants to control but Simons III postures up.
Simons III in the domination position with Khan hanging on.
Khan is looking to reverse the position.
Simons III is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Khan will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

Simons III looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

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!
Khan is trying to improve his position.
Khan sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khan regains full guard. Nicely done.

Khan working for a triangle but Simons III defends it easily.
Khan manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Simons III manages to get himself to full guard.
Simons III keeping moving, preventing Khan from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Khan is really struggling to control Simons III but he's trying to hold on to the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

Simons III looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Khan stands and throws Simons III's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simons III is looking to regain half guard here but Khan keeps moving and retains side control.
Simons III is not content to let Khan control the position.
Simons III is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Khan's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Simons III is looking for a sweep. Khan is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Khan works his way into side control.

Khan is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Simons III is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Khan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Simons III keeps working.
Simons III is looking to regain half guard here but Khan keeps moving and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simons III sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Khan seems to be looking for submissions.

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

Khan seems to be looking for submissions.
Simons III moves into full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Simons III looking for a guillotine here but Khan defends easily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Simons III is on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Simons III dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Khan shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Simons III but Simons III pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Simons III fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Khan sprawls well initially but Simons III persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Khan tries to roll over but Simons III keeps him under control.
Khan is looking to get back to full guard here but Simons III has managed to pass to side control instead.
Khan is looking for a sweep.
Simons III throws a strike aimed at the side of Khan's head but Khan avoids it well.
Khan wants to control but Simons III postures up.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simons III has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Simons III controlling from mount.
Khan sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Simons III is trying to work for a kimura but Khan is defending well.
Khan is looking for a sweep. Simons III is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Simons III moves nicely into side control.
Simons III works to advance to full mount. Khan defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simons III looking to finish with strikes here!
Khan is looking to get to half guard.
Khan wants to control but Simons III is having none of it.
Simons III trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Simons III is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Khan is surviving well by controlling Simons III's body position as best he can.
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 is working for a guillotine from mount but Khan frees his head quite easily.
Simons III trying to control but Khan is having none of it.
John Simons III has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simons III prevents Khan from getting the reversal.
Khan tries to hold on but Simons III pushes him away.
Simons III looking to control but Khan is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Khan is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Khan is trying to escape the mount.
Simons III avoids the attempt from Khan to control.
Khan is in all sorts of trouble here.
Khan tries to hold on but Simons III postures up.
Simons III pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khan tries to hold on but Simons III pushes him away.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Simons III is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Khan has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Khan regains half guard.

Simons III is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Khan sees it coming and defends easily.
Simons III is thwarting Khan's attempts to control the position.
Khan is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Simons III is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Khan regains full guard. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Simons III showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Simons III shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Khan's guard.
Simons III tries to free his leg and advance position but Khan is retaining full guard.
Khan is trying to hold Simons III in close to prevent damage but Simons III has managed to pass into half guard.

Khan looking for submissions off his back.
Simons III is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Khan!

Simons III jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Khan is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Khan and Simons III has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
You can see the frustration on Khan's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Simons III goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Khan rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Simons III's guard! Nice work there by Khan!
Simons III keeping moving, preventing Khan from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simons III is trying to control the position but Khan postures up.
Khan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Simons III is keeping the position for now.
Simons III manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Khan is in all sorts of trouble here.

Simons III goes for an armbar but Khan turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Khan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Khan has gone for a leg lock! Simons III slips out almost immediately though and dives into Khan's guard.

Khan escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Simons III gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Khan 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.
Simons III trying to control the position from guard on top but Khan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

Khan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
John Simons III is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simons III is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Khan is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Simons III is aware though and is defending well.
Simons III throwing strikes but missing.
Simons III slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Simons III trying to control but Khan is working from the bottom.
Khan pulls Simons III in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Simons III drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Simons III as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Khan screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Simons III! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:23 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). John Simons III!
Our winner, John Simons III, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.