PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John Simons III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Williams (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Williams has chosen All the Above- Maino ft. T-Pain as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Simons III
vs
Williams

172 cm
39
143 lbs
39 - 24 - 2

185 cm
40
140 lbs
37 - 20 - 3

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Fast

KO Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 39 - 24 - 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 - 20 - 3, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Paul Williams!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Seu Braga and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Williams scoring well with a low kick there.
Williams throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Williams feints and then cracks Simons III's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Simons III down.
Williams jabs Simons III to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Simons III shoots in for a double leg but Williams sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Williams displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Simons III.
Simons III darts in looking for a takedown but Williams gets double underhooks and turns Simons III into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Simons III. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Williams is trying to force a seperation but Simons III has the dominant position.
Williams tries to circle away but Simons III has him pinned against the cage.
Williams is looking to break free of the clinch but Simons III has double underhooks.
Simons III wants to take the fight to the mat but Williams manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Simons III jumps guard and drags Williams to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Simons III working for a triangle but Williams defends it easily.
Williams must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Simons III looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Simons III being controlled here, momentarily.

Simons III has his foot on Williams's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Williams works his way back into a safe position though.
Simons III looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Simons III working a defensive guard but Williams manages to pass into side control anyway.
My spies in The Warehouse inform me that Williams has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simons III tries to improve position but can't.

Williams decides to stand up, so the ref orders Simons III to his feet.
A slow jab from Williams misses its intended target.
Williams waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Simons III.
Williams smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Simons III closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Williams's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Simons III trying to control the position from guard on top but Williams is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Williams manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Simons III manages to get himself to full guard.
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.

Simons III looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Williams passes into side control.
Simons III tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Williams controlling his opponent.
Simons III is trying desperately to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Williams is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Simons III slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Simons III gets full guard.

Simons III is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Simons III has his foot on Williams's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Williams works his way back into a safe position though.
Williams stopping the sweep attempt from Simons III.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Simons III dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

An inside leg kick from Williams misses.
Williams misses with a two punch combination.
Simons III shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Simons III ducks under a wild hook from Williams.
Paul Williams seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Simons III shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Simons III drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Williams manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Simons III has Williams in his guard.

Simons III is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Williams is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Simons III is looking for a triangle here but Williams uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Simons III tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Williams wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Williams decides to stand back up.
Williams cracks Simons III with a good jab.
Sloppy strikes from Williams. Those never looked like landing.
Williams throws a leg kick which misses Simons III's front leg but catches the back leg as Simons III tries to avoid it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Simons III.
Williams misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Williams throws a body punch but Simons III moves out of range.
Simons III moves out of range of the strikes.
Simons III showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Williams.
A slow jab from Williams misses its intended target.
Simons III looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Williams is fending him off so far but Simons III persists. Nope, Williams circles away and we're back to standing.
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 drops his hands momentarily and Williams takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Simons III takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Jab from Williams.
Simons III displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Williams throws out the jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Williams throws a jab but it's blocked by Simons III.
Williams misses with a straight left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Williams scores with a head kick.
Williams is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Simons III looks for the body kick but Williams saw that one coming.
Simons III looks to land a right hand but Williams moved out of range.
Simons III shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Williams but Williams pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Williams misses with a hook.
Williams misses with a wild body shot.
Williams pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Simons III darts in looking for a takedown but Williams gets double underhooks and turns Simons III into the cage.
Williams wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Simons III is looking for a takedown.
Williams is looking to break free of the clinch but Simons III has double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Williams is trying to force a seperation but Simons III has the dominant position.
Simons III prevents Williams from breaking the clinch.
Simons III fails to pull guard.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Williams wants to break free but Simons III has control.
Simons III tries to throw a body punch but Williams avoids it by throwing Simons III back against the cage.

Simons III gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Williams regains guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Simons III wants to control from the top but Williams keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Simons III trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Paul Williams will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Williams misses with a low kick.
Williams looks to throw the jab but Simons III is out of range.
Simons III darts in looking for a takedown but Williams gets double underhooks and turns Simons III into the cage.

Simons III drags the fight down to the ground.
Simons III is trying to control the position but Williams postures up.
Simons III is trying to hold Williams in close to prevent damage but Williams has managed to pass into half guard.

Williams stands up from half guard.
John Simons III is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Simons III gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Williams.
Simons III throws a chopping leg kick but Williams manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Simons III slips a jab and a cross from Williams.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Williams misses.
Simons III moves forwards but Williams connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Simons III tries to score a power double leg takedown but Williams sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Simons III somewhat.

Simons III shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Williams manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Simons III trying to control the position from guard on top but Williams is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Simons III is looking to advance position but Williams has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simons III is looking to get to half guard.
Simons III gets back to half guard.
Williams controlling the action here.
John Simons III overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Williams trying to pass the guard but Simons III defending well.
Williams is trying to control the action in half guard but Simons III is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Simons III manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Simons III bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Williams's guard.
Simons III with a flurry of punches that miss.
Simons III tries to free his leg and advance position but Williams is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Simons III trying to control the position from guard on top but Williams is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Simons III has gone for a leg lock! Williams slips out almost immediately though and dives into Simons III's guard.
Simons III controls Williams momentarily but Williams frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Williams stays in close to Simons III's body and controls the position.
Williams trying to control but Simons III is working from the bottom.
Simons III tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Williams trying to control but Simons III is working from the bottom.
Simons III might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Simons III bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Williams's guard.
Simons III looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Simons III clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Williams lands with a thumping leg kick.
Simons III avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Williams stuns Simons III with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Williams checks a low kick from Simons III.
Williams misses with a series of wild punches.
Williams ducks under a wild hook from Simons III.
Simons III shoots in for a takedown but Williams shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Williams misses with an attempted mid kick.
Jab from Williams.
Nice body punch from Williams.
Williams is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simons III fails to land with a series of punches.
Williams misses with a body shot.
Some bone on bone action there as Simons III checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Good shot there by Williams.
Simons III closes this distance looking for a takedown but Williams circles away.
Williams keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
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 shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Williams tests Simons III's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Paul Williams is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Williams throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Simons III shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Simons III drops back, looking for a kneebar! Williams looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Williams looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Williams!
Simons III tries to buck Williams off but Williams is having none of it.
Simons III gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Simons III is looking to get to half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Simons III is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Williams trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Simons III regains half guard.
Simons III makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Simons III.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Williams wants to stand up, so he's looking to wriggle free of Simons III's closed guard. He's half up but Simons III has locked on to an arm! Uh oh! Simons III pivots and extends the arm, Williams falls face first to the mat and taps??... does he?? YES! He's tapping! Excellent counter grappling there by Simons III! Well done that man!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). John Simons III!
An out of breath John Simons III thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.