PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Baraka Simengwa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Camber Cartwright (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Simengwa comes to the cage accompanied by Afande Sele feat Ditto - Darubini kali. Cartwright has chosen I'm not from around here as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Simengwa
vs
Cartwright

185 cm
24
195 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

190 cm
31
192 lbs
10 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Great elbows
Good gas tank

Just Fight (Everything 7$)

Milwaukee's Best Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Baraka Simengwa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Camber Cartwright!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cartwright throws a series of punches but Simengwa avoids them all with ease.

Cartwright pushes Simengwa up against the cage in a clinch.
Simengwa avoids a wild elbow strike from Cartwright.

Simengwa gets control of Cartwright's arms and successfully pulls guard. Simengwa will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Simengwa bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cartwright's guard.

Simengwa drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Cartwright dives on top into guard.
Cartwright trying to stand up but can't free himself from Simengwa's guard.
Simengwa is trying to keep Cartwright in close.
Simengwa has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Simengwa has his foot on Cartwright's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cartwright works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Simengwa looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
We've been hearing good reports from Simengwa'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.
Simengwa is trying to keep Cartwright in close.

Simengwa looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Cartwright has picked Simengwa up and slammed him! Simengwa can't keep hold of the triangle and Cartwright manages to pass to side control!
Simengwa struggling a bit here.
Simengwa is looking to reverse the position.
Cartwright has control of an arm but Simengwa manages to advance to Cartwright's back!

Simengwa is looking for the choke from the back position but Cartwright is controlling his hands well.
Cartwright has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Simengwa looking to break Cartwright's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Cartwright remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Simengwa will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Cartwright trying to get back to his feet but Simengwa is in full control for now.

Simengwa looking for the choke from the back.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cartwright trying to get back to his feet but Simengwa is in full control for now.

Simengwa looking for the RNC.

Simengwa is looking for the choke from the back position but Cartwright is controlling his hands well.

Simengwa is persistently looking for the submission but Cartwright is defending it well.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Simengwa patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cartwright is trying to get back to his feet but Simengwa has full control of the position and if anything, Cartwright has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Simengwa tightening his grip on Cartwright, looking for the choke.
Cartwright controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Simengwa's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Cartwright is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Simengwa off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

Cartwright is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Simengwa gets his way!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Simengwa is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Cartwright is defending well though. Simengwa let's go of the attempt for now.

Simengwa has got his arm under Cartwright's chin working for the choke… has he got it? It looks pretty tight! Oh! Cartwright has spun round into Simengwa's guard beautifully! Well done that man!
Cartwright wanted to stand there but Simengwa had control of the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Simengwa is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cartwright is aware though and is defending well.
Cartwright wanted to stand there but Simengwa had control of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Simengwa tries to keep at a distance but Cartwright has taken the fight into the clinch.
Cartwright misses with a punch to the body.

Simengwa manages to pull guard.
Baraka Simengwa overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Simengwa is trying to control the position from the bottom.

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

Simengwa working for a triangle but Cartwright defends it easily.

Simengwa is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cartwright defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cartwright tries to stand but Simengwa is controlling from the bottom.
Simengwa wants to sweep but no luck.
Cartwright wants to stand but Simengwa has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Simengwa throws his legs up looking for a submission but Cartwright uses it to pass to side control.
Cartwright wants to stand but Simengwa has his arm trapped.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simengwa is trying to improve his position.
Simengwa struggling a bit here.
Simengwa is trying to work for a sweep but Cartwright has mounted him!
Simengwa sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Simengwa looking for submissions off his back.
Cartwright tries to stand and escape but Simengwa is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simengwa makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Simengwa.
Simengwa has a closed guard, preventing Cartwright from standing up.
Simengwa manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Cartwright manages to get himself to full guard.
Simengwa trying to control but Cartwright is working from the bottom.
Simengwa content to stall in guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cartwright is looking to stand up but Simengwa isn't so interested in that idea.
Cartwright keeping moving, preventing Simengwa from controlling successfully.
Simengwa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cartwright swivels though and keeps the full guard.

We're going to have a standup here because Baraka Simengwa wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Cartwright gets a clinch.
Simengwa is trying to pull guard but Cartwright turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Cartwright wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cartwright can't break the clinch.
Cartwright is looking to break free of the clinch but Simengwa has double underhooks.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Simengwa tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Cartwright just stands there and leans against the cage.
Cartwright prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Baraka Simengwa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
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!

Simengwa pulls guard.

Simengwa is looking for a triangle here but Cartwright uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Baraka Simengwa dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Cartwright drives through and clinches with Simengwa against the cage.
Simengwa tries to pull guard but Cartwright forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Simengwa decides to pull guard.
Cartwright tries to stand but Simengwa is controlling from the bottom.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Cartwright working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

Simengwa throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Simengwa has his foot on Cartwright's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cartwright works his way back into a safe position though.
Simengwa has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Cartwright has passed into side control.
Cartwright working away.
Cartwright gets to mount! Simengwa was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cartwright is looking to stand but Cartwright has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Simengwa wants to control but Cartwright is having none of it.
Simengwa is trying desperately to improve position.
Simengwa is working hard here to advance position.
Cartwright is looking to stand but Cartwright has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simengwa wants to control but Cartwright is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cartwright tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.
Cartwright avoids the attempt from Simengwa to control.
Simengwa is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simengwa tries to improve his position but instead Cartwright has taken his back!
Cartwright is looking to stand but he's in a difficult position to do so.
Cartwright really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Simengwa.
Simengwa rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Cartwright wants to stand but Simengwa has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Simengwa looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Camber Cartwright has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Simengwa is looking for a sweep. Cartwright is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Simengwa trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Cartwright manages to pass to mount!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cartwright wants to stand but Simengwa is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Baraka Simengwa.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Simengwa, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Baraka Simengwa!
An out of breath and clearly excited Baraka Simengwa thanked Just Fight (Everything 7$) for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).