PBP Commentary

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

Simons III
vs
Strasser

172 cm
41
143 lbs
42 - 26 - 2

192 cm
25
159 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 42 - 26 - 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 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rosen Strasser!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Leandro Rodrigues and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simons III fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Simons III fails with a takedown attempt.
John Simons III seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Strasser swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Simons III dives in for a single leg takedown but Strasser sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
I was talking to Simons III's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Simons III. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Strasser's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Strasser throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Simons III.

Simons III changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Strasser looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Simons III wants to lay and pray for a moment but Strasser keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simons III tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Simons III is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Strasser has escaped the position, nice work there.
Simons III wants to control but Strasser is keeping him busy.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Simons III goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Strasser rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Simons III's guard! Nice work there by Strasser!
Strasser wanted to stand there but Simons III had control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

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

Simons III is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Simons III tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Simons III working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simons III manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Strasser felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

Simons III goes for an armbar but Strasser turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Strasser.
Strasser trying to control but Simons III is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Simons III is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Simons III throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Simons III shoots in looking for a takedown. Strasser tries to sprawl out of it but Simons III keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Strasser manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Simons III moves forwards but Strasser connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Simons III shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Strasser as he avoids it easily.
Strasser throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Strasser throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Strasser is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Simons III looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Simons III stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Strasser swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simons III not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Simons III trying to control but Strasser 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.
Strasser has his hands on Simons III's head, controlling the position.

We're going to have a standup here because John Simons III wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Simons III misses with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strasser misses with a wild body shot.
Simons III avoids the body shot from Strasser.
Simons III dives in for a single leg takedown but Strasser sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against 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.
Simons III stops a takedown attempt from Strasser.
Simons III tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Strasser just stands there and leans against the cage.

Simons III decides to pull guard.
Simons III looking for a sweep. Not yet Simons III, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strasser wants to stand but Simons III has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Simons III looking to hit a scissor sweep but Strasser is one step ahead there.
Simons III manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Strasser manages to get himself to full guard.
Strasser seems keen to control Simons III's posture.
Simons III trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simons III looking to sit in guard and control but Strasser gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Strasser gets to his feet. Simons III looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Simons III throws a half hearted mid kick.
Strasser connects with the punch.
Simons III is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Strasser just misses with a punch to the body.

Simons III closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Strasser to the mat! Strasser manages to get full guard.
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.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Simons III fails with a takedown attempt.
Strasser steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Simons III.
Strasser misses with a hook. Simons III ducked under it nicely.
Simons III fails to land the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strasser lands with an overhand left.
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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simons III fails to land the takedown.
Simons III is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Simons III tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Strasser swivels and escapes.
John Simons III is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Simons III throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Strasser tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Simons III is in Strasser's guard.
Simons III wants to get up but he can't break Strasser's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simons III trying to move into half guard but instead Strasser has managed to sweep!
Strasser won't allow Simons III to sweep him here.
Simons III bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Strasser's guard.
Simons III trying to control the position from guard on top but Strasser is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Simons III drops back, looking for a kneebar! Strasser looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Strasser looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Strasser!
Simons III sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
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!
Strasser prevents Simons III from improving his position.
Simons III wants to control but Strasser is keeping busy and won't allow it.
John Simons III is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strasser with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Simons III is looking to control Strasser's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Simons III avoid being mounted?
Strasser tries to pass to full mount but Simons III defends it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Simons III shoots for a double leg takedown but Strasser sprawls well. He's pushed Simons III's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Simons III throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simons III shoots for a takedown but Strasser saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Simons III shoots in but no luck this time.
The fight stays on the outside here - Simons III looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Simons III shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Strasser as he jumps to the side.

Simons III drives through with a takedown into Strasser's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Rosen Strasser has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Strasser is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Simons III showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Simons III, 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Simons III!
John Simons III decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.