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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between John Simons III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Masakazu Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aoki is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Sandstorm by Darude. 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.
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| 172 cm
41
143 lbs
43 - 28 - 2 |
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155 cm
42
147 lbs
39 - 22 - 1 |
BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Heavy handed |
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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
43 - 28 - 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
39 - 22 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Masakazu Aoki!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Paulo Santos and Emerson Jorge.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simons III misses with a body kick.
Aoki misses with a straight right.
Aoki lands a right hook to the body.
Nice cross by Aoki.
Aoki looks to score with a jab to the body but Simons III is just out of range.
Aoki misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Simons III checks the leg kick nicely there.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Simons III.
Aoki paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Aoki throws a body punch but Simons III moves out of range.
Aoki takes a swing at Simons III's ribcage but misses.
Aoki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Aoki closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Simons III's guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
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.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki tries to roll over but Simons III keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Simons III is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Aoki!
Aoki wants to control but Simons III is having none of it.
Aoki is squirming around, avoiding Simons III's attempts to control the action.
Aoki is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Aoki is squirming around, avoiding Simons III's attempts to control the action.
Aoki is looking to improve his position but Simons III isn't that keen on the idea.
Simons III will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Simons III looking to control and managing it successfully.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Simons III looking to control but Aoki is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Aoki really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Simons III wants to control the pace but Aoki is squirming around nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Simons III goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Aoki turns into him and now he's in Simons III's guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simons III lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Aoki!
Aoki regains half guard.
Aoki tries to roll over but Simons III keeps him under control.
Simons III is just content to waste time from the top position. Aoki takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simons III's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Aoki is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Simons III is aware though and is defending well.
Simons III trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've been hearing good reports from Simons III'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 passes into half guard.
Simons III is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Aoki moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Aoki has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Simons III is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Aoki.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Aoki tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Masakazu Aoki will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Aoki buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Aoki fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Simons III avoids it really well and circles away.
Aoki lands a nice leg kick that just misses Simons III's sensitive parts.
Aoki fails with a takedown attempt.
Aoki misses with a hook.
Aoki keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Aoki throws a head kick but Simons III moves out of range.
Aoki rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Simons III moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A jab from Aoki finds it's way through Simons III's defenses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Simons III moves away.
A solid leg kick lands there for Aoki.
Simons III shoots in looking for a takedown but Aoki manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Simons III's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A bone on bone clash there as Simons III blocks the leg kick.
Aoki shoots in looking for a takedown. Simons III tries to sprawl out of it but Aoki keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Simons III manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
John Simons III has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masakazu Aoki.
Simons III tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Aoki looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Aoki swinging wildly here.
Simons III avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Simons III tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Aoki swivels and escapes.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Simons III.
Aoki shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Simons III manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Simons III controlling Aoki's posture.
Aoki lands a couple of elbows.
Simons III is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Aoki defends well.
Aoki postures up in Simons III's guard and throws a big left but Simons III blocks it.
My spies in The Warehouse inform me that Aoki has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Simons III wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Aoki is now in half guard.
Simons III is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Aoki's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Aoki's back!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simons III looking for the choke from the back.
Simons III is looking for the choke from the back position but Aoki is controlling his hands well.
Aoki defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Simons III's arms.
Simons III is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Aoki has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Aoki looking very determined here, making life difficult for Simons III.
Simons III is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Simons III controlling well, preventing Aoki from escaping the position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simons III trying to control.
Simons III is persistently looking for the submission but Aoki is defending it well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aoki breaks Simons III's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Simons III keeping moving, preventing Aoki from controlling successfully.
Aoki lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Simons III is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Simons III looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
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.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.
Aoki misses with a straight left.
Simons III has closed the distance and engaged Aoki in a clinch.
Aoki misses with a knee to the head.
Simons III blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Aoki is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Simons III has Aoki pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Aoki manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Aoki throws a head punch that misses.
Simons III doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Simons III tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Aoki just stands there and leans against the cage.
Simons III wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Aoki has him pressed against the cage.
Aoki misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Simons III.
Simons III decides to pull guard.
Simons III throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
That's one minute gone in the round.
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.
John Simons III overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Simons III wants to pass to mount but Aoki is defending the position.
Simons III is stalling here. Aoki is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Simons III seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Aoki has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Simons III can't do much from the bottom here.
Simons III tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Simons III is working hard here to advance position.
Simons III takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Aoki's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Simons III is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Simons III sneaks back into 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!
Aoki is taking a breather. Simons III says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Aoki wants to control but Simons III is keeping him busy.
Aoki has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Simons III manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Simons III is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Aoki off and has taken his back!
Aoki tries to break free.
Aoki keeps trying to improve his position.
Simons III is riding his opponent, not letting Aoki buck him off.
Simons III has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Aoki has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Aoki tries to escape the position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simons III looking to break Aoki's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Aoki remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Simons III will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Simons III looking for the choke but no joy.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Simons III has the hooks in. Aoki is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Simons III is trying to stick to Aoki's back but Aoki is turning into Simons III. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Simons III's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Aoki.
Aoki trying to control the position from guard on top but Simons III is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Simons III tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Aoki's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Aoki got a little sloppy there for a moment and Simons III has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Aoki has managed to get both his arms back between Simons III's legs - danger averted.
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 John Simons III.
I think Simons III has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Simons III!
After winning the bout, John Simons III thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
68% |
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