PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jeffson Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Simons III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Cliff Richard - Summer Holiday. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Gracie
vs
Simons III

160 cm
39
155 lbs
31 - 23 - 1

172 cm
42
143 lbs
44 - 29 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

MB Nutrition

Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 23 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jeffson Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 44 - 29 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Simons III!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Paulo Santos and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie scores with a punch to the head.

It looks like John Simons III has been cut.
A slow jab from Simons III misses its intended target.
Some bone on bone action there as Gracie checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Simons III uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gracie.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Gracie misses with a wild combination.
Simons III shoots and misses
letting Gracie counter with a right hand.
Gracie lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Gracie looking to score a takedown here. Simons III is defending well but Gracie drives through and ends up in Simons III's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Simons III controls Gracie momentarily but Gracie frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie won't allow Simons III to sweep him here.
Simons III keeps trying to improve his position.
Gracie has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Simons III is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gracie working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Simons III's head.
Gracie throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Simons III wants to sweep here but Gracie controlling him for the moment.
Gracie trying to control but Simons III is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Simons III working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gracie doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gracie manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gracie preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simons III is trying to control the position but Gracie postures up.
Simons III looking for a sweep. Not yet Simons III, not yet.
Simons III is trying to keep Gracie in close.
Simons III keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Simons III is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Simons III trying to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gracie throws a body shot but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is looking to clinch but Simons III is avoiding it.
Simons III uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gracie.
Gracie is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Simons III fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gracie, pushing him back against the cage.
Gracie misses with a knee strike.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Simons III manages to get underhooks.
Simons III drops down looking for an ankle pick but Gracie pulls his leg out and moves away.
Simons III swats away the attempt to clinch by Gracie.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throws a one two combo.

Simons III shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Gracie is trying to defend but Simons III finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Simons III tries to pass to full mount but Gracie defends it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeffson Gracie dominated that round.
The cut man is working on John Simons III's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Simons III throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nice defenses there by Simons III.
John Simons III is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Gracie has taken the fight to the clinch.
Simons III has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Gracie is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Simons III manages to pull guard.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
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.
Simons III stalling.
Gracie is staying active underneath Simons III, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simons III stops Gracie from getting back to his feet.
Simons III trying to control the action but Gracie is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Simons III prevents Gracie from improving his position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. John Simons III was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Simons III darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Gracie manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simons III slips nicely into half guard.
Gracie is looking to get back to full guard here but Simons III has managed to pass to side control instead.
Gracie trying to control but Simons III flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Gracie is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Gracie trying to control the hands but Simons III breaks the grip.
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!

Gracie preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Simons III.
Will Simons III go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Gracie manages to reverse the position and now he's in Simons III's guard. Nice work there by Gracie.
Gracie might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.
John Simons III has got the better of the ground game so far.
Simons III has control of Gracie's left arm, preventing Gracie from doing any damage.
Gracie pushing down on Simons III's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Simons III slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Simons III is trying to control the position but Gracie postures up.

Simons III throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gracie stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Simons III swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Simons III has his foot on Gracie's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gracie works his way back into a safe position though.
Gracie stopping the sweep attempt from Simons III.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Simons III swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Simons III is trying to control the position but Gracie postures up.
Simons III might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Gracie haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Simons III has his feet on Gracie's thighs here. He's pushed Gracie off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Gracie screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:45 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). John Simons III!
During a confident post fight interview, John Simons III thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.