PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between John Simons III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nuriel Leonard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Simons III
vs
Leonard

172 cm
44
143 lbs
46 - 32 - 2

168 cm
37
147 lbs
32 - 19 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

MB Nutrition
Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)

Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)

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 46 - 32 - 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 32 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nuriel Leonard!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Daniel Cesar and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leonard loads up on a big right hand but Simons III slips the punch.
Simons III shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Leonard as he avoids it easily.
Leonard just misses with a punch to the body.
Simons III shoots in for a takedown but Leonard shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Simons III takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Simons III displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Leonard throws out the jab.
Leonard works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Simons III moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Leonard connects with the punch.
Leonard throws a right hand that Simons III ducks under and follows up with a left that Simons III also avoids with ease.
Simons III changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Simons III moves forwards but Leonard connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Simons III shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Leonard but Leonard pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Leonard has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Simons III. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Leonard stuffs the takedown attempt from Simons III. Simons III gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Leonard misses.
Leonard wants to clinch up but Simons III keeps it at a distance.
Simons III walks into a left hand.
Leonard punishes Simons III's body with a nice straight punch.
Leonard connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
An inside leg kick from Simons III misses.
Simons III keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Leonard.
Simons III feinted with a counter takedown.
Simons III ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Leonard moves away.
Leonard stuns Simons III with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Leonard scores with a jab to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Leonard misses the target.
Leonard throws a jab but it's blocked by Simons III.
Simons III misses with a body kick.
Leonard throws a shot from downtown. Simons III moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simons III has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Simons III there as he acknowledges the shot.
Simons III misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Leonard fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Simons III fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Leonard is out of range.
Leonard missing with a left hand there. Simons III was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Simons III appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Leonard throws an off balance right hand

and Simons III counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Leonard tries to roll over but Simons III keeps him under control.
Leonard is trying to control but Simons III passes into side control!

Simons III is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Leonard has escaped the position, nice work there.
Simons III wants to control for a moment but Leonard uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonard tries to roll over but Simons III keeps him under control.

Simons III seems to be working for a kimura but Leonard defends the submission attempt.
Simons III wants to take a breather but Leonard is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Simons III wants to advance to full mount but Leonard doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Leonard not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Simons III trying to control the position from guard on top but Leonard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Leonard tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Simons III defending well as Leonard loads up on a big left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nuriel Leonard dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Simons III keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Leonard.
Leonard throws a hook but Simons III blocks it.
Simons III is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Leonard.
Leonard misses with a body shot.
Simons III defending well as Leonard loads up on a big left hand.
Simons III shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Leonard but Leonard pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Simons III shoots in looking for a takedown. Leonard tries to sprawl out of it but Simons III keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Leonard manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Leonard throws a jab but it's blocked by Simons III.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leonard misses with a straight right.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Leonard fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Leonard throws a lazy right hand but Simons III sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Leonard throws a jab when Simons III was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Leonard gets a double leg takedown into Simons III's guard.

Simons III working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Leonard doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Leonard manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Leonard throwing strikes but missing.
Leonard postures up and lands a big shot to Simons III's brow.
Leonard is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Leonard working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Simons III's head.
Simons III is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Leonard lands a couple of elbows.
Leonard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Simons III swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simons III keeping moving, preventing Leonard from controlling successfully.
Simons III is trying to keep Leonard in close.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Simons III is on top in guard.

A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Simons III accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Simons III trying to control the position from guard on top but Leonard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Simons III preventing the sweep.
Leonard is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

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

Leonard throws a big elbow that misses.
Leonard won't allow Simons III to sweep him here.
Simons III manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Leonard manages to get himself to 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 Leonard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Simons III is looking to advance position but Leonard has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Simons III tries to lock up and control but Leonard gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonard landing shots from mount.
Simons III 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.
Simons III wants to improve his position but Leonard is controlling well.
Simons III trying to hold on to Leonard's head to control him but Leonard postures up.
Leonard seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Simons III blocking the ground and pound attempt from Leonard.
Leonard working over Simons III with some ground and pound. Simons III looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Leonard wants to pass to mount but Simons III is defending the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Leonard throws a strike but Simons III manages to get a kimura sweep and he's found himself on top with the kimura half locked in! This would be a real turnaround! He's torquing it... Will Leonard tap??? YES! He's tapped! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). 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.