PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Baraka Simengwa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Zanotto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Simengwa's entrance music is Afande Sele feat Ditto - Darubini kali. A fine choice. The crowd seem to be enjoying Zanotto's choice of entrance music: Ben Zanotto -by- Rancid. Ben Zanotto has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Baraka Simengwa's chin.

Simengwa
vs
Zanotto

185 cm
29
195 lbs
20 - 19 - 0

183 cm
35
195 lbs
26 - 17 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

GREEN!160

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 20 - 19 - 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 26 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ben Zanotto!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Phil Schofield and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Simengwa gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Simengwa is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Zanotto to keep the fight standing.

Simengwa is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Zanotto can't fight it off and eventually Simengwa manages to take the fight to the floor. Zanotto looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Zanotto is controlling Simengwa's posture.
Zanotto controls Simengwa momentarily but Simengwa frees himself.
Simengwa trying to control but Zanotto is working from the bottom.
Zanotto looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simengwa trying to control but Zanotto is working from the bottom.
Zanotto is trying to keep Simengwa in close.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Zanotto being controlled here, momentarily.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Zanotto closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Simengwa to the mat! Simengwa manages to get full guard.
Simengwa 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.
Zanotto keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Simengwa's head.
Zanotto scoring with punches to the head and body.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zanotto throwing strikes but missing.
Simengwa is looking to sweep but instead, Zanotto has passed into half guard.
Simengwa is staying active underneath Zanotto, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Simengwa manages to get to full guard.
Simengwa is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Simengwa looking for a guillotine here but Zanotto defends easily.
Zanotto trying to control the position from guard on top but Simengwa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Simengwa is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Zanotto is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zanotto wants to control from the top but Simengwa keeps moving.
Zanotto stopping the sweep attempt from Simengwa.
Zanotto trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Simengwa has momentary wrist control but Zanotto slips an elbow through the middle.
Zanotto stands and throws Simengwa's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Simengwa is looking to reverse the position.
Simengwa taking a bit of punishment here - Zanotto scoring with strikes.
Simengwa is looking to regain half guard here but Zanotto keeps moving and retains side control.
Simengwa takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Zanotto wants to lay and pray for a moment but Simengwa keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simengwa is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zanotto landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Zanotto looking to control but instead Simengwa has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Simengwa tries to get to full guard but Zanotto has control of the leg.
Simengwa is trying to maintain the position but Zanotto is very close to passing his half guard.
Simengwa wants to get back to full guard.
Zanotto is thwarting Simengwa's attempts to control the position.
Zanotto trying to pass the guard but Simengwa defending well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Simengwa actively working from the bottom here.
Simengwa is looking to control Zanotto's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Simengwa avoid being mounted?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ben Zanotto will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Zanotto gets tackled into the cage by Simengwa. Simengwa maintains the clinch.
Zanotto scores with a shot to the side of Simengwa's head.
Zanotto has a couple of punches blocked by Simengwa.

Simengwa successfully pulls guard.
Zanotto is working Simengwa over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Ben Zanotto has got the better of the ground game so far.

Zanotto avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Zanotto scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Zanotto working some strikes from top position.

Simengwa had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Zanotto defends it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zanotto trying to control the position from guard on top but Simengwa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simengwa preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Zanotto pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Simengwa is keeping the position for now.

Simengwa throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Simengwa looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Zanotto has picked Simengwa up and slammed him! Simengwa can't keep hold of the triangle and Zanotto manages to pass to side control!
Simengwa tries to bench press Zanotto off him but Zanotto keeps the position.
Zanotto connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Simengwa some visible discomfort.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zanotto trying to control the action but Simengwa is working from the bottom.
Simengwa taking punishment in the form of punches.
Zanotto trying to control the position but Simengwa is working away.
Zanotto wants to control for a moment but Simengwa uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zanotto wants to free his trapped foot but Simengwa is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Simengwa is pressing down on Zanotto's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Zanotto slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Zanotto is in close to Simengwa's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Zanotto trying to control but Simengwa is working from the bottom.

Simengwa looking for a guillotine here but Zanotto defends easily.
Zanotto postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simengwa controls Zanotto momentarily but Zanotto frees himself.
Zanotto trying to control the position from guard on top but Simengwa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zanotto controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Zanotto tries to free his leg and advance position but Simengwa is retaining full guard.
Zanotto postures up and lands a big shot to Simengwa's brow.
Zanotto wants to control from the top but Simengwa keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Zanotto scores with a shot to the body.
Simengwa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Simengwa on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Zanotto looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Simengwa!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zanotto trying to control the action but Simengwa is working from the bottom.
Simengwa tries to bench press Zanotto off him but Zanotto keeps the position.
Simengwa is not content to let Zanotto control the position.
Simengwa tries to improve position but can't.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Zanotto working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Zanotto is chipping away with strikes.
Simengwa is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Simengwa tries to get to full guard but Zanotto has control of the leg.
Zanotto is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Simengwa!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zanotto with the ground and pound from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Zanotto showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Simengwa looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Ben Zanotto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fight stays on the outside here - Simengwa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zanotto connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Simengwa momentarily.
Zanotto comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Zanotto cracks Simengwa with a good jab.
Zanotto uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Simengwa has time to react.
Zanotto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Simengwa tries to clinch up but Zanotto circles away and keeps his distance.
Zanotto is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Zanotto keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
It seemed like Zanotto was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zanotto dives in and scores a takedown into Simengwa's guard.

Simengwa is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Simengwa escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Zanotto gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Zanotto must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zanotto passes into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Simengwa manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Zanotto trying to control but Simengwa is working from the bottom.
Zanotto trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Simengwa is looking for a triangle but Zanotto pushes his legs off easily.
Zanotto is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Zanotto stands up over Simengwa, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Zanotto wants to pass the guard but Simengwa is keeping the position.
Zanotto stands and throws Simengwa's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Ben Zanotto is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zanotto landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Simengwa tries to bench press Zanotto off him but Zanotto keeps the position.
Zanotto is looking to take a break and control but Simengwa is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zanotto working the ground and pound from side control.
You can see the frustration on Simengwa's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Zanotto trying to control the position but Simengwa is working away.
Simengwa sneaks back into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simengwa wants to control but Zanotto is keeping busy.
Zanotto controlling the action here.
Simengwa trying to control here.
Simengwa wants to control but Zanotto passes into side.
Simengwa is being controlled here.
Zanotto wants to lay and pray for a moment but Simengwa keeps working.
Simengwa tries to improve position but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
You can see the frustration on Simengwa's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Zanotto working the ground and pound.
Simengwa wants to control but Zanotto postures up.
Zanotto controlling the position.
Simengwa tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Zanotto wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Zanotto is staying tight to Simengwa's torso, preventing him from escaping.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zanotto lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Simengwa down.
Simengwa is not content to let Zanotto control the position.
Baraka Simengwa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Simengwa misses with a strike from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ben Zanotto comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Zanotto winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ben Zanotto!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Ben Zanotto made sure he mentioned Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry, along with how happy he was to win his fight.