PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between LeBron James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Baraka Simengwa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Simengwa comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Afande Sele feat Ditto - Darubini kali kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! LeBron James has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

James
vs
Simengwa

180 cm
29
200 lbs
15 - 4 - 0

185 cm
30
195 lbs
22 - 20 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent MT
Fast

Sun-Tzu

Network Clothing (everything $9.99)
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 15 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, LeBron James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Baraka Simengwa!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James fakes the leg kick and cracks Simengwa in the body.
Simengwa fails with the takedown.
James swats away the attempt to clinch by Simengwa.
James looks to land a left hand but Simengwa moved out of range nicely.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Simengwa has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
James circles away from the clinch attempt.
James throws out a loose jab but Simengwa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Simengwa blocks a jab.
Simengwa tries to clinch there but James circles away.

Simengwa clinches up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James lands a hook to the side of the head.

Simengwa has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics James uses from the top position.
We've been hearing good reports from James'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.

Simengwa is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Simengwa is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Simengwa is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
James pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Simengwa is keeping the position for now.
Simengwa seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Simengwa is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Simengwa looking for submissions from the bottom but instead James passes into side control.
Simengwa manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simengwa looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
James tries to get to full guard but Simengwa has control of the leg.

Simengwa looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
James is positioning himself well to prevent Simengwa advancing to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James trying to control but Simengwa postures up.

Simengwa is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. James doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Simengwa.
James trying to hold on to Simengwa's head to control him but Simengwa postures up.
Simengwa keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
James wants to control but Simengwa is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
James regains full guard. Nicely done.
Simengwa tries to free his leg and advance position but James is retaining full guard.
James controlling the position.
Simengwa wants to control from the top but James keeps moving.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
James is trying to keep Simengwa in close.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Simengwa forces James back against the cage and clinches.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Simengwa tries to pull guard but James forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

James manages to break the clinch.
James misses with a kick to the body.
Baraka Simengwa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Simengwa fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
James is looking to counter punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Baraka Simengwa will probably get the nod.
That's time! James's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Simengwa checks a leg kick.
Simengwa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
James was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Simengwa wants to clinch.
James tries to score with a low kick but Simengwa moves his leg out of the way.
James sets himself, and Simengwa steps forward looking for the clinch! James avoids it this time.
Simengwa tries to close the distance and clinch up but James swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Simengwa jabbing away but nothing is landing.
James feinted there with a counter leg kick.
James throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Simengwa's head.

It looks like Baraka Simengwa has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James is looking to score with low kicks.
James throws a body kick that misses.
Simengwa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
James throws a big counter combination but Simengwa scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
James misses with a hook. Simengwa ducked under it nicely.
LeBron James is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James swings away with a leg kick that misses.
James lands with an uppercut that bounces Simengwa off the cage and back into range.
James throws a quick inside leg kick.
Simengwa tries to close the distance and clinch up but James swats him away and circles back towards the center.
James throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Simengwa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
James lands with a kick to the ribs.
James throws a low kick but Simengwa moves out of range easily.
Nice jab there from James.

Simengwa takes the fight into the clinch.
Simengwa blocks an elbow strike from James.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simengwa wants a takedown.
James lands with a light punch inside.
Knees to the body from James.
Simengwa is breathing heavily.

James breaks from the clinch.
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!
James moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
James throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Simengwa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around James's waist but James gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Simengwa off to one side.
James scores with a kick to the midsection.
James is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Simengwa.
James connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
James lands with a thumping leg kick.
James throws a sloppy head kick and Simengwa moves out of range easily.
Simengwa is looking to clinch but James is avoiding it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simengwa fails with an attempt to clinch.
Simengwa tries to clinch up.
Simengwa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
It looked like James wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
LeBron James is winning the standup battle so far.
James misses with a body kick.
James is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Simengwa can do to turn this around?
James is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Simengwa.
James misses with a low kick as Simengwa jumps back.
James throws a wild body kick that Simengwa sees coming a mile off.
Simengwa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
It looked like James was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
LeBron James has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Baraka Simengwa.
James lands with a thumping leg kick.

Simengwa rushes James and presses him up against the cage.
Simengwa is trying to pull guard but James has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

James pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Simengwa moves out of range of the leg kick from James.
Simengwa is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
James fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
James throws a front kick aimed at Simengwa's knee but Simengwa avoids it well.
Simengwa feints the counter takedown.
Simengwa shoots in for a takedown but James shows good takedown defense.
James swats away the attempt to clinch by Simengwa.
An inside leg kick lands from James.
Simengwa tries to clinch
and James counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Simengwa thinking.
A good leg kick by James.
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!
Simengwa walks forward, straight into a front kick from James.
Simengwa's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Simengwa takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

LeBron James dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Baraka Simengwa's cut.
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!

James misses with a low kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Simengwa.
Simengwa is looking to clinch.
Simengwa shoots in looking for a takedown but James manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Simengwa's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
James scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Simengwa shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says James as he avoids it easily.
LeBron James has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Baraka Simengwa.
Simengwa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by James.
Simengwa wants to clinch up but James keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James slaps away a takedown attempt from Simengwa, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Simengwa moves in looking to clinch but James pushes him off.
James throws a low kick, looking for Simengwa's leg but Simengwa calmly moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Simengwa's hands.
James scores with a decent looking hook.
James throws a leg kick that is checked

and Simengwa holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
James misses with an elbow strike.
Simengwa takes an elbow to the forehead.
James lands a nice knee to the body.
Simengwa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Simengwa is looking to control James's arms but James gets an underhook and turns him. Now Simengwa has his back to the cage.
A short left from James.
Simengwa jumps guard but James turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Simengwa tries for a takedown but James manages to get underhooks.
James misses with an elbow strike.
James lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Simengwa is rocked!
James throws a knee to the head but misses.
James lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Simengwa is still on wobbly legs! Can James finish him?
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
James trying to land knees to the body.
James misses with a short punch on the inside.
Simengwa seems to have recovered his senses.
LeBron James has scored more points in the clinch so far.
James lands with a short shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simengwa is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables James to keep the fight standing.
James lands with a short punch from the clinch.
James crunches a lovely knee into Simengwa's ribcage.
James landing knees to the body.

James escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Simengwa avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Simengwa moves out of range of the body kick from James.
James tries a head kick but it misses.
James with a nice cross.
James thows a left - swing and a miss!
James scores with a jab. Simengwa acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Nice shot lands for James.
James with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simengwa shoots in but no luck this time.
James throws a counter high kick but Simengwa was just alert enough to avoid it.
James throws a leg kick which misses Simengwa's front leg but catches the back leg as Simengwa tries to avoid it.
Simengwa tries to clinch there but James circles away.

Simengwa has taken the fight to the clinch.
Simengwa blocks an elbow strike.
Simengwa dodges an elbow strike from James.
Simengwa tries to pull guard but James won't allow it.
James lands an elbow inside that Simengwa shrugs off.
Simengwa is working for takedown but James is calmly controlling the position for now.
James has Simengwa pressed up against the cage in a tight Thai clinch. Simengwa is arching his back, trying to avoid the knees but a big one sneaks through from James - that's hurt Simengwa badly! Oh, another knee lands and Simengwa is covering up! The referee steps in to save him - possibly a bit early but Simengwa doesn't seem to be complaining.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:47 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Knees). LeBron James!
LeBron James decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.