PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joao Ribeiro Da Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Baraka Simengwa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ribeiro Da Silva comes to the cage accompanied by Soulfly - Pain. 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! I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Ribeiro Da Silva
vs
Simengwa

185 cm
31
190 lbs
16 - 5 - 0

185 cm
32
195 lbs
22 - 23 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joao Ribeiro Da Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Baraka Simengwa!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simengwa moves in looking to clinch but Ribeiro Da Silva pushes him off.

Simengwa takes the fight into the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Ribeiro Da Silva.
Ribeiro Da Silva manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Ribeiro Da Silva seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Simengwa's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Simengwa wants a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ribeiro Da Silva is stalling here.
Ribeiro Da Silva misses with some punches.
Ribeiro Da Silva lands a left hand.
Ribeiro Da Silva stops a takedown attempt from Simengwa.
Ribeiro Da Silva swings wildly with an uppercut but Simengwa uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simengwa drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Joao Ribeiro Da Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Baraka Simengwa.
The referee is keeping an eye on Simengwa - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
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.
Ribeiro Da Silva tries a knee to the head but Simengwa blocks it.

Simengwa wants the takedown. Ribeiro Da Silva is fighting it off but Simengwa persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Ribeiro Da Silva's guard against the cage.
Simengwa looking to pass the guard.
Ribeiro Da Silva looking to hit a scissor sweep but Simengwa is one step ahead there.
Ribeiro Da Silva can't keep his opponent in guard - Simengwa advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Ribeiro Da Silva wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simengwa working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Ribeiro Da Silva's thigh. Ribeiro Da Silva counters though and makes it back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Simengwa wants to control from the top but Ribeiro Da Silva keeps moving.
Simengwa wants to pass the guard but Ribeiro Da Silva is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ribeiro Da Silva is trying to control the position but Simengwa postures up.
Ribeiro Da Silva wants to hit a switch here but Simengwa passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Ribeiro Da Silva there!
Simengwa wants to take Ribeiro Da Silva's back here but Ribeiro Da Silva is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Simengwa working for a submission but Ribeiro Da Silva is keeping him at bay.

Simengwa jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Ribeiro Da Silva manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Ribeiro Da Silva tries to bench press Simengwa off him but Simengwa keeps the position.
Ribeiro Da Silva prevents Simengwa from moving into mount.

Simengwa is trying to get an arm triangle but Ribeiro Da Silva is defending well.
Simengwa is looking to take a break and control but Ribeiro Da Silva is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Simengwa is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Ribeiro Da Silva has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simengwa trying to control the position but Ribeiro Da Silva is working away.
Simengwa advances nicely into full mount.
Ribeiro Da Silva is wriggling around trying to escape.
Simengwa trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Simengwa is controlling this nicely and is looking to make no mistakes. Ribeiro Da Silva is trying to wiggle out of this horrible position. Ribeiro Da Silva flips to his side and attempts to get a leg in for half guard. Simengwa anticipates the leg and manages to get behind Ribeiro Da Silva and secures both hooks! This could be bad! Simengwa slips an arm under Ribeiro Da Silva chin and tries to position for a rear naked choke. Simengwa has worked the choke in now and it looks tight. Simengwa is squeezing on Ribeiro Da Silva like an anaconda would it's prey. Ribeiro Da Silva fails to tap and has fallen unconscious! We've got ourselves a winner by way of a rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Baraka Simengwa!
During a confident post fight interview, Baraka Simengwa thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.