PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Donnie Mizrahi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Simons III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as John Simons III enters the cage!

Mizrahi
vs
Simons III

176 cm
40
155 lbs
45 - 28 - 1

172 cm
48
143 lbs
52 - 38 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 45 - 28 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Donnie Mizrahi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 52 - 38 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Simons III!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Felipe Paraventi and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mizrahi throws an overhand right that lands on Simons III's shoulder, as Simons III tries to avoid the shot.
Simons III fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Simons III takes one on the button.
Mizrahi has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Warehouse in the buildup to the fight.
Mizrahi connects with an inside leg kick.
Horrible takedown attempt by Simons III or perhaps it was just good defense by Mizrahi, which made it look bad.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Simons III.
Donnie Mizrahi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Simons III.
Mizrahi misses with a straight left.
Mizrahi throws a lazy right hand but Simons III sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mizrahi throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Simons III counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Mizrahi!
Mizrahi is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Simons III is trying to control the action in half guard but Mizrahi is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Simons III is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simons III wants to pass the guard but Mizrahi is defending well.

Simons III 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.
Simons III prevents Mizrahi from improving his position.

That's two 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 is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Mizrahi defends it well.
Mizrahi works his way to full guard. Good work.
Simons III stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mizrahi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Simons III trying to control but Mizrahi is working from the bottom.
Simons III looking to pass the guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mizrahi wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Mizrahi lands a right hook to the body.
Mizrahi scores with a head kick. Simons III tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Mizrahi lands a front kick.
Mizrahi misses with a wild body shot.

Mizrahi gets caught flat footed, as Simons III shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Mizrahi keeping moving, preventing Simons III from controlling successfully.
Simons III pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mizrahi is keeping the position for now.
Mizrahi pulls Simons III in to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mizrahi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Simons III is one step ahead there.
Simons III wants to control from the top but Mizrahi keeps moving.
Simons III looking to sit in guard and control but Mizrahi gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Simons III looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Simons III 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donnie Mizrahi dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A solid body kick from Mizrahi.
Mizrahi throws a body punch but Simons III moves out of range.
Mizrahi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Simons III.
John Simons III is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mizrahi throws a body kick that misses

and Simons III counters with a shoot takedown. Mizrahi fights it but they end up in guard.
Simons III wants to control from the top but Mizrahi keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simons III showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Mizrahi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Simons III is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mizrahi pulls Simons III in close to his closed guard and prevents Simons III from doing any damage or advancing position.

Simons III drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Mizrahi manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Simons III has Mizrahi in his guard.

Mizrahi got a little sloppy there for a moment and Simons III has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mizrahi has managed to get both his arms back between Simons III's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Simons III tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Mizrahi decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Simons III, up you get!
Mizrahi lands a lovely overhand right.
Good exchange - Mizrahi coming out on top.
A punch combination from Mizrahi misses.
Simons III shoots for a double leg takedown but Mizrahi sprawls well. He's pushed Simons III's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mizrahi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Simons III can do to turn this around?
Mizrahi swings for the body but Simons III moves out of range.
Simons III moves away from the strike by Mizrahi.
Simons III slips a jab from Mizrahi.
Simons III feints the counter takedown.
Mizrahi lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Mizrahi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Mizrahi.
Simons III shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mizrahi sprawls well. Mizrahi wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Simons III gets slowly back to his feet.
Donnie Mizrahi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Simons III.
Simons III ducks under a wild hook from Mizrahi.
Simons III with the counter takedown but Mizrahi avoids it easily.
Mizrahi throws the left hand but Simons III avoids the punch easily.
Mizrahi works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A jab from Mizrahi does it's job there.
Simons III fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Simons III tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Simons III shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Mizrahi counters with a nice body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simons III takes a jab right on the kisser.
Mizrahi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Simons III.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Simons III trying to control the action but Mizrahi is working from the bottom.
Simons III tries to move to full mount but Mizrahi actually manages to regain half guard.
Mizrahi keeping control of the position.
John Simons III has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mizrahi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donnie Mizrahi dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Simons III closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Simons III wants to take a breather but Mizrahi is having none of it.
Simons III looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Mizrahi trying to hold on to Simons III's head to control him but Simons III postures up.
Simons III wants to pass to mount but Mizrahi is defending the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mizrahi controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Simons III has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Simons III is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Mizrahi has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Mizrahi!

Simons III is looking for a triangle here but Mizrahi uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Simons III manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Simons III is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Mizrahi sees it coming and defends easily.
Mizrahi trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Simons III manages to pass to mount!
Simons III looking to control but Mizrahi is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Mizrahi doing his best to control the position. Can he escape?
Simons III looking to control but Mizrahi is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Simons III moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Mizrahi has worked his arm free - good work by Mizrahi!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simons III controls the position.
Mizrahi is looking to reverse the position.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Simons III working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Mizrahi sneaks back into half guard.

Simons III is working for a submission of some sort.
John Simons III has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Simons III thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Simons III keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Simons III connects with a nice short shot to Mizrahi's temple.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Simons III tries to pass the half guard into mount. Mizrahi knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Simons III is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Simons III comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mizrahi has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Donnie Mizrahi!
Donnie Mizrahi decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.