PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kobe Bryant (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Baraka Simengwa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Simengwa has chosen Afande Sele feat Ditto - Darubini kali as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Kobe Bryant has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bryant
vs
Simengwa

192 cm
26
187 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

185 cm
33
195 lbs
23 - 25 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition
MayheM sportswear

Humanoid Nutrition (160Q for 200$)

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 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kobe Bryant!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 25 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Baraka Simengwa!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Gwen Towbar and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simengwa looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nice takedown defense from Bryant. No joy for Simengwa on that attempt.

Bryant tries to sprawl but Simengwa drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Bryant kicks off Simengwa and gets to his feet.
Bryant misses with a wild body shot.
Bryant misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Simengwa.
Bryant looks to score with a jab to the body but Simengwa is just out of range.
Bryant lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Simengwa takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Simengwa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Bryant tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Simengwa manages to circle out of the way.
Kobe Bryant has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Baraka Simengwa.
Bryant connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Bryant looks to score with a jab to the body but Simengwa is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bryant swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Simengwa shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bryant as he avoids it easily.
Bryant throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bryant is looking to wear down Simengwa with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
A shot to the liver by Bryant. Beautiful body shot.
Bryant misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Simengwa counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Simengwa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Simengwa is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Bryant has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Simengwa looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Bryant is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Simengwa is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simengwa works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Bryant won't allow Simengwa to pass to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Simengwa is looking for a kimura here.
Simengwa trying to control from half guard but Bryant is working away.
Simengwa tries to pass the half guard into mount. Bryant knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Simengwa is looking for a kimura here.
Bryant tries to kick Simengwa off but Simengwa keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Simengwa moves nicely into side control.
Simengwa wants to control for a moment but Bryant uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Bryant wants to get back to his feet.
Simengwa is keen to just control but Bryant is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Bryant is defending against the submission attempts here by Simengwa.
Simengwa seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bryant keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Simengwa.
Nice defenses there by Simengwa.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
A shot to the liver by Bryant. Beautiful body shot.
Simengwa doesn't manage to clinch there - Bryant circles away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Simengwa.
Bryant wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kobe Bryant dominated that 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.

Bryant darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Simengwa misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Simengwa looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Simengwa gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Simengwa misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kobe Bryant has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Baraka Simengwa.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bryant lands a leg kick that knocks Simengwa off balance momentarily.
Bryant misses with a lunging right hand

and Simengwa counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Bryant breaks from the clinch.
Simengwa moves out of range as Bryant strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simengwa chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Bryant can pounce on him.
Simengwa jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bryant stuffs the takedown.
Bryant tries to counter by clinching up but Simengwa breaks away and moves out of range.
Simengwa moves away from the strike by Bryant.
Bryant misses with a straight right.
Simengwa moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Bryant circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bryant misses with an uppercut

and Simengwa counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Simengwa slows the pace down in half guard.
Simengwa wants to control but Bryant is keeping him busy.
Bryant is trying to stand back up but Simengwa is controlling him

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baraka Simengwa has got the better of the ground game so far.
Simengwa works his way into full mount!
Simengwa can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Bryant is looking to escape.
Simengwa seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Bryant is holding on tight.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Simengwa looking to control but Bryant is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simengwa wants to take his opponent's back but Bryant doesn't allow it.
Simengwa trying to control but Bryant is having none of it.
Simengwa is looking to work his way around to Bryant's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Simengwa can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Bryant is looking to escape.
Simengwa controlling the position easily from mount.
Bryant is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Simengwa tries to control but Bryant wriggling away.
Simengwa fails to move to back control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Simengwa won't let Bryant get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kobe Bryant will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Simengwa takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Simengwa moves into the clinch.

Bryant's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bryant throws an overhand right that lands on Simengwa's shoulder, as Simengwa tries to avoid the shot.
Bryant swinging wildly here.
Simengwa throws an overhand right that lands on Bryant's shoulder, as Bryant tries to avoid the shot.
Simengwa misses with a looping left.
Bryant tests Simengwa's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Bryant slaps away a takedown attempt from Simengwa, before circling back to the center of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simengwa tries to clinch but Bryant moves out of range.
Simengwa tries to close the distance and clinch but Bryant swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Simengwa forces Bryant back against the cage and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simengwa is working for takedown but Bryant is calmly controlling the position for now.
Simengwa is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kobe Bryant has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Baraka Simengwa.
A hook to the body from Bryant.
Simengwa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Bryant.
Simengwa has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Bryant after a bit of a struggle.
Bryant lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Simengwa swings wildly with an uppercut but Bryant uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bryant looking to slow down the pace here.
Bryant lands a hook to the side of the head.
Simengwa blocks an uppercut.
Bryant tries to break the clinch but Simengwa is controlling the position.
Bryant tries a body shot but Simengwa blocks it.
Bryant wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Simengwa tries for a takedown. No joy.
Bryant swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bryant misses with a punch to the body.
Simengwa is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simengwa tries to pull guard but Bryant holds him up against the cage and eventually Simengwa drops back down to his feet.
Bryant goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Simengwa gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Bryant pushes Simengwa off and gets back to his feet.
Kobe Bryant is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Simengwa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bryant paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Simengwa shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Bryant defends it nicely.
Bryant dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Simengwa lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Bryant at a distance.
Bryant throws a body punch but Simengwa moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simengwa tries to close the distance and clinch but Bryant swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bryant wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Bryant misses with the combination.

Simengwa gets a clinch.
Bryant stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Bryant works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Bryant is working Simengwa over against the cage.
Bryant scores with a shoulder strike.
Bryant lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Simengwa backwards.
Bryant throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Simengwas head.
Bryant can't find room to land a body shot as Simengwa controls the action.
Simengwa tries to pull guard but Bryant won't allow it.
Simengwa tries for a takedown. No joy.
Simengwa has Bryant pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Bryant manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bryant holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Nice body punch from Bryant - that landed with a thud.
Bryant is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Simengwa can do to turn this around?

Bryant escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A combination from Bryant does no damage.
Simengwa shoots in for a takedown but Bryant shows good takedown defense.
Bryant tries to counter by clinching up but Simengwa breaks away and moves out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bryant clobbers Simengwa with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Bryant throws a body shot but no joy.
Kobe Bryant is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Simengwa closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
The fight stays on the outside here - Simengwa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bryant throws a lazy right hand but Simengwa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Simengwa fails with the takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kobe Bryant showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bryant, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kobe Bryant!
After the fight, Kobe Bryant was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.