PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John Simons III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Ghandi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Simons III
vs
Ghandi

165 cm
22
138 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

180 cm
18
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Simons III!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matt Ghandi!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Matheus Silva and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ghandi stuffs the takedown.

Ghandi gets a takedown into half guard.
Simons III wants to control but Ghandi is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Ghandi wants to control but Simons III is keeping him busy.
Ghandi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Simons III. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ghandi is thwarting Simons III's attempts to control the position.
Ghandi prevents Simons III from improving his position.
Simons III moves into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Simons III has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ghandi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ghandi looking to sit in guard and control but Simons III gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two 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.
Ghandi wants to sweep here but Simons III controlling him for the moment.
Simons III wants to control from the top but Ghandi keeps moving.
Ghandi is looking to sweep but instead, Simons III has passed into half guard.

Simons III is looking for a kimura but Ghandi is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Simons III to get the leverage.
Ghandi is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simons III tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Ghandi.
Simons III is trying to control the action in half guard but Ghandi is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Simons III looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Simons III is breathing heavily.
Ghandi trying to control from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Simons III shoots and misses

and Ghandi holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Simons III jumps guard but Ghandi stands there with Simons III around his waist. Simons III gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Simons III. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ghandi wants the takedown. Simons III is fighting it off but Ghandi persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Simons III's guard against the cage.
Ghandi trying to control but Simons III is working from the bottom.

Simons III is looking for a triangle here but Ghandi uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Simons III prevents Ghandi from moving into mount.
Simons III might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ghandi trying to control the action but Simons III is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Ghandi dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ghandi closes the distance and clinches.
Ghandi manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Simons III tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Simons III fails to pull guard.
Simons III tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ghandi just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Simons III. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Simons III tries to pull guard but Ghandi won't allow it.
Ghandi is working for takedown but Simons III is calmly controlling the position for now.
Simons III has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ghandi avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Simons III fails to pull guard.
Simons III goes for a takedown attempt but Ghandi pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Simons III wants to clinch

and Ghandi decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Simons III's guard.
Ghandi slips nicely into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghandi stalling.

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.
Ghandi thows a huge punch but Simons III dodges it nicely.

Ghandi seems to be looking for submissions.
Ghandi wants to stand up but Simons III has a hold of him and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghandi seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Simons III does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ghandi is looking to pass Simons III's guard but actually Simons III recovers to full guard.

Simons III looking for a guillotine here but Ghandi defends easily.
Simons III wants to sweep here but Ghandi controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Simons III working a defensive guard but Ghandi passes into half guard.
Ghandi keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Simons III is looking to control Ghandi's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Simons III avoid being mounted?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Ghandi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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 gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Ghandi counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Ghandi.
Ghandi pushes down on Simons III's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Ghandi takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Simons III tries to roll over but Ghandi keeps him under control.

Ghandi decides to return to a standing position.
Simons III shoots and misses

and Ghandi counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Simons III using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ghandi has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Ghandi gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghandi tries to stand and escape but Simons III is controlling the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Simons III tries to roll over but Ghandi keeps him under control.
Ghandi is taking a breather. Simons III says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Simons III wants to control but Ghandi is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Simons III is pressing down on Ghandi's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Simons III had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Ghandi is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Simons III Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Ghandi's back instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simons III misses with punches from the back.
Simons III missing with strikes.

Ghandi is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Simons III missing with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Simons III looking for the choke from the back.
Ghandi avoids the strikes from Simons III.
Ghandi trying to control the hands but Simons III breaks the grip.
Simons III landing with strikes.

Simons III is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Ghandi is defending well though. Simons III let's go of the attempt for now.
Ghandi looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Simons III is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Ghandi is defending well though. Simons III let's go of the attempt for now.
Ghandi just trying to survive but Simons III is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
John Simons III has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Ghandi preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Simons III.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to John Simons III.
Well Ghandi has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:30
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 28:29
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Ghandi!