PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Brian Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Simons III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Johnson might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Revenge by Danger Mouse. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Johnson
vs
Simons III

168 cm
24
157 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

172 cm
28
150 lbs
18 - 8 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Counter striker
Granite chin

[JMFC] 160!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brian Johnson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Simons III!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Mauricio Rocha and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Johnson looks to throw the jab but Simons III is out of range.
Johnson keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Johnson cracks the inside of Simons III's front leg.

Simons III is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Johnson's half guard.
Simons III is looking to take a break and control but Johnson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Johnson is defending against the submission attempts here by Simons III.

Simons III is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Johnson has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Simons III is looking for a kimura but Johnson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Simons III to get the leverage.

Simons III is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Johnson has managed to free his arm - good work.

Simons III is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Johnson is defending against the submission attempts here by Simons III.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Johnson works his way to full guard. Good work.
Simons III looking to pass the guard.
Simons III pushing down on Johnson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Simons III frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Johnson keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Simons III looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Simons III swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Johnson is now in Simons III's guard. A big mistake from Simons III there, giving up the dominant position!
Johnson preventing the sweep.

Simons III looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Johnson has picked Simons III up and slammed him! Simons III can't keep hold of the triangle and Johnson manages to pass to side control!
Johnson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Simons III keeps working.
Simons III is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simons III manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Johnson is refusing to be controlled, as Simons III sits in half guard.
Johnson wants to control but Simons III is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Johnson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Simons III drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Johnson manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Simons III has Johnson in his guard.
Simons III not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Brian Johnson will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Simons III shoots in and drives through. Johnson sprawls well.
Johnson throws a looping overhand right but Simons III ducks down to avoid it.
Johnson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Simons III tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Johnson swivels and escapes.
Brian Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Simons III.
Johnson lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

It looks like John Simons III has been cut.
Johnson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Simons III drops his hands momentarily and Johnson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Johnson misses with a looping right.
A solid leg kick lands there for Johnson.
Johnson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Johnson is looking to slow Simons III down with leg kicks.
Simons III is breathing heavily.
Johnson lands a two punch combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a straight left.
A low kick from Simons III is predictable there
and Johnson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Simons III uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Johnson.
Simons III walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Simons III looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Johnson is fending him off so far but Simons III persists. Nope, Johnson circles away and we're back to standing.
Simons III shoots and misses
and Johnson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Simons III fails with the takedown
and Johnson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Johnson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Simons III gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Johnson.
Simons III takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Brian Johnson is winning the standup battle so far.
Johnson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Simons III was well out of range. Poor timing from Johnson.
Simons III gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Johnson counters with a left to the body.
Johnson moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Simons III takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Simons III takes one on the button.
Johnson missing with a left hand there. Simons III was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A nice leg kick lands there from Johnson.
A jab from Johnson misses.
Johnson misses with a looping right.
Simons III shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Johnson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.
Johnson throws out a loose jab but Simons III uses good head movement to avoid it.
Brian Johnson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Johnson throws a hook but Simons III blocks it.
Johnson throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Johnson lands a jab to Simons III's midsection.
Johnson lands with a nice body punch.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Johnson.
Johnson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Simons III on the wrong end of a nice jab.
A lazy left from Johnson finds it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson just misses with a punch to the body.
Simons III shoots in for a takedown but Johnson shows good takedown defense.
Johnson cracks Simons III with a good jab.
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!
Johnson works Simons III's body with a nice hook.
Johnson paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Simons III shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Simons III with a poor takedown
and Johnson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Simons III has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Johnson scores with a one two! Simons III had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Johnson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Simons III.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Simons III takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Johnson catches Simons III with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Johnson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on John Simons III's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Simons III with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Johnson to counter with a crisp jab.
Simons III uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Johnson.
A slow jab from Johnson misses its intended target.
Johnson misses with a looping right.
Simons III has his takedown stuffed
and Johnson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A big right from Johnson misses.
Johnson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Simons III stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Johnson looks to land a left hand but Simons III moved out of range nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Johnson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Johnson misses the jab.
Good standup being displayed there by Johnson as he connects with a hook.
Johnson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Simons III can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a straight right.
Simons III doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Johnson counters with a big head kick but Simons III shrugs it off.
Brian Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Simons III.
Johnson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Simons III.
Simons III bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Johnson lands the left hand.
Johnson takes a swing at Simons III's ribcage but misses.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Johnson!
Johnson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Simons III misses with a takedown attempt
and Johnson counters with a two punch combo.
John Simons III is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnson takes a swing at Simons III's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

Simons III clinches with his opponent.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Johnson.
Johnson pushes Simons III back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Simons III is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Johnson swings wildly with an uppercut but Simons III uses good head movement to avoid it.
Simons III tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Johnson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Simons III tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Johnson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Simons III fails to pull guard.
Simons III fails to pull guard.
A head punch on the inside from Johnson fails to land.
A short uppercut from Johnson.
Simons III tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Johnson smiles and moves away.
Brian Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Johnson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Johnson throws a body punch but Simons III moves out of range.
Johnson lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Johnson lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Good shot there by Johnson.
Johnson lands a lovely overhand right.
Simons III shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Johnson counters with a straight right hand.
Simons III has his takedown stuffed
and Johnson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a looping overhand right but Simons III ducks down to avoid it.
Simons III moves away from the strike by Johnson.
Johnson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Simons III has his takedown stuffed
letting Johnson counter with a right hand.
Johnson lands with an overhand left.
Johnson bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Johnson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Johnson cracks Simons III with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Simons III with a poor takedown
and Simons III takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nice body punch from Johnson.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Johnson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Johnson clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on John Simons III's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Johnson misses with a looping left.
Simons III displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Johnson throws out the jab.
Nice defenses there by Simons III.
Simons III takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Simons III walks into a jab.
A big left from Johnson misses.
Simons III defending well as Johnson loads up on a big left hand.
Johnson lands a nice looking kick to the body. Simons III takes a step back to recover.
Johnson scores with a jab to the jaw.
Simons III with a lazy takedown attempt
and Johnson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Simons III slips under a jab.
Simons III is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Johnson. Those never looked like landing.
Simons III tries for a takedown but Johnson circles away easily
and Johnson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Johnson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Simons III tries for a takedown but Johnson circles away easily
and Johnson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Brian Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Simons III.
A slow jab from Johnson misses its intended target.
Johnson misses with a straight right.
Johnson lands a body shot.
Johnson connects with a nice looking jab.
Simons III takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simons III looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Simons III has his takedown stuffed
and Johnson counters with a nice uppercut.
An inside leg kick lands from Johnson.
Good standup being displayed there by Johnson as he connects with a hook.
Johnson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Simons III under the eye.
Johnson scores with a sloppy right hand. Simons III should have avoided that one.
Johnson lands a body shot.
Simons III darts in trying to clinch
and Johnson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Johnson lands a nice shot to the body.
Johnson scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Johnson throws a good cross that connects.
Johnson scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Decent striking displayed by Johnson there.
Johnson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Simons III is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Johnson.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Simons III tries for a takedown but Johnson circles away easily
and Johnson counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Simons III shoots and misses
enabling Johnson to counter with a crisp jab.
Simons III walks into a stiff left hand from Johnson.
Simons III bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Johnson scores with a nice head shot.
Johnson scores with a shot to the body.
Simons III doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Johnson counters with a low kick, right behind Simons III 's knee.
Simons III gets cracked there but stands up to it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson jabs Simons III to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Johnson throws a jab when Simons III was well out of range.
Johnson cracks Simons III with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Johnson had his way with John Simons III in that round.
The cut man is working on John Simons III's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Johnson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Johnson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Simons III. Simons III circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Johnson throws a big shot that misses.
Johnson scores with a jab to the head.
Nice body punch from Johnson.
Johnson scoring well with a low kick there.
Johnson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Simons III has his takedown stuffed
and Johnson counters with a nice uppercut.
Nice uppercut lands for Johnson. That snapped Simons III's head back.
Johnson connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Simons III is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Simons III blocks a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simons III looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Johnson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Johnson throws a push kick but Simons III slaps the foot to one side.
Simons III defending well as Johnson loads up on a big left hand.
Johnson scores with a three punch combo!
Johnson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Simons III under the eye.
Johnson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Simons III.
Johnson throws a big shot that misses.
Simons III uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnson.
Johnson lands a nice hook to Simons III's body. Simons III takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Simons III tries to close the distance and clinch but Johnson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a looping right.
Johnson misses with a straight right.
Johnson loads up on a big right hand but Simons III slips the punch.
Simons III shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Johnson pinned against the cage. Johnson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Johnson throws a hook but Simons III avoids it easily.
Simons III tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Johnson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Good exchange - Johnson coming out on top.
Johnson looks to land a right hand but Simons III moved out of range.
Johnson thows a body shot but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simons III shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Simons III takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Brian Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Simons III.
Simons III walks into a left hand.
Simons III doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Johnson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Simons III with a poor takedown
and Johnson counters with a nice uppercut.
Simons III drops his hands momentarily and Johnson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Simons III with a lazy takedown attempt
and Johnson counters with a one-two to the body.

That has opened up John Simons III's cut even more.
Johnson with a nice cross.
John Simons III has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Good shot there by Johnson.
Johnson cracks Simons III with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Johnson jabs at Simons III's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Simons III on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Simons III takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Simons III avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Simons III with a poor takedown
letting Johnson counter with a right hand.
Johnson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Simons III on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Simons III is looking to clinch.
Simons III bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Simons III shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Johnson counters with a stiff right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brian Johnson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Johnson, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 49:43
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 49:43
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 50:41

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brian Johnson!
Brian Johnson retains his featherweight title!