PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Harry Briggs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eleone Simonato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Eleone Simonato has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Briggs
vs
Simonato

202 cm
25
215 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

178 cm
24
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Harry Briggs!
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, Eleone Simonato!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Thiago Cunha and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Simonato closes the distance and clinches.
The referee calls for Simonato to work.

Simonato has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Briggs is trying to keep an underhook but Simonato manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Simonato wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Briggs looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Briggs blocking the ground and pound attempt from Simonato.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Briggs keeping control of the position.
Briggs moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Briggs pulls Simonato in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Briggs keeping full guard, as Simonato tries to pass.
Simonato trying to control the position from guard on top but Briggs is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Simonato trying to stand up but can't free himself from Briggs's guard.

Simonato avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Simonato must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Simonato preventing the sweep.
Simonato seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

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.

Briggs working for a triangle but Simonato defends it easily.
Briggs has Simonato pulled in close to control his posture.
Simonato slips nicely into half guard.
Simonato blocks the strikes from Briggs.
Simonato tries to pass the half guard into mount. Briggs knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Simonato seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Simonato seems content to control.
Briggs is looking to improve his position.
Simonato wants to take a breather but Briggs is having none of it.
Briggs wants to improve his position but Simonato is controlling well.
Briggs is refusing to be controlled, as Simonato sits in half guard.
Briggs wants to control but Simonato is keeping busy.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Briggs shoots in but no luck this time.
Briggs shoots in looking for a takedown. Simonato tries to sprawl out of it but Briggs keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Simonato manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

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.

Briggs gets tackled into the cage by Simonato. Simonato maintains the clinch.

Simonato decides to pull guard.
Briggs seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Simonato controls Briggs momentarily but Briggs frees himself.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Simonato manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Briggs manages to get himself to full guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eleone Simonato dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Harry Briggs'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.

Simonato darts in and clinches Briggs up against the cage.

Simonato decides to pull guard.
Simonato is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Simonato seems to be looking for submissions.
Briggs is refusing to be controlled, as Simonato sits in half guard.
Briggs makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Briggs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simonato postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Simonato trying to control but Briggs is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Briggs controlling Simonato's posture.
Simonato throws a big right hand that misses.
Simonato has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Briggs is proving hard to escape from.
Simonato trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Simonato trying to control the position from guard on top but Briggs is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Briggs lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Briggs working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simonato is looking to stand back up but Briggs counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Simonato.
Simonato has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Briggs is working away from the top position though.
Briggs trying to control the pace.
Briggs seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Simonato is looking to control Briggs's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Simonato avoid being mounted?
Briggs throwing shots but Simonato is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simonato tries to roll over but Briggs keeps him under control.
Simonato taking some punishment here, with Briggs in his half guard.
Simonato wants to get back to full guard but Briggs has passed into side control.
Simonato is working to avoid the ground and pound but Briggs connects with a decent elbow.
Briggs lands an elbow.
Simonato is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Briggs is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Simonato is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Simonato should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Briggs has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Simonato's face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simonato wants to hold on but Briggs pushes him away.
Simonato is breathing heavily.
Briggs with the ground and pound from mount.
Briggs raining down shots from the mount!
Briggs is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Simonato is looking to improve his position but Briggs isn't that keen on the idea.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Briggs working for a guillotine from mount but Simonato is in no mood to give up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Simonato tries to lock up and control but Briggs gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harry Briggs dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Harry Briggs's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Briggs looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Simonato is fending him off so far but Briggs persists. Nope, Simonato circles away and we're back to standing.

Simonato closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Briggs to the mat! Briggs manages to get full guard.

Briggs uses the cage to get back to his feet.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Briggs enables Simonato to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Briggs manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Briggs has his hands on Simonato's head, controlling the position.
Simonato loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Simonato passes Briggs's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Briggs wants to improve his position but Simonato is controlling well.
Simonato wants to control but Briggs is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Briggs works his way to full guard. Good work.
Simonato takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Simonato decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Briggs, up you get!

Simonato changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Briggs looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Briggs explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Simonato scores with a hook.
Simonato tries to bum rush Briggs with a series of wild strikes but Briggs uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Briggs looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Simonato!

Simonato sneaks out the side door and pushes Briggs away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Briggs is trying hard to land a takedown here. Simonato sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Briggs avoids the head kick by Simonato.

Simonato scores with a takedown into Briggs's guard.
Briggs keeping moving, preventing Simonato from controlling successfully.
Briggs controlling the position.
Briggs lands some strikes from the bottom.
Simonato wants to control from the top but Briggs keeps moving.
Briggs looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Briggs is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Simonato is aware though and is defending well.
Simonato trying to control the position from guard on top but Briggs is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Briggs has Simonato pulled in close to control his posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Simonato throws a series of punches but Briggs moves out of range.
Simonato leaves Briggs with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harry Briggs. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Simonato scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Briggs wants to control but Simonato postures up.
Briggs managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Simonato.

Simonato stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Briggs changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Simonato tries to avoid it but Briggs manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Simonato to the ground. Simonato escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Simonato has closed the distance and engaged Briggs in a clinch.
Briggs working hard to break the clinch.
Briggs tries to circle away but Simonato has him pinned against the cage.

Simonato escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Briggs tries to close the distance and clinch but Simonato swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Simonato closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Briggs did well to prevent Simonato getting side control.
Briggs is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Simonato's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Simonato's back!

And that's the end of the fight!
Eleone Simonato comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Simonato has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 28:29
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eleone Simonato!