PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jeff Warner (ranked 24550 p4p, 322 weight class) and Gregory Simmons (ranked 4824 p4p, 208 weight class). The key to victory for Jeff Warner has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Warner
vs
Simmons

176 cm
26
147 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

175 cm
31
143 lbs
6 - 11 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent elbows
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jeff Warner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gregory Simmons!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simmons throws a sloppy head kick and Warner moves out of range easily.

Simmons dives in and scores a takedown into Warner's guard.
Simmons is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Simmons stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Warner swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Warner is trying to control the position but Simmons postures up.
Simmons tries to free his leg and advance position but Warner is retaining full guard.
Simmons is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simmons throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Warner works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Warner throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Simmons drops back looking for a leg! Warner is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Warner manages to kick Simmons off! Simmons jumps back into Warner's guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Simmons instigates a clinch.
Warner lands with a right to the head.
Simmons tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Warner's elbow.
Simmons fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Simmons gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Warner tries to get to full guard but Simmons has control of the leg.
Warner is looking to control Simmons's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Warner avoid being mounted?

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simmons trying to control the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simmons is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Warner tries to keep at a distance but Simmons has taken the fight into the clinch.
A short uppercut from Warner.

Simmons manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Simmons controlling Warner's posture.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Simmons utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Warner trying to control the position from guard on top but Simmons is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Warner is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Simmons is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Simmons is pulling down on Warner's head. It's preventing any offense from Warner, at least for the moment.
Warner has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Simmons trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Simmons pulls Warner in close to prevent any damage.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Simmons is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gregory Simmons dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Simmons tries to land a body kick

and Warner counters with a takedown into side control.
Simmons tries to buck Warner off but Warner is having none of it.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Simmons can do anything to dispel that myth.
You can see the frustration on Simmons's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Warner tries to advance to mount but Simmons instead regains half guard.
Simmons trying to control but Warner postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simmons is trying is best to control the position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Warner is thwarting Simmons's attempts to control the position.
Simmons keeping control of the position.
Simmons is looking to improve his position.
Simmons slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Simmons is pulling down on Warner's head. It's preventing any offense from Warner, at least for the moment.
Simmons is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simmons looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Simmons tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Warner.

Warner is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Simmons pulls his head out easily.
Simmons controlling the pace.
Warner trying to hold on to Simmons's head to control him but Simmons postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Simmons postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Warner to stand up.

Simmons drives through and clinches with Warner against the cage.

Simmons breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Simmons has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Warner shoots and misses

and Simmons holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Warner jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Simmons walks away with a smile on his face. Warner gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Simmons blocks a head kick by Warner.
Simmons will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Simmons takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Simmons darts in and clinches Warner up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Warner is looking to break free of the clinch but Simmons has double underhooks.
Simmons tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Warner just stands there and leans against the cage.

Simmons escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Warner lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Warner shoots in but Simmons avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeff Warner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Warner tries to clinch up.
Warner tries to clinch up.
Warner looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Simmons moves into the clinch successfully.
Warner is trying to break the clinch but Simmons has him pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gregory Simmons showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Simmons manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Warner on his heels. He'll look to pass Warner's guard now, I'm sure.
Warner being controlled here, momentarily.
Warner not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Warner has momentary wrist control but Simmons slips an elbow through the middle.
Simmons engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Simmons distracts Warner with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simmons trying to stand up but can't free himself from Warner's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simmons 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.
Simmons postures up.
Warner looking to hit a scissor sweep but Simmons is one step ahead there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Warner throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Warner gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Simmons thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Warner is looking to stand back up but Simmons counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Warner.

Simmons seems to be working for a kimura but Warner defends the submission attempt.
Simmons performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Warner is looking for a sweep. Simmons is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simmons is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Warner wants to get back to full guard.
Simmons controlling the action here.
Simmons is continuing to stall.
Simmons wants to pass the guard but Warner is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Simmons landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Warner tries to get to full guard but Simmons has control of the leg.
Warner wants to get back to his feet.
Simmons content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Simmons closes the distance and clinches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gregory Simmons comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Simmons winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gregory Simmons!