PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zako Simmons (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Micheal Bates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Simmons comes to the cage accompanied by I wanna be a balla. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Simmons
vs
Bates

190 cm
21
260 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

205 cm
23
270 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Zako Simmons!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Micheal Bates!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Edson Gomes and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simmons throws a looping overhand right but Bates ducks down to avoid it.
Simmons closes the distance and lands a one-two.

It looks like Micheal Bates has been cut.
Simmons fails with a takedown attempt.
Simmons takes a swing at Bates's ribcage but misses.
Bates avoids a punch combination nicely.
Simmons misses with the combination.

Bates shoots in and bounces Simmons off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Bates looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simmons wants to stand and escape but Bates is having none of it.
Simmons might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

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.

Simmons is looking for a triangle but Bates pushes his legs off easily.
Bates controls from within his opponent's guard.
Bates stops Simmons from standing up.

Simmons looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Bates passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simmons is looking to escape.
Simmons wants to improve his position but Bates is controlling well.
Simmons is looking to get back to is feet but Bates passes into side control.
Bates has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Simmons!

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.
Bates controlling the pace for now.
Let's hope that Bates has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Simmons wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zako Simmons dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Micheal Bates's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Simmons swinging wilding here.
Simmons wants to clinch.
Simmons misses with the combination.
Simmons misses with a looping right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simmons looks to land a combination. Bates sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Simmons misses with a two punch combination.
Simmons fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Bates shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Simmons is trying to defend but Bates finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simmons looks like he's trying to stand up.
Bates content to control rather than advance.

That's two 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.
Simmons trying to get back to full guard but Bates takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Bates controlling his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simmons is wriggling around trying to escape.
Bates controlling the position easily from mount.
Bates fails to take his opponent's back.

That's four 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.
Simmons is desperately trying to improve his position but Bates has a good base and remains in mount.
Simmons tries to lock up and control but Bates gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Simmons is wriggling around trying to escape.
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 Zako Simmons will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Micheal Bates's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Simmons looks to throw the jab but Bates is out of range.
Zako Simmons seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bates uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Simmons.
Simmons shoots and misses
and Bates counters with a two punch combo.
Simmons throws a left and a right that both miss

and Bates counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Bates.

Simmons looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Bates passes into side control.
Simmons trying to control but Bates flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Simmons tries to escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simmons is working hard here to advance position.
Bates biding his time, controlling Simmons.
Simmons has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
I really don't envy Simmons right now.
Simmons turns into Bates and is now in his guard.
Bates is controlling Simmons's posture.
Simmons with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bates is adopting a defensive guard.
Simmons wanted to stand there but Bates had control of the position.
Bates seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's four 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.
Bates keeping full guard, as Simmons tries to pass.
Simmons in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Micheal Bates has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Simmons throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Micheal Bates comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Simmons has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 29:28
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 29:28

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