PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Riccardo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zako Simmons (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Simmons has chosen I wanna be a balla as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Riccardo
vs
Simmons

201 cm
20
265 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

190 cm
23
260 lbs
11 - 12 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ricky Riccardo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Zako Simmons!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Thiago Cunha and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Riccardo throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Simmons bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Riccardo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Riccardo throws a head kick but Simmons moves out of range.
Riccardo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Simmons paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Riccardo is looking to clinch.
Simmons throws a series of punches but Riccardo moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Riccardo.
Simmons looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Simmons tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Riccardo was well out of range. Poor timing from Simmons.
Simmons throws a series of punches but Riccardo moves out of range.

Riccardo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Riccardo with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A frustrated look appears on Simmons's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Riccardo pressing his opponent against the cage.
Riccardo throws a knee to the head but misses.
Simmons is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Riccardo is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Maybe Riccardo would be better served going for some more strikes rather than trying to control so much.
Simmons is looking to break free of the clinch but Riccardo has double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simmons tries to break the clinch but Riccardo is controlling the position.
Riccardo looking to throw knees to the head but Simmons is blocking nicely.
Riccardo tries a knee to the head but Simmons blocks it.
Riccardo is trying to maintain a safe position but Simmons gets an underhook and turns Riccardo into the cage.
Simmons has had enough of the clinch but Riccardo keeps him there for the moment.
Riccardo misses with a knee strike.
Riccardo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Riccardo misses with a knee strike.
Simmons is trying to break the clinch but Riccardo is controlling him.
Simmons is trying to force a seperation but Riccardo has the dominant position.
Simmons is trying to break the clinch but Riccardo has him pressed against the cage.
Riccardo tries a knee to the head but Simmons blocks it.
Riccardo trying to stall but Simmons improves his position.
Simmons wants to break free but Riccardo has control.
Knees in the clinch landing for Riccardo.
Simmons wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A frustrated look appears on Simmons's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Simmons is trying to break free.
Riccardo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Come on Riccardo - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Simmons working hard to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Simmons is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Simmons is trying to break free.
Riccardo with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Simmons wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Riccardo has him pressed against the cage.
Riccardo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Simmons blocks it with crossed arms.
Riccardo connects with a nasty looking knee right to Simmons's face.
Riccardo with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Riccardo displaying some good clinch control by pressing Simmons up against the cage.
Riccardo wants to stall.
Riccardo is breathing heavily.
Simmons is trying to break free.
Riccardo taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Riccardo is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Simmons is keeping busy.
Riccardo keeps control of Simmons as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Riccardo misses with a knee strike.
Simmons has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Riccardo connects with a nasty looking knee right to Simmons's face.
Simmons tries to break free but Riccardo pushes him back against the cage.
Simmons tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riccardo slowing the pace effectively.
Riccardo with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Simmons pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Simmons looks to land a right hand but Riccardo moved out of range.
Simmons swinging wildly here.
Riccardo tries to close the distance and clinch but Simmons swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ricky Riccardo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Simmons tries to close the distance and clinch up but Riccardo swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Riccardo closes the distance looking to clinch
and Simmons counters with a two punch combo.
Riccardo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Simmons swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Riccardo tries to clinch up
letting Simmons counter with a right hand.
Riccardo throws a sloppy head kick and Simmons moves out of range easily.
Riccardo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simmons misses the shot to the body.
Simmons connects with a looping right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A punch combination from Riccardo misses.
Simmons wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Simmons throws a right hand that Riccardo ducks under and follows up with a left that Riccardo also avoids with ease.
The fight stays on the outside here - Riccardo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Simmons looks to throw the jab but Riccardo is out of range.
Simmons misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Simmons scores with a shot to the body.

Simmons closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Simmons lands in his opponent's guard.

Riccardo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zako Simmons dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Simmons's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Simmons duly obliges.
Riccardo slips a jab from Simmons.
A nice leg kick lands there from Riccardo.
Riccardo throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Riccardo misses with the combination.
Riccardo lands a nice looking kick to the body. Simmons takes a step back to recover.
Simmons throws a jab when Riccardo was well out of range.
Riccardo connects with a high kick.
Simmons is breathing heavily.
Simmons throws a series of punches but Riccardo avoids them all with ease.
Riccardo with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Riccardo misses with a head kick.
Riccardo scores with a head kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Riccardo dodges the punch combination from Simmons.
Ricky Riccardo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riccardo lands a high kick!
Simmons takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Riccardo wants to clinch.

Riccardo gets a clinch.
Simmons takes a knee right on the jaw!
Riccardo misses with a knee strike.
Riccardo scores a nice knee to the body.
Simmons takes a knee right on the jaw!
Riccardo will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Simmons up against the cage.
Riccardo landing knees to the head.
Simmons takes a knee right on the jaw!
Riccardo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Riccardo tries a knee to the head but Simmons blocks it.
Riccardo has Simmons pressed against the cage, preventing Simmons from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riccardo trying to control the position but instead, Simmons has worked for underhooks and has pushed Riccardo into the cage.

Simmons's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A nice leg kick lands there from Riccardo.
Riccardo connects with a high kick.
Simmons steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Riccardo.
Riccardo lands a head kick. Simmons smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Riccardo lands with a kick to the temple. Simmons shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
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!
Simmons takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Simmons with a jab.
Nice takedown defense from Riccardo. No joy for Simmons on that attempt.
Riccardo wants to clinch up but Simmons keeps it at a distance.
Riccardo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Simmons swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riccardo connects with a high kick.
Simmons takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Simmons takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Simmons bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Riccardo's head.

Riccardo has closed the distance and engaged Simmons in a clinch.
Riccardo trying to stall but Simmons improves his position.
Riccardo tries a knee to the head but Simmons blocks it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Simmons is trying to break the clinch but Riccardo is controlling him.
Riccardo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Simmons blocks it with crossed arms.
Riccardo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Riccardo has Simmons pressed against the cage, preventing Simmons from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Simmons can't break the clinch.
Riccardo looking to slow down the pace here.
Riccardo lands a good knee to the midsection. Simmons won't want to take too many of those.
Riccardo throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Simmons pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Riccardo throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Simmons swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Riccardo counters by moving into the clinch.
Riccardo misses with a knee strike.

Simmons has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Riccardo uses from the top position.
Riccardo won't allow Simmons to sweep him here.
Riccardo wants to control from the top but Simmons keeps moving.
Simmons is looking to stand up but Riccardo isn't so interested in that idea.
Riccardo tries to free his leg and advance position but Simmons is retaining full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Simmons is looking for a triangle but Riccardo pushes his legs off easily.
Riccardo wants to control from the top but Simmons keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Riccardo dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Riccardo lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
A head kick misses from Riccardo.
Riccardo takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Simmons misses with a wild combination.
Simmons misses with a jab, cross combination.

Riccardo pushes Simmons up against the cage in a clinch.
Riccardo tries to stall but Simmons uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Simmons takes a knee right on the jaw!
Riccardo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Simmons blocks it with crossed arms.
Riccardo tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Simmons is trying to force a seperation but Riccardo has the dominant position.
Riccardo tries a knee to the head but Simmons blocks it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Simmons wants to break the clinch but can't.
Riccardo has Simmons pressed against the cage, preventing Simmons from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Riccardo looking to slow down the pace here.
Riccardo holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riccardo using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Simmons has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Simmons looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Riccardo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Simmons blocks it with crossed arms.
Simmons looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Riccardo looking to throw knees to the head but Simmons is blocking nicely.
Simmons managing to block the knees to the body from Riccardo.
Simmons tries to break the clinch but Riccardo is controlling the position.
Simmons wants to break the clinch but can't.
Simmons wants to get back to striking at distance but Riccardo won't allow it.
Riccardo missing with knees to the body.
Riccardo is trying to maintain a safe position but Simmons gets an underhook and turns Riccardo into the cage.

Simmons breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Simmons cracks Riccardo with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Simmons throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Riccardo counters with a good, hard body kick but Simmons shrugs it off.
Some wild striking there from Simmons.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riccardo avoids a punch combination nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Simmons. Riccardo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Simmons looks to land a right hand but Riccardo moved out of range.
Simmons takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Simmons takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Simmons throws a combination that misses
and Riccardo counters with a head kick. That will keep Simmons thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Riccardo is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Simmons.
Simmons keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Riccardo.
Riccardo throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Riccardo throws a nice head kick!
Simmons takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Riccardo lands a head kick!
Riccardo throws a head kick that half lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simmons misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Riccardo misses with a few strikes there.
Riccardo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Simmons paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Simmons avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nice defenses there by Riccardo.
Simmons misses with a series of wild punches.
Riccardo darts in trying to clinch
letting Simmons counter with a right hand.
Riccardo tries to clinch up but Simmons circles away and keeps his distance.
Riccardo tries to bum rush Simmons with a series of wild strikes but Simmons uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Riccardo fails in his attempt to clinch.

Riccardo has Simmons up against the cage in a clinch.

Simmons manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Riccardo scores with a head kick.
Riccardo throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Simmons.
A telegraphed right hand from Simmons misses the target.

Riccardo rushes Simmons and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Riccardo wants to stall.
Riccardo gets underhooks to prevent Simmons's takedown attempt.
The referee calls for Riccardo to work.
Simmons wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Riccardo has him pressed against the cage.
Riccardo tries to land a knee to the head but Simmons blocks with his arms.
Riccardo throws a knee to the head but misses.
A knee to the head by Riccardo.
Riccardo tries a knee to the head but Simmons blocks it.
Simmons wants to break the clinch but can't.
Simmons avoiding damage as Riccardo throws knees to the body.

Simmons breaks the clinch.
Simmons misses with an uppercut. Riccardo saw that one coming.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricky Riccardo showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Riccardo 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricky Riccardo!