PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Wanderlei Menezes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan Simler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Menezes
vs
Simler

180 cm
22
156 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

199 cm
29
160 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Wanderlei Menezes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Dan Simler!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simler tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Menezes was well out of range. Poor timing from Simler.
Simler connects with a body shot that sends Menezes's belly button to the back.
Menezes shoots in for a takedown but Simler shows good takedown defense.
Menezes fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Menezes defending well as Simler loads up on a big left hand.

Simler shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Menezes napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Menezes is letting Simler control him for a moment.
Menezes holding on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simler taking a breather here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Menezes is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Simler off and has taken his back!
Even with his hooks in, Menezes manages to miss with strikes from the back.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Menezes controlling the positon.
Menezes is looking to control Simler but Simler is wriggling around and keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menezes is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Menezes connects with a big shot to the side of Simler's head.
Simler is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Menezes.
Will Menezes go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menezes lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Menezes scores with punches to the body.
Menezes trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Simler doesn't escape.

Menezes looking for the RNC.
Simler staying busy and making it hard for Menezes to control.
I would not like to be Simler right now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simler tries to break free.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Simler is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Wanderlei Menezes has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Donk. Simler catches Menezes right on the button with a cross.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Simler looks to score with a jab to the body but Menezes is just out of range.
Menezes slips under a jab from Simler.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Menezes shoots in and drives through. Simler sprawls well.
Simler shoots in for a takedown but Menezes shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Simler thows a body shot but no joy.
Simler thuds his right hand into Menezes's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Simler throws a hook but Menezes avoids it easily.
Simler cracks a nice hook into Menezes's ribs.
Simler moves into range and connects with a jab.
Simler swings for the body but Menezes moves out of range.
Simler misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Menezes.
Simler misses with a hook.
Simler fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Simler is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Menezes rather than just go for the knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menezes fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Simler throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Menezes.
A big left from Simler misses.
Menezes has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wanderlei Menezes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed right hand from Simler misses the target.
The fighters circle momentarily. Simler darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Simler tries to sprawl but Menezes drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Menezes is trying to control. Simler wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Menezes keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menezes is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Menezes looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Menezes is thwarting Simler's attempts to control the position.
Menezes looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Wanderlei Menezes wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Simler slaps away a takedown attempt from Menezes, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simler misses with a two punch combination.
A jab from Simler misses.
Simler throws a right hand that Menezes ducks under and follows up with a left that Menezes also avoids with ease.
Menezes closes this distance looking for a takedown but Simler circles away.
Simler throws a body punch but Menezes moves out of range.
Menezes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Simler thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Menezes slips a jab and a cross from Simler.
Menezes drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A looping hook to the body misses from Simler. Menezes does a little dance to reset his feet.

Menezes is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Simler's half guard.
Menezes wants to lay and pray for a moment but Simler keeps working.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Menezes controlling the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dan Simler will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Simler is trying hard to land a takedown here. Menezes sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Simler darts in and clinches Menezes up against the cage.
Simler lands a nice uppercut.
Menezes can't get the takedown.
Simler looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Simler has Menezes pressed against the cage.
A short right from Simler on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menezes jumps guard but Simler turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Simler manages to break the clinch.
Simler scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Menezes doesn't seem bothered though.
Menezes ducks under a wild hook from Simler.
Simler lands a lovely overhand right.
Menezes misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wanderlei Menezes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck for Simler with that takedown attempt.
Menezes throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Simler's waist but Simler gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Menezes off to one side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Simler moves into the clinch.
Menezes keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Simler's efforts to push away.
Simler has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Menezes fails to pull guard.

Simler pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Menezes displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Simler.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Menezes slips a jab from Simler.
Dan Simler seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simler comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Simler catches Menezes with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Simler is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

Menezes shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Simler's guard.
Menezes controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Menezes might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Menezes wants to control from the top but Simler keeps moving.
Menezes postures up in Simler's guard and throws a big left but Simler blocks it.
Simler has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Menezes trying to control but Simler is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Menezes scoring with punches to the head and body.
Menezes trying to control but Simler is working from the bottom.
Menezes working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Menezes trying to control the position from guard on top but Simler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dan Simler comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Simler 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dan Simler!
After the big win, Dan Simler made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Hilo Clothing Co **Laundry 3% fee** and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.