PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Naruto Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Al Simmons (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Al Simmons has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sakuraba
vs
Simmons

175 cm
23
155 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

170 cm
23
145 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Naruto Sakuraba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Al Simmons!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Robert Douchet and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simmons looks to throw the jab but Sakuraba is out of range.
Sakuraba walks forward, straight into a front kick from Simmons.
Simmons throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Simmons misses with a wild body shot.
Sakuraba will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sakuraba is looking to clinch but Simmons is avoiding it.
Simmons lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sakuraba at a distance.
Simmons shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Sakuraba eats them both and turns towards Simmons to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Sakuraba takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Simmons tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Simmons lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Simmons throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Simmons swings for the body but Sakuraba moves out of range.
Sakuraba throws a sloppy head kick and Simmons moves out of range easily.
Sakuraba misses with a two punch combination.
Simmons throws a combination that misses
and Sakuraba counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Simmons looks to land a combination but Sakuraba avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sakuraba moves into the clinch.
Simmons is trying to push Sakuraba away but Sakuraba has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Sakuraba lands a body shot.
Sakuraba keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Simmons's efforts to push away.
Simmons managing to block the knees to the body from Sakuraba.
A short right from Sakuraba on the inside.

Sakuraba jumps guard and drags Simmons to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Simmons throws a big right hand that misses.
Simmons chips away with some ground and pound.
Simmons prevents Sakuraba from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba keeping moving, preventing Simmons from controlling successfully.

Simmons gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Sakuraba fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sakuraba fails with a takedown attempt.
Simmons misses with a low kick.
Simmons lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Al Simmons seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
No joy there for Simmons, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nice uppercut there from Simmons.
A nice combination there by Simmons.
A right-left combo lands from Simmons.
Simmons fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sakuraba manages to avoid it.
Sakuraba tries to score with a low kick but Simmons moves his leg out of the way.
Simmons fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simmons scores with a crisp jab that stopped Sakuraba in his tracks.
Simmons looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sakuraba throws a series of punches but Simmons avoids them all with ease.
Sakuraba chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Sakuraba gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Simmons.
Simmons moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

Sakuraba closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Sakuraba is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Simmons escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Simmons tries a head kick but it misses.
Sakuraba tries to clinch there but Simmons circles away.
No joy there for Simmons, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sakuraba looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Sakuraba slips a jab and a cross from Simmons.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba with a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sakuraba goes for a double leg but Simmons avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Simmons continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Naruto Sakuraba. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Simmons manages to break the clinch.
Simmons works Sakuraba's body with a nice hook.
Simmons throws a shot from downtown. Sakuraba moves away and avoids it.
Sakuraba shoots in for a double leg but Simmons sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sakuraba tries to clinch but Simmons moves out of range.
Sakuraba takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Nice defenses there by Sakuraba.
Simmons throws an overhand right that lands on Sakuraba's shoulder, as Sakuraba tries to avoid the shot.
Sakuraba staying out of range there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Simmons drops Sakuraba with a nice combination! Simmons dives into Sakuraba's guard, looking to finish!

Sakuraba is rocked!
Simmons trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Oh Sakuraba is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

Simmons gets to his feet - Sakuraba follows without any prompting.
Sakuraba seems to have got his legs back now.
Sakuraba tries to clinch there but Simmons circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Al Simmons dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sakuraba tries to clinch but Simmons is having none of it.
Simmons circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sakuraba takes one on the button.

Simmons gets caught napping as Sakuraba dives in and scores a takedown. Simmons manages to retain guard.

Sakuraba stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Simmons lands a jab to the head.
Sakuraba keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sakuraba takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Simmons drops Sakuraba with a left right combo! Simmons follows him down to the ground into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sakuraba regains half guard.
Sakuraba wants to control but Simmons is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Sakuraba kicks off Simmons and gets to his feet.
Sakuraba steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Simmons.
Simmons swats away the attempt to clinch by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba avoids the head kick by Simmons.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simmons tries to bum rush Sakuraba with a series of wild strikes but Sakuraba uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sakuraba keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Simmons lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sakuraba's sensitive parts.
Simmons throws out a loose jab but Sakuraba uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sakuraba will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sakuraba takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Simmons throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sakuraba.
Naruto Sakuraba is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sakuraba throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Simmons scores with a head kick.
Sakuraba takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Simmons tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Simmons circles away from the clinch attempt.
Simmons throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simmons misses with a few strikes there.
Sakuraba moves in looking to clinch but Simmons pushes him off.
Simmons throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Al Simmons is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Simmons throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Sakuraba shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Simmons manages to get to full guard.
Simmons utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Simmons controls Sakuraba momentarily but Sakuraba frees himself.
Sakuraba postures up and lands a big shot to Simmons's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Simmons is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sakuraba defends well.
Simmons looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sakuraba is one step ahead there.
Simmons is still trying to improve position.
Sakuraba is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Sakuraba in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Simmons looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Simmons looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Simmons is breathing heavily.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Simmons misses.
Simmons pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Simmons tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sakuraba is able to avoid easily.
Simmons misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Simmons swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Sakuraba counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Simmons slaps away a takedown attempt from Sakuraba, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Simmons throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sakuraba stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Simmons thows a left - swing and a miss!

Sakuraba closes the distance and clinches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sakuraba tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Naruto Sakuraba. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Simmons escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Al Simmons showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Simmons avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Simmons misses with a series of wild punches.
Simmons fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Sakuraba tries to clinch but Simmons is having none of it.
Simmons thuds his right hand into Sakuraba's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Sakuraba wants to clinch.
Sakuraba tries to clinch but Simmons is having none of it.
Simmons tries a head kick but it misses.
Simmons misses with a jab, cross combination.
Simmons looks to land a combination but Sakuraba avoids it well.
Sakuraba tries to clinch but Simmons is having none of it.
Simmons fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sakuraba manages to avoid it.
Simmons looks to score with a jab to the body but Sakuraba is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simmons checks a leg kick.
Sakuraba tries to close the distance and clinch up but Simmons swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Simmons throws a head kick that half lands.
Al Simmons seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A telegraphed right hand from Simmons misses the target.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba lands a few punches from side control.

Sakuraba decides to stand up, so the ref orders Simmons to his feet.
Simmons misses with a series of wild punches.
Nice uppercut there from Simmons.

Simmons tries to keep at a distance but Sakuraba has taken the fight into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sakuraba is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Simmons to keep the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba avoids a wild elbow strike from Simmons.
Sakuraba has Simmons pressed against the cage, preventing Simmons from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Sakuraba has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Simmons is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sakuraba has Simmons pressed against the cage, preventing Simmons from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sakuraba as Simmons tries to tie him up.
Simmons looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simmons wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Simmons breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sakuraba will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Naruto Sakuraba has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Naruto Sakuraba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Simmons throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sakuraba tries to clinch up.
Simmons misses the body punch

and Sakuraba holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Sakuraba misses with some punches.
Simmons looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Simmons escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Simmons connects with the punch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sakuraba looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Simmons checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Al Simmons is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba forces Simmons back against the cage and clinches.
Simmons wants to break free but Sakuraba has control.
Simmons taking a breather.
Sakuraba tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Simmons just stands there and leans against the cage.
Sakuraba tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Simmons just stands there and leans against the cage.

Simmons breaks the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakuraba is trying hard to land a takedown here. Simmons sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Simmons throws a right and a left that Sakuraba avoids nicely.
Simmons lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Simmons.
A head kick misses from Simmons.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Al Simmons.
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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Al Simmons!
A relieved looking Al Simmons thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.