PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ken Simens (ranked 7337 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Jax (ranked 7517 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Simens
vs
Jax

159 cm
18
135 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

155 cm
18
135 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid 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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ken Simens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Max Jax!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Ren Mimura and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Simens fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Simens wants to clinch up but Jax keeps it at a distance.
Simens backing away here, and Jax unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Simens defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Jax.
Jax circles away from the clinch attempt.

Jax rushes Simens and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Simens misses with a punch to the body.

Jax escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Simens is looking to clinch.
Simens shoots for a takedown but Jax saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jax lands a head kick!

Jax fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Simens sprawls well initially but Jax persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Simens pushes Jax off and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Jax or perhaps it was just good defense by Simens, which made it look bad.
Simens showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Jax.
Simens is looking for a counter combo.
Jax fails with the takedown.
Ken Simens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Jax.

Simens drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Simens moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

Simens stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Simens moves into range and clinches up with Jax.

Jax breaks from the clinch.
Jax takes a kick to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jax throws a head kick but Simens moves out of range.
Simens swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Jax takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Simens throws a sloppy head kick and Jax moves out of range easily.
Jax shoots in for a takedown but Simens shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Simens lands with a nice combination. Jax backs away looking to recover.
Jax looks winded!
Simens thows a body kick. Jax tries to catch it but that hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jax shoots in but no luck this time.
Simens chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Simens shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Simens gets to his feet - Jax follows without any prompting.
Simens fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Knees to the body from Jax.

Simens pulls guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simens is pulling down on Jax's head to control his posture.
Simens wants to control but Jax passes easily into half guard.
Jax controlling the action here.
Let's hope that Jax 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.
Simens makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Simens.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ken Simens dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Simens fails with a takedown attempt.

Simens throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Jax was covering up waiting for the punch and Simens finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Simens gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simens throws a head kick that misses.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Jax gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Simens to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Simens trying to control the position from guard on top but Jax is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jax keeping full guard, as Simens tries to pass.
Simens forces his way into half guard.

Simens stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Simens is looking to clinch.
Ken Simens is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jax changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Simens tries to avoid it but Jax manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Simens to the ground. Simens escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's two 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.
Jax stuffs the takedown.
Jax is looking for the big counter here.

Jax shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Jax was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Ken Simens overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Jax takes a little break here. Simens wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Simens is trying to control Jax's posture but Jax avoids it.
Jax is chipping away with strikes.
Simens gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jax trying to control the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Simens is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Jax wants to pass the guard but Simens is defending well.
Simens punching from the bottom.

That's four 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.
Simens is not content to let Jax control the position.
Simens wants to get back to full guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Jax working over Simens with some ground and pound. Simens looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Simens is staying active underneath Jax, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Simens is concentrating on defense, preventing Jax from advancing position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Horrible takedown attempt by Simens or perhaps it was just good defense by Jax, which made it look bad.
Jax is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ken Simens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Simens.
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 Ken Simens will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Simens looks for a takedown but Jax sprawls well.
Simens tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Jax paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Jax gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Simens is looking to take this one to the mat.
Jax prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ken Simens. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A short right from Jax on the inside.
Simens wants a takedown but no success here.
Jax lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jax stops a takedown attempt from Simens.

Jax breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jax bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Jax tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Simens defends well and Jax ends up having to push Simens into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jax shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Jax was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Jax tries to move to mount but Simens blocks the move with his legs.

Jax decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Jax displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Simens.
The crowd cheers as Jax lands an impressive looking overhand right. Simens doesn't seem phased though.

Jax has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simens looking for a takedown.
Jax keeps control of Simens as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A right hook to the body lands for Jax.

Jax turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Simens is not content to let Jax control the position.
Jax taking a breather here.
Simens struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simens tries to buck Jax off but Jax is having none of it.
Jax wants to lay and pray for a moment but Simens keeps working.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Jax gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Simens is trying to push Jax away but Jax has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Simens is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

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.
Jax tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Simens misses with a hook from the clinch.
Simens has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Jax is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Simens is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Jax to keep the fight standing.

Jax ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Jax no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Jax controls Simens momentarily but Simens frees himself.
Simens wanted to stand there but Jax had control of the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jax trying to keep a closed guard but Simens is proving a slippery customer.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Jax comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Simens 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ken Simens!