PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sepp Maier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Baraka Simengwa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maier kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Apaga mas não bate. Simengwa has chosen Afande Sele feat Ditto - Darubini kali as his entrance music. Sepp Maier has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Maier
vs
Simengwa

187 cm
37
192 lbs
43 - 32 - 1

185 cm
28
195 lbs
18 - 17 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Red Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)
Arcticus

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 43 - 32 - 1, fighting out of London, Sepp Maier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Baraka Simengwa!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Andrew Berry and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Maier closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Simengwa tries to get to full guard but Maier has control of the leg.
Maier tries to pass to full mount but Simengwa defends it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Simengwa is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Maier's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Maier's back!
My spies in Bi-polar Asylum inform me that Simengwa has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Maier is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Maier is working hard here to advance position.

Maier preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Simengwa.
Maier tries to break free.
Maier is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at London MMA Club, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Maier trying to get back to his feet but Simengwa is in full control for now.

Simengwa is persistently looking for the submission but Maier is defending it well.
You can see the frustration on Maier's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maier manages to reverse the position and now he's in Simengwa's guard. Nice work there by Maier.
Maier postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Maier pushing down on Simengwa's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Simengwa is trying to get back to full guard.

Simengwa looking for submissions off his back.
Simengwa trying to control but Maier postures up.
Maier throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Maier looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Maier is pressing down on Simengwa's thigh, looking to free his foot. Simengwa is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maier is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Simengwa moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Simengwa looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Maier forces his way into half guard.
Simengwa wants to control but Maier is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Simengwa wants to improve his position but Maier is controlling well.

Maier is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maier is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Maier lands a nice short elbow.
Simengwa is trying to get back to full guard.
Simengwa is looking to control Maier's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Simengwa avoid being mounted?
Simengwa is looking to improve his position.
Maier thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Simengwa's head.
Maier looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Maier is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Simengwa doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Maier.
Maier sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Simengwa defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maier takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Maier is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Simengwa is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Simengwa is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Maier's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Maier's back!
Simengwa has the hooks in. Maier is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Simengwa working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Simengwa looking for the RNC.

Simengwa has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Maier has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Simengwa controlling well, preventing Maier from escaping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Sepp Maier will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Maier closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Simengwa to the mat! Simengwa manages to get full guard.
Simengwa tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Maier wants to pass the guard but Simengwa is keeping the position.
Maier is working Simengwa over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Simengwa manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Maier manages to get himself to full guard.

Simengwa wants to control from the top but Maier keeps moving.

Maier had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Simengwa defends it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maier can't keep his opponent in guard - Simengwa advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maier is looking to improve his position.
Simengwa is taking a breather. Maier says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Maier looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Maier tries to roll over but Simengwa keeps him under control.
Maier gets full guard.

Maier working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Simengwa has passed into half guard!
Simengwa trying to control the action but Maier is working from the bottom.

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.
Simengwa might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Maier haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Simengwa is trying to work for a kimura but Maier is defending well.
Well, if Simengwa is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Simengwa tries to pass to full mount but Maier defends it.
Simengwa seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Maier wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simengwa tries to pass the half guard into mount. Maier knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Simengwa stalling away here and it's allowed Maier to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Maier looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Simengwa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Maier swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Maier looking for a sweep. Not yet Maier, not yet.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Maier is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sepp Maier overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Maier tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Simengwa passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Maier is looking to reverse the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simengwa has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Maier!
Simengwa wants to control the pace but Maier is squirming around nicely.
Maier working to try and regain half guard.
Maier has given up his back here. Will Simengwa look for the submission or keep pounding away?

Maier defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Simengwa looking to finish the fight with a rear naked choke. Maier is controlling Simengwa 's left arm and he spins nicely into guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Simengwa manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Maier manages to get himself to full guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Baraka Simengwa will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Maier closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Maier lands in his opponent's guard.
Maier looking to pass the guard.
Maier scoring with punches to the head and body.

Simengwa looking for a triangle here. Maier is fighting it but it looks tight! Simengwa pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Maier is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:44 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Baraka Simengwa!
An out of breath and clearly excited Baraka Simengwa thanked Just Fight (Everything 8$) for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).