PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Steve Staunton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Baraka Simengwa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Simengwa has chosen Afande Sele feat Ditto - Darubini kali as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Staunton
vs
Simengwa

185 cm
28
201 lbs
10 - 8 - 0

185 cm
33
195 lbs
23 - 26 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Sun-Tzu

Humanoid Nutrition (160Q for 200$)

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 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Steve Staunton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 26 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Baraka Simengwa!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, George Francis and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Staunton tries a head kick but it misses.

Simengwa has closed the distance and engaged Staunton in a clinch.
Staunton lands a shoulder strike.
Staunton is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Simengwa wants a takedown.
Staunton pressing his opponent against the cage.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Simengwa has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Staunton working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Simengwa is working for takedown but Staunton is calmly controlling the position for now.
Steve Staunton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Baraka Simengwa.
Simengwa has Staunton pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Staunton manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Simengwa is working for takedown but Staunton is calmly controlling the position for now.
Simengwa is trying to pull guard but Staunton turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Staunton scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Simengwa has Staunton pressed against the cage.

Simengwa gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Staunton regains guard.

Staunton pushes Simengwa off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Simengwa shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Staunton's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simengwa trying to control but Staunton is working from the bottom.
Staunton trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Staunton is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Simengwa stops Staunton from standing up.
Staunton trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Staunton looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Staunton trying to strike off his back.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Staunton looking to hit a scissor sweep but Simengwa is one step ahead there.
Simengwa is fighting to break Staunton's control of his arms but Staunton is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Staunton throws a head kick but Simengwa moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Simengwa has Staunton up against the cage in a clinch.
Simengwa wants to take the fight to the mat but Staunton manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Staunton has a couple of punches blocked by Simengwa.
Simengwa fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Simengwa wants the takedown. Staunton is fighting it off but Simengwa persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Staunton's guard against the cage.
Staunton is trying to control the position but Simengwa postures up.
Simengwa stopping the sweep attempt from Staunton.
Simengwa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Staunton is keeping the position for now.
Staunton has Simengwa pulled in close to control his posture.
Staunton wants to sweep here but Simengwa controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simengwa slips nicely into half guard.

Simengwa seems to be looking for submissions.
Simengwa trying to mount his opponent but Staunton defends it.

Simengwa is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Staunton doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Simengwa.
Staunton is looking to escape.

Simengwa is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Staunton sees it coming and defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Simengwa is trying to work for a kimura but Staunton is defending well.
Staunton looks like he's trying to stand up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Staunton won't allow Simengwa to pass to mount.
Staunton pushes Simengwa off looking to stand but Simengwa dives back in and keeps control.
Staunton is trying to maintain the position but Simengwa is very close to passing his half guard.
Simengwa is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Simengwa can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Staunton is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Baraka Simengwa will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Staunton clinches up with Simengwa and pushes him back against the cage.
Staunton effectively controlling the action here.
Staunton is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Simengwa is keeping busy.
Staunton gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Simengwa.
Simengwa wants a takedown.
Simengwa can't get the takedown.
Steve Staunton has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Baraka Simengwa.
Staunton gets underhooks to prevent Simengwa's takedown attempt.
Simengwa is trying to pull guard but Staunton turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simengwa blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A short right from Staunton.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Staunton obliges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Staunton tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Simengwa is looking for a takedown.
Simengwa changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Staunton fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Simengwa is breathing heavily.
Good standup being displayed there by Staunton as he connects with a hook.

Staunton gets tackled into the cage by Simengwa. Simengwa maintains the clinch.
Staunton lands a right hand.
Staunton displaying some good clinch control by pressing Simengwa up against the cage.
Staunton working aggressively here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Staunton.
Simengwa is looking for a takedown.
Staunton using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Simengwa has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Staunton is pushing Simengwa up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Staunton lands a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Simengwa's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Staunton.
A short right from Staunton on the inside.
Simengwa blocks an uppercut.
Simengwa has Staunton pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Staunton manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Staunton swings wildly with an uppercut but Simengwa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Simengwa takes a shot to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Simengwa blocks an uppercut.

Simengwa jumps guard and drags Staunton to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Simengwa is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Staunton rolls with it to try and escape but Simengwa cranks on the arm and Staunton is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Baraka Simengwa!
During a confident post fight interview, Baraka Simengwa thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.