PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Omari Apinagewanwa (ranked 23469 p4p, 3054 weight class) and Tahiwai Pihopa (ranked 478 p4p, 297 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Apinagewanwa might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Maurice A God - Lottery. Omari Apinagewanwa has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Apinagewanwa
vs
Pihopa

180 cm
21
155
2 - 4 - 0

169 cm
20
157
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Redemption ink

Money Inc. (160Q with Proof ) 165$

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 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Omari Apinagewanwa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tahiwai Pihopa!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Sam Margolis and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pihopa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pihopa turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Apinagewanwa fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Apinagewanwa doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A frustrated look appears on Apinagewanwa's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Apinagewanwa wants to get back to striking at distance but Pihopa won't allow it.
Pihopa tries to work over Apinagewanwa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Apinagewanwa manages to break the clinch.
Apinagewanwa throws a right and a left that both miss.
Apinagewanwa throws a nice looking combination but Pihopa bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Apinagewanwa sets himself, and Pihopa steps forward looking for the clinch! Apinagewanwa avoids it this time.
Apinagewanwa throws out a loose jab but Pihopa uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Apinagewanwa blocks a jab.
Pihopa scores with a jab to the body.
Pihopa changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Pihopa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Pihopa misses the jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Pihopa. Apinagewanwa does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apinagewanwa throws a lazy right hand but Pihopa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Pihopa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Pihopa steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Apinagewanwa throws a hook but Pihopa avoids it easily.
Pihopa throws a quick inside leg kick.
Pihopa connects with an inside leg kick.
Apinagewanwa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Apinagewanwa slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Pihopa lands a jab-cross combination.
A punch combination from Apinagewanwa misses.
Apinagewanwa cracks a nice hook into Pihopa's ribs.
A solid leg kick lands there for Pihopa.
Apinagewanwa looks to land a combination. Pihopa sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Apinagewanwa throws a hook but Pihopa avoids it easily.
Pihopa throws a leg kick which misses Apinagewanwa's front leg but catches the back leg as Apinagewanwa tries to avoid it.
Pihopa moves away from the strike by Apinagewanwa.
Pihopa looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Apinagewanwa moves away from the strike by Pihopa.
Pihopa's jab looks to have found its range, popping Apinagewanwa under the eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apinagewanwa misses with a straight left.
A decent looking cross lands there for Pihopa.
Pihopa loads up on a big right hand but Apinagewanwa slips the punch.
Apinagewanwa throws a body shot but no joy.
A solid leg kick lands there for Pihopa.
Apinagewanwa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pihopa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Pihopa ducks under a wild hook from Apinagewanwa.
Nice cross by Pihopa.
Apinagewanwa throws the left hand but Pihopa avoids the punch easily.
Apinagewanwa throws the left hand but Pihopa avoids the punch easily.
Apinagewanwa cracks Pihopa with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A punch combination from Apinagewanwa misses.
Pihopa staying out of range there.
Apinagewanwa throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Pihopa rushes Apinagewanwa and presses him up against the cage.
Pihopa misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pihopa misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nice body punch from Pihopa.
I was talking to Apinagewanwa's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Apinagewanwa blocks a body shot from Pihopa.
A short uppercut from Pihopa.
Pihopa lands an uppercut.
The referee is keeping an eye on Pihopa - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Apinagewanwa fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Pihopa lands with a left to the head.
Pihopa works on Apinagewanwa's body with a couple of short punches.
Apinagewanwa lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Pihopa tries to work over Apinagewanwa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Apinagewanwa tries to circle away but Pihopa has him pinned against the cage.
Pihopa misses with a punch to the body.
Pihopa content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Apinagewanwa wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apinagewanwa prevents a body shot from Pihopa.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Pihopa.
Pihopa displaying some good clinch control by pressing Apinagewanwa up against the cage.
Apinagewanwa working hard to break the clinch.
Apinagewanwa looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Apinagewanwa tries to break free but Pihopa pushes him back against the cage.
Apinagewanwa has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Pihopa misses with a body punch.
Pihopa prevents Apinagewanwa from breaking the clinch.
Pihopa slows down the pace here.
A body shot lands from Pihopa.
Apinagewanwa is looking to break free of the clinch but Pihopa has double underhooks.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tahiwai Pihopa will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Pihopa slips under a jab.
Omari Apinagewanwa is winning the standup battle so far.
Apinagewanwa lands a jab-cross combination.
Apinagewanwa takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Apinagewanwa misses the jab.
Apinagewanwa misses the jab.
Apinagewanwa misses with a looping right.
Apinagewanwa on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A punch combination from Apinagewanwa misses.
Apinagewanwa with a hook.
Apinagewanwa throws a looping overhand right but Pihopa ducks down to avoid it.
A jab from Pihopa misses.
It looked like Apinagewanwa wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Pihopa jabs at Apinagewanwa's body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Apinagewanwa bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Pihopa's head backwards.
Pihopa uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Apinagewanwa.
Pihopa jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Pihopa throws a nice outside leg kick.
Apinagewanwa misses with a hook.
Jab from Pihopa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pihopa uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Apinagewanwa.
Pihopa tries to clinch there but Apinagewanwa circles away.
Pihopa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Apinagewanwa looks to land a right hand but Pihopa moved out of range.
Pihopa uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Apinagewanwa.
Apinagewanwa misses with a straight right.
Pihopa wants to counter the offense by Apinagewanwa and move into the clinch position.
Pihopa misses with an uppercut. Apinagewanwa saw that one coming.
Apinagewanwa misses with a lunging right hand
and Pihopa counters with a nice uppercut.
Apinagewanwa throws a jab when Pihopa was well out of range.
A jab from Apinagewanwa misses.
Apinagewanwa throws an overhand right that lands on Pihopa's shoulder, as Pihopa tries to avoid the shot.
Pihopa connects with a body shot that sends Apinagewanwa's belly button to the back.
A slow jab from Pihopa misses its intended target.
Pihopa takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Nice uppercut lands for Apinagewanwa. That snapped Pihopa's head back.
Apinagewanwa takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Pihopa is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pihopa fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Apinagewanwa.
A solid leg kick lands there for Pihopa.
A slapping leg kick lands for Pihopa.
Apinagewanwa scores with a decent looking hook.
Pihopa lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
No joy there for Apinagewanwa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Pihopa with a hook.
An inside leg kick from Pihopa misses.
Pihopa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Apinagewanwa.
Pihopa now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Pihopa wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Apinagewanwa looks to throw the jab but Pihopa is out of range.
A countering left hand to the body from Pihopa misses.
Apinagewanwa works the jab nicely.
Pihopa cracks Apinagewanwa with an open hand slap.
That kick from Pihopa tenderised Apinagewanwa's leg. Apinagewanwa is trying to keep his angry face on.
A slow jab from Apinagewanwa misses its intended target.
Apinagewanwa misses with a looping right.
Pihopa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Apinagewanwa.
Omari Apinagewanwa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pihopa lands a nice hook to Apinagewanwa's body. Apinagewanwa takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Apinagewanwa misses with the combination.
Apinagewanwa throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Apinagewanwa misses with an uppercut. Pihopa saw that one coming.
That kick from Pihopa tenderised Apinagewanwa's leg. Apinagewanwa is trying to keep his angry face on.
Apinagewanwa is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

Pihopa has managed to clinch.
Apinagewanwa can't break the clinch.
Apinagewanwa working hard to break the clinch.
Pihopa prevents Apinagewanwa from breaking the clinch.
The referee calls for Pihopa to work.
Pihopa lands with a right to the head.
Pihopa lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Apinagewanwa backwards.
Pihopa stalling the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pihopa misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Apinagewanwa is trying to push Pihopa away but Pihopa has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Apinagewanwa can't break the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Pihopa misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Pihopa.

Apinagewanwa breaks the clinch.
Pihopa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Apinagewanwa.
Pihopa works Apinagewanwa's body with a nice hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pihopa throws a jab when Apinagewanwa was well out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pihopa fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Pihopa.
Pihopa throws a shot to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tahiwai Pihopa will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. This is the final round!

Pihopa stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Some wild striking there from Apinagewanwa.
A punch lands to the side of Apinagewanwa 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Pihopa works the jab nicely.
Apinagewanwa takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Apinagewanwa jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Apinagewanwa misses the jab.
Pihopa loads up on a big right hand but Apinagewanwa slips the punch.
Apinagewanwa throwing a counter right hand but Pihopa manages to avoid it.
Apinagewanwa just misses with a punch to the body.
Pihopa lands a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice inside leg kick there by Pihopa. That's going to slow Apinagewanwa down.
Pihopa lands with an uppercut that bounces Apinagewanwa off the cage and back into range.
Pihopa throws a right hand that Apinagewanwa ducks under and follows up with a left that Apinagewanwa also avoids with ease.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Apinagewanwa throws an overhand right that lands on Pihopa's shoulder, as Pihopa tries to avoid the shot.
Pihopa misses with a hook to the body
and Pihopa takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pihopa loads up on a big right hand but Apinagewanwa slips the punch.
Pihopa lands with a good body shot.
Pihopa staying out of range there.
Pihopa dodges the punch combination from Apinagewanwa.
Apinagewanwa avoids the body shot from Pihopa.
Apinagewanwa misses with a right hand
and Pihopa counters with a stiff right hand.
Apinagewanwa misses with a looping left.
A big right from Apinagewanwa misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Pihopa! But no joy.
Pihopa ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Apinagewanwa throws a series of punches but Pihopa moves out of range.
Apinagewanwa gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Pihopa listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Pihopa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Apinagewanwa manages to avoid it.
Pihopa fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Pihopa connects with a crisp jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Apinagewanwa connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Omari Apinagewanwa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tahiwai Pihopa is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apinagewanwa misses with a hook.
No joy there for Apinagewanwa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A slow jab from Apinagewanwa misses its intended target.
Apinagewanwa misses with an uppercut.
Pihopa thumps Apinagewanwa with a low kick.
Apinagewanwa throws a right hand that misses
and Pihopa counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Some wild striking there from Apinagewanwa.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Pihopa! But no joy.
Apinagewanwa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A big left from Pihopa misses.
Apinagewanwa throws a series of punches but Pihopa moves out of range.
Apinagewanwa misses with a series of wild punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Apinagewanwa moves out of range as Pihopa strikes.
Pihopa stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Apinagewanwa waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Pihopa.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pihopa slips under a jab.
The fighters circling - Apinagewanwa throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Pihopa is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Apinagewanwa throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Apinagewanwa pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Apinagewanwa just misses with a punch to the body.
Pihopa scores with a crisp jab that stopped Apinagewanwa in his tracks.
Apinagewanwa takes a body punch but keeps moving.
That kick from Pihopa tenderised Apinagewanwa's leg. Apinagewanwa is trying to keep his angry face on.
Apinagewanwa chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Pihopa can pounce on him.
Pihopa walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Pihopa looks to land a left hand but Apinagewanwa moved out of range nicely.
Apinagewanwa throws out a loose jab but Pihopa uses good head movement to avoid it.
A lazy left from Pihopa finds it's target.
Apinagewanwa throws a big shot that misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Apinagewanwa takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Apinagewanwa misses with a combination
and Pihopa counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pihopa works Apinagewanwa's body with a nice hook.
Pihopa throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Apinagewanwa stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nice shot by Pihopa.
Apinagewanwa misses with a hook.
Pihopa scores with a punch to the head.
Apinagewanwa looks to land a left hand but Pihopa moved out of range nicely.
Pihopa scores with a body shot.
The crowd cheers as Apinagewanwa lands an impressive looking overhand right. Pihopa doesn't seem phased though.
Pihopa lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Pihopa with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Pihopa throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Apinagewanwa on the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pihopa lands with a thumping leg kick.
Pihopa lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Nice body punch from Pihopa.
Apinagewanwa on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tahiwai Pihopa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Pihopa has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Tahiwai Pihopa!
Tahiwai Pihopa very nearly forgot to thank Money Inc. (160Q with Proof ) 165$ amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.