PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mario Pepe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Morten Eriksen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Mario Pepe has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Pepe
vs
Eriksen

185 cm
22
180 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

184 cm
22
185 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Heavy handed

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mario Pepe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Morten Eriksen!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Aafke Stam and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Eriksen misses with a lunging right hand
and Pepe counters with a two punch combo.
Pepe staying out of range there.
Pepe wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Pepe ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Eriksen throws a lazy right hand but Pepe sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Pepe takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Eriksen misses with a right hand
and Pepe counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pepe swinging wildly here.
Pepe thumps Eriksen with a low kick.
Pepe lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Eriksen at a distance.
Pepe lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Eriksen looks gassed!
Eriksen misses with a right hand
and Pepe counters with a three punch combo that has Eriksen backing up. Eriksen nods at Pepe to acknowledge the strikes.
Pepe throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Eriksen has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Eriksen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Pepe fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Eriksen sprawls well initially but Pepe persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Pepe throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Pepe is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pepe thows a huge punch but Eriksen dodges it nicely.
Pepe perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Pepe scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Eriksen can do anything to dispel that myth.
Eriksen won't allow Pepe to pass to mount.
Eriksen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Pepe's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Pepe's back!
Eriksen is trying to stick to Pepe's back but Pepe is turning into Eriksen. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Eriksen's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Pepe.
Pepe wants to control from the top but Eriksen keeps moving.
Pepe missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Pepe has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Eriksen keeping moving, preventing Pepe from controlling successfully.
Pepe throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pepe wants to control from the top but Eriksen keeps moving.
Pepe stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Eriksen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Pepe throws a big right hand that misses.
Pepe controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Mario Pepe.
Eriksen takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Pepe with that takedown attempt.

Eriksen tries to keep at a distance but Pepe has taken the fight into the clinch.
Pepe drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Eriksen gets the underhooks and prevents it.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Pepe goes for a takedown in the clinch but Eriksen prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mario Pepe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Eriksen lands a nice uppercut.
Eriksen lands a left hand.

Eriksen has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Pepe uses from the top position.
Pepe postures up in Eriksen's guard and throws a big left but Eriksen blocks it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Pepe's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eriksen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Eriksen looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Eriksen is looking to stand up but Pepe isn't so interested in that idea.
Pepe loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Pepe wants to pass the guard but Eriksen is keeping the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Pepe is looking to stand up but Eriksen won't let him.
Pepe trying to control but Eriksen is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Pepe dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Pepe looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Eriksen throws a hook but Pepe avoids it easily.
Eriksen throws a hook to the side of Pepe's head but Pepe sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Pepe lands a jab-cross combination.
Eriksen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Pepe.
A looping hook to the body misses from Pepe. Eriksen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Eriksen misses with a right hand
and Pepe counters with a nice uppercut.
A big left from Eriksen misses.
A jab from Eriksen misses.
Eriksen throws a hook to the side of Pepe's head but Pepe sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Eriksen throws the left hand but Pepe avoids the punch easily.
Eriksen misses with a lunging right hand
and Pepe makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Pepe slips under a jab from Eriksen.
Mario Pepe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pepe shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Eriksen as he jumps to the side.
Eriksen misses with an uppercut
and Pepe counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Eriksen thinking.
Eriksen might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pepe lands a two punch combo.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pepe lands a jab to the head.
Pepe is looking to wear down Eriksen with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pepe scores with a shot to the body.
Eriksen throws a lazy uppercut
and Pepe counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Pepe shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Eriksen as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mario Pepe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pepe slips a jab from Eriksen.
Morten Eriksen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Eriksen loads up on a big right hand but Pepe slips the punch.
Pepe shoots for a takedown but Eriksen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Eriksen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Eriksen throws a right hand that misses

and Pepe counters with a single leg into guard. Eriksen didn't expect that.
Pepe stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Eriksen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Eriksen wants to stand but Pepe is controlling the position.
Pepe throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Eriksen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Eriksen keeping moving, preventing Pepe from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Eriksen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Pepe.
Pepe throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Eriksen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Pepe trying to control the position from guard on top but Eriksen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pepe looking to pass the guard.
Pepe throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pepe trying to control but Eriksen is working from the bottom.

Mario Pepe has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Pepe misses with a takedown attempt - Eriksen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nice defenses there by Pepe.
Pepe lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Eriksen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Eriksen throws a hook but Pepe avoids it easily.
Pepe throws a body punch but Eriksen moves out of range.
Eriksen connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Pepe displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Eriksen throws out the jab.
Pepe shoots in but no luck this time.
Eriksen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Pepe.
Eriksen looks to throw the jab but Pepe is out of range.
Eriksen scores with a decent looking hook.
Pepe steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Eriksen.
Eriksen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eriksen misses with a hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Eriksen throws a big shot that misses.
Eriksen throws a looping overhand right but Pepe ducks down to avoid it.
Morten Eriksen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Eriksen swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Pepe.
Pepe misses with a wild combination.
Pepe slips a jab from Eriksen.
Eriksen misses with a hook. Pepe ducked under it nicely.
Pepe fails with a takedown attempt.
Eriksen lands a jab to the nose.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Eriksen connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Eriksen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Pepe counters with an outside leg kick.
Eriksen's corner calls for a 1-2. Eriksen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Eriksen throws a hook to the side of Pepe's head but Pepe sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
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 Mario Pepe will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Pepe slips a straight right by Eriksen.
Mario Pepe is winning the standup battle so far.
Pepe punishes Eriksen's body with a nice straight punch.
Eriksen slips a jab and a cross from Pepe.
Eriksen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Pepe.
Pepe wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Pepe fails with a takedown attempt.
Eriksen missing with a left hand there. Pepe was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Pepe digs a good body shot into Eriksen's ribs.
A big right from Eriksen misses.
Eriksen misses with an uppercut.
Eriksen misses with a lunging right hand
and Pepe counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Eriksen thinking.
Pepe displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Eriksen throws out the jab.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pepe uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Eriksen.
Pepe throws a shot to the body.

Pepe looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Eriksen!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pepe misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pepe with a couple of short strikes.
Eriksen wants to control but Pepe is having none of it.
Pepe lands a big elbow.
Pepe in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Pepe breaks from Eriksen's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Mario Pepe overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Pepe has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Eriksen's face.
Eriksen tries to hold on but Pepe postures up.
Eriksen can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pepe landing strikes from the mount.
Pepe trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Pepe with good strikes from the mount here!
Pepe punishing his opponent with strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pepe with the ground and pound from mount.
Pepe with shots to the head and body - Eriksen looks very uncomfortable down there.
Pepe trying to control but Eriksen is having none of it.
Pepe scores with a couple of good head shots there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pepe lands a big shot there that rocks Eriksen but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Eriksen taking shots to the head.
Pepe lands with some strikes.

Pepe looking to secure an arm triangle but Eriksen defends it well.
Eriksen working to try and regain half guard.
Pepe scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Eriksen?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pepe breaks from Eriksen's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Eriksen is in all sorts of trouble here.
Pepe in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Pepe lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Eriksen is squirming around, avoiding Pepe's attempts to control the action.
Pepe working the ground and pound effectively.
Mario Pepe is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Pepe tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Eriksen taking shots to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mario Pepe showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Pepe, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mario Pepe!