PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Julius Peppers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luke Cage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Peppers might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Day N Nite-Kid Cudi. Luke Cage told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Peppers
vs
Cage

174 cm
29
155 lbs
14 - 10 - 1

170 cm
26
159 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Firebird Designs
Firebird Designs

Fight Club Clothing est. 09™

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 14 - 10 - 1, fighting out of New York, Julius Peppers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Luke Cage!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Roosa Järviläinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Peppers throws a good cross that connects.
A telegraphed right hand from Cage misses the target.
Peppers misses with a low kick.
Cage misses with a straight right.
Peppers throws a head kick that misses.
Peppers is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
The fighters circle momentarily. Peppers darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Peppers looks to land a left hand but Cage moved out of range nicely.
Cage thows a left - swing and a miss!
Peppers swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A punch lands to the side of Peppers 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Cage with a lazy takedown attempt
and Peppers counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Peppers takes a jab right on the kisser.
Cage moves out of range of the leg kick from Peppers.
Cage moves in looking to clinch but Peppers pushes him off.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cage misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Peppers connects with a body shot that sends Cage's belly button to the back.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cage.
Cage thuds his right hand into Peppers's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A nice leg kick lands there from Peppers.
Cage misses with a hook to the body
and Peppers counters with a low kick, right behind Cage 's knee.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Cage misses.
Cage on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Peppers. Peppers obviously looking to wear him down.
Peppers throws a chopping leg kick but Cage manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Peppers connects with a nice looking jab.
Peppers misses with an attempted mid kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Peppers.
Cage pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cage misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cage throws a jab when Peppers was well out of range.
Peppers moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Cage throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Peppers fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Cage has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Peppers scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Cage checks a leg kick.
Peppers swats away the attempt to clinch by Cage.
Cage rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Peppers moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Peppers throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cage sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cage slips a jab and a cross from Peppers.
Peppers drops his hands momentarily and Cage takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Peppers lands a lovely overhand right.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Cage scores a takedown into full mount!
Peppers takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Cage looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Poor strikes thrown by Cage there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Cage connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Peppers tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Peppers is in a horrible position here. Cage smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Peppers working to try and regain half guard.
Cage thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cage misses with a head shot.
Cage throws some wild stikes that Peppers manages to avoid easily.
Peppers holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Cage tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Peppers working to try and regain half guard.
Cage lands a heavy elbow.
The referee warns Peppers that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Cage misses with a head shot.
Cage punishing his opponent with strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Peppers manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Peppers avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cage.
Peppers regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Cage.
Cage scoring with punches to the head and body.
Peppers is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Cage is staying active underneath Peppers, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Peppers prevents Cage from improving his position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Cage manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A telegraphed right hand from Peppers misses the target.
Peppers cracks Cage with a right hand to the side of the head.
Cage shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Peppers pinned against the cage. Peppers gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Cage rushes Peppers and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Peppers lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Cage or not.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Peppers.
Peppers lands a left hand that snaps the head of Cage backwards.
Peppers blocks an elbow strike.
Peppers lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Cage misses with a punch on the inside.
Cage misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cage misses with a punch to the body.
Cage tries to work over Peppers's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Cage tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cage lands with a light punch inside.
Peppers is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Cage is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Peppers breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Peppers tries to land a leg kick but Cage saw it coming and moves away.
Cage throws a lazy uppercut
and Peppers counters with a straight right hand.
Peppers blocks the body kick.
Cage shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Peppers defends it nicely.
Good shot there by Peppers.
Cage takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Julius Peppers is winning the standup battle so far.
A nice inside leg kick there by Peppers. That's going to slow Cage down.
Peppers connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Cage connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Good standup being displayed there by Peppers as he connects with a hook.
Cage fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Peppers avoids it really well and circles away.
Julius Peppers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luke Cage.
Cage throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Peppers's waist but Peppers gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cage off to one side.
A nice inside leg kick there by Cage. That's going to slow Peppers down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A chopping leg kick lands by Peppers.
Peppers throws a front kick aimed at Cage's knee but Cage avoids it well.
Peppers lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
A left lands for Peppers.
Cage dives in and grabs Peppers's left leg, looking for a takedown. Peppers pushes down on Cage's head and hops out.
Peppers throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Peppers staying out of range there.
A chopping leg kick lands by Peppers.
Cage fails to land the takedown.
Cage's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Cage is breathing heavily.

Peppers shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Cage manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Cage 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.
Cage keeping moving, preventing Peppers from controlling successfully.
Peppers controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Peppers stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cage swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Cage is trying to keep Peppers in close.
Peppers slips nicely into half guard.
Cage tries to roll over but Peppers keeps him under control.
Peppers content to control rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cage wants to get back to full guard.
Peppers is trying to control. Cage wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Julius Peppers just wasn't active enough.
Peppers clobbers Cage with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Cage shoots in looking for a takedown. Peppers tries to sprawl out of it but Cage keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Peppers manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Cage uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Peppers.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cage fails to land the takedown.
Cage takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julius Peppers dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Cage clinches up against the cage.
Cage throws an elbow but it misses.
Peppers blocks a body shot from Cage.
Peppers prevents a body shot from Cage.
Cage tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nice elbow from Cage.
Cage throws a head punch that misses.

Peppers breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cage is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Peppers fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Cage has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Cage looks to land a left hand but Peppers moved out of range nicely.
Peppers just misses with a punch to the body.
Peppers misses with a low kick.

Cage changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Peppers looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Cage postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Cage lands an elbow.
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!
Peppers is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Cage's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Peppers is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Cage's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Cage's back!
Peppers tries to get the hooks in deep but Cage pushed the leg off.

Peppers working for the choke.
Cage prevents Peppers from getting a body triangle.
Cage tries to escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Peppers somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
Cage just trying to survive but Peppers is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Cage is trying to break free.
Peppers throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Cage breaks Peppers's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Cage trying to control the position from guard on top but Peppers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Peppers is on top in guard.
Luke Cage has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cage trying to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Peppers trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Peppers postures up.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Luke Cage wasn't active enough on the ground.
Peppers misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cage cracks the inside of Peppers's front leg.
Luke Cage is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cage staying out of range there.
Cage slips under a jab.
Peppers is looking to slow Cage down with leg kicks.
Peppers tries a low kick but Cage avoids it.
Peppers swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cage misses with a combination
and Peppers counters with a left and a right that stings Cage.
Cage throws a nice outside leg kick.
Cage takes one to the chin there.
Cage fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Peppers keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cage with a poor takedown
and Peppers connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Cage takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Peppers throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Cage on the side of the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Peppers lands with a good body shot.
Peppers slips under a jab.
Peppers fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Cage looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Peppers cracks the inside of Cage's front leg.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Julius Peppers.
I think Peppers 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Julius Peppers!
An out of breath and clearly excited Julius Peppers thanked Firebird Designs for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).