PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paulo Tocha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Laht Nepphur (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nepphur is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Kanye West- Go Hard. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Tocha
vs
Nepphur

220 cm
21
300 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

190 cm
27
300 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

GTI - 1337 sponsors VERSUS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Paulo Tocha!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Laht Nepphur!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Steven Brown and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nepphur closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nepphur lands in his opponent's guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Tocha is controlling Nepphur's posture.
Tocha will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Nepphur not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nepphur trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nepphur pushing down on Tocha's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nepphur keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Laht Nepphur has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Tocha tries to clinch there but Nepphur circles away.
Tocha misses with an uppercut.
Tocha pushes Nepphur away with a front kick.
Tocha slips under a jab from Nepphur.

Nepphur scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Tocha wants to control but Nepphur postures up.
Nepphur throwing shots but missing, from side control.
You can see the frustration on Tocha's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Tocha is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Tocha's face as Nepphur controls the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tocha tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Nepphur decides to stand up, so the ref orders Tocha to his feet.

Nepphur shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Nepphur is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Tocha keeping full guard, as Nepphur tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tocha is looking to stand up but Nepphur isn't so interested in that idea.
Nepphur trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nepphur stops Tocha from standing up.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Tocha is trying to control the position but Nepphur postures up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nepphur misses with a looping left.
Tocha misses with a body kick.

Tocha rushes Nepphur and presses him up against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nepphur misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tocha.
Come on Tocha - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Tocha prevents Nepphur from breaking the clinch.
Tocha is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Tocha looking to slow down the pace here.
Nepphur works on Tocha's body with a couple of short punches.
Tocha tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Nepphur avoids it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tocha is looking to control Nepphur's arms but Nepphur gets an underhook and turns him. Now Tocha has his back to the cage.

Nepphur breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nepphur misses with a takedown attempt - Tocha sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nepphur shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tocha but Tocha pushes him off and we're back to square one.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nepphur fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Paulo Tocha has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Laht Nepphur.
Tocha wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Laht Nepphur dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nepphur throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tocha tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nepphur blocks a head kick by Tocha.
Tocha looks to clinch
and Nepphur connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

It looks like Paulo Tocha has been cut.
Tocha is looking to land body kicks.
Nepphur throws a looping overhand right but Tocha ducks down to avoid it.
Horrible takedown by Nepphur or perhaps it was just good defense by Tocha which made him look bad.
Tocha leaves Nepphur with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Tocha has taken the fight to the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Nepphur escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tocha ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Tocha lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Tocha throws a nice inside leg kick.
Tocha pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Nepphur back to the cage. Tocha follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Tocha keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nepphur.
Nepphur has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Horrible takedown by Nepphur or perhaps it was just good defense by Tocha which made him look bad.
Paulo Tocha has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Laht Nepphur.
Nepphur is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tocha tries a head kick but it misses.
Paulo Tocha is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tocha is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tocha moves out of range of the strikes.
Nepphur lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tocha circles away quickly and effectively.
Nepphur throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tocha closes the distance and clinches.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Nepphur as Tocha tries to tie him up.
Nepphur wants to break free but Tocha has control.
Tocha is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Nepphur is defending well for now.
Tocha on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tocha avoids a wild elbow strike from Nepphur.
Nepphur'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.
Tocha tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Knees in the clinch landing for Tocha.
Tocha throws a punch but it's blocked by Nepphur.
Tocha lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Nepphur with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tocha will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Nepphur up against the cage.
Nepphur tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tocha throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Nepphur blocks it with crossed arms.
Nepphur is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Tocha crunches a lovely knee into Nepphur's ribcage.
Tocha crunches a lovely knee into Nepphur's ribcage.
Tocha lands a nice uppercut.
Tocha putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Nepphur in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tocha looking to stall.
Tocha missing with knees to the body.
Tocha missing with knees to the body.
Tocha is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Nepphur is defending well for now.
Nepphur taking a breather.
Tocha trying to land knees to the body.
Tocha lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tocha misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Nepphur.
Nepphur on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tocha misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Nepphur.
Nepphur tries to stall but Tocha uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Nepphur tries to break free but Tocha pushes him back against the cage.
Tocha misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Nepphur.
Nepphur avoids the elbow strike from Tocha, against the cage.
Tocha landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Paulo Tocha has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Tocha using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nepphur has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nepphur on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Tocha is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Nepphur is defending well for now.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nepphur is struggling to control the position.
Tocha stalling in the clinch but Nepphur improves position.
Nepphur tries to circle away but Tocha has him pinned against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paulo Tocha dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Paulo Tocha's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Nepphur fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Tocha tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nepphur is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Nepphur shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tocha sprawls well. Tocha wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Nepphur gets slowly back to his feet.
Tocha goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Tocha swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tocha throws a right and a left that both miss.
Paulo Tocha is winning the standup battle so far.
A nice combination there by Tocha.
Nepphur misses with a hook. Tocha ducked under it nicely.
A clash of legs there as Nepphur blocks the low kick.
Tocha slips a jab from Nepphur.

Tocha gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tocha stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Nepphur is trying to break the clinch but Tocha is controlling him.
Tocha digs a right hand underneath Nepphur's ribcage. Nepphur let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Nepphur takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nepphur tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tocha avoids it.
Nepphur tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tocha wants to stall.
Nepphur is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Nepphur tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Tocha landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Tocha is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Nepphur is keeping busy.
Tocha tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nepphur's elbow.
Tocha tries to work over Nepphur's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Nepphur is trying to break the clinch but Tocha has him pressed against the cage.
Tocha is trying to maintain a safe position but Nepphur gets an underhook and turns Tocha into the cage.
Nepphur tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Tocha lands a knee to the body.
Tocha tries to land knees in the clinch but Nepphur avoids the damage to the body.
Tocha landing knees to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Tocha throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Nepphur blocks it with crossed arms.
Nepphur takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nepphur looking to throw knees to the head but Tocha is blocking nicely.
Tocha looking to stall.
Tocha is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Tocha throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Nepphurs head.
Tocha struggles to land a body shot inside as Nepphur controls his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tocha can't find room to land a body shot as Nepphur controls the action.
Nepphur being controlled against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Nepphur is looking to control Tocha's arms but Tocha gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nepphur has his back to the cage.
Tocha misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Nepphur.
Nepphur blocks a body shot from Tocha.
Nepphur can't break the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Nepphur being controlled against the cage.
Tocha missing with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nepphur tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nepphur wants to break the clinch but can't.
Tocha misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Nepphur.
Tocha tries to stall but Nepphur uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Tocha seems a little flustered. He's come in with the intention of controlling the clinch but Nepphur is preventing him from doing so, at least for the moment.
Nepphur trying to stall but Tocha improves his position.
Nepphur looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Nepphur working Tocha over with knees to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nepphur tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tocha avoids it.
Nepphur using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Tocha on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Nepphur lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tocha backwards.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nepphur leaning his opponent against the cage.
Tocha leaning against his opponent.

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 Paulo Tocha.
I think Tocha 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 James Atkins scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Paulo Tocha!