PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tappa Kappa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rob Hughes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kappa
vs
Hughes

188 cm
18
197 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

180 cm
22
210 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tappa Kappa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rob Hughes!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Columbo Gatti and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kappa wants to clinch.
Hughes checks a low kick from Kappa.
Kappa is looking to clinch but Hughes is avoiding it.

Hughes shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Hughes showed some decent athleticism there.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Kappa is looking to escape.
Hughes works his way into full mount!
Hughes landing strikes from the mount.
Hughes breaks from Kappa's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hughes is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Kappa can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Hughes looks gassed!
Hughes thowing shots but they're missing.
Kappa tries to reverse the position but Hughes maintains control.
Kappa holds on for dear life.
Kappa is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Hughes thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Kappa is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Kappa is wriggling around trying to escape.
Kappa tries to hold on but Hughes pushes him away.
Hughes throws some wild stikes that Kappa manages to avoid easily.
Kappa tries to hold on but Hughes postures up.
Kappa regains half guard.
Kappa is trying to maintain the position but Hughes is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kappa tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Kappa desperately trying to maintain half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kappa wants to control but Hughes is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hughes wants to free his trapped foot but Kappa is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Kappa is looking to control Hughes's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kappa avoid being mounted?
Kappa looks like he's trying to stand up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kappa tries to clinch up but Hughes circles away and keeps his distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kappa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tappa Kappa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kappa wants to clinch up but Hughes keeps it at a distance.
Kappa wants to clinch up but Hughes keeps it at a distance.
Kappa wants to clinch up but Hughes keeps it at a distance.
Hughes keeps the fight on the outside.
Hughes avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kappa tries to close the distance and clinch but Hughes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hughes slips a jab and a cross from Kappa.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kappa tries to clinch but Hughes moves out of range.
Rob Hughes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kappa is looking to clinch.
Hughes avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hughes misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Kappa closes the distance and clinches.
Kappa trying to stall but Hughes improves his position.
Hughes is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kappa unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hughes lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kappa gets underhooks to prevent Hughes's takedown attempt.
Tappa Kappa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rob Hughes.
Kappa prevents a takedown attempt there.
Hughes can't get the takedown.
Hughes goes for a takedown attempt but Kappa pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Kappa instigates a clinch.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Hughes tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kappa smiles and moves away.
Hughes looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kappa is fending him off so far but Hughes persists. Nope, Kappa circles away and we're back to standing.
Hughes circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hughes avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hughes changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kappa tries to avoid it but Hughes manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kappa to the ground. Kappa escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hughes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kappa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Hughes avoids the body shot from Kappa.
Kappa tries to clinch but Hughes is having none of it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Knees to the body from Kappa.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.
Kappa unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hughes lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kappa misses with a knee strike.
Kappa lands a knee to the body.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kappa lands a knee to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kappa.
Kappa landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kappa prevents the takedown attempt.
Kappa connects with a knee to the head.
Kappa connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hughes's face.
Hughes managing to block the knees to the body from Kappa.
Hughes wants a takedown but no success here.
Hughes wants a takedown but no success here.
Hughes changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kappa fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Hughes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hughes has a takedown stuffed.
Hughes shoots in looking for a takedown. Kappa tries to sprawl out of it but Hughes keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Kappa manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Kappa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hughes shoots in but Kappa avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Kappa has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hughes drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kappa tries to land knees in the clinch but Hughes avoids the damage to the body.
Kappa missing with knees to the body.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Hughes tries to score a body lock takedown but Kappa shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Hughes pulls guard.
Hughes lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Kappa!
Hughes lands with some strikes.
The referee warns Kappa that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Kappa wants to get back to his feet.
Hughes scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Hughes postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Kappa looks a forlorn figure.
Hughes has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kappa is just holding on here. Hughes manages to take his back.
Kappa takes a big shot to the side of the head.

Hughes is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Kappa has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Kappa tries to roll but Hughes sticks to his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rob Hughes dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nice takedown defense from Kappa. No joy for Hughes on that attempt.

Hughes scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Hughes moves into full mount!
Kappa taking shots to the head.
Kappa really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Hughes putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

Kappa is rocked!
Hughes punishing his opponent with strikes.
Oh Kappa is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kappa looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Kappa seems to have got his legs back now.
Kappa knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Hughes on the ground.
Kappa is trapped and Hughes is scoring with shots to the head and body.

Hughes working for a choke but Kappa is defending well.
Hughes misses with an elbow to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kappa looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Hughes lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
You can see the frustration on Kappa's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Kappa is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Hughes gets his way!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Hughes is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Kappa knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Kappa for a finish.
Kappa controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Hughes lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Hughes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kappa controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Hughes punishes Kappa with strikes from the back mount.
Hughes not allowing Kappa to control his hands.
Kappa is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Hughes misses with an elbow to the head.
Kappa avoids the strikes from Hughes.
Kappa looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

Kappa preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Hughes.
Hughes scores with punches to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hughes has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Kappa defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Hughes's arms.
Kappa looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Kappa defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Hughes is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Hughes lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
You can see the frustration on Kappa's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Kappa is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hughes patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Hughes lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.

Hughes is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Kappa can't escape the position.

Hughes is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Kappa knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Kappa for a finish.
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!

Kappa is trying to get back to his feet. He's worked up on to his knees and now he's on his feet with his head on the canvas, trying to shake Hughes off. It looks like it's working - Hughes slides off, much to his dismay, and we're back to standing! Kappa displaying calm under pressure there.
Hughes shoots in for a double leg but Kappa sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kappa keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Tappa Kappa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rob Hughes.
Hughes shoots in looking for a takedown. Kappa tries to sprawl out of it but Hughes keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Kappa manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kappa looks to land a left hand but Hughes moved out of range nicely.
Hughes will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hughes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hughes looks for a takedown but Kappa sprawls well.
Kappa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kappa tries to clinch there but Hughes circles away.

That's six 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.
Kappa keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Kappa clinches up with Hughes and pushes him back against the ropes.
Hughes takes a knee right on the jaw!
Knees in the clinch landing for Kappa.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kappa.
Kappa connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hughes's face.
Kappa gets underhooks to prevent Hughes's takedown attempt.
Kappa content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Hughes takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kappa tries to land knees in the clinch but Hughes avoids the damage to the body.
Hughes is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Kappa gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kappa tries to land knees in the clinch but Hughes avoids the damage to the body.

Hughes has clasped his hands together around Kappa's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Kappa tries to bench press Hughes off him but Hughes keeps the position.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Kappa throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Kappa doesn't manage to clinch there - Hughes circles away.
Hughes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Kappa closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Hughes has Kappa pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Kappa manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kappa tries a knee to the head but Hughes blocks it.
Hughes has Kappa pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Kappa manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hughes tries to pull guard but Kappa won't allow it.
Kappa throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hughes has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kappa is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Hughes gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Kappa regains guard.
Hughes with a nice head shot there.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Kappa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hughes is one step ahead there.
Kappa is trying to keep Hughes in close.
Kappa is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Kappa working for a triangle but Hughes defends it easily.
Hughes won't allow Kappa to get back to his feet.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kappa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hughes swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Kappa clinches with his opponent.
Kappa with a knee to the head.
Kappa wants to stall.
Kappa connects with a knee to the head.
Kappa missing with knees to the body.
Hughes looking for a takedown.
Kappa lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hughes tries to score a body lock takedown but Kappa shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Hughes drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kappa pulls his leg out and moves away.
Hughes swats away the attempt to clinch by Kappa.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hughes shoots in looking for a takedown. Kappa tries to sprawl out of it but Hughes keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Kappa manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rob Hughes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kappa drives through and clinches with Hughes against the ropes.
Kappa stalling against the ropes.
Kappa with a knee to the head.
Hughes on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kappa lands a knee to the head.
Hughes can't get the takedown.
Kappa is pressed up against the ropes. Hughes has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kappa down to the mat. Kappa avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kappa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Hughes paws at him with a jab and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kappa has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hughes takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hughes is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Tappa Kappa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rob Hughes.
Hughes takes a knee right on the jaw!
Hughes takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kappa is stalling here.
Kappa tries to land knees in the clinch but Hughes avoids the damage to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hughes tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kappa misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hughes.
Kappa lands a knee to the body.
Kappa throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hughes blocks it with crossed arms.
Hughes tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kappa landing knees to the head.
Kappa connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hughes's face.
Kappa prevents the takedown attempt.
Kappa tries to land knees in the clinch but Hughes avoids the damage to the body.
Hughes changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kappa fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kappa stuffs the takedown.

Kappa instigates a clinch.
Hughes tries for a takedown but Kappa manages to get underhooks.
Hughes takes a knee right on the jaw!
The referee calls for Kappa to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kappa prevents the takedown attempt.
Kappa lands a knee to the body.
Kappa using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hughes has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kappa unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hughes lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Hughes has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kappa is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Kappa lands a nice knee to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kappa landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Knees to the body from Kappa.
Kappa is pressed up against the ropes. Hughes has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kappa down to the mat. Kappa avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kappa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Hughes looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Kappa!
A nice elbow there by Hughes.
Hughes working Kappa over with strikes here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kappa is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Hughes is landing with some decent strikes but Kappa is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Hughes lands a big shot to the head and Kappa winces in pain. He's tapped out due to strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:27 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Rob Hughes!