PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Eric Epp (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and La Tigre Munanaposa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Epp
vs
Tigre Munanaposa

170 cm
23
140 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

171 cm
20
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Eric Epp!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, La Tigre Munanaposa!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Ryoma Takatsuka and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Epp throws a right hand that Munanaposa ducks under and follows up with a left that Munanaposa also avoids with ease.
Eric Epp seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Epp fails to land with a series of punches.
Epp throws a combination that misses
and Munanaposa counters with a thumping low kick.
Epp stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Epp wants it to stay on the feet.
Epp throws a nice looking combination but Munanaposa bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Epp bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Epp's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Epp duly obliges.
Epp looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Epp will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Munanaposa shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Epp is trying to defend but Munanaposa finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Munanaposa wants to pass the guard but Epp is defending well.
Munanaposa throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Munanaposa content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Munanaposa wants to pass the guard but Epp is defending well.
Munanaposa seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. La Tigre Munanaposa hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Munanaposa throws a jab but it's blocked by Epp.
Munanaposa will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Munanaposa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Eric Epp has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of La Tigre Munanaposa.

Munanaposa fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Epp, pushing him back against the cage.
Munanaposa throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Epps head.

Munanaposa wants the takedown. Epp is fighting it off but Munanaposa persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Epp's guard against the cage.

Epp has his foot on Munanaposa's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Munanaposa works his way back into a safe position though.
Munanaposa looking to pass the guard.
Munanaposa wanted to stand there but Epp had control of the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Munanaposa engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Epp wants to sweep here but Munanaposa controlling him for the moment.
Epp has a closed guard, preventing Munanaposa from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Munanaposa accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Munanaposa must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by La Tigre Munanaposa.
Epp fails to land with a series of punches.
A combination from Munanaposa does no damage.
Munanaposa takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Some wild striking there from Epp.

Munanaposa feints and as Epp raises his hands in defense, Munanaposa changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Munanaposa trying to control the position from guard on top but Epp is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Epp has a closed guard, preventing Munanaposa from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Epp lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Epp looks to land a combination but Munanaposa avoids it well.
A punch combination from Munanaposa misses.
Epp looks to land a combination but Munanaposa avoids it well.
Epp moves into range and connects with a jab.

Munanaposa clinches with his opponent.

Munanaposa successfully pulls guard.
Epp missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Epp with a flurry of punches that miss.
Epp is working Munanaposa over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Epp trying to control but Munanaposa is working from the bottom.
Epp with a flurry of punches that miss.
Munanaposa wants to stand but Epp is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Munanaposa tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Epp drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Munanaposa manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Epp has Munanaposa in his guard.
Munanaposa showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

OK we're going to have a standup here. La Tigre Munanaposa hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Epp moves out of range of the leg kick from Munanaposa.
The fight stays on the outside here - Munanaposa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Munanaposa looks for a takedown but Epp sprawls well.
Eric Epp is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

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

Munanaposa has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Epp clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Epp is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Epp trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

Epp is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Epp trying to control the position but Munanaposa manages to sink in the hooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Epp tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Epp gets back to half guard.
Munanaposa is looking to pass Epp's guard but actually Epp recovers to full guard.
Munanaposa postures up in Epp's guard and throws a big left but Epp blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

La Tigre Munanaposa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Munanaposa has taken the fight to the clinch.
Epp is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Munanaposa will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Epp up against the cage.

Munanaposa manages to pull guard.
La Tigre Munanaposa has got the better of the ground game so far.

Munanaposa working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Epp doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Epp manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Epp preventing the sweep.
Munanaposa keeping moving, preventing Epp from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Epp is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Munanaposa is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Epp postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Munanaposa keeping moving, preventing Epp from controlling successfully.
Epp throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Munanaposa manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Epp manages to get himself to full guard.
Epp not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Eric Epp has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Munanaposa ducks under a wild hook from Epp.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Munanaposa gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Munanaposa throwing strikes but missing.
Munanaposa controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Epp keeping full guard, as Munanaposa tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Munanaposa is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. La Tigre Munanaposa wasn't active enough on the ground.
Munanaposa closes this distance looking for a takedown but Epp circles away.
Epp connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Munanaposa takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Munanaposa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Epp.
Munanaposa uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Epp.
Munanaposa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Epp misses with a double jab.

Munanaposa pushes Epp up against the cage in a clinch.
Epp taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Munanaposa lands a takedown into guard.

Munanaposa drops back, looking for a kneebar! Epp looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Epp looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Epp!

Epp thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Munanaposa tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Epp working away.
Eric Epp has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
La Tigre Munanaposa is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Epp wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Munanaposa, who protects the arm well.

And that's the end of the fight!
La Tigre Munanaposa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Munanaposa winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... La Tigre Munanaposa!