PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Franz De Epinay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Philipp Kostyrko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kostyrko has chosen Fuck Them All as his entrance music. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

De Epinay
vs
Kostyrko

167 cm
21
155 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

155 cm
24
155 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Pitt Nutrition + Laundry (160 Recovery, Stamina

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Franz De Epinay!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Philipp Kostyrko!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Frank Dennis and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kostyrko moves into range and clinches up with De Epinay.
Kostyrko tries to land knees in the clinch but De Epinay avoids the damage to the body.
Kostyrko managing to block the knees to the body from De Epinay.
De Epinay misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kostyrko.
De Epinay comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Kostyrko taking a breather.
Kostyrko has De Epinay pushed against the cage.
Kostyrko using the Thai plumb to throw knees but De Epinay has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
De Epinay with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kostyrko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. De Epinay is defending well for now.
De Epinay creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kostyrko's defenses.

It looks like Philipp Kostyrko has been cut.
Kostyrko trying to land knees to the body.
Kostyrko pushes off an throws an elbow but De Epinay leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Epinay takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kostyrko is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but De Epinay is keeping busy.
De Epinay missing with knees to the body.
Kostyrko misses with a knee strike.
Kostyrko using the Thai plumb to throw knees but De Epinay has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kostyrko blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
De Epinay blocks an elbow strike.
De Epinay misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kostyrko.
De Epinay stalling in the clinch.
De Epinay tries to land knees in the clinch but Kostyrko avoids the damage to the body.
De Epinay managing to block the knees to the body from Kostyrko.
De Epinay landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kostyrko throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kostyrko looks winded!
De Epinay avoiding damage as Kostyrko throws knees to the body.
Kostyrko throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but De Epinay blocks it with crossed arms.
Kostyrko tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and De Epinay avoids it.
Kostyrko throws an elbow but it misses.
Kostyrko managing to block the knees to the body from De Epinay.
De Epinay throws an elbow but it misses.
De Epinay landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
De Epinay working Kostyrko over with knees to the body.
Kostyrko missing with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Epinay scores with a knee to the head.
De Epinay lands a knee to the body.
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!
De Epinay tries to land knees in the clinch but Kostyrko avoids the damage to the body.
De Epinay tries to land knees in the clinch but Kostyrko avoids the damage to the body.
De Epinay landing knees to the body.
De Epinay landing knees to the body.
De Epinay utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
De Epinay misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kostyrko.
De Epinay using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kostyrko has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kostyrko blocks an elbow strike.
De Epinay landing knees to the body.
De Epinay will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Kostyrko up against the cage.
De Epinay scores a nice knee to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Epinay lands an elbow inside that Kostyrko shrugs off.
De Epinay using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
De Epinay lands a knee to the body.
De Epinay tries to land knees in the clinch but Kostyrko avoids the damage to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by De Epinay.
Kostyrko being controlled against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
De Epinay throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kostyrko blocks it with crossed arms.
Kostyrko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. De Epinay is defending well for now.
Kostyrko on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kostyrko throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but De Epinay blocks it with crossed arms.
De Epinay with a knee to the head.
Kostyrko tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Epinay avoiding damage as Kostyrko throws knees to the body.
De Epinay blocks an elbow strike from Kostyrko.
De Epinay lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
De Epinay avoids a wild elbow strike from Kostyrko.
De Epinay connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kostyrko's face.
De Epinay lands a knee to the body.
De Epinay'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.
Kostyrko takes a knee right on the jaw!
De Epinay gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
De Epinay on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
De Epinay missing with knees to the body.
De Epinay controlling the action here for a moment.
We've been informed that Kostyrko has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
De Epinay tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franz De Epinay dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Philipp Kostyrko's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kostyrko drives through and clinches with De Epinay against the cage.
Kostyrko blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
De Epinay missing with knees to the body.
De Epinay creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kostyrko's defenses.
De Epinay utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
De Epinay pressing his opponent against the cage.
De Epinay on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
De Epinay with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kostyrko missing with knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kostyrko avoiding damage as De Epinay throws knees to the body.
Franz De Epinay has scored more points in the clinch so far.
De Epinay managing to block the knees to the body from Kostyrko.
De Epinay lands an elbow inside.
De Epinay lands a nice knee to the body.
Kostyrko is breathing heavily.
Kostyrko looking to slow down the pace here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Epinay avoiding damage.
De Epinay tries to land knees in the clinch but Kostyrko avoids the damage to the body.
De Epinay lands an elbow just above Kostyrko 's eye.
Kostyrko throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but De Epinay blocks it with crossed arms.
Kostyrko is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kostyrko tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kostyrko takes a knee right on the jaw!
De Epinay using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kostyrko has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kostyrko misses with a knee to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. De Epinay obliges.
De Epinay scores with a knee to the head.
De Epinay creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kostyrko's defenses.
De Epinay tries to land knees in the clinch but Kostyrko avoids the damage to the body.
De Epinay slows down the pace here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Epinay landing some nice looking knees to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Knees in the clinch landing for De Epinay.
De Epinay managing to block the knees to the body from Kostyrko.
Kostyrko blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
De Epinay scores a nice knee to the body.
De Epinay lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Kostyrko tries to stall but De Epinay uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
De Epinay tries to land knees in the clinch but Kostyrko avoids the damage to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
De Epinay putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Kostyrko in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
De Epinay using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
De Epinay lands a damaging elbow.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as De Epinay takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Kostyrko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. De Epinay is defending well for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Epinay connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kostyrko's face.
De Epinay creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kostyrko's defenses.
Kostyrko is trying to maintain a safe position but De Epinay gets an underhook and turns Kostyrko into the cage.
De Epinay unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kostyrko lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kostyrko avoiding damage as De Epinay throws knees to the body.
De Epinay lands a knee to the body.
Kostyrko takes a knee to the side of the body.
De Epinay lands a knee to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by De Epinay.
De Epinay lands an elbow inside.
De Epinay is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kostyrko can do to turn this around?
Kostyrko letting De Epinay take a breather here.
Kostyrko using the Thai plumb to throw knees but De Epinay has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
De Epinay lands a good knee to the midsection. Kostyrko won't want to take too many of those.
A knee to the head by De Epinay.
De Epinay tries to land knees in the clinch but Kostyrko avoids the damage to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Epinay lands an elbow that stopped Kostyrko in his tracks for a moment.
De Epinay scores a nice knee to the body.
De Epinay with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
De Epinay unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kostyrko lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kostyrko takes an elbow to the forehead.
De Epinay is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kostyrko managing to block the knees to the body from De Epinay.
De Epinay utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
De Epinay is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
De Epinay on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
De Epinay lands a nice knee to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kostyrko managing to block the knees to the body from De Epinay.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. De Epinay obliges.
Kostyrko takes a knee right on the jaw!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franz De Epinay dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Philipp Kostyrko's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

A head kick misses from De Epinay.

Kostyrko has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kostyrko lands a nice knee to the body.
De Epinay putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Kostyrko in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
De Epinay with a knee to the head.
Stalling in the clinch from De Epinay.
Kostyrko landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kostyrko misses with a knee strike.
Kostyrko is looking to control De Epinay's arms but De Epinay gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kostyrko has his back to the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Kostyrko takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Kostyrko throws an elbow but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Epinay managing to block the knees to the body from Kostyrko.
Kostyrko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
De Epinay lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Kostyrko with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
De Epinay landing knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kostyrko misses with a knee strike.
De Epinay using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A knee to the head by De Epinay.
De Epinay connects with a knee to the head.
De Epinay lands a knee to the head.
De Epinay crunches a lovely knee into Kostyrko's ribcage.
De Epinay landing knees to the head.
A bit of stalling here from De Epinay.
De Epinay lands a knee to the body.
De Epinay lands a knee to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
De Epinay lands a nice knee to the body.
De Epinay lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Kostyrko is rocked!
De Epinay is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kostyrko is still on wobbly legs! Can De Epinay finish him?
De Epinay missing with knees to the body.
Kostyrko takes an elbow to the temple.
Philipp Kostyrko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Epinay tries to land a knee to the head but Kostyrko blocks with his arms.
Kostyrko throws an elbow but it misses.
Kostyrko with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kostyrko seems to have recovered his senses.
De Epinay is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kostyrko is defending well for now.
Kostyrko misses with an elbow strike.
Kostyrko throws a knee to the head but misses.
De Epinay with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
De Epinay using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
De Epinay landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
De Epinay unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kostyrko lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
De Epinay gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
De Epinay lands a damaging elbow.
A nice glancing elbow lands by De Epinay.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Epinay with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kostyrko tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
De Epinay on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kostyrko on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
De Epinay putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Kostyrko in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
De Epinay scores with a knee to the head.

That has opened up Philipp Kostyrko's cut even more.
De Epinay is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kostyrko missing with knees to the body.
De Epinay gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
De Epinay with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
De Epinay holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Kostyrko wants to stall.
Kostyrko tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and De Epinay avoids it.
Franz De Epinay is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kostyrko on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kostyrko tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. De Epinay obliges.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
De Epinay unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kostyrko lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
De Epinay avoiding damage.
Kostyrko tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
De Epinay lands an elbow just above Kostyrko 's eye.
Kostyrko with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
De Epinay working Kostyrko over with knees to the body.
Kostyrko missing with knees to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
De Epinay blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

And that's the end of the fight!
Franz De Epinay showed his dominance in that final round.
Well De Epinay has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:26
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Franz De Epinay!
During a confident post fight interview, Franz De Epinay thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.