PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bobby Tupper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Optimus Prime (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Optimus Prime will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Tupper
vs
Prime

170 cm
25
186 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

185 cm
24
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bobby Tupper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Optimus Prime!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tupper throws a low kick but Prime avoids it.
Prime is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Tupper misses with a head kick.
Tupper is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tupper tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Prime is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Prime closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Prime is trying to work for a kimura but Tupper is defending well.
Prime is looking to advance position but Tupper won't allow it.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Prime in particular looking to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tupper wants to get back to his feet.

Prime is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Prime is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Tupper sees it coming and defends easily.

Prime looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Prime sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tupper defending well though.

Prime seems to be working for a kimura but Tupper defends the submission attempt.
Prime seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Prime is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Tupper sees it coming and defends easily.
Tupper tries to kick Prime off but Prime keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Prime wants to work for an arm triangle but Tupper is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Prime wants to pass to mount but Tupper is defending the position.
Prime takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tupper is trying to stand.

Prime looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
We've been hearing good reports from Tupper's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

Prime is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Tupper has managed to free his arm - good work.
Prime trying to control from Tupper's half guard. Tupper has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

Prime drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Tupper dives on top into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tupper stands up from Prime's guard - Tupper perhaps looking for a knockout.
Prime misses with a takedown attempt - Tupper sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
As Prime looks to move away, Tupper throws a big counter combo bu Prime just gets out of the way.
Tupper throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Tupper moves to clinch but Prime breaks away
and Prime counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Tupper thinking.
A slapping body kick lands there for Tupper.
Tupper tries to clinch but Prime is having none of it.
Tupper tries a head kick but it misses.
Tupper tries to clinch up.
Prime uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tupper.
Bobby Tupper seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Prime shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tupper but Tupper pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Prime scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Prime avoids the head kick by Tupper.
Prime misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tupper.

Prime closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Tupper to the mat! Tupper manages to get full guard.
Prime passes Tupper's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Tupper wants to get back to his feet.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Prime lands a nice short elbow.

Prime is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Prime seems to be working for a kimura but Tupper defends the submission attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tupper wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Prime is working for a kimura but Tupper is defending it quite comfortably.

Prime is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Tupper to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Prime pushing down on Tupper's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Prime stops Tupper from getting back to his feet.

Prime seems to be working for a kimura but Tupper defends the submission attempt.
Tupper won't allow Prime to pass to mount.
Optimus Prime has got the better of the ground game so far.

Prime looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Tupper is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Prime trying to control the pace.

Tupper makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Prime shoots for a double leg takedown but Tupper sprawls well. He's pushed Prime's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Tupper doesn't manage to clinch there - Prime circles away.

Tupper tries to sprawl but Prime drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Prime wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tupper keeps working.

Prime is looking for a kimura here.

Prime is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Prime wants to control but Tupper is keeping him busy.

Tupper is defending against the submission attempts here by Prime.
Tupper tries to kick Prime off but Prime keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tupper trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Optimus Prime showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Prime shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tupper defends it nicely.

Prime shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Prime tries to free his leg and advance position but Tupper is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Prime is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Tupper is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Tupper has escaped and now he's on top!

Tupper won't allow Prime to sweep him here.
Prime has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tupper wants to stand but Prime has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Prime looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Prime is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tupper defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Prime looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Tupper passes into half guard.

Tupper postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Prime to stand up.
Bobby Tupper is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Prime throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Tupper was covering up waiting for the punch and Prime finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Tupper wants to stand and escape but Prime is having none of it.
Prime trying to control but Tupper is working from the bottom.
Tupper can't keep his opponent in guard - Prime advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tupper manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Prime keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Prime goes for a takedown attempt but Tupper pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Tupper tries to clinch up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Prime is defended easily by Tupper.
Bobby Tupper has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Optimus Prime.
Prime shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tupper went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Tupper tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Prime paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Prime slips a jab and a cross from Tupper.
A head kick misses from Tupper.

Prime drives through with a takedown into Tupper's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tupper is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Prime is controlling him.
Tupper might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Prime wants to control from the top but Tupper keeps moving.

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

Prime tries to bench press Tupper off him but Tupper keeps the position.

Tupper stands up.
Prime misses with a takedown attempt - Tupper sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Tupper tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Prime paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Prime fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tupper manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tupper throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Prime avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Prime feints and as Tupper raises his hands in defense, Prime changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Tupper keeping moving, preventing Prime from controlling successfully.
Prime pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tupper is keeping the position for now.
Bobby Tupper has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tupper utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Prime drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Tupper dives on top into guard.

Prime manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Tupper manages to get himself to full guard.

Tupper wants to stand and escape but Prime is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Optimus Prime.
I've got Prime 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Optimus Prime!
Our winner, Optimus Prime, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.