PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Floyd Pepper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vapun Aukio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aukio comes into a darkened arena with his song building. 2CELLOS (Sulic & Hauser) - Smooth Criminal kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Pepper
vs
Aukio

174 cm
26
169 lbs
9 - 10 - 2

165 cm
26
162 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Namunamu Clothing

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 9 - 10 - 2, fighting out of New York, Floyd Pepper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vapun Aukio!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Illya Tyunina and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aukio scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Aukio has managed to clinch.
Pepper blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Pepper throws a knee to the head but misses.
Pepper with a knee to the head.
Pepper lands a knee to the body.
Pepper works on Aukio's body with a couple of short punches.
A head punch on the inside from Aukio fails to land.
Pepper lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Aukio lands a right hand.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Pepper.
Pepper using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Aukio has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Aukio prevents a body shot from Pepper.
Aukio misses with a punch on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pepper lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Pepper blocking some punches.
Pepper lands a damaging elbow.
Pepper blocking some punches.
Pepper lands an elbow inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Pepper.

Aukio jumps into guard, dragging Pepper to the mat.
Aukio looking for a sweep. Not yet Aukio, not yet.
Pepper stands up over Aukio, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Pepper scoring with punches to the head and body.
Pepper has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Aukio is pulling down on Pepper's head. It's preventing any offense from Pepper, at least for the moment.
Pepper throws a big elbow that misses.
Pepper postures up.
Aukio looking for a sweep. Not yet Aukio, not yet.
Pepper scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Aukio manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Pepper manages to get himself to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pepper working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Aukio.
Aukio looking to sit in guard and control but Pepper gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Aukio looking for a sweep. Not yet Aukio, not yet.
Aukio trying to control the position.
Pepper working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Pepper throwing strikes from guard but Aukio blocks nicely.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Pepper prevents Aukio from getting back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aukio wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pepper scoring with punches to the head and body.
Aukio has his hands on Pepper's head, controlling the position.
Pepper stands and throws Aukio's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Pepper in side control, throwing shots but Aukio defends.
Aukio is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Pepper asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Aukio trying his best to control but Pepper has mounted him.
Aukio is trying desperately to improve position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aukio prevents any damage by holding on tight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aukio is trying to escape the mount.
Aukio felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Pepper thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Aukio is desperately trying to improve his position but Pepper has a good base and remains in mount.
Aukio is still trying to improve position.
Aukio tries to lock up and control but Pepper gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Floyd Pepper dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Pepper works over Aukio's head and body with a nice combination.
Pepper uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Aukio.
Pepper went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
A looping hook to the body misses from Aukio. Pepper does a little dance to reset his feet.
Aukio fails in his attempt to clinch.
Pepper appears to be looking for a big counter.
Aukio fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pepper manages to avoid it.
Aukio throws a body punch but Pepper moves out of range.
Aukio swings widly with a right hand
and Pepper counters with a three punch combo that has Aukio backing up. Aukio nods at Pepper to acknowledge the strikes.
Aukio misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pepper.
Pepper avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aukio takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Aukio is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Pepper rather than just go for the knockout.
Aukio has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pepper throws a quick inside leg kick.
Pepper thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Aukio if he has to take too many more of those.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Pepper.
Aukio swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Pepper counters with a three punch combo that has Aukio backing up. Aukio nods at Pepper to acknowledge the strikes.
Aukio ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pepper moves away.
Pepper misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Pepper walks into a stiff left hand from Aukio.
Pepper steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Aukio.
Vapun Aukio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aukio misses with a looping right.
Pepper appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Aukio looks to score with a jab to the body but Pepper is just out of range.
Pepper seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Floyd Pepper is winning the standup battle so far.
Pepper steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Aukio.
Pepper misses with a two punch combination.
Aukio tries to clinch there but Pepper circles away.
Pepper misses with a two punch combination.
A telegraphed right hand from Aukio misses the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aukio misses with a straight right.
Pepper staying out of range there.
Pepper is looking for a counter combo.
Aukio looks to score with a jab to the body but Pepper is just out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Aukio takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Pepper slips a jab and a cross from Aukio.
Aukio thows a left - swing and a miss!
Pepper slips a jab from Aukio.
Pepper feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Aukio throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Pepper slips under a jab.
Aukio rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Pepper moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Pepper looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aukio dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Pepper is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Aukio can do to turn this around?
Pepper displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Aukio throws out the jab.
Aukio changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Aukio misses with a looping left.
As Aukio looks to move away, Pepper throws a big counter combo bu Aukio just gets out of the way.
Aukio misses with a hook.
Floyd Pepper is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Aukio misses with a body shot.
The fighters circle momentarily. Pepper darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Aukio pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Aukio closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Pepper looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Aukio misses with a hook from the clinch.
Aukio avoids the elbow strike from Pepper, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aukio misses with some punches.
Aukio swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Aukio works on Pepper's body with a couple of short punches.
Pepper misses with an elbow over the top.
Still in the clinch, Pepper scores with a nice short uppercut.
Aukio avoids a wild elbow strike from Pepper.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Knees to the body from Pepper.
Pepper lands an uppercut.
Pepper lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Aukio lands a nice uppercut.
Pepper blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Aukio throws a punch but it's blocked by Pepper.
A head punch on the inside from Aukio fails to land.
Aukio throws a head punch that misses.
Knees to the body from Pepper.
A head punch on the inside from Aukio fails to land.
Pepper lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Floyd Pepper dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Pepper doesn't manage to clinch there - Aukio circles away.
Pepper shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Aukio but Aukio pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A telegraphed right hand from Aukio misses the target.
Pepper is looking to counter punch.
Aukio misses with a body shot
and Pepper counters with a good low kick that Aukio was not able to check.
Pepper is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
It seemed like Aukio was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Aukio throws a body punch but Pepper moves out of range.
Pepper appears to be looking for a big counter.
Aukio wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pepper tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Aukio paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Pepper showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Aukio.
Pepper went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aukio misses with a few strikes there.
The fighters circling - Aukio throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Aukio is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Pepper shoots in for a takedown but Aukio shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Aukio drives through and clinches with Pepper against the cage.
Aukio misses with a hook to the ribs.
Aukio swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Aukio leaning his opponent against the cage.
Aukio is struggling to control the position.
Aukio lands with a light punch inside.
Pepper works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pepper with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Pepper blocks an uppercut.
Pepper's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Aukio misses with a short punch on the inside.
Aukio misses with some punches.
Pepper misses with a knee strike.
Pepper throws an elbow that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Aukio fails to land.
Pepper with a knee to the head.
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!
A short right from Aukio on the inside.
Aukio fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Pepper using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Pepper blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Pepper doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Aukio scores with a shoulder strike.
Aukio looking to slow down the pace here.
A short left from Aukio.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aukio has a couple of punches blocked by Pepper.
Aukio scores with a nice hook to the head.
Pepper tries a knee to the head but Aukio blocks it.
A body shot lands from Aukio.
Aukio has a couple of punches blocked by Pepper.
Aukio wants a takedown but no success here.
Pepper using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Aukio has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Pepper lands a good knee to the midsection. Aukio won't want to take too many of those.
Pepper tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Aukio avoids it.
Pepper blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Pepper scores a nice knee to the body.
Pepper lands an elbow inside.
Aukio throws a punch but it's blocked by Pepper.
Pepper stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Aukio working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aukio takes a knee to the side of the body.
Aukio takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Pepper blocks a body shot from Aukio.
Aukio throws a punch but it's blocked by Pepper.
Pepper lands a damaging elbow.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Pepper.
Aukio misses with a hook to the ribs.
Pepper lands a damaging elbow.
Pepper with a knee to the head.
Pepper tries to throw a body punch but Aukio avoids it by throwing Pepper back against the cage.
Aukio has a couple of punches blocked by Pepper.
Aukio throws a head punch that misses.
Pepper lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Aukio backwards.
Aukio swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Pepper digs a right hand underneath Aukio's ribcage. Aukio let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Vapun Aukio has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aukio avoids a wild elbow strike from Pepper.
Pepper lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Vapun Aukio.
Well Pepper 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:28
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Floyd Pepper!
Floyd Pepper thanked the fans post fight for their support.