PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bobby Zepp (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Igor Gago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zepp's entrance music is Boom! Shake The Room . A fine choice. Igor Gago acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Zepp
vs
Gago

177 cm
34
187 lbs
31 - 12 - 0

186 cm
30
195 lbs
18 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160 (85% laundry)
Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bobby Zepp!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Igor Gago!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Steve Smith and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gago sizes up Zepp with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Gago stuns Zepp with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Zepp misses with a few strikes there.
Gago fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Zepp avoids it really well and circles away.
Zepp throws a counter high kick but Gago was just alert enough to avoid it.

Zepp tries to sprawl but Gago drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Gago trying to control the pace.
Gago not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Gago wants to work for an arm triangle but Zepp is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Zepp has his hands clasped together around Gago's back. He's all about the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zepp's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Gago is looking for a kimura but Zepp is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gago to get the leverage.
Zepp slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Gago passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zepp takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Gago is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Zepp will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Gago is looking to take a break and control but Zepp is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gago is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Zepp will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gago looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Zepp is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Gago is controlling him well.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Gago throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Gago wants to lay and pray for a moment but Zepp keeps working.

Gago swings around for an armbar but Zepp sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Gago's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zepp gets to his feet - Gago follows without any prompting.
Gago tries to close the distance and clinch up but Zepp swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gago has his takedown stuffed
and Zepp cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Gago changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Zepp looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Gago working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Gago decides to stand up, so the ref orders Zepp to his feet.
Gago tries to clinch there but Zepp circles away.
Zepp lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Gago is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Igor Gago seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zepp has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Gago finds it's way round the side to connect with Zepp's head.
Zepp takes one to the chin there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gago closes the distance but Zepp moves to the side
and Zepp counters with a good low kick that Gago was not able to check.
Zepp lands with a nice body kick.
Zepp bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gago looks for a takedown but Zepp sprawls well.
Bobby Zepp has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Igor Gago.
Gago is looking to clinch.
Gago looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Zepp is fending him off so far but Gago persists. Nope, Zepp circles away and we're back to standing.
As Gago tries to get set, Zepp tries to push him back and clinch up but Gago manages to avoid the attempt.
Gago throws a leg kick
and Zepp counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

It looks like Igor Gago has been cut.
Gago tries to clinch up.
Gago takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Zepp misses with a two punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Igor Gago will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Igor Gago'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.

Gago shoots in but Zepp avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Gago closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Gago lands in his opponent's guard.
Zepp keeping full guard, as Gago tries to pass.
Gago throwing strikes but missing.
Gago postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gago won't allow Zepp to sweep him here.
Gago trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zepp keeping moving, preventing Gago from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zepp is trying to control the position from the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Gago trying to control the position from guard on top but Zepp is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Gago looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Zepp is fending him off so far but Gago persists. Nope, Zepp circles away and we're back to standing.
Gago has his takedown stuffed
and Zepp counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bobby Zepp has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Igor Gago.
Zepp avoids the body shot from Gago.
Gago shoots in looking for a takedown but Zepp manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gago's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Bobby Zepp is winning the standup battle so far.
Gago will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gago throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zepp's waist but Zepp gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gago off to one side.
Horrible takedown attempt by Gago or perhaps it was just good defense by Zepp, which made it look bad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gago tries to close the distance and clinch up but Zepp swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Zepp throws a big counter combination but Gago scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Zepp takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Gago darts in trying to clinch
and Zepp connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Zepp tests Gago's chin there with a solid looking shot.
That kick from Zepp tenderised Gago's leg. Gago is trying to keep his angry face on.
The fighters circling - Gago throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
It looked like Zepp wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Gago looks to land a right hand but Zepp moved out of range.
Gago gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Zepp counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zepp feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Gagos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Gago fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gago looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Zepp trying to control the position.
Zepp trying to control the position here.
Gago trying to control but Zepp is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gago looking to sit in guard and control but Zepp gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Zepp being controlled here momentarily.

Zepp decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Gago wants to clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gago misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bobby Zepp dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Igor Gago's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Zepp moves away from the strike by Gago.

Zepp gets caught flat footed, as Gago shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Gago trying to stand up but can't free himself from Zepp's guard.
Gago wants to control from the top but Zepp keeps moving.
Igor Gago has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gago stopping the sweep attempt from Zepp.

Gago drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Zepp manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Gago has Zepp in his guard.

Zepp trying to control the position from guard on top but Gago is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gago looking for a sweep. Not yet Gago, not yet.

Gago is working an open guard so Zepp takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Gago closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Zepp quickly recovers to half guard.
Zepp tries to kick Gago off but Gago keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Gago wants to take a breather but Zepp is having none of it.

Gago is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Zepp is just riding it out for now. Gago eventually gives up the hold.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gago is stalling here. Zepp is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Gago seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Zepp has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Gago tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Zepp wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Gago is not content to let Zepp control the position.

Zepp decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gago is looking to clinch but Zepp is avoiding it.

Gago fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Zepp, pushing him back against the cage.
Gago blocks a body shot from Zepp.
Zepp on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gago's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Zepp swings wildly with an uppercut but Gago uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gago blocks an uppercut.
Gago tries to land knees in the clinch but Zepp avoids the damage to the body.
Zepp misses with a punch to the body.
Gago tries to land a knee to the head but Zepp blocks with his arms.
Zepp lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A nice left hand lands by Zepp.
Gago takes a shot to the head.

Zepp breaks from the clinch.
Gago shoots in for a takedown but Zepp shows good takedown defense.
Zepp misses with a hook.
Gago is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Zepp.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gago with a lazy takedown attempt
and Zepp counters with a stiff right hand.

That has opened up Igor Gago's cut even more.
Gago takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zepp lands with a slapping head kick.

Gago is rocked!
Zepp walks into a jab.
Gago is still on wobbly legs! Can Zepp finish him?
Gago fails with a takedown attempt.
Gago seems to have recovered his senses.
Bobby Zepp has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Igor Gago.
Ohhhhh! A huge head kick from Zepp! Gago is out on his feet! Zepp rushes in and throws more strikes. The ref is looking closely - Gago is covering up but the punishment is just too much and the ref steps in to stop the fight! Gago is staring into space, just thankful that the beatdown has ended. Brutal finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:30 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Bobby Zepp!
After winning the bout, Bobby Zepp thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.