PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Archie Wappner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Embamba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Wappner
vs
Embamba

186 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

180 cm
20
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Archie Wappner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Embamba!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Wesley Smith and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Embamba shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wappner tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Embamba swivels and escapes.
Embamba throws a quick inside leg kick.
Wappner takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Wappner tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Embamba defends well and Wappner ends up having to push Embamba into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Embamba steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Wappner.

Wappner clinches.
Embamba tries for a takedown. No joy.
Wappner drops down looking for an ankle pick but Embamba pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Archie Wappner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wappner defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Embamba.
Embamba throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Wappner's waist but Wappner gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Embamba off to one side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Embamba darts in looking for a takedown but Wappner gets double underhooks and turns Embamba into the cage.

Wappner closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Embamba did well to prevent Wappner getting side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Embamba is trying to stand up here but Wappner is controlling him well.
Wappner tries to stand and escape but Embamba is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wappner wants to pass to mount but Embamba is defending the position.

Embamba looking for submissions off his back.
Embamba looks winded!
Wappner looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Wappner seems to be working for a kimura but Embamba defends the submission attempt.
Wappner tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Embamba.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Embamba moves into full guard.
Embamba trying to control the position.
Wappner has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Wappner is looking to work some ground and pound but Embamba has wrist control.
Embamba is trying to control the position but Wappner postures up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Wappner misses the shot to the body.

Wappner drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Embamba tries to improve position but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ground and pound from Wappner seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Embamba tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Wappner wants to lay and pray for a moment but Embamba keeps working.
Wappner tries to stand but Embamba is controlling his head.
Embamba takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
You can see the frustration on Embamba's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Wappner is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Embamba is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Wappner stands up and beckons Embamba to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Embamba is looking to clinch but Wappner is avoiding it.
Embamba tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Wappner swivels and escapes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Archie Wappner 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.

Wappner moves into the clinch.

Wappner manages to break the clinch.

Embamba shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Wappner is trying to defend but Embamba finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Wappner manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Embamba gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Embamba wants to take the fight to the mat but Wappner manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Wappner tries for a takedown. No joy.
Embamba tries to pull guard but Wappner won't allow it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Wappner's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
James Embamba seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Embamba is breathing heavily.
Embamba darts in looking for a takedown but Wappner gets double underhooks and turns Embamba into the cage.
Archie Wappner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Embamba.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wappner shoots in for a double leg but Embamba sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Wappner with a poor takedown

and Embamba counters by clinching up.
Wappner is trying to break the clinch but Embamba has him pressed against the cage.
Embamba is trying to stall.
Wappner dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Embamba pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Wappner is defended easily by Embamba.
Wappner is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Embamba can do to turn this around?
Wappner circles away from the clinch attempt.
Wappner thinks about countering with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Embamba closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Wappner did well to prevent Embamba getting side control.
Embamba trying to pass the guard but Wappner defending well.
Embamba is thwarting Wappner's attempts to control the position.
Embamba with the ground and pound but Wappner uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Wappner is controlling Embamba's posture.
Wappner knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Embamba on the ground.
Wappner is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wappner keeping moving, preventing Embamba from controlling successfully.
Wappner trying to keep a closed guard but Embamba is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Wappner moves into range and clinches up with Embamba.
Wappner gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Embamba.
Wappner tries to pull guard but Embamba forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Wappner pulls Embamba into guard.
Wappner tries to strike from the bottom.
Embamba wants to control from the top but Wappner keeps moving.
Wappner is trying to hold Embamba in close to prevent damage but Embamba has managed to pass into half guard.
Embamba throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wappner wants to get back to his feet.
Embamba slows the pace down in half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Embamba wants to take a breather but Wappner is having none of it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Archie Wappner will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Wappner fails with a takedown attempt.

Wappner tries to keep at a distance but Embamba has taken the fight into the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Embamba breaks from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Embamba closes the distance and pushes Wappner back into the cage.

Embamba escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Wappner closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Embamba's guard.
Embamba seems keen to control Wappner's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wappner tries to free his leg and advance position but Embamba is retaining full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Wappner stands up and waves to Embamba to follow him.
Embamba shoots for a takedown but Wappner saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Wappner shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Embamba as he jumps to the side.
Wappner shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Embamba sprawls well. Embamba wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Wappner gets slowly back to his feet.
Embamba looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Archie Wappner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Embamba fails to land the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Embamba moves into the clinch.
Embamba gets underhooks to prevent Wappner's takedown attempt.

Embamba successfully pulls guard.
Wappner works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Embamba gets back to full guard.

Embamba has his feet on Wappner's thighs here. He's pushed Wappner off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Wappner screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). James Embamba!