PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tom Pappas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Malcolm XsX (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Malcolm XsX is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Pappas
vs
XsX

165 cm
18
163 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

178 cm
23
155 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
KO power

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tom Pappas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Malcolm XsX!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pappas shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Pappas was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
XsX is trying to control Pappas's posture but Pappas avoids it.
XsX is looking to regain half guard here but Pappas keeps moving and retains side control.
XsX is still trying to improve position.
Pappas scores with a couple of short elbows.
XsX is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pappas working away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pappas is working XsX over with some ground and pound from side control.
XsX is looking to reverse the position.
Pappas trying to control the action but XsX is working from the bottom.
Pappas working the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
XsX tries to buck Pappas off but Pappas is having none of it.
XsX is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
XsX takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Pappas is putting a hurting on XsX here, landing some big shots from side control.
You can see the frustration on XsX's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Pappas connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused XsX some visible discomfort.
XsX tries to improve position but can't.
XsX takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
XsX wants to control but Pappas postures up.
Pappas trying to control the position but XsX is working away.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if XsX can do anything to dispel that myth.
Pappas working the ground and pound.
You can see the frustration on XsX's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pappas wants to control but XsX is keeping him busy.
Pappas lands an elbow.
Pappas working the ground and pound.
Pappas working the head with strikes.
Pappas lands a decent elbow from side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pappas landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
XsX struggling a bit here.
XsX looks to move to half guard but instead Pappas has passed into mount! Damn!
XsX gets back to half guard.

XsX looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pappas wants to pass to mount but XsX is defending the position.
XsX on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

XsX looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Pappas moves into full mount! XsX won't be happy about that!
Pappas lands a big elbow.
Pappas with a couple of short strikes.
XsX takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
XsX is looking to improve his position but Pappas isn't that keen on the idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
XsX manages to regain half guard. Good work.
XsX is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Pappas scores with a couple of nice shots.
XsX wants to get back to full guard.
Pappas working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
XsX trying to hold on to Pappas's head to control him but Pappas postures up.
XsX tries to get to full guard but Pappas has control of the leg.

XsX is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Pappas pulls his head out easily.
XsX looks winded!
Pappas is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pappas raining down shots from the mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Pappas dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

XsX slips a straight right by Pappas.
A looping hook to the body misses from Pappas. XsX does a little dance to reset his feet.
Pappas gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and XsX counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Pappas stuffs the takedown attempt from XsX. XsX gets slowly back to his feet.

XsX decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice strikes from XsX there.
Pappas manages to get to full guard.
Pappas not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pappas wants to sweep but no luck.
Pappas is working hard here to advance position.
Pappas might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Pappas not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
XsX scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
XsX with a nice head shot there.
Pappas trying to control the position.
Tom Pappas overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
XsX connects with a couple of short punches.
XsX is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
XsX postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
XsX must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Pappas wants to sweep here but XsX controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
XsX keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Pappas's head.
Pappas bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in XsX's guard.

Our spies down at at English Top Team - THE Hybrid Gym (11 ELITE ) inform us that XsX has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
XsX looking to hit a scissor sweep but Pappas is one step ahead there.

XsX working for a triangle but Pappas defends it easily.
Pappas is working XsX over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

XsX looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Pappas connects with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pappas advances position into side control!
Pappas 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.
Pappas in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
XsX is looking for a sweep.
Pappas trying to control the action but XsX is working from the bottom.
Pappas creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
XsX tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Pappas in side control lands a decent elbow.
Pappas lands a nice forearm strike.
Pappas grinds an elbow into XsX's temple.
XsX tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Pappas wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pappas trying to control the position but XsX is working away.
Pappas lands a nice forearm strike.
XsX manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Pappas landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
XsX on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Pappas.
Pappas trying to pass the guard but XsX defending well.

XsX looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Pappas thows a huge punch but XsX dodges it nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pappas is keen to just control but XsX is a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Pappas dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Pappas shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Pappas drives through with a takedown into guard.
Pappas throws a big elbow that misses.

XsX escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Pappas gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

XsX working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Pappas doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Pappas manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Pappas avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Pappas is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that XsX can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

XsX looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Pappas has picked XsX up and slammed him! XsX can't keep hold of the triangle and Pappas manages to pass to side control!
XsX is trying to control Pappas's posture but Pappas avoids it.
XsX takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pappas working the body and head with strikes.
Pappas trying to control the action but XsX is working from the bottom.
Pappas scores with punches from side control.
Pappas lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear XsX down.
XsX takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Pappas could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
XsX taking a bit of punishment here - Pappas scoring with strikes.
Pappas working the ground and pound.
Pappas scores with a couple of short elbows.
XsX takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Pappas lands a nice forearm strike.
Pappas lands an elbow.
Tom Pappas is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
XsX is looking for a sweep.
XsX is not content to let Pappas control the position.
XsX tries to get back to half guard but can't.
You can see the frustration on XsX's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Pappas scores with punches from side control.
Pappas trying to control the action but XsX is working from the bottom.
Pappas scores with punches from side control.
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!
XsX can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pappas wants to control but XsX is keeping him busy.
XsX is looking for a sweep.
Pappas working the ground and pound.
Pappas just content to control the position.
XsX is looking to regain half guard here but Pappas keeps moving and retains side control.
Pappas scoring with punches from side control.
Pappas lands some shots froms side control.
XsX can't do much from the bottom here.
XsX regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pappas is looking to take a break and control but XsX is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Pappas lands with a punch from half guard.

XsX actively working from the bottom here.
Pappas takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Pappas working the head and body with strikes.
XsX gets full guard.

XsX throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Pappas sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed XsX's guard.
Malcolm XsX has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
XsX wants to improve his position but Pappas is controlling well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tom Pappas showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Pappas, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tom Pappas!
Tom Pappas bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.