PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Raymond Reddington (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thom Epicosuarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Reddington
vs
Epicosuarez

189 cm
23
198 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

188 cm
22
191 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

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 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Raymond Reddington!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Thom Epicosuarez!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Alyssa Summers and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reddington lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Epicosuarez circles away quickly and effectively.
A shot to the liver by Reddington. Beautiful body shot.
Epicosuarez lands a nice shot that snaps Reddington's head back.
Reddington throws a jab but it's blocked by Epicosuarez.
A looping hook to the body misses from Reddington. Epicosuarez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Reddington misses with a body shot.
Reddington punishes Epicosuarez's body with a nice straight punch.
A left lands for Reddington.

Epicosuarez throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Reddington was covering up waiting for the punch and Epicosuarez finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Reddington wants to get back to his feet but Epicosuarez is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Reddington looking to hit a scissor sweep but Epicosuarez is one step ahead there.
Epicosuarez makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Reddington not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reddington wants to stand up but Epicosuarez is controlling him.
Epicosuarez working some strikes from top position.
Epicosuarez trying to control the position from guard on top but Reddington is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Epicosuarez content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Epicosuarez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Reddington swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Epicosuarez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Reddington tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Epicosuarez wants to pass the guard but Reddington is keeping the position.
Epicosuarez is still trying to improve position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Epicosuarez's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reddington has control of Epicosuarez's left arm, preventing Epicosuarez from doing any damage.
Reddington trying to control the position.
Epicosuarez wants to pass the guard but Reddington is keeping the position.
Reddington looking to hit a scissor sweep but Epicosuarez is one step ahead there.
Reddington is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Reddington knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Epicosuarez on the ground.
Reddington looking for a sweep. Not yet Reddington, not yet.
Reddington is working hard here to advance position.
Epicosuarez trying to control but Reddington is working from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Epicosuarez tries to free his leg and advance position but Reddington is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Epicosuarez postures up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Epicosuarez tries to score with a low kick but Reddington moves his leg out of the way.
Reddington throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Reddington swinging wildly here.
Reddington ducks under a wild hook from Epicosuarez.

Epicosuarez shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Reddington keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Epicosuarez lands with a punch from half guard.
Epicosuarez wants to free his trapped foot but Reddington is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Ground and pound from Epicosuarez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reddington is looking to improve his position.
Epicosuarez moves into full mount! Reddington won't be happy about that!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Reddington is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Reddington is wriggling around trying to escape.
Reddington tries to hold on but Epicosuarez pushes him away.
Reddington is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Reddington tries to lock up and control but Epicosuarez gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Epicosuarez trying to control but Reddington is having none of it.
Epicosuarez postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Reddington looks a forlorn figure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thom Epicosuarez dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Reddington looks to land a combination but Epicosuarez avoids it well.
Reddington throws a looping overhand right but Epicosuarez ducks down to avoid it.
Epicosuarez walks into a left hand.
Epicosuarez missing with a left hand there. Reddington was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Epicosuarez misses with a jab, cross combination.
Reddington slips under a jab.
Raymond Reddington is winning the standup battle so far.
Epicosuarez uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Reddington.
Reddington listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Reddington pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Raymond Reddington seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Reddington takes a swing at Epicosuarez's ribcage but misses.
A big left from Epicosuarez misses.
Epicosuarez displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Reddington throws out the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reddington throws a nice looking combination but Epicosuarez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Reddington throws a right and a left that Epicosuarez avoids nicely.
Reddington throws a right hand that Epicosuarez ducks under and follows up with a left that Epicosuarez also avoids with ease.
Reddington connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Epicosuarez's hands.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Reddington throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Epicosuarez avoids the body shot from Reddington.
Epicosuarez drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Reddington defends it well.

Epicosuarez closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Epicosuarez lands in his opponent's guard.
Epicosuarez prevents Reddington from getting back to his feet.
Epicosuarez lands a couple of elbows.
Epicosuarez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Reddington swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Reddington controls Epicosuarez momentarily but Epicosuarez frees himself.
Epicosuarez wants to control from the top but Reddington keeps moving.
Reddington is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Epicosuarez is controlling him.
Reddington wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Epicosuarez forces his way into half guard.
Reddington trying to control but Epicosuarez postures up.
Epicosuarez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Epicosuarez is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Reddington defends it well.
Epicosuarez trying to control the action but Reddington is working from the bottom.
Reddington tries to get to full guard but Epicosuarez has control of the leg.
Reddington wants to get back to his feet.
Reddington on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Reddington is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Epicosuarez is trying to control the action in half guard but Reddington is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Reddington moves into full guard.

Reddington throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Thom Epicosuarez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Epicosuarez won't allow Reddington to sweep him here.
Epicosuarez wants to pass the guard but Reddington is keeping the position.

Reddington manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Epicosuarez ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
No joy there for Reddington, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Epicosuarez lands a head shot.
Reddington misses with an uppercut. Epicosuarez saw that one coming.
Sloppy strikes from Reddington. Those never looked like landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reddington misses with an uppercut. Epicosuarez saw that one coming.
Epicosuarez tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Reddington throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Epicosuarez on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Reddington throws a hook but Epicosuarez avoids it easily.
Epicosuarez is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Reddington.
Reddington displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Epicosuarez misses with a wild body shot.
It looked like Reddington wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Reddington misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Epicosuarez.
Reddington sizes up Epicosuarez with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Reddington takes one to the side of the head.
A lazy left from Reddington finds it's target.
Epicosuarez moves out of range of the strikes.
Reddington ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Epicosuarez moves away.
Reddington throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Epicosuarez throws out a powerful jab.
Epicosuarez throws out a loose jab but Reddington uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raymond Reddington dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Epicosuarez slips under a jab.
Epicosuarez shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Reddington sprawls well. Reddington wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Epicosuarez gets slowly back to his feet.
Reddington tries to move into range but Epicosuarez moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Reddington clobbers Epicosuarez with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Reddington misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Epicosuarez drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Reddington defends it well.
Raymond Reddington is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Reddington tests Epicosuarez's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Epicosuarez throws a leg kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Epicosuarez darts in looking for a takedown but Reddington gets double underhooks and turns Epicosuarez into the cage.
Epicosuarez takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Epicosuarez misses with a hook.
Epicosuarez slips a jab and a cross from Reddington.
Reddington throws a nice looking combination but Epicosuarez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A nice side step and Epicosuarez releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Epicosuarez avoids a punch combination nicely.
Reddington is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Epicosuarez.
Reddington misses with a wild combination.
Raymond Reddington is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Reddington lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Reddington lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Epicosuarez circles away quickly and effectively.
Reddington pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Reddington throws a body shot but no joy.
Epicosuarez is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

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

Reddington has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Epicosuarez is on him like a limpet, forcing Reddington back against the cage.
Reddington is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Epicosuarez can do to turn this around?
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!
Reddington prevents a takedown attempt there.
Raymond Reddington has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thom Epicosuarez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Epicosuarez's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Epicosuarez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Epicosuarez misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Reddington.
Epicosuarez has Reddington pressed against the cage, preventing Reddington from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Epicosuarez has Reddington pressed against the cage, preventing Reddington from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Epicosuarez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Reddington breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Reddington keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Epicosuarez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reddington throws a lazy right hand but Epicosuarez sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Epicosuarez drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Reddington defends it well.
Reddington throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Epicosuarez counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Reddington cracks Epicosuarez with an open hand slap.
Reddington throws a right and a left that Epicosuarez avoids nicely.
Reddington blocks a head kick by Epicosuarez.
Reddington pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Epicosuarez throws out a counter right but Reddington avoids it with no problem.
Reddington takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Epicosuarez goes for a double leg but Reddington avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Reddington continues to drive forward.
Reddington thows a left - swing and a miss!
Reddington throws a series of punches but Epicosuarez avoids them all with ease.
Reddington scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Epicosuarez doesn't seem bothered though.
Reddington just misses with a punch to the body.
Epicosuarez drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Reddington defends it well.
Reddington swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Reddington misses with an uppercut.
The fighters circling - Epicosuarez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Reddington. Those never looked like landing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Reddington scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Epicosuarez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Reddington throws a shot from downtown. Epicosuarez moves away and avoids it.
And Epicosuarez tries to counter it with a takedown but Reddington pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Reddington misses with a wild combination.
And Epicosuarez tries to counter it with a takedown but Reddington pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Reddington misses with a straight right.
A slow jab from Epicosuarez misses its intended target.
Reddington throws a hook but Epicosuarez avoids it easily.
Reddington misses the shot to the body.
Reddington throws a combination that misses
and Epicosuarez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Epicosuarez steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Reddington.
Reddington throws a nice looking combination but Epicosuarez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Reddington misses with a left hand

so Epicosuarez counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Epicosuarez wants to control from the top but Reddington keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raymond Reddington showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Reddington has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raymond Reddington!
After the fight, Raymond Reddington was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.