PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Sterling Contreras (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Suma Pepper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Suma Pepper is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Contreras
vs
Pepper

158 cm
23
130 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

164 cm
27
135 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sterling Contreras!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Suma Pepper!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pepper rushes Contreras and presses him up against the cage.
Good body shot from Pepper.

Contreras is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Pepper can't fight it off and eventually Contreras manages to take the fight to the floor. Pepper looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Contreras trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Contreras is looking to pass into half guard but Pepper pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Pepper is in guard.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pepper postures up in Contreras's guard and throws a big left but Contreras blocks it.
Pepper must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Contreras holds on and takes a little breather.
Pepper postures up in Contreras's guard and throws a big left but Contreras blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pepper working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Pepper throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Contreras works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Pepper postures up in Contreras's guard and throws a big left but Contreras blocks it.
Contreras being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Contreras trying to control the position.
Pepper working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Pepper is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Pepper lands a couple of digs.
Pepper throws a strike but Contreras rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Pepper is looking to sweep but instead, Contreras has passed into half guard.
Pepper wants to control but Contreras is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Contreras wants to pass the guard but Pepper is defending well.
Pepper is not content to let Contreras control the position.

Contreras is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Pepper can do anything to dispel that myth.
Pepper is concentrating on defense, preventing Contreras from advancing position.
Contreras looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Contreras wants to take a breather but Pepper is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pepper trying to control here.
Contreras keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Pepper is staying active underneath Contreras, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Contreras is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Contreras is trying to control. Pepper wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Pepper rushes Contreras and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Contreras trying to stall but Pepper improves his position.
Contreras changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Pepper fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Pepper thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Contreras if he has to take too many more of those.
Suma Pepper is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pepper throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Contreras takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

It looks like Sterling Contreras has been cut.
Contreras shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Pepper as he jumps to the side.
Pepper has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Contreras moves to clinch but Pepper breaks away
and Pepper counters with a slapping leg kick.

Pepper fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Contreras, pushing him back against the cage.
Pepper lands a right hand.
Pepper with a knee to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A short body shot lands from Pepper as the two fighters clinch.
Pepper lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Contreras is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Pepper is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sterling Contreras. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Contreras tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Contreras manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Still in the clinch, Pepper scores with a nice short uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Suma Pepper dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sterling Contreras's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Pepper gets a clinch.
Contreras goes for a takedown attempt but Pepper pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Contreras takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Pepper gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Pepper slowing the pace effectively.
Contreras stalling the fight.
Contreras is looking for a takedown.
A short right from Pepper on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Contreras wants to stall.
Pepper utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Pepper is leaning against Contreras and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pepper landing knees to the head.
Pepper throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Contrerass head.
Contreras drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sterling Contreras. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A short body shot lands from Pepper as the two fighters clinch.
Pepper lands a left hand.
Contreras is looking to break free of the clinch but Pepper has double underhooks.
Pepper lands a hook that snaps the head of Contreras backwards.
Pepper lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Contreras or not.

Contreras tightens his grip and picks Pepper up, before dumping him to the ground. Pepper manages to land in guard.
Contreras throws a strike but Pepper rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

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!
Pepper missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Pepper pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Contreras is keeping the position for now.
Sterling Contreras overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Pepper content to stall in guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Contreras working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Pepper.
Pepper scoring with some ground and pound.
Pepper wants to control from the top but Contreras keeps moving.
Contreras being controlled here, momentarily.
Pepper throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Contreras works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Contreras has his hands on Pepper's head, controlling the position.
Contreras wants to stand up but Pepper is controlling him.
Contreras is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Pepper throws a big elbow that misses.
Pepper throwing strikes from guard but Contreras blocks nicely.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Suma Pepper seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Pepper closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Pepper.
A shot in the inside from Pepper.
Contreras drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Pepper gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A nice right hand lands inside from Pepper.
Pepper lands a good knee to the midsection. Contreras won't want to take too many of those.
Pepper displaying some good clinch control by pressing Contreras up against the cage.
Pepper lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Pepper scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Contreras trying to control the position but instead, Pepper has worked for underhooks and has pushed Contreras into the cage.
Pepper has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Pepper stalls.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Suma Pepper showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Sterling Contreras's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Pepper throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

Contreras gets tackled into the cage by Pepper. Pepper maintains the clinch.
Contreras wants a takedown.
Contreras is trying to break the clinch but Pepper has him pressed against the cage.
Contreras is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Pepper pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Pepper landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Contreras is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sterling Contreras. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pepper is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
The referee is keeping an eye on Pepper - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice left hand lands by Pepper.
Suma Pepper seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Contreras tries for a takedown. No joy.
Contreras goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short left from Pepper.
Contreras's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Pepper throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Contrerass head.
Contreras will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Pepper up against the cage.
Contreras is looking to take this one to the mat.
Nice body punch from Pepper.
Contreras tries to score a body lock takedown but Pepper shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A short left from Pepper.
Contreras is looking to take this one to the mat.
Pepper lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Contreras is rocked!
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Oh Contreras is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
A short uppercut from Pepper.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Contreras goes for a takedown in the clinch but Pepper prevents it.
Pepper lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Pepper scores with a shot to the side of Contreras's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Contreras wants to break the clinch but can't.
Pepper avoiding damage.
Pepper stalls.
Pepper continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
A right handed body shot lands from Pepper.
Stalling in the clinch from Pepper.
Nice body punch from Pepper - that landed with a thud.
Contreras seems to have got his legs back now.
Pepper with a knee to the head.
Pepper lands a nice uppercut.
Pepper lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Pepper.
Pepper lands with a short shot to the head.
Pepper stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Contreras is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Pepper gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Pepper throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Contreras wants to get back to striking at distance but Pepper won't allow it.
Contreras wants to take the fight to the mat but Pepper manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Pepper lands with a right to the head.
A body shot lands from Pepper.
Contreras goes for a takedown attempt but Pepper pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Contreras gets tackled into the cage by Pepper. Pepper maintains the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pepper content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Contreras is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Pepper lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Pepper works on Contreras's body with a couple of short punches.
Contreras tries for a takedown. No joy.
Pepper stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Contreras looking to slow down the pace here.
A body shot lands from Pepper.
Pepper lands a knee to the body.
Contreras has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Pepper avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Pepper works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pepper dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Sterling Contreras has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pepper with a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Suma Pepper comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Pepper winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 26:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 26:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Suma Pepper!