PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Simon Epstien (ranked 3969 p4p, 438 weight class) and Brian Dann (ranked 6841 p4p, 622 weight class). Simon Epstien is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Epstien
vs
Dann

184 cm
25
192 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
30
196 lbs
7 - 9 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Knockout power

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Simon Epstien!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brian Dann!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Seu Braga and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Epstien tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Dann counters with a nice double leg into side control. Epstien won't be happy with that.
Epstien takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dann has control of an arm but Epstien manages to advance to Dann's back!
Epstien looking to hold on to the position here but Dann rolls and ends up regaining guard.
Epstien trying to control the position from guard on top but Dann is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dann is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Epstien with a flurry of punches that miss.
Epstien is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Dann managing to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Epstien trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Dann working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Epstien.
Dann is pulling down on Epstien's head to control his posture.
Dann looking for a sweep. Not yet Dann, not yet.

Dann escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Epstien gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Epstien won't allow Dann to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Dann is controlling Epstien's posture.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Dann is on top in guard.

Dann stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Epstien fails to land the takedown.
As Epstien backs off Dann throws a huge counter combo but Epstien manages to avoid it all.
Dann slaps away a takedown attempt from Epstien, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Epstien looks for a takedown but Dann sprawls well.
Dann looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Simon Epstien. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dann throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Epstien counters with a head kick. That will keep Dann thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Epstien goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Dann has taken the fight to the clinch.
Epstien stops a takedown attempt from Dann.
Epstien drops down looking for an ankle pick but Dann pulls his leg out and moves away.
Epstien shoots in and drives through. Dann sprawls well.

Dann closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Epstien pushes Dann off and gets back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dann shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Epstien but Epstien pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Epstien is looking for a counter combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dann tries to close the distance and clinch up but Epstien swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Dann drives through with a takedown into Epstien's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Dann working some strikes from top position.

Dann gets to his feet - Epstien follows without any prompting.
Epstien wants to clinch up but Dann keeps it at a distance.
Dann leaves Epstien with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Dann takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Dann moves into the clinch.

Dann gets control of Epstien's arms and successfully pulls guard. Dann will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Dann controlling Epstien's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Brian Dann will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Dann doesn't manage to clinch there - Epstien circles away.

Dann clinches with his opponent.

Epstien breaks the clinch.

Dann rushes Epstien and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Epstien has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Dann uses from the top position.
Dann slips nicely into half guard.
Dann performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Epstien wants to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Well, if Dann is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Epstien wants to improve his position but Dann is controlling well.
Dann passes to full mount!
Epstien knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Dann on the ground.
Dann lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

It looks like Simon Epstien has been cut.
Dann putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Epstien keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Epstien tries to hold on but Dann postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dann controlling the position easily from mount.

Dann working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. Epstien turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips Dann off and cradles Epstien's limp body as Dann celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:32 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). Brian Dann!