PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Conor OMalley (ranked 2866 p4p, 341 weight class) and Pyrrhus Epirus (ranked 3753 p4p, 433 weight class). Pyrrhus Epirus has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

OMalley
vs
Epirus

185 cm
28
176 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

178 cm
28
171 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Conor OMalley!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Pyrrhus Epirus!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Sam Margolis and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Epirus has taken the fight to the clinch.
OMalley wants to take the fight to the mat but Epirus manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Epirus lands a nice shot to the body.
OMalley has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Epirus is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
OMalley can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Conor OMalley. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Epirus tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
OMalley is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Epirus looking to throw knees to the head but OMalley is blocking nicely.
OMalley drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Epirus gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Epirus tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
OMalley tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Epirus just stands there and leans against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Epirus misses with a knee strike.
A hook to the body from Epirus.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Epirus has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Epirus with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A short right from Epirus on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by OMalley.
Epirus working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Epirus tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
OMalley wants to get back to striking at distance but Epirus won't allow it.
Epirus misses with a knee to the head.
Epirus landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Epirus lands a hook to the side of the head.
Epirus scores with a shot to the side of OMalley's head.
Epirus lands on the inside with an uppercut.
OMalley changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Epirus fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Epirus moves into range and clinches up with OMalley.
Nice body punch from Epirus - that landed with a thud.
Epirus tried to land a shot to the body but connects with OMalley's elbow.
Nice body punch from Epirus - that landed with a thud.
Epirus misses with a hook to the ribs.
Epirus throws a punch but it's blocked by OMalley.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

OMalley breaks the clinch.

Epirus moves into the clinch successfully.
OMalley wants to take the fight to the mat but Epirus manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
OMalley looking for a takedown.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Epirus lands an elbow inside that OMalley shrugs off.
Epirus lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Conor OMalley has been cut.
Epirus misses with a body punch.
A body shot lands from Epirus.
OMalley is breathing heavily.
A knee to the head by Epirus.
A nice left hand lands by Epirus.
Epirus lands a nice shot to the body.
Epirus throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but OMalley blocks it with crossed arms.
OMalley looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Epirus lands a shot to the body.
Epirus scores with a hook to the body.
Epirus lands a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OMalley blocks an elbow strike from Epirus.
Epirus stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Epirus makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Epirus misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from OMalley.
Epirus unloads a knee to the mid-section. OMalley lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Epirus lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Epirus struggles to land a body shot inside as OMalley controls his hands.
Epirus lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt OMalley or not.
With the fighters up against the cage, Epirus throws an elbow but misses.
Epirus misses with a knee to the head.
Epirus lands a left hand that snaps the head of OMalley backwards.
Epirus lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
OMalley has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Epirus is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
OMalley on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Epirus tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and OMalley avoids it.
Epirus tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and OMalley avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
OMalley tries to pull guard but Epirus won't allow it.
Epirus lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down OMalley.
OMalley drops down looking for an ankle pick but Epirus pulls his leg out and moves away.
Epirus throws a combination that misses

and OMalley decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Epirus's guard.
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!

Epirus pushes OMalley off and gets back to his feet.

Epirus closes the distance and pushes OMalley back into the cage.
Epirus trying to land knees to the body.
Epirus misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from OMalley.
OMalley fails to pull guard.
Epirus tried to land a shot to the body but connects with OMalley's elbow.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Epirus obliges.
Epirus tries to throw a body punch but OMalley avoids it by throwing Epirus back against the cage.
Epirus can't find room to land a body shot as OMalley controls the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pyrrhus Epirus dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Conor OMalley's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

OMalley gets tackled into the cage by Epirus. Epirus maintains the clinch.
Epirus working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Epirus has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Epirus tries to work over OMalley's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Epirus throws a punch but it's blocked by OMalley.
Epirus struggles to land a body shot inside as OMalley controls his hands.
OMalley blocks the elbow strike.
Epirus stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
OMalley blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Epirus tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A short right from Epirus on the inside.
Epirus gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Epirus lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Epirus unloads a knee to the mid-section.

OMalley turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Epirus throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Conor OMalley is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Epirus clinches up against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OMalley's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Epirus lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Epirus with a knee to the head.
OMalley changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Epirus fights it off and pushes away nicely.

OMalley tries to keep at a distance but Epirus has taken the fight into the clinch.
Good body shot from Epirus.
A short right from Epirus.
Epirus misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Epirus lands with a right to the head.
Epirus doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Pyrrhus Epirus seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
OMalley changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Epirus fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Epirus lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Epirus drives through and clinches with OMalley against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Epirus misses with some punches.
Epirus misses with a short punch on the inside.
Epirus trying to land knees to the body.
OMalley is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Epirus is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Conor OMalley. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Epirus missing with knees to the body.
Epirus lands an uppercut.
OMalley is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Epirus to keep the fight standing.
A body shot lands from Epirus.
Epirus lands an uppercut.
OMalley blocks the elbow strike.
OMalley has Epirus pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Epirus manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A body shot lands from Epirus.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Epirus throws a knee to the head but misses.
Epirus is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. OMalley is defending well for now.
OMalley tries to break the clinch but Epirus is controlling the position.
Epirus can't find room to land a body shot as OMalley controls the action.
A head punch blocked on the inside by OMalley.
Epirus lands a right hand that snaps the head of OMalley backwards.
Epirus lands a left hand that snaps the head of OMalley backwards.
Epirus misses with a punch to the body.
OMalley on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Epirus tries a knee to the head but OMalley blocks it.
Epirus pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Epirus tries to land knees in the clinch but OMalley avoids the damage to the body.
Epirus with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

OMalley gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Epirus has one foot on OMalley's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Epirus tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. OMalley manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
OMalley shoots in looking for a takedown. Epirus tries to sprawl out of it but OMalley keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Epirus manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Epirus gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Epirus pushes OMalley back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Epirus obliges.
A body shot lands from Epirus.
A nice right hand lands inside from Epirus.
Epirus is pressed up against the cage. OMalley has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Epirus down to the mat. Epirus avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Pyrrhus Epirus is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Epirus moves into range and clinches up with OMalley.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Epirus lands a hook to the side of the head.

OMalley has Epirus pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. OMalley pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Epirus tumbling to the mat - OMalley dives into Epirus's guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Epirus manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pyrrhus Epirus showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Conor OMalley's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

It's a brutal combination of punches from Epirus! OMalley is backing up but he can't get away as Epirus lands with one final shot to the jaw that drops OMalley and ends the fight. Great knockout.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:05 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Pyrrhus Epirus!
Pyrrhus Epirus is the new middleweight champion!