PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Renato Laranja (ranked 4024 p4p, 437 weight class) and Pyrrhus Epirus (ranked 2673 p4p, 308 weight class). Laranja kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Sangue Do Laranja. Epirus has chosen The Devil and The Huntsman as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Laranja
vs
Epirus

178 cm
21
177 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

178 cm
28
171 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

Freebok (85% Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Renato Laranja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Pyrrhus Epirus!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Laranja misses with an uppercut. Epirus saw that one coming.
Epirus feints the counter takedown.
Epirus doesn't manage to clinch there - Laranja circles away.
Laranja throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Epirus tries to clinch up

and Laranja counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Epirus wants to get back to his feet but Laranja is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Epirus kicks Laranja off and gets to his feet.
Epirus is looking to clinch.
Laranja feinted with a counter takedown.

Epirus rushes Laranja and presses him up against the ropes.
Laranja blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Laranja lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Laranja is looking to advance position but Epirus won't allow it.
Epirus wants to get back to his feet.
Laranja wants to pass to mount but Epirus is defending the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Laranja is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Laranja throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Epirus is trying to stand back up but Laranja is controlling him

Laranja is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Laranja seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Epirus does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Laranja is trying to work for a kimura but Epirus is defending well.
Laranja has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Laranja is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Epirus can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Epirus wants to use the ropes to get back to his feet here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laranja can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Epirus is looking to escape.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Epirus wants to use the ropes to get back to his feet here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Epirus can do anything to dispel that myth.

Laranja is working for a guillotine from mount but Epirus frees his head quite easily.
Laranja fails to advance to Epirus's back.
Epirus's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Laranja looking to control but Epirus is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Epirus told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Laranja wants to take his opponent's back but Epirus doesn't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Laranja is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Epirus has managed to escape the submission attempt.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Epirus bucks Laranja off and manages to get back to his feet!
Pyrrhus Epirus is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Epirus wants to clinch.
Epirus fails with an attempt to clinch.

Epirus moves into range and clinches up with Laranja.
Epirus gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Laranja.
Laranja drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Epirus working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Epirus with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Laranja is working for takedown but Epirus is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Renato Laranja. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Laranja tries for a takedown but Epirus manages to get underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laranja wants to take the fight to the mat but Epirus manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Laranja managing to block the knees to the body from Epirus.
Epirus lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Epirus working aggressively here.
A hook to the body from Epirus.
Laranja is breathing heavily.
Epirus lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Laranja backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Laranja is working for takedown but Epirus is calmly controlling the position for now.
I was talking to Laranja's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Nice body punch from Epirus - that landed with a thud.
Laranja changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Epirus fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Epirus fails with an attempt to clinch.

Epirus instigates a clinch.
Epirus pushes Laranja back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Epirus tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Epirus lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Laranja can't get the takedown.
Epirus lands a right hand that snaps the head of Laranja backwards.
Epirus misses with a short punch on the inside.
Epirus misses with the head strike.
Laranja is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Epirus pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A shot in the inside from Epirus.
Epirus stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pyrrhus Epirus dominated that round.
That's time! Laranja's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Laranja throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Laranja lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Epirus circles away quickly and effectively.
And Epirus tries to counter it with a takedown but Laranja pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Laranja is looking to land body kicks.
Laranja avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Laranja drops down looking for a counter takedown but Epirus sprawls and moves away.
Epirus tries to close the distance and clinch but Laranja swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Laranja shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Laranja showed some decent athleticism there.
Epirus is looking to escape.

Laranja is looking for a kimura here.
Epirus really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Laranja. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Laranja is pressing down on Epirus's thigh, looking to free his foot. Epirus is holding on for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Epirus tries to kick Laranja off but Laranja keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Laranja is looking for a kimura here.
Epirus is trying to stand up here but Laranja is controlling him well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Epirus manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Laranja keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the ropes.
Laranja looking for a takedown.
Laranja is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Epirus is defending well.
Laranja blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Epirus tries to land knees in the clinch but Laranja avoids the damage to the body.

Laranja tightens his grip and picks Epirus up, before dumping him to the ground. Epirus manages to land in guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Laranja pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Epirus is keeping the position for now.
Epirus wants to get back to his feet but Laranja passes into half guard.
Epirus wants to get back to his feet.
Renato Laranja overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Laranja is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Epirus sees it coming and defends easily.
Epirus looks like he's trying to stand up.
Epirus is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Laranja scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Epirus is trying to stand.

Laranja wants to work for an arm triangle but Epirus is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Laranja tries to pass the half guard into mount. Epirus knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Laranja is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Laranja is pressing down on Epirus's thigh, looking to free his foot. Epirus is holding on for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Epirus is trying to stand back up but Laranja is controlling him
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Laranja is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Epirus pushes Laranja off and gets back to his feet.
Renato Laranja is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Epirus tries to clinch up.
Epirus is looking to clinch but Laranja is avoiding it.
Epirus tries to clinch up but Laranja circles away and keeps his distance.
Epirus tries to clinch up.
Laranja attempts a counter takedown but Epirus avoids it well and moves away.
Epirus stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Epirus wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Renato Laranja. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Laranja.
Epirus tries to close the distance and clinch but Laranja swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Epirus fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Laranja, pushing him back against the ropes.
Epirus scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Epirus scores with a hook to the body.
Epirus tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Laranja tries to score a body lock takedown but Epirus shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Laranja working aggressively here.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Epirus creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Laranja.
Epirus scores with a shot to the side of Laranja's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Epirus misses with some punches.
Epirus throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Laranjas head.
Laranja 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.
Epirus lands a left hand that snaps the head of Laranja backwards.
Epirus throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Laranjas head.
Laranja blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Epirus tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Laranja avoids it.

Laranja wants the takedown. Epirus is fighting it off but Laranja persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Epirus's guard against the ropes.
Laranja stops Epirus from standing up.
Laranja throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Epirus works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Laranja prevents Epirus from getting back to his feet.

Laranja thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Epirus is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Pyrrhus Epirus will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Laranja keeps the fight on the outside.
Laranja feinted with a counter takedown.
Laranja shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Epirus defends it nicely.
Epirus with the counter takedown but Laranja avoids it easily.
Laranja lands with a good body shot.
Pyrrhus Epirus seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Epirus moves in looking to clinch but Laranja pushes him off.
Laranja feinted with a counter takedown.
Epirus tries to clinch up.
Laranja circles away from the clinch attempt.
Epirus wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Epirus tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Laranja paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Laranja attempts a counter takedown but Epirus avoids it well and moves away.

Epirus clinches up with Laranja and pushes him back against the ropes.

Laranja turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Laranja manages to end up in side control.
Epirus pushes Laranja away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Laranja gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Laranja tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Laranja has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Epirus pushes Laranja away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Laranja gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Laranja moves into full mount!
Epirus tries to buck Laranja off but he can't manage it.

Laranja looking to secure an arm triangle but Epirus defends it well.
Epirus is trying to stand up.
Laranja lands a big shot there that rocks Epirus but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Laranja looking for a guillotine from mount but Epirus is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Epirus holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Laranja tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

Laranja working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Epirus tries to buck Laranja off but he can't manage it.
Laranja pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Epirus wants to get back to his feet.

Laranja with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Epirus is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

Epirus defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Laranja.
Epirus's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laranja working Epirus over with strikes here.
Epirus is trying to get to the ropes to help him get back to his feet.

Epirus tries to buck Laranja off so he can stand up but Laranja has got his back now - this could be big trouble! He's slapped on a rear naked choke that looks really tight! Epirus falls backwards, slamming Laranja to the mat but Laranja holds on tight! Epirus is forced to tap and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:37 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Renato Laranja!
Renato Laranja decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.