PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alexandros Margaritopoulos (ranked 3126 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ethaward Taufiqurohman (ranked 25039 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Margaritopoulos
vs
Taufiqurohman

181 cm
25
157 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

177 cm
25
159 lbs
0 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alexandros Margaritopoulos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ethaward Taufiqurohman!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, John Roberts and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Margaritopoulos gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Margaritopoulos with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Margaritopoulos gets underhooks to prevent Taufiqurohman's takedown attempt.
Taufiqurohman goes for a takedown in the clinch but Margaritopoulos prevents it.
Taufiqurohman is looking for a takedown.
Alexandros Margaritopoulos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ethaward Taufiqurohman.
Margaritopoulos has Taufiqurohman pressed against the cage.
Margaritopoulos throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Taufiqurohmans head.
Taufiqurohman being controlled against the cage.

Taufiqurohman lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Margaritopoulos is trying to get back to full guard.
Margaritopoulos looks like he's trying to stand up.
Margaritopoulos throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Margaritopoulos punching from the bottom.
Margaritopoulos punching from the bottom.
Margaritopoulos throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Margaritopoulos striking from half guard on the bottom.
Margaritopoulos is trying to stand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Margaritopoulos missing with punches from the bottom.

Margaritopoulos is defending against the submission attempts here by Taufiqurohman.
Margaritopoulos throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Margaritopoulos is looking to improve his position.

Taufiqurohman seems to be working for a kimura but Margaritopoulos defends the submission attempt.

Taufiqurohman is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Margaritopoulos has managed to free his arm - good work.
Margaritopoulos punching from the bottom.
Margaritopoulos tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Taufiqurohman is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Margaritopoulos regains full guard. Nicely done.

Taufiqurohman is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Taufiqurohman tries to free his leg and advance position but Margaritopoulos is retaining full guard.

Taufiqurohman thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Margaritopoulos bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Taufiqurohman's guard.

Margaritopoulos throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Taufiqurohman wants to get back to his feet but Margaritopoulos is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Margaritopoulos throws a big elbow that misses.
Margaritopoulos with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Margaritopoulos is working Taufiqurohman over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Margaritopoulos with a flurry of punches that miss.
Margaritopoulos knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Taufiqurohman on the ground.
Margaritopoulos landing with the ground and pound.
Taufiqurohman wants to stand and escape but Margaritopoulos is having none of it.
Taufiqurohman preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Margaritopoulos is in close to Taufiqurohman's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Margaritopoulos throwing strikes but missing.
Taufiqurohman utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Taufiqurohman utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Taufiqurohman wants to stand up but Margaritopoulos is controlling him.
Margaritopoulos working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Margaritopoulos stops Taufiqurohman from standing up.
Margaritopoulos wants to get up but he can't break Taufiqurohman's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Taufiqurohman wants to stand up but Margaritopoulos is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Margaritopoulos throwing strikes but missing.
Margaritopoulos landing with the ground and pound.
Taufiqurohman wants to stand but Margaritopoulos is controlling the position.
Margaritopoulos keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Taufiqurohman's head.
Margaritopoulos with a flurry of punches that miss.
Margaritopoulos working some strikes from top position.
Taufiqurohman is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Margaritopoulos throws a big elbow that misses.
Margaritopoulos has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Margaritopoulos working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Taufiqurohman wants to stand up but Margaritopoulos is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexandros Margaritopoulos dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ethaward Taufiqurohman's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Margaritopoulos fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Taufiqurohman, pushing him back against the cage.
Taufiqurohman has Margaritopoulos pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Margaritopoulos manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Taufiqurohman goes for a takedown attempt but Margaritopoulos pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Margaritopoulos tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Taufiqurohman paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Margaritopoulos rushes Taufiqurohman and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Margaritopoulos's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Margaritopoulos lands a jab.
Taufiqurohman lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Margaritopoulos circles away quickly and effectively.

Margaritopoulos rushes Taufiqurohman and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Taufiqurohman is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Margaritopoulos manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Taufiqurohman is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Margaritopoulos lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Alexandros Margaritopoulos overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Margaritopoulos lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Taufiqurohman is breathing heavily.
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!
Margaritopoulos prevents Taufiqurohman from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Margaritopoulos in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Margaritopoulos trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Taufiqurohman wants to stand up but Margaritopoulos is controlling him.
Taufiqurohman has momentary wrist control but Margaritopoulos slips an elbow through the middle.
Margaritopoulos throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Margaritopoulos won't allow Taufiqurohman to get back to his feet.
Margaritopoulos postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Taufiqurohman avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Margaritopoulos content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Margaritopoulos trying to stand up but can't free himself from Taufiqurohman's guard.
Taufiqurohman wants to stand but Margaritopoulos is controlling the position.
Margaritopoulos postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Margaritopoulos is working Taufiqurohman over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Margaritopoulos scoring with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Margaritopoulos is in close to Taufiqurohman's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Margaritopoulos throwing strikes but missing.
Margaritopoulos won't allow Taufiqurohman to get back to his feet.
Margaritopoulos passes into half guard.
Margaritopoulos missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Margaritopoulos throwing shots but Taufiqurohman is blocking nicely.
Taufiqurohman tries to kick Margaritopoulos off but Margaritopoulos keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Nice strikes from Margaritopoulos there.
Taufiqurohman wants to get back to his feet.
Margaritopoulos thows a huge punch but Taufiqurohman dodges it nicely.
Margaritopoulos stops Taufiqurohman from getting back to his feet.
Margaritopoulos thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Taufiqurohman's head.
Taufiqurohman tries to kick Margaritopoulos off but Margaritopoulos keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Margaritopoulos thows a huge punch but Taufiqurohman dodges it nicely.
Margaritopoulos seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Margaritopoulos wants to stand up but Taufiqurohman has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Taufiqurohman looks like he's trying to stand up.

Taufiqurohman has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Margaritopoulos is on him like a limpet, forcing Taufiqurohman back against the cage.
Taufiqurohman drops down looking for an ankle pick but Margaritopoulos pulls his leg out and moves away.
Alexandros Margaritopoulos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ethaward Taufiqurohman.

Margaritopoulos closes the distance and pushes Taufiqurohman back into the cage.
Margaritopoulos is looking to control Taufiqurohman's arms but Taufiqurohman gets an underhook and turns him. Now Margaritopoulos has his back to the cage.
Taufiqurohman is looking for a takedown.
Taufiqurohman has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Margaritopoulos after a bit of a struggle.

Margaritopoulos jumps guard.
Margaritopoulos throws some shots to the body, keeping his opponent honest.

Taufiqurohman thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Margaritopoulos lands a decent punch to the body there.
Margaritopoulos lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Taufiqurohman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Margaritopoulos.
Margaritopoulos landing with the ground and pound.
Margaritopoulos throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Taufiqurohman works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Taufiqurohman wants to stand up but Margaritopoulos is controlling him.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Margaritopoulos accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Taufiqurohman wants to stand up but Margaritopoulos is controlling him.
Margaritopoulos is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Taufiqurohman can do to turn this around?
Margaritopoulos with a flurry of punches that miss.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Margaritopoulos accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexandros Margaritopoulos dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ethaward Taufiqurohman's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Margaritopoulos scores with a nice head shot.
Taufiqurohman's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Margaritopoulos connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Taufiqurohman scrambles back to his feet.
Good exchange - Margaritopoulos coming out on top.
Taufiqurohman misses with a double jab.
Taufiqurohman shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Margaritopoulos darts in and clinches Taufiqurohman up against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Margaritopoulos.
Margaritopoulos taking a breather.

Margaritopoulos pulls guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Margaritopoulos punching from the bottom - just letting Taufiqurohman know he's still in a fight.
Taufiqurohman tries to free his leg and advance position but Margaritopoulos is retaining full guard.
Margaritopoulos throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Margaritopoulos scores with a nice shot.
Taufiqurohman won't allow Margaritopoulos to get back to his feet.

Taufiqurohman is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Taufiqurohman takes a decent strike to the side of the head.
Margaritopoulos throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taufiqurohman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Margaritopoulos swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Margaritopoulos throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Margaritopoulos wants to stand up but Taufiqurohman is controlling him.
Margaritopoulos throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Taufiqurohman fails to land the takedown.
Alexandros Margaritopoulos is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Margaritopoulos tries to close the distance and clinch up but Taufiqurohman swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nice jab there from Margaritopoulos.
Margaritopoulos feints a jab promting Taufiqurohman to slip. Margaritopoulos then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Taufiqurohman slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Taufiqurohman has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Taufiqurohman fails with a takedown attempt.
Alexandros Margaritopoulos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ethaward Taufiqurohman.

Margaritopoulos drives through and clinches with Taufiqurohman against the cage.
Taufiqurohman tries for a takedown. No joy.

Margaritopoulos decides to pull guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taufiqurohman won't allow Margaritopoulos to get back to his feet.
Margaritopoulos throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Margaritopoulos doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Margaritopoulos tries to strike from the bottom.
Taufiqurohman works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Taufiqurohman is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Margaritopoulos is just riding it out for now. Taufiqurohman eventually gives up the hold.
Margaritopoulos missing with punches from the bottom.
Margaritopoulos wants to get back to his feet.
Margaritopoulos trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Taufiqurohman blocks the strikes from Margaritopoulos.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taufiqurohman seems to be working for a kimura but Margaritopoulos defends the submission attempt.
Margaritopoulos punching from the bottom.
Taufiqurohman works his way into side control.

Taufiqurohman thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Margaritopoulos manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Taufiqurohman is looking for a kimura here.

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

Margaritopoulos manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Taufiqurohman keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Margaritopoulos.
Taufiqurohman drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Margaritopoulos looking for a takedown.

Margaritopoulos pulls guard effortlessly.
Taufiqurohman sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Margaritopoulos's guard.

Taufiqurohman seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Margaritopoulos is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:51 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Ethaward Taufiqurohman!