PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Epolito (ranked 2674 p4p, 2752 weight class) and Necmettin Hoca (ranked 328 p4p, 337 weight class). 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?

Epolito
vs
Hoca

172 cm
25
154
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
162
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Anthony Epolito!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Necmettin Hoca!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Peter Branson and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Epolito wants to clinch.
Epolito misses with a body shot.
Hoca misses with a looping right.
Epolito lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Epolito misses with a looping left.
No joy there for Epolito, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hoca looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Hoca throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Epolito on the side of the head.
Hoca looks to score with a jab to the body but Epolito is just out of range.
Epolito on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Hoca loads up on a big right hand but Epolito slips the punch.
Epolito digs a good body shot into Hoca's ribs.
Hoca tries to close the distance and clinch up but Epolito swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hoca throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Epolito sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Epolito throws a hook to the side of Hoca's head but Hoca sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hoca steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Epolito.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hoca moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Epolito tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the body from Epolito misses
enabling Hoca to counter with a crisp jab.
Epolito swings for the body but Hoca moves out of range.
Hoca ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nice shot by Epolito.

Hoca has managed to clinch.
Hoca lands a right hand that snaps the head of Epolito backwards.
Hoca throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Hoca working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Hoca lands a body shot.
Hoca gets through Epolito's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Epolito wants to stall.
Hoca blocking some punches.
Epolito tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hoca's elbow.
Epolito goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hoca blocks a body shot from Epolito.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoca blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hoca.
Epolito misses with a hook from the clinch.
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!
Epolito misses with the head strike.
Hoca lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Epolito backwards.
Epolito is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Epolito.
Hoca blocks a body shot from Epolito.
Nice body punch from Epolito.
Hoca blocks an uppercut.
Hoca blocks a body shot from Epolito.
Hoca works on Epolito's body with a couple of short punches.
Epolito tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hoca's elbow.
Hoca lands a left hand.
Hoca stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Hoca lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hoca lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Epolito misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoca lands a right hand.
Hoca working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Epolito swings wildly with an uppercut but Hoca uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hoca lands with a short shot to the head.
Hoca digs a right hand into Epolito's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Epolito's gas tank.
Hoca lands with a right to the head.
Epolito tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hoca.
Epolito misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hoca presses Epolito against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Epolito tries to throw a body punch but Hoca avoids it by throwing Epolito back against the cage.
Hoca makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Epolito fails to land.
Epolito goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Epolito working aggressively here.
Hoca blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoca lands a right hand that snaps the head of Epolito backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hoca lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Epolito backwards.
Hoca doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Epolito misses with a body punch.
Hoca lands an uppercut.
Hoca lands with a left to the head.
Hoca blocks a body shot from Epolito.
Hoca scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hoca blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hoca lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hoca.
Epolito is leaning against Hoca and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hoca lands a body shot in the clinch.
Epolito tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hoca lands a right hand.
Hoca lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hoca lands with a light punch inside.
Hoca lands a shot to the body.
Epolito misses with a hook from the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Necmettin Hoca dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Hoca takes the fight into the clinch.
Epolito is trying to stall.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hoca works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Epolito misses with some punches.
Epolito misses with a hook to the ribs.
Epolito throws a head punch that misses.
Epolito can't find room to land a body shot as Hoca controls the action.
Epolito's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hoca pushes Epolito back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Epolito lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hoca tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hoca lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Epolito misses with a punch on the inside.
Epolito swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hoca works on Epolito's body with a couple of short punches.
Epolito misses with some punches.
Epolito tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hoca creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Epolito misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hoca lands a left hand.
Epolito can't find room to land a body shot as Hoca controls the action.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Epolito just misses with a elbow thrown towards Hoca's brow.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hoca.
Hoca is leaning against Epolito and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Epolito throws a head punch that misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hoca.
Hoca lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Epolito working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Epolito stalling.
Hoca misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hoca lands a body punch.
Necmettin Hoca seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Good body shot from Hoca.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hoca slowing the pace effectively.
Hoca lands a body punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Epolito tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hoca's elbow.
Still in the clinch, Hoca scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoca working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hoca lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hoca works on Epolito's body with a couple of short punches.
Hoca has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A short right from Hoca on the inside.
Hoca softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hoca digs a right hand into Epolito's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Epolito's gas tank.
Epolito's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A right handed body shot lands from Hoca.
A left hand lands to the body for Hoca.
A nice left hand lands by Hoca.
Hoca scores with a shoulder strike.
Hoca scores with a shot to the side of Epolito's head.
A body shot lands from Hoca.
Hoca lands a body shot.
A short left from Hoca.
Hoca lands a shoulder strike.
Hoca lands an uppercut.
Epolito takes a shot to the head.
Hoca lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Hoca.
Hoca blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short uppercut from Hoca.
Epolito is looking to control Hoca's arms but Hoca gets an underhook and turns him. Now Epolito has his back to the cage.
Hoca lands a left hand.
Hoca cracks Epolito with a nice body shot.
Hoca scores with a nice hook to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hoca creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Epolito.
Hoca lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Epolito.
Hoca scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hoca lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Epolito backwards.
Hoca lands a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hoca working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hoca lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Hoca lands with a right to the head.
A shot in the inside from Hoca.
Hoca lands a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoca presses Epolito against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hoca scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hoca lands a right hand that snaps the head of Epolito backwards.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hoca creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Epolito's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hoca lands with a light punch inside.
Epolito throws a punch but it's blocked by Hoca.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Epolito.
A body shot lands from Hoca.
Hoca working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Epolito can't find room to land a body shot as Hoca controls the action.
Epolito tries to throw a body punch but Hoca avoids it by throwing Epolito back against the cage.
Hoca lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A short right from Hoca.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hoca scores with a nice hook to the head.
Epolito tries to throw a body punch but Hoca avoids it by throwing Epolito back against the cage.
Epolito can't break the clinch.
Hoca scores with an uppercut up the middle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Necmettin Hoca showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Hoca moves into the clinch successfully.
Hoca lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Epolito backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hoca.
Hoca lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Stalling in the clinch from Hoca.
Epolito tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short uppercut from Hoca.
Epolito misses with a short punch on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hoca.
Hoca lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hoca.
Hoca lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Epolito backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hoca blocking some punches.
Hoca blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A nice left hand lands by Hoca.
Epolito lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hoca gets through Epolito's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Epolito working aggressively here.
Epolito tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Hoca.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hoca scores with a shoulder strike.
Hoca lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Epolito backwards.
Hoca struggles to land a body shot inside as Epolito controls his hands.
Epolito misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hoca lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Epolito doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hoca working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Epolito lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hoca or not.
Hoca lands a nice shot to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hoca.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hoca.
Epolito misses with a hook to the ribs.
Epolito looking to slow down the pace here.
Hoca lands an uppercut.
Hoca lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hoca lands with a right to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoca digs a right hand into Epolito's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Epolito's gas tank.
Hoca lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A head punch on the inside from Epolito fails to land.
A nice left hand lands by Hoca.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hoca creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Still in the clinch, Hoca scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hoca blocking some punches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hoca creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Epolito takes a shot to the head.
Hoca scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hoca lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Epolito is rocked!
A nice right hand lands inside from Hoca.
Oh Epolito is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Epolito tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hoca's elbow.
Epolito seems to have got his legs back now.
Hoca works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Necmettin Hoca is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hoca working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hoca.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Epolito.
Epolito misses with a punch on the inside.
Hoca lands a body shot in the clinch.
Epolito tries a body shot but Hoca blocks it.
A head punch on the inside from Epolito fails to land.
Epolito swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hoca lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hoca lands a body punch.
Epolito misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hoca pushes Epolito back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Hoca cracks Epolito with a nice body shot.
Hoca lands with a light punch inside.
Epolito tries to work over Hoca's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hoca blocks an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Epolito has a couple of punches blocked by Hoca.
Hoca lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Epolito or not.
Epolito tries to circle away but Hoca has him pinned against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Epolito.
Hoca lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Epolito or not.
Epolito misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hoca presses Epolito against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Anthony Epolito has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hoca lands a body shot.
Epolito throws a punch but it's blocked by Hoca.
Hoca leaning his opponent against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Epolito fails to land.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Epolito fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Necmettin Hoca comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hoca 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Necmettin Hoca!