PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Samoa Joe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ian Topps (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Samoa Joe had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Joe
vs
Topps

179 cm
28
195 lbs
11 - 13 - 0

187 cm
26
194 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 11 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Samoa Joe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ian Topps!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Alec Ball and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Topps pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Joe checks a low kick from Topps.
Topps lands with a hook. Joe tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Ian Topps seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Joe ducks under a wild hook from Topps.
Topps lands an overhand right.

It looks like Samoa Joe has been cut.

Topps moves into the clinch successfully.
A short right from Topps on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Topps lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Joe.
Topps working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Joe's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
No luck for Joe with that takedown attempt.
Topps shoots in looking for a takedown. Joe tries to sprawl out of it but Topps keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Joe manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Topps looks to throw the jab but Joe is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joe moves away from the strike by Topps.
Joe stuffs the takedown.
Topps shoots in for a takedown but Joe shows good takedown defense.
Samoa Joe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ian Topps.
Joe tries to clinch but Topps moves out of range.
Joe takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Joe shoots in looking for a takedown but Topps manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Joe's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Topps throws out a powerful jab.
Topps fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Topps shoots in for a takedown but Joe shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Topps looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joe fails to land the takedown.
Topps connects with a crisp jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Topps.

Topps scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Topps scoring with punches from side control.
Joe trying to remain calm as Topps controls from the top position.
Joe is trying to buck Topps off.
Topps landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Topps working the head and body with strikes.
Joe tries to bench press Topps off him but Topps keeps the position.
Topps lands some shots froms side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Check out the look on Topps's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Topps scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Joe to see if he's OK.
Joe regains half guard.
Joe wants to improve his position but Topps is controlling well.
Joe pushes Topps off looking to stand but Topps dives back in and keeps control.
Topps perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Topps is nestled in close to Joe, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Topps is working for a submission of some sort.
Topps is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Joe!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Topps is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Topps lands with some strikes.
Joe working to try and regain half guard.
Topps lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Topps pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

Joe is rocked!
Topps cracks Joe with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Oh Joe is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Joe takes a big shot to the dome and his eyes have rolled back in his head! Topps's killer instinct has kicked in as he finishes the fight with more strikes. Impressive finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ian Topps!