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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ben Dover (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Syd Pepper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.
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175 cm
22
170 lbs
3 - 2 - 0 |
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165 cm
19
171 lbs
2 - 2 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin |
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BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin |
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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
3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ben Dover! And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner. With a record of
2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Syd Pepper! The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Tiny Johnson and Wesley Smith.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway! Dover shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Pepper is looking to improve his position.
Pepper should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete. Pepper is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Dover's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Dover's back! Dover is trying to get back to his feet but Pepper has full control of the position and if anything, Dover has just worked his way into a worse spot. Pepper biding his time, looking for the opening.
Dover trying to control the position but Pepper manages to sink in the hooks. Dover trying to get back to his feet but Pepper is in full control for now. Pepper not allowing Dover to control his hands. Dover has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke. Dover tries to escape but Pepper has the hooks in and won't let him break free. Dover fending off the submission attempt from Pepper.
That's one minute gone in the round. Pepper working for the choke. Pepper is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Dover is defending well though. Pepper let's go of the attempt for now. I would not like to be Dover right now.
Let's hope that Pepper has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight. Dover holding both Pepper 's hands and preventing any damage.
That's two minutes gone in the round. A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd. Good control from Pepper. Dover has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke. Dover is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Pepper.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing. Dover wants to escape the position.
Dover is breathing heavily. Dover trying to control the hands but Pepper breaks the grip. Pepper is hanging on to Dover's back as he tries to escape.
Dover trying to control the hands but Pepper breaks the grip. Dover is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Pepper.
Dover rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Pepper wants to pass to mount but Dover is defending the position. Pepper slows the pace down in half guard. Pepper stands up out of the half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round. A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd. Pepper shoots in and bounces Dover off the cage to secure the takedown into guard. Pepper wants to pass the guard but Dover is keeping the position. Dover manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Dover controlling his opponent. Dover seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Pepper for as long as he can get away with. Dover working Pepper over with strikes here. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Syd Pepper dominated that round. The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Pepper gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily and Dover counters with a shoot takedown. Pepper fights it but they end up in guard. Pepper is trying to keep Dover in close.
Dover chips away with some ground and pound. Dover sitting in guard, not really doing much. Pepper working a defensive guard here.
Dover pushing down on Pepper's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work. Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Dover in particular looking to stall. Pepper has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Dover is working away from the top position though. Dover is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Dover landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
That's one minute gone in the round. Dover has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount. Pepper is squirming around, avoiding Dover's attempts to control the action. Pepper is breathing heavily. Pepper tries to lock up and control but Dover gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away. Dover looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet. Dover is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Pepper has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Pepper is desperately trying to improve his position but Dover has a good base and remains in mount. Dover tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
That's two minutes gone in the round. There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action. Pepper wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Dover trying to control but he's not successful this time. Pepper is looking to improve his position but Dover isn't that keen on the idea. Dover punishing his opponent with strikes. Dover sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment. Dover jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Pepper manages to avoid the submission attempt. Pepper is trying to control Dover's posture but Dover avoids it.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Dover is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Pepper is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now. Dover stands up and we're back to a striking position. Dover feints and as Pepper raises his hands in defense, Dover changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard. Dover trying to control the position from guard on top but Pepper is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can. Dover passes easily into side control. Nice work. Pepper is working to avoid the ground and pound but Dover connects with a decent elbow. Dover trying to control the position but Pepper is working away. Dover controlling the position.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Pepper takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head. Dover stands up. Pepper shoots in but doesn't get the takedown and Dover counters with a nice double leg into half guard. Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show! Dover seems to be working for a kimura but Pepper defends the submission attempt. Pepper is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Dover's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Dover's back! Pepper is not going to allow Dover to sit and survive in this position. The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end. Dover manages to reverse the position and now he's in Pepper's guard. Nice work there by Dover.
Pepper has his hands on Dover's head, controlling the position. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Ben Dover dominated that second round. The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Dover. Pepper shoots and misses and Dover counters with a nice double leg into half guard. Dover seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Pepper does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back. Pepper is controlling Dover's trapped leg to prevent Dover from advancing to side control. Dover looking to pass the half guard. Not this time. Pepper is looking to improve his position.
Pepper is trying to maintain the position but Dover is very close to passing his half guard. Dover looking to pass the half guard. Not this time. Dover takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
That's one minute gone in the round. Dover drops an elbow to the side of Pepper's head. Dover is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Both fighters are breathing heavily. Dover stands up from half guard. Dover with a lazy takedown attempt and Pepper counters with a takedown into side control. Dover trying to remain calm as Pepper controls from the top position. Dover is pushing Pepper's head away, looking to escape. Pepper manages to hold on to the position though. Dover is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Pepper's leg. He's managed it. Nice work. Dover is holding on to half guard well. Dover works his way to full guard. Good work. Dover working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Pepper doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Pepper manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem. Dover looking to control.
Dover striking from his own guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Dover controls Pepper momentarily but Pepper frees himself. Dover is looking to stand up but Pepper isn't so interested in that idea. Pepper must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu. Pepper looking to control the position here, rather than advance. The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work. Dover manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Pepper manages to get himself to full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff! Pepper looking to sweep here. No luck so far. Dover stays in close to Pepper's body and controls the position. There's a bit of a scramble here and now Pepper is on top in guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Pepper controls the pace of the fight for a moment. Pepper stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dover swivels though and keeps the full guard. Pepper preventing the sweep. Dover looking for a guillotine here but Pepper defends easily.
Pepper not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up. Dover looking to hit a scissor sweep but Pepper is one step ahead there. There's a bit of a scramble here and now Dover is on top in guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round. The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena. Dover pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pepper is keeping the position for now. Dover wanted to stand there but Pepper had control of the position. Dover passes Pepper's left leg - he's now in half guard. Dover is tying to control. Pepper wants to improve his position but can't escape this time. Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Dover in particular looking to stall. Pepper tries to get to full guard but Dover has control of the leg. Pepper wants to control but Dover is keeping busy and won't allow it.
And that's the end of the fight! That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ben Dover. I think Dover has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28 Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28 Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ben Dover!
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S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
49% |
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