PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nick Dominquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lolo Pepe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dominquez comes to the cage accompanied by Boom!. Lolo Pepe is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Dominquez
vs
Pepe

186 cm
19
203 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
25
215 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Intelligent

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nick Dominquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lolo Pepe!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Wesley Smith and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dominquez tries to close the distance and clinch up but Pepe swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dominquez looks for a takedown but Pepe sprawls well.
Dominquez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Pepe is fending him off so far but Dominquez persists. Nope, Pepe circles away and we're back to standing.
Dominquez gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Pepe cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nick Dominquez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Pepe throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Dominquez was covering up waiting for the punch and Pepe finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Pepe decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Pepe throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Pepe closes the distance and clinches.
Still in the clinch, Pepe scores with a nice short uppercut.
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!

Pepe gets control of Dominquez's arms and successfully pulls guard. Pepe will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Dominquez drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Dominquez jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dominquez stops Pepe from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pepe trying to control the position here.
Pepe keeping full guard, as Dominquez tries to pass.
Pepe managing to control the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Lolo Pepe hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Dominquez tries to clinch up but Pepe circles away and keeps his distance.
Pepe displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Dominquez swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dominquez throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Pepe tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Dominquez is in Pepe's guard.
Pepe controlling the position.
Pepe can't keep his opponent in guard - Dominquez advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Dominquez is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Pepe is just riding it out for now. Dominquez eventually gives up the hold.

Dominquez is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Pepe is just riding it out for now. Dominquez eventually gives up the hold.
Pepe is concentrating on defense, preventing Dominquez from advancing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dominquez tries to pass to full mount but Pepe defends it.

Pepe is defending against the submission attempts here by Dominquez.

Dominquez is trying to work for a kimura but Pepe is defending well.

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

Pepe kicks off Dominquez and gets to his feet.
Dominquez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pepe misses with a jab, cross combination.
No joy there for Pepe, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Dominquez.
Dominquez fails with the takedown.
Dominquez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Dominquez tries for a takedown but Pepe circles away easily

and Pepe counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Pepe wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Pepe gets underhooks to prevent Dominquez's takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pepe can't break the clinch.
Pepe tries to break the clinch but Dominquez is controlling the position.
Dominquez drops down looking for an ankle pick but Pepe pulls his leg out and moves away.
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!
Pepe lands with a hook. Dominquez tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lolo Pepe dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Pepe lands a right hook to the body.

Pepe moves into the clinch.

Pepe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dominquez shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Pepe counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Dominquez looks for a takedown but Pepe sprawls well.
Dominquez shoots in for a takedown but Pepe shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nick Dominquez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Pepe feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Dominquez manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Pepe manages to get himself to full guard.
Pepe wants to stand but Dominquez is controlling the position.
Pepe keeping full guard, as Dominquez tries to pass.
Pepe is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pepe wants to stand but Dominquez is controlling the position.
Dominquez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Dominquez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Pepe keeping full guard, as Dominquez tries to pass.

Dominquez drops back looking for a leg! Pepe is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Pepe manages to kick Dominquez off! Dominquez jumps back into Pepe's guard.
Dominquez passes Pepe's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pepe is looking to escape.
Dominquez looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Pepe is trying to stand up here but Dominquez is controlling him well.
Pepe is breathing heavily.
Nick Dominquez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Dominquez is working for a submission of some sort.

Dominquez seems to be working for a kimura but Pepe defends the submission attempt.

Dominquez is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Pepe defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dominquez is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Pepe has managed to free his arm - good work.

Dominquez is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Pepe defends it well.
Pepe wants to control but Dominquez is keeping busy.

Dominquez is looking for a kimura here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dominquez is looking for a kimura but Pepe is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Dominquez to get the leverage.

Dominquez is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Pepe sees it coming and defends easily.

Dominquez is looking for a kimura here.
Pepe is pressing down on Dominquez's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dominquez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Pepe swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Dominquez 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Dominquez dominated that second round.
That's time! Dominquez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Pepe fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Dominquez sprawls well initially but Pepe persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Pepe is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Dominquez is trying to get back to full guard.

Pepe stands up from half guard.

Pepe has Dominquez up against the cage in a clinch.
Dominquez tries to pull guard but Pepe forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Pepe scores with a nice hook to the head.
Pepe prevents the takedown attempt.
Dominquez wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nick Dominquez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pepe wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Dominquez has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pepe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dominquez shoots in but no luck this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pepe lands a head shot.
Pepe lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Dominquez backs up against the cage.

Pepe shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Dominquez manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Dominquez escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Pepe gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Dominquez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Pepe doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Pepe manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Pepe stands up from Dominquez's guard - Pepe perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Pepe feints and as Dominquez raises his hands in defense, Pepe changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Dominquez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Pepe got a little sloppy there for a moment and Dominquez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Pepe has managed to get both his arms back between Dominquez's legs - danger averted.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Pepe stands up from Dominquez's guard - Pepe perhaps looking for a knockout.

Pepe has managed to clinch.
Pepe is looking to break free of the clinch but Dominquez has double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dominquez prevents Pepe from breaking the clinch.
Dominquez drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dominquez tries for a takedown but Pepe manages to get underhooks.
Pepe makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Dominquez is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Pepe gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Pepe breaks the clinch.
Nick Dominquez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dominquez tries for a takedown but Pepe sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Dominquez shoots in for a takedown but Pepe shows good takedown defense.

Pepe throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Dominquez tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Pepe is in Dominquez's guard.

Pepe stands up from Dominquez's guard - Pepe perhaps looking for a knockout.
Nice body punch from Pepe.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dominquez avoids a punch combination nicely.
Dominquez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Dominquez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Pepe rushes Dominquez and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Pepe.
Pepe wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Pepe prevents a takedown attempt there.

Pepe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dominquez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Pepe tries to avoid it but Dominquez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Pepe to the ground. Pepe escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Pepe lands a jab to Dominquez's midsection.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lolo Pepe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Pepe has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lolo Pepe!