PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Laverne Black (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tauheed Epps (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Epps's choice of entrance music: 2 Chainz-Yuck. Tauheed Epps will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Black
vs
Epps

174 cm
18
278 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

188 cm
22
225 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Laverne Black!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tauheed Epps!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Ian Loll and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Black shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Black takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

It looks like Laverne Black has been cut.
Epps tries to close the distance and clinch up but Black swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Epps moves into the clinch successfully.

Epps's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Black doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Epps counters with a series of strikes. Black will be more careful next time no doubt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Black closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Black lands in his opponent's guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Epps looking to control.
Epps might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Black haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Black with a nice head shot there.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Epps is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Epps controlling the position.
Black slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Black accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Black could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Black with a flurry of punches that miss.

Black 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.
Black is looking to work some ground and pound but Epps has wrist control.
Black trying to control but Epps is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Black engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Black with a lazy takedown attempt

and Epps counters with a series of strikes that sends Black to the canvas! Epps follows down into guard, looking to finish the fight!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Laverne Black. That's going to take a lot out of him.
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!
Black pulls Epps in to control the position.
Black working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Epps.
Black has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Epps wanted to stand there but Black had control of the position.
Black throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Epps trying to stand up but can't free himself from Black's guard.
Black controlling Epps's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Laverne Black wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Epps fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Black.
Epps fails with a takedown attempt.
Epps lands a right hook to the body.

Epps gets a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Black trying to stall but Epps improves his position.

Epps gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Black looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Black utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Black is trying to keep Epps in close.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Epps working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Black's head.
Black controls Epps momentarily but Epps frees himself.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Epps tries to free his leg and advance position but Black is retaining full guard.

Epps decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Black, up you get!
Epps keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tauheed Epps dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Laverne Black's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Epps lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Epps is looking to clinch but Black is avoiding it.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Epps. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Epps throws a shot to the body.

Black looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Epps preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Epps keeping moving, preventing Black from controlling successfully.
Epps looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Black gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Epps rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Black moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Black has his takedown stuffed
and Epps counters with a two punch combo.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Epps dives in and grabs Black's left leg, looking for a takedown. Black pushes down on Epps's head and hops out.
Epps shoots in for a takedown but Black shows good takedown defense.
Black fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Epps throws a right hand that Black ducks under and follows up with a left that Black also avoids with ease.

Epps darts in and clinches Black up against the cage.
Epps tries for a takedown but Black manages to get underhooks.
Laverne Black has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tauheed Epps.
Black trying to control the position but instead, Epps has worked for underhooks and has pushed Black into the cage.

Epps escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Epps closes the distance and clinches.
Epps works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Black manages to break the clinch.
Epps tries to close the distance and clinch up but Black swats him away and circles back towards the center.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Black.
Epps stalks Black and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Black's face. Black staggers backwards, shaken.
Black tries for a takedown but Epps sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Epps wants to clinch up but Black keeps it at a distance.

Black tries to keep at a distance but Epps has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Epps works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Black is working an open guard so Epps takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Epps feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Blacks jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Epps tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Black manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Black drops his hands momentarily and Epps takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Epps breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Black is trying hard to land a takedown here. Epps sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Laverne Black is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A punch lands to the side of Black 's head but he takes it in his stride.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Epps fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Epps instigates a clinch.

Epps breaks from the clinch.
A punch combination from Epps misses.
Epps tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Black paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Epps misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Black.
Black fails with a takedown attempt.

Black gets caught flat footed, as Epps shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Epps tries to free his leg and advance position but Black is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tauheed Epps showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Laverne Black's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Epps tries to clinch up.
Tauheed Epps seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jab from Epps.
Epps has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Epps lands with an overhand left.

Epps moves into the clinch.
Epps prevents a body shot from Black.
Black is trying to maintain a safe position but Epps gets an underhook and turns Black into the cage.
Black has Epps pushed against the cage.

Epps tightens his grip and picks Black up, before dumping him to the ground. Black manages to land in guard.
Epps trying to stand up but can't free himself from Black's guard.
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!
Epps trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Epps trying to control the position from guard on top but Black is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Black is on top in guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Epps can do anything to dispel that myth.
Black content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Black trying to control but Epps is working from the bottom.
Black's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Black might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Black scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Black engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Black wants to control from the top but Epps keeps moving.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Laverne Black wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Black fails with a takedown attempt.
Epps throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Black.
Epps throws a right and a left that Black avoids nicely.

Epps pushes Black up against the cage in a clinch.
Black jumps guard but Epps stands there with Black around his waist. Black gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Epps ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Epps no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Epps wants to sweep here but Black controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Epps lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Black!
Black wants to hold on but Epps pushes him away.

Epps jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Black manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Black manages to work his way to half guard, despite Epps's best efforts.

Epps is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Black trying to control but Epps postures up.
Black regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Black is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Epps is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Black is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Epps decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Black, up you get!
Black shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Laverne Black. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Epps tries to close the distance and clinch but Black swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Epps closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Black taking a bit of punishment here - Epps scoring with strikes.
Black tries to buck Epps off but Epps is having none of it.

Epps stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Laverne Black has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tauheed Epps is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Epps has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
That kick from Epps tenderised Black's leg. Black is trying to keep his angry face on.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tauheed Epps comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Epps 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 William Peck scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tauheed Epps!
Our winner, Tauheed Epps, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.