PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Gus Pappas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cody Elkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Pappas
vs
Elkins

167 cm
24
152 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

170 cm
23
152 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

Malicious Intent Fight Gear
No Shit Nutrition

Malicious Intent Fight Gear
Crippler's Corner

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gus Pappas!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cody Elkins!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Wesley Smith and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pappas throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Pappas throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Pappas digs a good body shot into Elkins's ribs.
Pappas fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Pappas jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Elkins checks a low kick from Pappas.
Pappas misses with a two punch combination.
Elkins throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Pappas fails with an attempt to clinch.
Elkins takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Pappas misses with a double jab

and Elkins counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Pappas lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Elkins!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pappas unloading with bombs!
Pappas unloads with some shots from mount but Elkins bucks and avoids them well.
Pappas 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.
Elkins is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elkins wants to control but Pappas is having none of it.
Pappas landing strikes from the mount.
Pappas tries to control but Elkins wriggling away.
Elkins working to try and regain half guard.
Elkins taking shots to the head.
Elkins keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pappas lands a big elbow.
Elkins wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Pappas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Elkins really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Elkins takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Pappas trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Elkins gets back to half guard.
Elkins wants to control but Pappas is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pappas is controlling the pace.
Elkins landing a few short strikes.
Pappas is taking a breather. Elkins says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Pappas prevents Elkins from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Elkins is trying to maintain the position but Pappas is very close to passing his half guard.
Elkins is looking for a sweep. Pappas is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Pappas tries to stand and escape but Elkins is controlling the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A combination from Pappas does no damage.
Pappas keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Elkins will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Pappas throws a lazy right hand but Elkins sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Pappas throws a series of punches but Elkins avoids them all with ease.
Pappas throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Elkins.
Nice takedown defense from Pappas. No joy for Elkins on that attempt.
Gus Pappas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cody Elkins.
Pappas misses with an uppercut. Elkins saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
A punch lands to the side of Elkins 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Elkins shoots for a double leg takedown but Pappas sprawls well. He's pushed Elkins's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Pappas misses with a double jab.
Pappas looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Pappas lunges at Elkins with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Elkins's hand.
Pappas throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Pappas with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Pappas looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Pappas is breathing heavily.
Pappas misses with a combination

and Elkins counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Elkins.
Pappas is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Pappas is trying to control the action in half guard but Elkins is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Elkins is looking to improve his position.
Pappas is looking to take a break and control but Elkins is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gus Pappas dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Elkins shoots in and bounces Pappas off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Pappas working a defensive guard here.
Elkins stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Pappas swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Pappas working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Elkins.
Elkins passes Pappas's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Pappas is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Elkins's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Elkins's back!
Elkins turns into Pappas and is now in his guard.
Pappas manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Pappas working the ground and pound effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pappas lands a big shot there that rocks Elkins but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Pappas misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Pappas prevents Elkins from getting the reversal.
Cody Elkins has got the better of the ground game so far.
Pappas unloading with bombs!
Elkins really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Elkins tries to lock up and control but Pappas gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Pappas working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Elkins tries to reverse the position but Pappas maintains control.
Pappas thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

Pappas has hold of Elkins's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Elkins manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Elkins is in a horrible position here. Pappas smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Pappas landing strikes from the mount and Elkins is in trouble!
Pappas connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Elkins wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Pappas.
Pappas looking to finish with strikes here!
Pappas looking to control and managing it successfully.
Pappas lands a nice shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Elkins really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Pappas with a couple of short strikes.
Pappas throwing strikes here but Elkins is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Pappas prevents Elkins from getting the reversal.
Pappas lands a nice shot to the head.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Elkins can do anything to dispel that myth.
Pappas landing strikes, looking to finish!
Elkins is trying to escape the mount.
Elkins sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Elkins keeping hold of Pappas's head, controlling as best he can.
Elkins makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Elkins.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pappas trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Elkins lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Pappas!
Pappas is trying to escape the mount.
Elkins controlling his opponent.
Elkins breaks from Pappas's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Pappas is bucking up trying to escape but Elkins cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Cody Elkins will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Elkins's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Elkins duly obliges.
Pappas misses the body punch

and Elkins counters with a takedown into side control.
Pappas is trying to control Elkins's posture but Elkins avoids it.
Pappas tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Elkins wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Pappas gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Elkins scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Pappas regains full guard. Nicely done.
Elkins wants to control from the top but Pappas keeps moving.
Elkins works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Pappas wants to control but Elkins is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Elkins is nestled in close to Pappas, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Pappas is not content to let Elkins control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Elkins is trying to work for a kimura but Pappas is defending well.
Elkins is keen to just control but Pappas is a slippery customer.
Pappas trying to control from the bottom.
Pappas tries to get to full guard but Elkins has control of the leg.
Pappas has hold of Elkins's hands but Elkins slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Pappas wants to control but Elkins is keeping busy.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Elkins scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Pappas is looking to improve his position.
Elkins lands strikes from half guard.
Elkins prevents Pappas from improving his position.
Elkins wants to control but Pappas is keeping him busy.
Elkins seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Elkins sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Pappas slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Elkins is pushing down on Pappas's leg trying to pass to half guard. Pappas is fighting to maintain full guard but Elkins has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pappas is trying to control but can't.
Ground and pound from Elkins.
Pappas is looking for a sweep. Elkins is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Elkins wants to pass to mount but Pappas is defending the position.
Elkins is trying to control the action in half guard but Pappas is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Pappas won't allow Elkins to pass to mount.
Pappas tries to roll over but Elkins keeps him under control.
Well, if Elkins is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Pappas waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Elkins.
Elkins keeps the fight on the outside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Pappas throws a lazy right hand but Elkins sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Elkins fails with a takedown attempt.
Pappas throws a left and a right that both miss
and Elkins counters with a left and a right that stings Pappas.
Pappas misses with a straight right.
Elkins slips a jab from Pappas.
Pappas lands a head shot.
Elkins misses with a combination
and Pappas counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Elkins shoots in but Pappas avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Pappas looks to land a combination but Elkins avoids it well.

Elkins changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Pappas looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Pappas parries the strikes from Elkins easily there. Elkins is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Pappas to escape.

Elkins is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Pappas is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cody Elkins really dominated that round.
That's time! Pappas's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Pappas scores with a nice head shot.
Pappas tries to clinch but Elkins moves away

and Elkins counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Pappas looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Elkins puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Elkins blocks the strikes from Pappas.
Elkins tries to pass to full mount but Pappas defends it.
Elkins trying to control from half guard but Pappas is working away.
Pappas has hold of Elkins's hands but Elkins slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Pappas is refusing to be controlled, as Elkins sits in half guard.
Elkins is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Elkins is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elkins wants to control the pace but Pappas is squirming around nicely.
Pappas gets back to half guard.
Pappas missing with punches from the bottom.
Elkins blocks the strikes from Pappas.
Elkins wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pappas keeps working.

Pappas looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Elkins lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
The fighters are battling for position here. Pappas manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Elkins stopping the sweep attempt from Pappas.
Elkins slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Pappas is not content to let Elkins control the position.
You can see the frustration on Pappas's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Pappas is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Elkins landing a few strikes.
Elkins is working Pappas over with some ground and pound from side control.
Check out the look on Elkins's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

Elkins is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Pappas has escaped the position, nice work there.
Pappas trying to control but Elkins flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Pappas rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Elkins is pressing down on Pappas's thigh, looking to free his foot. Pappas is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Elkins prevents Pappas from standing back up.
Pappas wants to get back to full guard.
Pappas is trying to control but can't.
Pappas is trying to get back to full guard.
Elkins wants to pass the guard but Pappas is defending well.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Elkins uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Pappas.
Gus Pappas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pappas shoots in looking for a takedown. Elkins tries to sprawl out of it but Pappas keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Elkins manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Elkins fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Pappas looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cody Elkins dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Elkins moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Elkins shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Pappas pinned against the cage. Pappas gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Pappas throws an overhand right that lands on Elkins's shoulder, as Elkins tries to avoid the shot.
Elkins blocks a jab.
Decent striking displayed by Pappas there.
Elkins fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Pappas throws a nice inside leg kick.
Pappas throws a left and a right that both miss
and Elkins counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Elkins sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Elkins shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Pappas's guard.
Elkins trying to control the position from guard on top but Pappas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pappas wants to stand up but Elkins is controlling him.
Elkins is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Pappas looking for a sweep. Not yet Pappas, not yet.

Pappas pushes Elkins off and gets back to his feet.
Elkins fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

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.
Elkins closes this distance looking for a takedown but Pappas circles away.
Gus Pappas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cody Elkins.
Elkins shoots in and drives through. Pappas sprawls well.
Pappas throws a left and a right that both miss

and Elkins decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Pappas's guard.
Elkins missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Elkins wants to control from the top but Pappas keeps moving.
Pappas is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Elkins scoring with punches to the head and body.
Pappas trying to strike off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pappas wants to get back to his feet but Elkins is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Elkins pushing down on Pappas's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Elkins prevents Pappas from improving his position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Elkins rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Pappas moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Elkins checks the leg kick.
Gus Pappas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pappas throws a right and a left that Elkins avoids nicely.
Elkins stuns Pappas with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Elkins looks for a takedown but Pappas sprawls well.
Elkins shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Pappas as he avoids it easily.
Elkins misses with a series of wild punches.
Elkins shoots for a takedown but Pappas saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Elkins crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Pappas - the referee stops the clock and Elkins gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Pappas. Elkins manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Pappas throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Pappas connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Pappas connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Pappas fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nice sprawl there from Pappas as Elkins shoots in.
Pappas fails to land with a series of punches.
A jab from Pappas finds it's way through Elkins's defenses.
Elkins uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Pappas.
Gus Pappas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Elkins ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Elkins scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Pappas throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cody Elkins is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Elkins fails to land the takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Cody Elkins.
I think Elkins has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 47:49
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 46:49
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 48:48

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Cody Elkins!
Cody Elkins is the new featherweight champion!