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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Pyrrhus Epirus (ranked 4033 p4p, 427 weight class) and Renato Laranja (ranked 2807 p4p, 333 weight class). Epirus's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, The Devil and The Huntsman. The crowd seem to be enjoying Laranja's choice of entrance music: Sangue Do Laranja. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!
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| 178 cm
29
171 lbs
7 - 9 - 0 |
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178 cm
21
177 lbs
2 - 2 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin |
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Good wrestler
Decent boxing
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
7 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Pyrrhus Epirus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Renato Laranja!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Tiny Johnson and Wesley Smith.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Epirus uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A chopping leg kick lands by Epirus.
Epirus darts in trying to clinch
and Laranja counters with a nice double leg into side control. Epirus won't be happy with that.
Laranja tries for a kimura but Epirus is defending well.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Epirus wants to get back to his feet but Laranja drags him back down.
Laranja working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Epirus wants to get back to his feet but Laranja drags him back down.
Epirus prevents Laranja from moving into mount.
Epirus has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Epirus is not content to let Laranja control the position.
Laranja prevents Epirus from escaping the position.
Laranja scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Epirus to see if he's OK.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Epirus wants to get back to his feet.
Laranja is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Epirus knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Epirus is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Laranja working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Epirus pushes Laranja away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Laranja gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Laranja postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Epirus is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Laranja asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Laranja is looking to take a break and control but Epirus is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
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.
Laranja thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Laranja looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Epirus is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but Laranja has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Laranja lands a decent elbow from side control.
Epirus wants to get back to his feet but Laranja drags him back down.
Epirus is not content to let Laranja control the position.
Epirus explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laranja takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Epirus is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Pyrrhus Epirus seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Epirus wants to clinch
and Laranja counters with a shoot takedown. Epirus fights it but they end up in guard.
Epirus on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Epirus tries to get out of the position.
Laranja is working Epirus over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Laranja wants to control from the top but Epirus keeps moving.
Epirus is looking to stand up but Laranja isn't so interested in that idea.
Epirus utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Laranja passes Epirus's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Epirus looks like he's trying to stand up.
Laranja has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Laranja trying to pass the guard but Epirus defending well.
Epirus tries to kick Laranja off but Laranja keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Laranja missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laranja is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Laranja wants to work for an arm triangle but Epirus is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Epirus tries to kick Laranja off but Laranja keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Laranja is working for a kimura but Epirus is defending it quite comfortably.
Laranja seems to be working for a kimura but Epirus defends the submission attempt.
Epirus knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Laranja on the ground.
Epirus is trying to stand.
Laranja is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Epirus won't allow Laranja to pass to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Renato Laranja dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.
Epirus closes the distance and clinches.
Epirus lands a knee to the body.
Laranja has Epirus pressed up against the ropes. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Laranja pulls back from the ropes and twists to the side, sending Epirus tumbling to the mat - Laranja dives into Epirus's guard.
Epirus manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the ropes.
Laranja looking for a takedown.
Laranja goes for a takedown attempt but Epirus pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Epirus tries a head kick but it misses.
Epirus clinches up with Laranja and pushes him back against the ropes.
Epirus gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Epirus misses with a punch on the inside.
Epirus throws a punch but it's blocked by Laranja.
Epirus blocks a body shot from Laranja.
Epirus lands an elbow just above Laranja 's eye.
Epirus throws a punch but it's blocked by Laranja.
Epirus swings wildly with an uppercut but Laranja uses good head movement to avoid it.
Laranja has Epirus pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Epirus manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Pyrrhus Epirus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Renato Laranja.
Laranja has Epirus pressed up against the ropes. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Laranja pulls back from the ropes and twists to the side, sending Epirus tumbling to the mat - Laranja dives into Epirus's guard.
Laranja won't allow Epirus to get back to his feet.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Laranja trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Laranja won't allow Epirus to get back to his feet.
Laranja wants to pass the guard but Epirus is keeping the position.
Laranja won't allow Epirus to get back to his feet.
Laranja wants to pass the guard but Epirus is keeping the position.
Epirus wants to stand but Laranja is controlling the position.
Laranja trying to control but Epirus is working from the bottom.
Laranja passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Epirus tries to escape but Laranja is in control.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Laranja misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Epirus explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Laranja fails with a takedown attempt.
Laranja throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Epirus was covering up waiting for the punch and Laranja finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Epirus wants to stand and escape but Laranja is having none of it.
Laranja wants to control from the top but Epirus keeps moving.
Laranja wants to pass the guard but Epirus is keeping the position.
Laranja trying to control the position from guard on top but Epirus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Epirus is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Laranja is controlling him.
Laranja trying to control but Epirus is working from the bottom.
Laranja tries to free his leg and advance position but Epirus is retaining full guard.
Epirus keeping moving, preventing Laranja from controlling successfully.
Laranja postures up in Epirus's guard and throws a big left but Epirus blocks it.
Epirus is wriggling around but Laranja manages to pass to half guard.
Laranja wants to pass to mount but Epirus is defending the position.
Laranja is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Laranja stops Epirus from getting back to his feet.
Laranja is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Laranja trying to control from half guard but Epirus is working away.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laranja wants to pass the guard but Epirus is defending well.
Epirus kicks Laranja off and gets back to his feet.
Pyrrhus Epirus is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Epirus misses with a head kick.
Laranja takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Epirus fails in his attempt to clinch.
Epirus tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Laranja manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Epirus takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Epirus tries to clinch there but Laranja circles away.
Laranja shoots in for a double leg but Epirus sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Laranja circles away from the clinch attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Epirus looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Laranja shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Epirus pinned against the ropes. Epirus gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Epirus tries to clinch but Laranja is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Pyrrhus Epirus 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. This is the final round!
Epirus clinches.
Epirus lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Laranja blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Laranja goes for a takedown attempt but Epirus pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Epirus moves in looking to clinch but Laranja pushes him off.
Epirus drives through and clinches with Laranja against the ropes.
Laranja blocking some punches.
Epirus misses with the head strike.
Laranja drops down looking for an ankle pick but Epirus pulls his leg out and moves away.
Epirus tries to close the distance and clinch but Laranja swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Laranja has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Epirus.
Epirus lands with a thumping leg kick.
Laranja keeps the fight on the outside.
Laranja changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Laranja misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Pyrrhus Epirus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Renato Laranja.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laranja fails with a takedown attempt.
Laranja fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Epirus to the ground. Laranja is now in Epirus'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!
Epirus is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Laranja is controlling him.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Laranja 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.
Laranja prevents Epirus from getting back to his feet.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Laranja avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Epirus lands a jab-cross combination.
Epirus rushes Laranja and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Epirus scores with a shoulder strike.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Epirus blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Epirus scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Epirus throws a head punch that misses.
Epirus gets underhooks to prevent Laranja's takedown attempt.
Epirus blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Laranja changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Epirus fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Epirus tries to close the distance and clinch up but Laranja swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Laranja throws a half hearted mid kick.
Laranja throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Laranja takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Epirus throws a sloppy head kick
enabling Laranja to counter with a crisp jab.
Laranja slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The fight stays on the outside here - Epirus looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Epirus wants to clinch.
Epirus looks for the body kick but Laranja saw that one coming.
Pyrrhus Epirus is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Epirus thuds his right hand into Laranja's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laranja misses with a two punch combination.
Epirus seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Epirus tries to clinch but Laranja is having none of it.
Epirus throws a head kick but Laranja moves out of range.
Laranja avoids the head kick by Epirus.
Laranja cracks Epirus with a right hand to the side of the head.
Epirus doesn't manage to clinch there - Laranja circles away.
Laranja blocks a head kick by Epirus.
Laranja with the counter takedown but Epirus avoids it easily.
Epirus closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Epirus has a couple of punches blocked by Laranja.
Laranja's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Laranja tries to score a body lock takedown but Epirus shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Laranja has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Epirus seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Laranja can turn it around.
Epirus misses with a punch on the inside.
Laranja takes a shot to the head.
Laranja blocks an elbow strike.
Epirus tries to throw a body punch but Laranja avoids it by throwing Epirus back against the ropes.
Epirus tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Epirus has a couple of punches blocked by Laranja.
Laranja has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Epirus is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Epirus is fighting off a takedown attempt but Laranja is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Epirus to the mat. Epirus regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Epirus wants to stand and escape but Laranja is having none of it.
Laranja stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Epirus swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Laranja prevents Epirus from getting back to his feet.
Laranja pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Epirus is keeping the position for now.
Epirus kicks Laranja off and gets to his feet.
Epirus tries to clinch up but Laranja circles away and keeps his distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Laranja.
Epirus lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Laranja takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
That kick from Epirus tenderised Laranja's leg. Laranja is trying to keep his angry face on.
Laranja throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Laranja throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Epirus.
Renato Laranja has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Laranja takes a swing at Epirus's ribcage but misses.
And that's the end of the fight!
Pyrrhus Epirus showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Epirus 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight for Pyrrhus Epirus!
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight for Pyrrhus Epirus!
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight for Pyrrhus Epirus!
Pyrrhus Epirus wins by unanimous decision!
In his post fight interview, Pyrrhus Epirus started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.
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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
55% |
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