PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Eder Munhoz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Tapia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Munhoz
vs
Tapia

179 cm
20
130 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

168 cm
23
145 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Eder Munhoz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Johnny Tapia!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Felipe Paraventi and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Munhoz with that takedown attempt.
Tapia lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Munhoz circles away quickly and effectively.
A combination from Tapia does no damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tapia rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Munhoz moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Tapia, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Johnny Tapia is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tapia misses with a two punch combination.
Tapia throws a nice looking combination but Munhoz bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Munhoz shoots for a takedown but Tapia saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

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.
Tapia lands a left and a right that sends Munhoz crashing to the canvas! Tapia dives into mount looking to finish!
Munhoz bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Munhoz drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Munhoz jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Munhoz prevents Tapia from getting back to his feet.
Munhoz wants to control from the top but Tapia keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Munhoz stops Tapia from standing up.

Munhoz 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.
Munhoz is breathing heavily.
Tapia wants to stand and escape but Munhoz is having none of it.

Munhoz 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.

Munhoz drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Tapia manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Munhoz has Tapia in his guard.

That's four 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.

Munhoz looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Munhoz has a closed guard, preventing Tapia from standing up.
Tapia must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Tapia dominated that round.
That's time! Munhoz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Tapia darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Tapia moves into range and throws a big uppercut. OH! Munhoz goes down! Can Tapia finish him!?
Munhoz really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Munhoz throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Munhoz looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Tapia tries to stand but Munhoz is controlling 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.

Munhoz has his foot on Tapia's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Tapia works his way back into a safe position though.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Munhoz showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tapia.
Tapia connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Munhoz momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapia scores with a jab to the jaw.
Tapia throws a right hand that Munhoz ducks under and follows up with a left that Munhoz also avoids with ease.
No joy there for Tapia, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Tapia displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Tapia throws a series of punches but Munhoz moves out of range.
Tapia misses with a two punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Tapia showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Some wild striking there from Tapia.
Tapia cracks Munhoz with a right hand to the side of the head.
Tapia fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Johnny Tapia seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Munhoz showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tapia.
Tapia throws a right and a left that both miss.

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.
Tapia looks to land a combination but Munhoz avoids it well.
Tapia catches Munhoz napping and connects with a big right hand that sends Munhoz to the canvas!

Munhoz is rocked!

Munhoz looking for a guillotine here but Tapia defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapia is looking to stand up but Munhoz won't let him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Munhoz has his foot on Tapia's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Tapia works his way back into a safe position though.
Tapia tries to stand but Munhoz is controlling from the bottom.

Munhoz is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

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

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tapia cracks Munhoz with a right hand to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny Tapia comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Tapia winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Tapia!