PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Arturo Gatti III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tommy Pepper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Arturo Gatti III has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gatti III
vs
Pepper

172 cm
19
164 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
19
162 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Arturo Gatti III!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tommy Pepper!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Alan Glass and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown by Pepper or perhaps it was just good defense by Gatti III which made him look bad.
Pepper shoots in looking for a takedown. Gatti III tries to sprawl out of it but Pepper keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gatti III manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Pepper shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gatti III pinned against the cage. Gatti III gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Arturo Gatti III has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tommy Pepper.
Gatti III throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Gatti III sends Pepper crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Gatti III is motioning to the referee to let Pepper up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!

Pepper is rocked!

It looks like Tommy Pepper has been cut.
Pepper shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gatti III but Gatti III pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Pepper is still on wobbly legs! Can Gatti III finish him?
Pepper moves out of range of the strikes.
Pepper displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gatti III throws out the jab.
Gatti III throws out a loose jab but Pepper uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pepper fails to land with a series of punches.
Pepper looks gassed!
Gatti III loads up on a big right hand but Pepper slips the punch.
Gatti III is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Pepper.
Pepper misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Pepper seems to have recovered his senses.
Gatti III fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Gatti III closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatti III lands with a short shot to the head.
Gatti III pushes Pepper back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Gatti III lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Pepper is trying desperately to land a takedown but Gatti III is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Pepper.
Gatti III lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Gatti III digs a right hand into Pepper's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Pepper's gas tank.

Gatti III turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gatti III throws an elbow but Pepper slips to the side and avoids it well.
Gatti III wants to control but Pepper is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gatti III throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Gatti III tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gatti III knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Pepper on the ground.
Gatti III is looking to take a break and control but Pepper is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gatti III connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Pepper some visible discomfort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatti III creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Pepper sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Gatti III lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Pepper at a distance.
Gatti III getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Gatti III lands an uppercut out of nowhere! Pepper falls backwards - clearly groggy! Gatti III dives in and finishes the fight with more strikes for a TKO finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:20 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Arturo Gatti III!
Arturo Gatti III is the new lightweight champion!