PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rousimar Palhares Skywalker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Evander Tripp (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Tripp's choice of entrance music: Bad Company - The Nine. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Palhares Skywalker
vs
Tripp

185 cm
28
249 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

195 cm
28
260 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ganja's Warehouse

Legion of Pain Nutrition

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rousimar Palhares Skywalker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Evander Tripp!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Skywalker misses with the combination.

Skywalker shoots in and gets a takedown into Tripp's guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Tripp not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tripp wants to sweep but no luck.
Skywalker trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Skywalker trying to control but Tripp is working from the bottom.
Skywalker 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.
Skywalker missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Skywalker trying to control but Tripp is working from the bottom.
Tripp looking to hit a scissor sweep but Skywalker is one step ahead there.
Skywalker scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skywalker trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tripp is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Tripp is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Skywalker closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Tripp gets back to half guard.
Skywalker wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tripp keeps working.
Tripp is trying to get back to full guard.
Skywalker is looking to take a break and control but Tripp is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tripp is trying to maintain the position but Skywalker is very close to passing his half guard.
Tripp keeping control of the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Skywalker shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tripp defends it nicely.
Skywalker moves away from the strike by Tripp.
Tripp looks to score with a jab to the body but Skywalker is just out of range.
Skywalker throws a series of punches but Tripp avoids them all with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tripp slips a straight right by Skywalker.
A jab from Tripp misses.
Skywalker connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Tripp momentarily.
Tripp thows a body shot but no joy.
Skywalker shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tripp as he avoids it easily.
Tripp cracks Skywalker with a good jab.
Some wild striking there from Tripp.
Skywalker slips under a jab from Tripp.
Tripp avoids a punch combination nicely.
Skywalker lands a nice shot to the body.
Tripp lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

It looks like Rousimar Palhares Skywalker has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Skywalker waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tripp.
Skywalker misses with a series of wild punches.
Tripp looks for a takedown but Skywalker sprawls well.
Some wild striking there from Skywalker.
A left and a right from Skywalker both land. Nice combination.
Tripp cracks Skywalker with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Evander Tripp seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tripp digs a good hook to Skywalker's body.

A jab-cross combination lands for Tripp and sends Skywalker crashing to the mat! Tripp follows him down to the mat - Skywalker regains half guard but he's not out of trouble yet!

Skywalker is rocked!
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evander Tripp dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rousimar Palhares Skywalker's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Skywalker displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Skywalker takes one to the chin there.
Oh Skywalker is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Skywalker will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tripp has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Tripp tries to score a power double leg takedown but Skywalker sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tripp somewhat.
Skywalker seems to have got his legs back now.
Tripp misses with a hook.
Evander Tripp seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Tripp cracks Skywalker with an uppercut from hell and Skywalker crumples to the canvas, he's out! Oh no, he's recovered and he's grabbed one of Tripp's legs and pulled him into guard. The ref thought about stopping it there but he's let it go - good reffing!

Rousimar Palhares Skywalker's cut is getting worse.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tripp loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tripp is stalling in the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tripp throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tripp stopping the sweep attempt from Skywalker.
Skywalker is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Tripp missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Skywalker keeping moving, preventing Tripp from controlling successfully.
Tripp showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Skywalker swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Tripp.
Tripp throws a body punch but Skywalker moves out of range.

Tripp gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Tripp controls Skywalker momentarily but Skywalker frees himself.
Tripp 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.
Tripp is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Skywalker wants to control from the top but Tripp keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tripp is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Skywalker trying to get back to full guard but Tripp takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Skywalker bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Tripp not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Skywalker with a flurry of punches that miss.
Skywalker scoring with some ground and pound.
Tripp is trying to control the position but Skywalker postures up.
Skywalker stopping the sweep attempt from Tripp.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skywalker throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Skywalker wants to control from the top but Tripp keeps moving.
Skywalker postures up.

Tripp looking for a guillotine here but Skywalker defends easily.
Tripp trying to keep a closed guard but Skywalker is proving a slippery customer.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tripp keeping moving, preventing Skywalker from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evander Tripp showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Rousimar Palhares Skywalker's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Tripp has a takedown stuffed.
Tripp throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Skywalker decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Tripp's guard.

Skywalker got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tripp has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Skywalker has managed to get both his arms back between Tripp's legs - danger averted.
Skywalker wants to control from the top but Tripp keeps moving.
Tripp trying to control the position.

Tripp had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Skywalker defends it easily.
Skywalker pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tripp is keeping the position for now.
Tripp keeping moving, preventing Skywalker from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Skywalker stopping the sweep attempt from Tripp.
Skywalker trying to control the position from guard on top but Tripp is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Rousimar Palhares Skywalker wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Skywalker has Tripp up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skywalker wants to stall.
Skywalker keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Tripp's efforts to push away.
Skywalker changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tripp fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Tripp misses with a combination
and Skywalker counters with a one-two to the body.
A big right from Tripp misses.
Skywalker misses with a straight left.
Tripp lands with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tripp displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Skywalker.
Tripp throws a shot from downtown. Skywalker moves away and avoids it.
Tripp misses with a body shot.
Tripp misses with a double jab
enabling Skywalker to counter with a crisp jab.
Rousimar Palhares Skywalker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Evander Tripp is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A nice combination there by Skywalker.
Skywalker misses with a hook. Tripp ducked under it nicely.
Skywalker walks into a jab.
Skywalker walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A big right from Tripp misses.
Tripp shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Skywalker sprawls well. Skywalker wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Tripp gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tripp ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tripp throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Tripp takes a swing at Skywalker's ribcage but misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Tripp misses the target.

Skywalker scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Skywalker throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Skywalker throwing shots but Tripp is blocking nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tripp is looking to control Skywalker's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tripp avoid being mounted?
Tripp blocking the ground and pound attempt from Skywalker.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rousimar Palhares Skywalker showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Tripp 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evander Tripp!
Evander Tripp spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.