PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ben Richards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jake Epping (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Richards's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Kevin Rudolf - In the City. Ben Richards could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Jake Epping's chin.

Richards
vs
Epping

180 cm
29
199 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

186 cm
22
192 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Big right hand

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ben Richards!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jake Epping!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Dmitry Maklakov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Richards throws a head kick but Epping moves out of range.

Richards scores with a takedown into Epping's guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Richards throws a big elbow that misses.

Epping is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Richards is aware though and is defending well.
Epping trying to control the position.

Richards got a little sloppy there for a moment and Epping has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Richards has managed to get both his arms back between Epping's legs - danger averted.
Epping not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Epping controlling Richards's posture.
Richards trying to control but Epping is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jake Epping has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Richards shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Epping but Epping pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Richards shoots in but no luck this time.
Epping buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Epping displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Richards.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Richards. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Richards is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Epping fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Richards feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Epping working for submissions but it's allowed Richards to get to half guard.
Epping is trying to get back to full guard.
Epping is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
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!
Richards throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Epping to regain full guard.

Richards avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Epping working a defensive guard but Richards manages to pass into side control anyway.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards wants to control but Epping is keeping him busy.
Epping manages to get back to half guard.
Epping moves into full guard.
Epping pulls Richards in close to prevent any damage.
Richards trying to control but Epping is working from the bottom.
Epping is looking to stand up but Richards isn't so interested in that idea.
Richards has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Epping has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Richards is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Epping.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richards is looking to take a break and control but Epping is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Epping is trying to get back to his feet.
Richards wants to lay and pray for a moment but Epping keeps working.
The strikes coming from Richards are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Richards tries to advance to mount but Epping denies him.
Richards controls the position.
Epping is trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jake Epping will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Richards tries a head kick but it misses.
Richards shoots in but no luck this time.
Richards misses with a hook to the body
and Epping counters with a nice body shot.
Richards shoots for a takedown but Epping saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Richards fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ben Richards is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Richards has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Richards. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Epping moves into range and connects with a jab.
Richards shoots in but Epping avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richards changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Epping tries to avoid it but Richards manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Epping to the ground. Epping escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A good leg kick by Epping.
Epping uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Richards has time to react.
Epping displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Richards.
Richards misses with a straight right.
Richards is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Epping fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Richards shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Epping finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Ben Richards seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Epping lands a left and a right that send Richards crashing to the mat, dazed. Epping thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

It looks like Ben Richards has been cut.

Epping sends Richards crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Epping is motioning to the referee to let Richards up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!

Richards is rocked!
Richards wants to clinch.
Oh Richards is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Richards tries to score a power double leg takedown but Epping sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Richards somewhat.
Richards seems to have got his legs back now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Epping stuns Richards with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Epping sends Richards crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Epping is motioning to the referee to let Richards up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
BAM! Epping delivers a spinning backfist that drops Richards like a ragdoll! This is all oooooveeeer! He was out before he hit the ground!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:35 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Spinning Backfist). Jake Epping!
Jake Epping 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.