PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between PePe Hapitchou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cormac McCarthy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hapitchou's entrance music is Blackalicious - Sky is falling. A fine choice. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Hapitchou
vs
McCarthy

175 cm
23
142 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

160 cm
22
139 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Sun-Tzu

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, PePe Hapitchou!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cormac McCarthy!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Paul Gruel and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hapitchou looks to score with a jab to the body but McCarthy is just out of range.
Hapitchou misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McCarthy.
McCarthy tries to clinch up.
Hapitchou feints and then cracks McCarthy's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow McCarthy down.
Hapitchou checks a low kick from McCarthy.
McCarthy fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hapitchou.
McCarthy connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Hapitchou's hands.
McCarthy connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Hapitchou misses with a hook.
McCarthy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McCarthy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
McCarthy walks into a straight right hand from Hapitchou.
McCarthy moves forwards but Hapitchou connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Hapitchou has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Demon's Progym in the buildup to the fight.
McCarthy scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Hapitchou fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt McCarthy.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hapitchou throws a low kick but McCarthy moves out of range easily.
Hapitchou throws a nice head kick!
McCarthy throws a hook but Hapitchou blocks it.
Hapitchou appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
We've been informed that McCarthy has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Hapitchou throws a body shot but no joy.
McCarthy is looking for the big counter here.
Hapitchou throws a half hearted mid kick.
Hapitchou lands with a nice body punch.
The fighters circling - McCarthy throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McCarthy moves out of range of the strikes.
McCarthy throws a poor cross that misses
and Hapitchou counters with a stiff right hand.
McCarthy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hapitchou takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A low kick from McCarthy misses
letting Hapitchou counter with a right hand.
Hapitchou lands a jab to the head.
Hapitchou swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McCarthy tries to counter by closing the distance.
McCarthy walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hapitchou lands a nice looking body kick.
Hapitchou scores with a nice right hand.

McCarthy closes the distance and clinches.
Hapitchou is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables McCarthy to keep the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy lands with a left to the head.
Hapitchou tries to work over McCarthy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
McCarthy tries to throw a body punch but Hapitchou avoids it by throwing McCarthy back against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on McCarthy - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Hapitchou blocks an uppercut.
Hapitchou working aggressively here.
Hapitchou tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McCarthy prevents a body shot from Hapitchou.
McCarthy misses with some punches.
Hapitchou misses with a punch on the inside.
McCarthy misses with a hook from the clinch.
McCarthy misses with a short punch on the inside.
McCarthy fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McCarthy scores with an uppercut up the middle.
McCarthy slowing the pace effectively.
Hapitchou misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hapitchou blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McCarthy misses with the head strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hapitchou is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hapitchou.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McCarthy.

Hapitchou gets control of McCarthy's arms and successfully pulls guard. Hapitchou will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Hapitchou looking for a guillotine here but McCarthy defends easily.
McCarthy's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Hapitchou pulls McCarthy in close to prevent any damage.
McCarthy looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Hapitchou throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hapitchou looking to control but McCarthy passes into half guard.
McCarthy trying to mount his opponent but Hapitchou defends it.
Hapitchou wants to get back to full guard but McCarthy has mounted him!
McCarthy controlling from the full mount.
McCarthy manages to capitalize on a mistake by Hapitchou to take his back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that PePe Hapitchou will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hapitchou uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from McCarthy.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Hapitchou.
Hapitchou listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
McCarthy just misses with a punch to the body.
McCarthy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hapitchou takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hapitchou.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from McCarthy in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
McCarthy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McCarthy walks into a left hand.
Hapitchou looks to score with a jab to the body but McCarthy is just out of range.
Hapitchou waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McCarthy.
Nice defenses there by McCarthy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hapitchou throws a shot to the body.
McCarthy lunges at Hapitchou with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hapitchou's hand.
McCarthy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hapitchou moves away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hapitchou lands a jab.
McCarthy throws a series of punches but Hapitchou avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hapitchou thumps McCarthy with a low kick.
Hapitchou jabs at McCarthy's body.
Hapitchou lands with a hook. McCarthy tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
McCarthy uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hapitchou.
McCarthy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hapitchou moves away.
Hapitchou fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McCarthy manages to avoid it.
McCarthy is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hapitchou.
McCarthy throws a combination that misses
letting Hapitchou counter with a right hand.
McCarthy is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hapitchou.
McCarthy walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
McCarthy keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hapitchou.
Hapitchou tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McCarthy was well out of range. Poor timing from Hapitchou.
McCarthy tries to clinch up
and Hapitchou makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
McCarthy staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Hapitchou does it's job there.
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!
Hapitchou just misses with a punch to the body.
McCarthy throws a leg kick that is checked
and Hapitchou counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hapitchou scores with the left hand. McCarthy knows he should have avoided that one.
Hapitchou cracks McCarthy with a good jab.
Hapitchou lands a nice leg kick that just misses McCarthy's sensitive parts.
Hapitchou scores with a punch to the head.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by McCarthy.
McCarthy scores with a punch to the head.
Hapitchou takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hapitchou misses with a kick to the body.
McCarthy cracks Hapitchou with a right hand to the side of the head.
PePe Hapitchou is winning the standup battle so far.
Hapitchou tries a head kick but it misses.
Hapitchou misses with a wild body shot.
Hapitchou digs a good hook to McCarthy's body.
McCarthy throws a body punch but Hapitchou moves out of range.
McCarthy is looking to land body kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters circling a little - McCarthy finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Hapitchou misses with a right hand
and McCarthy counters with a stiff right hand.
McCarthy displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hapitchou throws out the jab.
Hapitchou is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
McCarthy gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Hapitchou moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Hapitchou throws a jab but it's blocked by McCarthy.
McCarthy misses with a looping right.
Hapitchou has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Hapitchou there as he acknowledges the shot.
Hapitchou lands a slapping body shot.
A big right from Hapitchou misses.
Hapitchou throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Hapitchou throws a chopping leg kick but McCarthy manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
McCarthy lands a jab to Hapitchou's midsection.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McCarthy lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
McCarthy takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hapitchou throws a low kick but McCarthy avoids it.
McCarthy throws a hook but Hapitchou avoids it easily.
McCarthy lands a glancing blow to the side of Hapitchou's head.
Hapitchou fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. McCarthy looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hapitchou misses with a right hand
and McCarthy counters with a right hand to the body.
McCarthy throws a lazy right hand but Hapitchou sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hapitchou throwing a counter right hand but McCarthy manages to avoid it.
Hapitchou getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
McCarthy tries to bum rush Hapitchou with a series of wild strikes but Hapitchou uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McCarthy scores with a body shot.
Hapitchou throws the left hand but McCarthy avoids the punch easily.
A big right from McCarthy misses.
McCarthy with a body punch. A glancing blow.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McCarthy looks to land a right hand but Hapitchou moved out of range.
Hapitchou blocks a jab.
Hapitchou connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between McCarthy's hands.
McCarthy defending well as Hapitchou loads up on a big left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

PePe Hapitchou dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A big right from McCarthy misses.
Hapitchou lands a nice looking body kick.
McCarthy tries to clinch but Hapitchou moves away
and Hapitchou counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hapitchou fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt McCarthy.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from McCarthy lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Hapitchou has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Hapitchou and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Hapitchou has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from McCarthy.
Hapitchou lands a right hook to the body.
Hapitchou throws a head kick that McCarthy semi-blocks.
A head kick misses from McCarthy.
McCarthy wants to clinch
letting Hapitchou counter with a right hand.
Hapitchou pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McCarthy looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
McCarthy moves out of range as Hapitchou strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McCarthy tries to clinch up.
Hapitchou lands with a straight right. McCarthy didn't see that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hapitchou moves out of range as McCarthy strikes.
Hapitchou throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck McCarthy on the side of the head.
Hapitchou swings for the body but McCarthy moves out of range.

McCarthy moves into the clinch successfully.
Hapitchou swings wildly with an uppercut but McCarthy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hapitchou throws a punch but it's blocked by McCarthy.
McCarthy misses with some punches.
McCarthy has a couple of punches blocked by Hapitchou.
Hapitchou swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short right from Hapitchou.
Cormac McCarthy seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hapitchou lands a left hand.
McCarthy has a couple of punches blocked by Hapitchou.
McCarthy tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McCarthy lands an uppercut.
Hapitchou blocks a punch to the side of the head.
McCarthy misses with a punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hapitchou tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McCarthy scores with a nice hook to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hapitchou swings wildly with an uppercut but McCarthy uses good head movement to avoid it.
McCarthy lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Nice body punch from McCarthy - that landed with a thud.
Hapitchou has a couple of punches blocked by McCarthy.
Hapitchou lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hapitchou working aggressively here.
Hapitchou tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McCarthy's elbow.
McCarthy misses with a punch on the inside.
Hapitchou misses with a hook from the clinch.
McCarthy is leaning against Hapitchou and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
McCarthy misses with a hook to the ribs.
McCarthy's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
McCarthy pushes Hapitchou back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
McCarthy misses with a punch on the inside.
McCarthy takes a shot to the head.
Hapitchou tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. McCarthy smiles and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by McCarthy.
McCarthy moves out of range of the body kick from Hapitchou.
McCarthy slips under a jab from Hapitchou.
McCarthy fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Hapitchou is out of range.
Hapitchou connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
McCarthy throws a front kick aimed at Hapitchou's knee but Hapitchou avoids it well.
McCarthy checks a leg kick.
McCarthy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hapitchou moves away.
An attempted straight right counter from Hapitchou misses the target.
Hapitchou sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
McCarthy looks to clinch
and Hapitchou makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
McCarthy blocks a head kick by Hapitchou.
McCarthy moves in looking to clinch but Hapitchou pushes him off.
Hapitchou lands with a straight right. McCarthy didn't see that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Hapitchou on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Hapitchou misses with a straight left.
Hapitchou takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McCarthy tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Hapitchou is able to avoid easily.
Hapitchou scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. McCarthy doesn't seem bothered though.
Hapitchou swings for the body but McCarthy moves out of range.
McCarthy throws a hook but Hapitchou avoids it easily.
Hapitchou throwing a counter right hand but McCarthy manages to avoid it.
McCarthy thuds his right hand into Hapitchou's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

McCarthy closes the distance and clinches.
McCarthy avoiding damage.
Hapitchou can't find room to land a body shot as McCarthy controls the action.
Hapitchou swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McCarthy dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Hapitchou fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but PePe Hapitchou did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hapitchou scores with a hook to the body. McCarthy takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
McCarthy lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hapitchou circles away quickly and effectively.
McCarthy moves out of range of the body kick.
Nice cross by Hapitchou.
McCarthy connects with a single shot there.
Hapitchou misses with a leg kick
and McCarthy counters with a thumping low kick.
Hapitchou with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
McCarthy thumps Hapitchou with a low kick.
McCarthy throws a hook to the side of Hapitchou's head but Hapitchou sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hapitchou.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Hapitchou checks a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCarthy misses with a hook.
No joy there for McCarthy, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
An attempted straight right counter from Hapitchou misses the target.
McCarthy takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nice straight punches there by Hapitchou. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hapitchou.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hapitchou's corner calls for a 1-2. Hapitchou obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hapitchou.
As McCarthy backs away, Hapitchou returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
McCarthy throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McCarthy staying out of range there.
A head kick misses from McCarthy.
Hapitchou jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hapitchou sets himself, and McCarthy steps forward looking for the clinch! Hapitchou avoids it this time.
Hapitchou lunges at McCarthy with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by McCarthy's hand.
Hapitchou tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McCarthy throws a push kick but Hapitchou slaps the foot to one side.
Hapitchou quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Hapitchou blocks the body kick.
No joy there for McCarthy, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hapitchou misses with a lunging right hand
and McCarthy counters with a nice body kick.
McCarthy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McCarthy pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
McCarthy throws a sloppy head kick and Hapitchou moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy moves out of range of the strikes.
Hapitchou takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Hapitchou throws a leg kick which misses McCarthy's front leg but catches the back leg as McCarthy tries to avoid it.
McCarthy moves away from the strike by Hapitchou.
Hapitchou goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McCarthy fails to land with a series of punches.
Hapitchou is looking to counter punch.

McCarthy instigates a clinch.
Hapitchou tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hapitchou throws a head punch that misses.
McCarthy blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hapitchou lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Hapitchou lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of McCarthy backwards.
McCarthy lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hapitchou backwards.
McCarthy will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Hapitchou up against the cage.
McCarthy throws a head punch that misses.
McCarthy has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hapitchou doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hapitchou works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McCarthy.
McCarthy lands a right hand.
McCarthy blocking some punches.
McCarthy swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hapitchou tries to pull guard but McCarthy won't allow it.
Hapitchou swings wildly with an uppercut but McCarthy uses good head movement to avoid it.
McCarthy is trying to stall.
McCarthy lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hapitchou misses with a punch on the inside.
Hapitchou makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hapitchou lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of McCarthy backwards.
Hapitchou swings wildly with an uppercut but McCarthy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hapitchou missing with knees to the body.
Hapitchou's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hapitchou.
McCarthy tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McCarthy fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McCarthy lands an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hapitchou has a couple of punches blocked by McCarthy.
McCarthy misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hapitchou.
Hapitchou misses with a body punch.
McCarthy throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hapitchous head.
Hapitchou misses with the head strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hapitchou.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Cormac McCarthy will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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!

Hapitchou throws a body punch but McCarthy moves out of range.
Hapitchou smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Hapitchou fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
McCarthy is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hapitchou.
Hapitchou lands a body shot.
McCarthy avoids the body shot from Hapitchou.
Hapitchou stuns McCarthy with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Hapitchou moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
McCarthy fails to land with a series of punches.
McCarthy uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hapitchou.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hapitchou misses with a hook. McCarthy ducked under it nicely.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by McCarthy.
Hapitchou scores with a shot to the body.
Hapitchou misses with a wild body shot.
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!
Hapitchou misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from McCarthy misses.
Hapitchou connects with a body shot that sends McCarthy's belly button to the back.
McCarthy wants to clinch but Hapitchou slips to the side
and Hapitchou counters with a straight right hand.
Nice defenses there by Hapitchou.
McCarthy tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hapitchou. McCarthy does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hapitchou scores with a decent looking hook.
Hapitchou uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from McCarthy.
Hapitchou displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McCarthy throws out the jab.
McCarthy lands a nice shot that snaps Hapitchou's head back.
Hapitchou scores with a crisp jab that stopped McCarthy in his tracks.
Hapitchou just misses with a punch to the body.
Hapitchou tries a head kick but it misses.
McCarthy staying out of range there.
It seemed like McCarthy was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hapitchou connects with a right hand. McCarthy shakes it off.
Cormac McCarthy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab from McCarthy.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hapitchou jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hapitchou 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.
McCarthy misses with a low kick.
Hapitchou is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
McCarthy misses with a combination
and Hapitchou counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hapitchou fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches McCarthy on the side of the head.
McCarthy connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Hapitchou is looking to score with low kicks.
Hapitchou lands an overhand right.
McCarthy throws a right and a left that Hapitchou avoids nicely.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Hapitchou crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from McCarthy - the referee stops the clock and Hapitchou gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says McCarthy. Hapitchou manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Hapitchou dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
McCarthy has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hapitchou.
Hapitchou will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Hapitchou is out of range.
McCarthy walks into a stiff left hand from Hapitchou.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by McCarthy.
McCarthy just misses with a punch to the body.
McCarthy takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
McCarthy walks into a stiff left hand from Hapitchou.
Hapitchou takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
McCarthy throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Hapitchou counter with a right hand.
Hapitchou thuds his right hand into McCarthy's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hapitchou throws a nice outside leg kick.

McCarthy instigates a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Hapitchou fails to land.
McCarthy working aggressively here.
Hapitchou misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hapitchou misses with a hook to the ribs.
McCarthy lands a left hand.
McCarthy lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hapitchou backwards.
McCarthy blocks an uppercut.
McCarthy tries to stall but Hapitchou uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Hapitchou throws a head punch that misses.
McCarthy softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hapitchou misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hapitchou misses with a punch to the body.
McCarthy is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
McCarthy stalling against the cage.
PePe Hapitchou is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hapitchou can't break the clinch.
Hapitchou softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Hapitchou fails to land.
McCarthy goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

And that's the end of the fight!
PePe Hapitchou showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hapitchou 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 50:45
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 49:46
Judge Josh West scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... PePe Hapitchou!
PePe Hapitchou retains his bantamweight title!
PePe Hapitchou decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
The defeated Cormac McCarthy had this to say: '“Scars have the strange power to remind us that our past is real."'.