PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Epolito (ranked 3247 p4p, 3384 weight class) and Santiago Ponziabo (ranked 404 p4p, 418 weight class). Anthony Epolito could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Santiago Ponziabo's chin.

Epolito
vs
Ponziabo

172 cm
25
154
1 - 1 - 0

170 cm
26
164
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Anthony Epolito!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Santiago Ponziabo!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Peter Branson and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Epolito tries to bum rush Ponziabo with a series of wild strikes but Ponziabo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ponziabo looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Epolito tries a head kick but it misses.
Ponziabo drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Epolito defends it well.
Anthony Epolito seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Epolito misses with an uppercut. Ponziabo saw that one coming.

Epolito clinches up with Ponziabo and pushes him back against the cage.
Epolito stalling the fight.
Epolito lands with a right to the head.
Epolito working aggressively here.
Epolito throws a punch but it's blocked by Ponziabo.
Epolito is trying to maintain a safe position but Ponziabo gets an underhook and turns Epolito into the cage.
Ponziabo's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Epolito creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Epolito misses with a punch to the body.
Ponziabo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Epolito misses with the head strike.
Epolito lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Epolito throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ponziabos head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A short right from Epolito on the inside.
Epolito lands a left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Epolito breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Epolito throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Left hook, right uppercut from Epolito.
Ponziabo shoots for a double leg takedown but Epolito sprawls well. He's pushed Ponziabo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Epolito lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Epolito uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Epolito misses with a few strikes there.
Ponziabo feints the counter takedown.
Epolito misses the jab.
Ponziabo shoots in for a takedown but Epolito shows good takedown defense.
Anthony Epolito has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Santiago Ponziabo.
Danga de danga de dang - Epolito scores with a four punch combination!

It looks like Santiago Ponziabo has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ponziabo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Epolito.
Ponziabo avoids the head kick by Epolito.
Ponziabo tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Epolito throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Ponziabo fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Epolito sprawls well initially but Ponziabo persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Epolito manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Ponziabo keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Epolito using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Ponziabo ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Ponziabo no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ponziabo had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Epolito defends it easily.
Epolito trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Ponziabo escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Epolito gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Epolito wants to stand but Ponziabo has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Epolito slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Epolito got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ponziabo has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Epolito has managed to get both his arms back between Ponziabo's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ponziabo working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Epolito has passed into half guard!
Ponziabo tries to roll over but Epolito keeps him under control.
Ponziabo is trying to maintain the position but Epolito is very close to passing his half guard.
Epolito knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ponziabo on the ground.
Epolito content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's four 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.
Epolito moves into full mount! Ponziabo won't be happy about that!
Ponziabo gets back to half guard.
Ponziabo is pressing down on Epolito's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Epolito tries to stand but Ponziabo is controlling from the bottom.

Ponziabo had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Epolito defends it easily.
Epolito wants to pass the guard but Ponziabo is keeping the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Epolito dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Santiago Ponziabo's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Epolito swings for the body but Ponziabo moves out of range.
Epolito lands with a shot to the body.
Ponziabo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Epolito misses with a jab, cross combination.
Epolito is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ponziabo can do to turn this around?
Ponziabo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ponziabo looks for a takedown but Epolito sprawls well.
Epolito tries a head kick but it misses.
Ponziabo slips under a jab from Epolito.
Epolito misses with a body shot.

Ponziabo drives through with a takedown into Epolito's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Epolito has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ponziabo is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Let's hope that Ponziabo has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Ponziabo wants to control from the top but Epolito keeps moving.
Santiago Ponziabo has got the better of the ground game so far.
Epolito trying to keep a closed guard but Ponziabo is proving a slippery customer.

Ponziabo drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Epolito dives on top into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Epolito stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ponziabo swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Ponziabo looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Epolito is defending well. Ponziabo quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Epolito has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Ponziabo celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:34 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Santiago Ponziabo!
During a confident post fight interview, Santiago Ponziabo thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.