PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Gomes (ranked 3273 p4p, 3819 weight class) and Anthony Epolito (ranked 402 p4p, 452 weight class). 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?

Gomes
vs
Epolito

190 cm
26
160
2 - 1 - 0

172 cm
25
154
1 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Antonio Gomes !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Anthony Epolito!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Winston Alpacca and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Epolito lands with a right hand.
Epolito misses with an uppercut.
Nice uppercut lands for Epolito. That snapped Gomes 's head back.
Epolito getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Epolito bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Gomes 's head.
Epolito throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Gomes drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
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!
Epolito tries to improve position but can't.
Gomes tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Gomes is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Epolito knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Gomes tries to move to mount but Epolito blocks the move with his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gomes tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Gomes has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Epolito has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Epolito can do anything to dispel that myth.
Gomes trying to control the action but Epolito is working from the bottom.

Gomes is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Epolito has escaped the position, nice work there.
Epolito can't do much from the bottom here.

Gomes wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Epolito, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Epolito is letting Gomes control him for a moment.
Gomes looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Gomes wants to control but Epolito is keeping him busy.
Epolito really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gomes . If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Gomes controlling from side mount.
Epolito is looking to regain half guard here but Gomes keeps moving and retains side control.
Gomes controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Epolito tries to buck Gomes off but Gomes is having none of it.
Epolito prevents Gomes from moving into mount.
Epolito can't do much from the bottom here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Gomes trying to control the action but Epolito is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Epolito lands a nice hook to Gomes 's body. Gomes takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Epolito connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Gomes 's hands.
Gomes has a takedown stuffed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Epolito scores with a head kick. Gomes tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Gomes on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Epolito pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gomes changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A head kick misses from Epolito.
That kick from Epolito tenderised Gomes 's leg. Gomes is trying to keep his angry face on.
Epolito throws a leg kick but Gomes sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Gomes blocks a jab.
Gomes tries to counter with a takedown but Epolito is quick to defend against it.
Gomes looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gomes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antonio Gomes . That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gomes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Epolito throws out the jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice jab there from Epolito.
Gomes shoots in for a takedown but Epolito shows good takedown defense.
Epolito bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Gomes 's head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Epolito dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gomes shoots in for a double leg but Epolito sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Epolito loads up on a big right hand but Gomes slips the punch.
Epolito swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A combination from Epolito does no damage.

Gomes shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Gomes is just content to waste time from the top position. Epolito takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Epolito looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gomes is one step ahead there.
Epolito has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gomes slips nicely into half guard.

Gomes seems to be working for a kimura but Epolito defends the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Epolito wants to improve his position but Gomes is controlling well.

Gomes is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Epolito is just riding it out for now. Gomes eventually gives up the hold.
Epolito gets back to full guard.
Gomes really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Gomes tries to free his leg and advance position but Epolito is retaining full guard.

That's two 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.
Gomes showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Gomes wants to control from the top but Epolito keeps moving.
Gomes stays in close to Epolito's body and controls the position.
Epolito seems keen to control Gomes 's posture.
Gomes stopping the sweep attempt from Epolito.
Epolito is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Gomes advances to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gomes stalling away here and it's allowed Epolito to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Epolito looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Gomes trying to control but Epolito is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gomes is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Epolito is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
A nice inside leg kick there by Epolito. That's going to slow Gomes down.
Gomes is trying hard to land a takedown here. Epolito sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Epolito appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Epolito connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Epolito lands a lovely overhand right.
Epolito's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Epolito duly obliges.
Epolito catches Gomes with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Epolito swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Epolito works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Gomes fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Epolito sprawls well initially but Gomes persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Antonio Gomes overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gomes wants to control but Epolito is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Epolito wants to get back to his feet.
Gomes trying to control from half guard but Epolito is working away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gomes trying to control the pace.
Gomes seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Epolito does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Epolito showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Gomes manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Epolito on his heels. He'll look to pass Epolito's guard now, I'm sure.
Epolito can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Gomes controls the pace.
Gomes is pushing down on Epolito's leg trying to pass to half guard. Epolito is fighting to maintain full guard but Gomes has managed to sneak the leg through.
Epolito is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Gomes 's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Gomes 's back!
Epolito avoiding Gomes 's attempts to control his hands.
Gomes tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Epolito controlling the position easily from mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gomes tries to reverse the position but Epolito maintains control.
Epolito sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Gomes sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Gomes manages to get to full guard.

Gomes 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gomes trying to control the position.
Gomes wants to sweep but no luck.

Gomes looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Epolito wants to control from the top but Gomes keeps moving.
Gomes will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Epolito's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Epolito gets to his feet. Gomes looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Epolito misses with a shot to the body

and Gomes counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Gomes .
Epolito is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Gomes trying to control but Epolito is working from the bottom.
Gomes wants to pass the guard but Epolito is keeping the position.
Gomes wants to control from the top but Epolito keeps moving.
Gomes showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Gomes has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gomes trying to control the position from guard on top but Epolito is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Antonio Gomes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Anthony Epolito is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Epolito.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gomes misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Epolito scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Anthony Epolito.
I've got Epolito winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anthony Epolito!
After the fight, Anthony Epolito was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.