PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Epolito (ranked 976 p4p, 3764 weight class) and Sahara Sam (ranked 107 p4p, 356 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Sahara Sam was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Epolito
vs
Sam

172 cm
26
154
6 - 3 - 0

170 cm
27
155
4 - 5 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Anthony Epolito!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sahara Sam!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, James Atkins and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Epolito lands with a straight right. Sam didn't see that one coming.
Sam throws a leg kick but Epolito sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Sam swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Epolito appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
A slow jab from Epolito misses its intended target.
Epolito misses with a jab, cross combination.
Epolito lands with a straight right. Sam didn't see that one coming.
Epolito shoots in looking for a takedown but Sam manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Epolito's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sam looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Sam throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Epolito punishes Sam's body with a nice straight punch.
Sam scores with a leg kick.
Sam jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Epolito throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sam will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Epolito goes for a double leg but Sam avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Sam continues to drive forward.
Epolito lands a hook that snaps the head of Sam backwards.
Sam tries to break free but Epolito pushes him back against the cage.
Sam is trying to push Epolito away but Epolito has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Epolito has Sam pressed against the cage, preventing Sam from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Epolito's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Epolito swings for the body but Sam moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sam motions for Epolito to come forward. Sam throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Epolito misses with a series of wild punches.
Epolito misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
No joy there for Sam, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Epolito slips a jab and a cross from Sam.
Sam shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Sam is looking to score with low kicks.
Sam gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Epolito misses the shot to the body.
Sam throws a leg kick but Epolito moved away.
Sahara Sam is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sam throws a right hand that Epolito ducks under and follows up with a left that Epolito also avoids with ease.
Epolito is looking to counter punch.

Epolito moves into range and clinches up with Sam.
Sam wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Epolito keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sam's efforts to push away.
Sam wants to break free but Epolito has control.
Epolito lands a nice shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Epolito.
Sam is looking to break free of the clinch but Epolito has double underhooks.
I was talking to Epolito's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Epolito keeps control of Sam as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Epolito effectively controlling the action here.
Epolito throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Sam working hard to break the clinch.
Epolito stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sam has had enough of the clinch but Epolito keeps him there for the moment.
The referee calls for Epolito to work.

Epolito manages to break the clinch.
Epolito throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Epolito misses with a two punch combination.
Sam tried to score with a low kick but Epolito checks it.
Epolito fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Epolito cracks Sam with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
A clash of legs there as Epolito blocks the low kick.
Sam scores with a head kick. Epolito tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

Epolito clinches up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Epolito pushes Sam back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Epolito lands with a short shot to the head.

Epolito breaks from the clinch.
Epolito throws the left hand but Sam avoids the punch easily.
Sam wants to land a leg kick but Epolito is out of range.
Sam attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Sam misses with a hook. Epolito ducked under it nicely.
Sam throws a head kick that misses.
Epolito keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Epolito drops down looking for a counter takedown but Sam sprawls and moves away.
Epolito checks the leg kick nicely there.
Sam on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Epolito swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sam misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Epolito tried to counter with a leg kick but Sam avoided it.
Epolito checks a low kick from Sam.
Sam tries to score with a low kick but Epolito moves his leg out of the way.
Jab by Epolito.
Epolito finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Sam tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Epolito fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sam, pushing him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Epolito lands an elbow inside that Sam shrugs off.

It looks like Sahara Sam has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Epolito pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice shot lands for Epolito.
Sam throws a leg kick but Epolito sees it coming and moves out of range.
Epolito closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sam circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Epolito. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Epolito checks the leg kick.
Sam throws a leg kick but Epolito sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Sam chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Epolito jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Epolito lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sam backs up against the cage.
Epolito misses with a looping right.
Sam with the counter takedown but Epolito avoids it easily.
Sam takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Epolito checks a low kick from Sam.
Epolito misses with a body shot.
Sam tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Sam fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Epolito checks it well.
Sam tries to score with a low kick but Epolito moves his leg out of the way.
Sam avoids a punch combination nicely.
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 Sahara Sam's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sam finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Sam lands a leg kick that knocks Epolito off balance momentarily.
Epolito jabs at Sam's body.
Epolito jabs Sam to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Sam takes one to the side of the head.
Epolito moves out of range of the leg kick from Sam.
Epolito seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Sam tried to score with a low kick but Epolito checks it.
Sam walks into a stiff left hand from Epolito.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Sam throws a low kick but Epolito moves out of range easily.
Epolito is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sam can do to turn this around?
Sam tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Epolito. Sam does a little dance to reset his feet.
Some bone on bone action there as Epolito checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sam throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Epolito is looking to counter punch.
Epolito misses with a wild body shot.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Epolito.
Sam takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Epolito lands with a cross.
Epolito avoids the head kick by Sam.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Epolito checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Epolito lands a really nice looking cross but Sam seems unphased.

Epolito moves into the clinch successfully.
Sam is trying to push Epolito away but Epolito has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Sam is trying to force a seperation but Epolito has the dominant position.
Epolito lands a hook that snaps the head of Sam backwards.

Sam is rocked!
A right hook to the body lands for Epolito.
Sam is still on wobbly legs! Can Epolito finish him?
Epolito tries for a takedown but Sam manages to get underhooks.
Sam seems to have recovered his senses.
Sam tries to circle away but Epolito has him pinned against the cage.

Epolito breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sam thows a leg kick but Epolito checks it

and Epolito counters by clinching up.
Epolito lands on the inside with an uppercut.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Epolito just misses with a elbow thrown towards Sam's brow.
Epolito scores with a shot to the side of Sam's head.
Sam has had enough of the clinch but Epolito keeps him there for the moment.
Epolito throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Sam is breathing heavily.
Epolito works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Epolito lands a nice shot to the body.
Anthony Epolito has scored more points in the clinch so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Epolito lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Sam backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Epolito.
Epolito tries for a takedown but Sam manages to get underhooks.
Epolito tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Epolito. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sam tries to break the clinch but Epolito is controlling the position.
Epolito is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Epolito breaks from the clinch.
Sam takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Epolito throws a left that rocks Sam and follows with a right that sends him tumbling to the canvas! Epolito dives into side control, looking to finish! Can Sam regain composure!
Sam is not content to let Epolito control the position.

Epolito tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Epolito lands an elbow.
Sam is trying to get back to his feet.

Epolito tries for a kimura but Sam is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Epolito trying to control the position but Sam is working away.
Sam is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Epolito is controlling him well.
Sam dodges the ground and pound from Epolito.
Epolito wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sam keeps working.
Sam wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Epolito is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sam is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Epolito scoring with punches from side control.
Epolito trying to control the position but Sam is working away.
Epolito lands some shots froms side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sam wants to get back to his feet.

Epolito is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Sam has escaped the position, nice work there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Epolito tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Epolito has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Epolito is looking to take a break and control but Sam is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Epolito is trying to get an arm triangle but Sam is defending well.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sam can do anything to dispel that myth.
Epolito in side control, throwing shots but Sam defends.
Sam wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Epolito tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Epolito has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Epolito dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Sahara Sam's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

A left lands for Epolito.
Sam checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Sam misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Epolito loads up on a big right hand but Sam slips the punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Epolito. Sam does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sahara Sam is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Epolito misses with a few strikes there.
Sam takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Sam tries to work over Epolito's front leg with a kick but Epolito checks it.
Epolito throws a jab but it's blocked by Sam.
Epolito connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Epolito throws a lazy right hand but Sam sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sam tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Epolito is able to avoid easily.
Sam tries to score with a low kick but Epolito moves his leg out of the way.
Sam walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Epolito checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

Epolito clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sam escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Epolito looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Sam throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Epolito is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Sam.
Epolito scores with a hook.
Epolito darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A slow jab from Epolito misses its intended target.
Epolito avoids the head kick by Sam.
Sam misses with a low kick.
Epolito misses with a looping right.
Epolito misses with a wild body shot.
Sam throws a solid leg kick but Epolito takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Sam.
Epolito lands a slapping body shot.
Epolito misses the shot to the body.
Sam's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Epolito connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Sam scrambles back to his feet.
Epolito fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Sam takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Some bone on bone action there as Epolito checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Epolito scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Epolito fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sam is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Sam throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sam keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sam throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Epolito shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sam sprawls well. Sam wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Epolito gets slowly back to his feet.
Sam has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Epolito avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Epolito tries a head kick but it misses.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Epolito.
Sam fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Epolito checks it well.
Sam scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Epolito throws out a powerful jab.
Sam moves away from the strike by Epolito.
Sam stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sam wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Epolito. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Epolito connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Sam momentarily.
Sam attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Epolito attempts a counter takedown but Sam avoids it well and moves away.
Anthony Epolito is winning the standup battle so far.
Epolito checks a low kick from Sam.
Sam misses with a double jab.
Nice uppercut lands for Epolito. That snapped Sam's head back.
Sam with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Sam throws out a leg kick but Epolito moves out of range and Sam only half commits.
Epolito seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Sam lands a nice shot that snaps Epolito's head back.
Sam throws a leg kick but Epolito sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Epolito throws out a loose jab but Sam uses good head movement to avoid it.
Epolito checks the leg kick.
Epolito swinging wildly here.
Sam attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Epolito throws a front kick aimed at Sam's knee but Sam avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Epolito moves into range and clinches up with Sam.
Epolito lands a left hand.
Sam wants to break the clinch but can't.
Sam prevents a body shot from Epolito.
Epolito tries to stall but Sam uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Epolito keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sam's efforts to push away.
A frustrated look appears on Sam's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Epolito prevents Sam from breaking the clinch.
Epolito lands with a light punch inside.
Anthony Epolito is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Epolito has Sam pressed against the cage, preventing Sam from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Sam takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Epolito pushes Sam back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Epolito escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Epolito moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Good work by Epolito as he checks the leg kick.
Sam throws a chopping leg kick but Epolito manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Sahara Sam has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sam misses with a series of wild punches.
Epolito thinks about countering with a head kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anthony Epolito showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Epolito has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anthony Epolito!
During a confident post fight interview, Anthony Epolito thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.