PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Noah Aypia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jim Bang (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Aypia
vs
Bang

175 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
18
140 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Noah Aypia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jim Bang!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Paulo Santos and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aypia lands a head kick!

It looks like Jim Bang has been cut.
Bang looks for a takedown but Aypia sprawls well.
Aypia is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A head kick misses from Aypia.
Bang tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Aypia swivels and escapes.
Aypia tries to clinch up.
Bang avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Aypia throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Bang gets a clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Aypia tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Bang smiles and moves away.
Bang misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Noah Aypia has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jim Bang.
Aypia with a lazy takedown attempt

and Bang counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Aypia wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bang working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Aypia tries to roll over but Bang keeps him under control.
Bang seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Aypia does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Bang is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Bang working over Aypia with some ground and pound. Aypia looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Aypia closes the distance looking to clinch

and Bang counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Bang is looking to break free of the clinch but Aypia has double underhooks.
Bang is working for takedown but Aypia is calmly controlling the position for now.
Bang drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bang looks gassed!
Aypia lands an elbow inside that Bang shrugs off.
Bang cracks Aypia with a nice body shot.
Aypia tries to stall but Bang uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Aypia fails to pull guard.
Aypia prevents the takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aypia wants to stall.

Aypia manages to break the clinch.
Bang tries for a takedown but Aypia sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Aypia misses with a takedown attempt

and Bang counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Bang.
Aypia stalling in the clinch but Bang improves position.
Aypia connects with a knee to the head.

Aypia breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Aypia tries to clinch up.
Aypia gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Bang counters with a nice double leg into side control. Aypia won't be happy with that.
Bang trying to control the position but Aypia is working away.
Aypia is looking to regain half guard here but Bang keeps moving and retains side control.
Aypia is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Bang has just dragged him back down to the mat.
You can see the frustration on Aypia's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Bang working the head and body with strikes.
Bang has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bang in side control, throwing shots but Aypia defends.
Aypia manages to get back to half guard.
Aypia is not content to let Bang control the position.
Aypia wants to improve his position but Bang is controlling well.
Aypia is refusing to be controlled, as Bang sits in half guard.
Aypia moves into full guard.
Aypia wants to get back to his feet but Bang is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Bang wants to pass the guard but Aypia is keeping the position.
Aypia looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Bang wanted to stand there but Aypia had control of the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Aypia closes the distance but Bang moves to the side

and Bang counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Aypia's guard now.
Bang throwing strikes from guard but Aypia blocks nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aypia is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Aypia looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bang is one step ahead there.
Bang wants to control from the top but Aypia keeps moving.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Aypia wants to stand but Bang is controlling the position.
Bang missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim Bang dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jim Bang's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bang misses with a double jab.
Nice sprawl there from Bang as Aypia shoots in.
Bang is looking to clinch.

Bang shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bang showed some decent athleticism there.
Bang takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Bang seems to be looking for submissions.
Aypia wants to get back to his feet.
Aypia tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bang with the ground and pound but Aypia uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Aypia wants to sweep here but Bang controlling him for the moment.

Bang postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Aypia is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Bang, into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aypia trying to control but Bang is working from the bottom.

Bang is looking for a triangle but Aypia pushes his legs off easily.

Bang pushes Aypia off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Aypia closes the distance looking to clinch

and Bang counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Jim Bang has got the better of the ground game so far.

Bang gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Aypia blocks a head kick by Bang.
Some wild striking there from Bang.
Aypia tries to clinch

and Bang counters by moving into the clinch.
Bang holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Aypia breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Aypia will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Jim Bang seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bang throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Aypia.
Aypia lands with a kick to the temple. Bang shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Aypia looks to clinch

and Bang counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Aypia's guard now.
Bang won't allow Aypia to get back to his feet.
Aypia is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Aypia wants to pass to mount but Bang is defending the position.
Aypia tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Aypia seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Bang does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Aypia throwing shots but Bang is blocking nicely.

Aypia decides to stand up.
Aypia tries to clinch there but Bang circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aypia tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Aypia lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Aypia moves in looking to clinch but Bang pushes him off.
Bang tries to clinch but Aypia is having none of it.

Bang clinches up against the cage.
Aypia jumps guard but Bang stands there with Aypia around his waist. Aypia gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Noah Aypia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bang is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Bang blocks an elbow strike.
Aypia lands an elbow that stopped Bang in his tracks for a moment.
Aypia keeps control of Bang as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Bang dodges an elbow strike from Aypia.
Aypia unloads a knee to the mid-section. Bang lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Bang tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Aypia smiles and moves away.
Aypia looks to clinch

and Bang counters with a single leg into guard. Aypia didn't expect that.
Aypia keeping moving, preventing Bang from controlling successfully.
Bang cracks Aypia with a solid left hand.

Aypia is working an open guard so Bang takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Bang keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bang stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Aypia clinches up against the cage.
Bang stalling in the clinch but Aypia improves position.
Aypia tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Aypia is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Bang goes for a takedown in the clinch but Aypia prevents it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Aypia is working for takedown but Bang is calmly controlling the position for now.
Bang is trying to break free.
Bang jumps guard but Aypia stands there with Bang around his waist. Bang gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Aypia wants to get back to striking at distance but Bang won't allow it.
Aypia landing knees to the body.
Aypia is looking to break free of the clinch but Bang has double underhooks.
Aypia looking to stall.
A knee to the head by Aypia.
Aypia tries to pull guard but Bang won't allow it.
Aypia wants to get back to striking at distance but Bang won't allow it.
Aypia is trying to stall.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bang can't break the clinch.
Aypia fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Aypia manages to pull guard.
Bang stops Aypia from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim Bang showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jim Bang's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Aypia looks to clinch

and Bang counters with a takedown into side control.
Aypia is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Aypia can't do much from the bottom here.
Aypia manages to get back to half guard.
Aypia looks like he's trying to stand up.

Bang decides to stand and escape the position.
A leg kick checked by Aypia.

Aypia takes the fight into the clinch.
Bang takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Aypia takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aypia is looking to break free of the clinch but Bang has double underhooks.
Bang takes an elbow to the forehead.
Aypia lands a knee to the body.

Aypia escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bang avoids the body shot from Aypia.
Bang will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Aypia wants to clinch.
Bang swats away the attempt to clinch by Aypia.
Aypia looks to score with a jab to the body but Bang is just out of range.
Bang shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Aypia pinned against the cage. Aypia gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Aypia wants to clinch but Bang slips to the side

and Bang holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Aypia wants to stall.
Bang gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Knees to the body from Aypia.
Aypia has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Bang is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Aypia prevents the takedown attempt.
Aypia wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bang tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Noah Aypia has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jim Bang.
Nice elbow from Aypia.
Aypia prevents Bang from breaking the clinch.
Aypia has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bang avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Aypia is trying to stall.
Aypia scores with a shoulder strike.
Aypia fails to pull guard.
Aypia lands an elbow inside.
Aypia lands a nice elbow.
Bang goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Aypia with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Bang wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Aypia has him pressed against the cage.
Aypia gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Bang.
Aypia is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Bang manages to break the clinch.
Aypia tries to clinch

and Bang counters with a nice double leg into side control. Aypia won't be happy with that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Aypia is looking to reverse the position.

Bang has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Aypia lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Aypia throws a head kick that half lands.
Aypia goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Bang is rocked!
Bang avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Bang is still on wobbly legs! Can Aypia finish him?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aypia is looking to clinch but Bang is avoiding it.
Bang seems to have recovered his senses.
Bang stuffs the takedown.
Aypia fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Bang.
Bang misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Aypia misses with a combination

and Bang counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Bang looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Aypia trying to control here.

Bang decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Bang shoots in for a double leg but Aypia sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aypia tries to clinch but Bang moves away

and Bang counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Bang.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!

Bang drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Aypia dives on top into guard.
Bang wants to hit a switch here but Aypia passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Bang there!
Aypia scoring with strikes but Bang is staying in there.
Aypia tries to control but Bang wriggling away.
Aypia connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Aypia trying to control but Bang is having none of it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bang blocking the ground and pound.
Noah Aypia has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aypia looking to finish with strikes here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Jim Bang comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bang 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 27:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jim Bang!