PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hero Tasaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maximus Pavlic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Tasaki
vs
Pavlic

186 cm
21
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

190 cm
18
195 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Murder Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hero Tasaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Maximus Pavlic!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Sergei Dronov and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pavlic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Tasaki throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Pavlic counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Tasaki misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Pavlic misses the shot to the body.
Tasaki throws a series of punches but Pavlic moves out of range.
Tasaki falls off balance throwing a combination

and Pavlic counters with a takedown into side control.
Tasaki throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
Tasaki is not content to let Pavlic control the position.

Pavlic tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Pavlic has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Pavlic tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Pavlic has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Pavlic trying to control the position but Tasaki is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pavlic scores with a couple of short elbows.

Pavlic tries for a kimura but Tasaki is defending well.
Pavlic tries to move to mount but Tasaki blocks the move with his legs.
Pavlic looks gassed!
Tasaki tries to escape but Pavlic is in control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pavlic scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Tasaki to see if he's OK.

Pavlic is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Tasaki has escaped the position, nice work there.
Pavlic has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Tasaki manages to get back to half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Tasaki has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Pavlic is working away from the top position though.
Pavlic is pressing down on Tasaki's thigh, looking to free his foot. Tasaki is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Tasaki is trying to maintain the position but Pavlic is very close to passing his half guard.

Tasaki looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Tasaki is looking to escape.

Pavlic is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Tasaki has managed to free his arm - good work.
Pavlic blocks the strikes from Tasaki.
Pavlic prevents Tasaki from improving his position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Tasaki throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Pavlic.
Pavlic throws a jab when Tasaki was well out of range.
Pavlic looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Tasaki misses with a two punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tasaki shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Pavlic as he jumps to the side.
Pavlic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Tasaki scores a takedown into full mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pavlic is trying to reverse the position but instead Tasaki has taken his back - oops!

Tasaki patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Tasaki is persistently looking for the submission but Pavlic is defending it well.
Pavlic rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

Pavlic is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Tasaki pulls his head out easily.

Tasaki is looking for a kimura but Pavlic is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Tasaki to get the leverage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pavlic manages to get to full guard.
Pavlic tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Pavlic is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Tasaki slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Tasaki lands a few punches from side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pavlic is looking for a sweep.

Tasaki is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Pavlic is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pavlic is trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Maximus Pavlic will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Tasaki clinches.
Tasaki scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Pavlic lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tasaki backwards.
Pavlic lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tasaki backwards.
Tasaki jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Pavlic walks away with a smile on his face. Tasaki gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Pavlic moves into range and clinches up with Tasaki.
Pavlic lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Pavlic taking a breather.
Pavlic will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Tasaki up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Pavlic fails to land.
Pavlic pressing his opponent against the cage.
Tasaki pushes Pavlic back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tasaki lands a shoulder strike.
Still in the clinch, Tasaki scores with a nice short uppercut.
Pavlic is breathing heavily.
Pavlic looking to slow down the pace here.

Tasaki breaks from the clinch.
Tasaki throws a nice looking combination but Pavlic bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tasaki scores with a decent looking hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pavlic shoots in but no luck this time.
Tasaki shoots in but no luck this time.
Tasaki shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hero Tasaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A decent looking cross lands there for Tasaki.
Tasaki stalks Pavlic and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Pavlic's face. Pavlic staggers backwards, shaken.
Tasaki is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Pavlic.
Pavlic misses with a wild body shot.

Pavlic closes the distance and clinches.
Tasaki lands a hook that snaps the head of Pavlic backwards.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Pavlic as Tasaki tries to tie him up.
Pavlic tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Pavlic swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Pavlic takes a shot to the head.
Pavlic is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Tasaki lands a right hand.
Tasaki lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Tasaki jumps guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pavlic throwing strikes but missing.
Tasaki keeping moving, preventing Pavlic from controlling successfully.
Pavlic preventing the sweep.

Tasaki escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Pavlic gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Pavlic is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Tasaki is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Tasaki has escaped and now he's on top!
Pavlic trying to keep a closed guard but Tasaki is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tasaki with a nice head shot there.
Tasaki lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Pavlic wants to sweep here but Tasaki controlling him for the moment.
Hero Tasaki overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Pavlic working for a triangle but Tasaki defends it easily.

Pavlic escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tasaki gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Tasaki scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tasaki throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Jab, jab by Tasaki - just one landing.
Hero Tasaki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pavlic shoots in for a double leg but Tasaki sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tasaki looks to land a combination. Pavlic sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Pavlic tries to close the distance and clinch but Tasaki swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Pavlic wants to clinch but Tasaki slips to the side

and Tasaki counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Pavlic escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tasaki gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Tasaki drops back looking for a leg! Pavlic is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Pavlic manages to kick Tasaki off! Tasaki jumps back into Pavlic's guard.
Pavlic tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Tasaki thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hero Tasaki dominated that second round.
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!

Pavlic changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tasaki tries to avoid it but Pavlic manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tasaki to the ground. Tasaki escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tasaki connects with a body shot.
Tasaki throws a series of punches but Pavlic moves out of range.
Tasaki shoots for a takedown but Pavlic saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Pavlic listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Pavlic tries to clinch but Tasaki is having none of it.
Pavlic tries to clinch but Tasaki moves out of range.
Pavlic throws the left hand but Tasaki avoids the punch easily.
Pavlic shoots in but no luck this time.
Tasaki throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Pavlic counters with a shoot takedown. Tasaki fights it but they end up in guard.
Pavlic stands and throws Tasaki's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Tasaki manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tasaki tries to roll over but Pavlic keeps him under control.
Tasaki flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pavlic is looking to advance position but Tasaki won't allow it.

Tasaki looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Tasaki won't allow Pavlic to pass to mount.
Tasaki wants to get back to full guard.

Tasaki looking for submissions off his back.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Pavlic throws a left and a right that both miss
and Pavlic takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Tasaki stuffs the takedown attempt from Pavlic. Pavlic gets slowly back to his feet.
Hero Tasaki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maximus Pavlic.

Pavlic closes the distance and clinches.

Tasaki manages to break the clinch.
Tasaki looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Pavlic shoots in for a takedown but Tasaki shows good takedown defense.

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.
Tasaki lands with a hook. Pavlic tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Pavlic shoots in and drives through. Tasaki sprawls well.
Pavlic tries to clinch there but Tasaki circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pavlic looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Pavlic throws a lazy right hand but Tasaki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The fighters circling - Pavlic throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tasaki closes the distance and clinches up with Pavlic, looking for a takedown. Tasaki pushes Pavlic against the cage but Pavlic circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Tasaki swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tasaki avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Pavlic shoots in but no luck this time.

Tasaki drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Pavlic has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tasaki can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pavlic looking to pass the guard.
Pavlic is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Pavlic wants to control from the top but Tasaki keeps moving.
Tasaki keeping full guard, as Pavlic tries to pass.
Tasaki lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Pavlic!

Tasaki looking for a guillotine from mount but Pavlic is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pavlic is trying desperately to improve position.
A nice elbow there by Tasaki.
Pavlic flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Tasaki is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Pavlic is in real trouble.

Pavlic is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Tasaki gets his way!
Tasaki lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Tasaki.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tasaki doesn't have the hooks in and Pavlic manages to turn into his guard.
Tasaki tries to land a sweep but no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hero Tasaki showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Tasaki 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hero Tasaki!