PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tapp Doute (ranked 4422 p4p, 5888 weight class) and Kai Reynolds (ranked 407 p4p, 463 weight class). Tapp Doute had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 147.1lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Doute
vs
Reynolds

174 cm
25
155
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
25
151
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Tapp Doute!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kai Reynolds!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Eddie Farnsworth and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Doute clinches.
Doute trying to land knees to the body.

Reynolds pulls guard effortlessly.
Reynolds preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Reynolds is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Reynolds is looking for a triangle here but Doute uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Reynolds is looking to regain half guard here but Doute keeps moving and retains side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reynolds wants to control but Doute postures up.

Doute is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Reynolds knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Reynolds wants to control but Doute postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Doute trying to control the action but Reynolds is working from the bottom.

Doute is trying to get an arm triangle but Reynolds is defending well.

Doute is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Reynolds knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Reynolds tries to improve position but can't.

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.
Reynolds manages to work his way to half guard, despite Doute's best efforts.
Reynolds has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Cozad MMA St Petersburg. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
The fighters are battling for position here. Reynolds manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Reynolds wants to control but Doute passes easily into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Reynolds trying to control here.
Reynolds wants to get back to full guard.
Reynolds is still trying to improve position.
Reynolds trying to control but Doute postures up.
Doute is keen to just control but Reynolds is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds wants to improve his position but Doute is controlling well.

Reynolds looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Doute is working for a kimura but Reynolds is defending it quite comfortably.
Doute is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Reynolds!
Doute wants to control the pace but Reynolds is squirming around nicely.
Reynolds slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Reynolds looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Doute looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Doute wants to control but Reynolds is keeping him busy.
Reynolds is trying to get back to full guard.

Reynolds actively working from the bottom here.

Doute is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Doute is breathing heavily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Reynolds avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Doute.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tapp Doute dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Doute.
Doute tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Reynolds paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Reynolds looks to land a right hand but Doute moved out of range.

Reynolds looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Doute!
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Doute can't do much from the bottom here.
Doute is looking for a sweep.

Reynolds tries for a kimura but Doute is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reynolds controlling the position from side mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Doute is trying to control Reynolds's posture but Reynolds avoids it.
Reynolds tries to move into full mount but can't pass Doute's legs.
Reynolds in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Doute is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Reynolds off and has taken his back!
Doute is hanging on to Reynolds's back as he tries to escape.
Reynolds breaks Doute's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Doute working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Reynolds doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Reynolds manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Reynolds stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Doute swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Reynolds controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Reynolds pushing down on Doute's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Doute trying to control but Reynolds postures up.
Reynolds stalling.
Doute trying to control here.

Reynolds is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Reynolds is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Kai Reynolds has got the better of the ground game so far.
Reynolds tries to pass the half guard into mount. Doute knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Reynolds seems to be looking for submissions.
Reynolds is thwarting Doute's attempts to control the position.
Reynolds perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Doute regains full guard. Nicely done.
Doute wants to sweep but no luck.
Reynolds looking to pass the guard.
Doute looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Reynolds must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Doute looking to control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Reynolds scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Reynolds controlling the pace.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Doute is defending against the submission attempts here by Reynolds.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kai Reynolds showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Reynolds moves out of range as Doute throws a body kick.
Doute looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Tapp Doute is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Reynolds scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Reynolds is looking to advance position but Doute won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Reynolds not doing much here.
Doute desperately trying to maintain half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Reynolds is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Doute sees it coming and defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Doute is trying to get back to full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Reynolds performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Doute is trying to maintain the position but Reynolds is very close to passing his half guard.
Reynolds stalling.

Reynolds is working for a submission of some sort.
Reynolds looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Doute is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Reynolds wants to free his trapped foot but Doute is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Doute trying to control here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Doute tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Reynolds decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Doute's guard.
Reynolds looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Reynolds drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Reynolds jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Doute wants to sweep here but Reynolds controlling him for the moment.
Reynolds has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Reynolds not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Reynolds is continuing to stall.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Reynolds postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

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.

Reynolds manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Doute on his heels. He'll look to pass Doute's guard now, I'm sure.
Doute not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Doute can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Reynolds controls the pace.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Doute is on top in guard.

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Reynolds looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Reynolds is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kai Reynolds comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Reynolds has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 John Roberts scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kai Reynolds!
Post fight, an emotional Kai Reynolds said 'Sweep the leg'.