PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nicko Tackai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tommy Thatser (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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?

Tackai
vs
Thatser

185 cm
23
230 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

172 cm
23
210 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

TechNutri - Ensuring the quality
TechNutri - Ensuring the quality

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nicko Tackai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tommy Thatser!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Daniel Franklin and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thatser fails in his attempt to clinch.
Thatser wants to clinch up but Tackai keeps it at a distance.
Tackai swinging wilding here.
Thatser throws a head kick that misses.
Tackai misses with a jab, cross combination.
Thatser tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Tackai paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thatser tries to clinch but Tackai moves out of range.
Thatser tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Tackai paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thatser tries to clinch but Tackai is having none of it.
Tackai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Thatser is looking to clinch.
Thatser dodges the punch combination from Tackai.
Thatser tries to clinch up.
Tackai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Thatser has managed to clinch.
Tackai could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Tackai is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Tackai can't get the takedown.
Thatser with an attempt at a knee that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tackai drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nicko Tackai. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tackai has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Thatser avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Thatser tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Thatser throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tackai goes for a takedown in the clinch but Thatser prevents it.
Thatser with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Thatser lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Nicko Tackai has been cut.
Tackai is breathing heavily.
Thatser connects with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thatser tries to land a knee to the head but Tackai blocks with his arms.
Thatser connects with a nasty looking knee right to Tackai's face.
Thatser with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Thatser with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Thatser with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Thatser lands a knee to the head.
Thatser tries a knee to the head but Tackai blocks it.
Thatser misses with a knee to the head.
Thatser gets underhooks to prevent Tackai's takedown attempt.
Thatser tries to land a knee to the head but Tackai blocks with his arms.
Thatser lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Thatser with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Thatser tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Thatser with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tackai drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Thatser connects with a nasty looking knee right to Tackai's face.
Thatser looking to throw knees to the head but Tackai is blocking nicely.
Thatser throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thatser with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Thatser misses with a knee to the head.
Thatser looking to throw knees to the head but Tackai is blocking nicely.
Tackai wants a takedown.
Tackai has Thatser pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Thatser manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Thatser using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tackai has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Thatser tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Thatser tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thatser using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tackai has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Thatser tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tackai takes a knee right on the jaw!
Tackai has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Thatser is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Thatser tries a knee to the head but Tackai blocks it.
Thatser connects with a knee to the head.
Thatser throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thatser using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tackai has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Thatser misses with a knee strike.
Thatser tries a knee to the head but Tackai blocks it.
Thatser tries to land a knee to the head but Tackai blocks with his arms.
Thatser prevents a takedown attempt there.
Tackai is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Thatser pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Tackai drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Thatser using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tackai has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Thatser with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Thatser using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tackai has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Thatser throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tackai blocks it with crossed arms.
Tackai is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Thatser with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Tackai goes for a takedown in the clinch but Thatser prevents it.
Thatser with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Thatser throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tackai is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thatser using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tackai has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Thatser tries a knee to the head but Tackai blocks it.
Tackai drops down looking for an ankle pick but Thatser pulls his leg out and moves away.
Tackai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Thatser tries to clinch but Tackai is having none of it.
Thatser showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tackai.
Tackai looks to land a combination but Thatser avoids it well.
Tackai circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tackai throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Thatser.
Thatser tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tackai swats him away and circles back towards the center.
No joy there for Tackai, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tackai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Thatser is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tackai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Thatser instigates a clinch.
Thatser with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Thatser tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Thatser tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Tackai drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tackai fails to pull guard.
Thatser with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Thatser tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Thatser with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Thatser with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Thatser tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tackai changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Thatser fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A punch combination from Tackai misses.
Tackai throws a series of punches but Thatser avoids them all with ease.
Tackai throws a sloppy head kick and Thatser moves out of range easily.
Thatser fails in his attempt to clinch.

Thatser instigates a clinch.
Tackai tries for a takedown but Thatser manages to get underhooks.
Thatser throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tackai blocks it with crossed arms.
Thatser with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Thatser throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thatser tries to land a knee to the head but Tackai blocks with his arms.
Tackai drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Thatser with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Thatser dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nicko Tackai's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Thatser is looking to clinch but Tackai is avoiding it.
Tackai misses with the combination.
Tackai lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Tackai.
Nicko Tackai is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thatser tries to clinch but Tackai moves out of range.
Tackai misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Thatser is looking to clinch.
Tackai swats away the attempt to clinch by Thatser.
Thatser doesn't manage to clinch there - Tackai circles away.

Thatser closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Tackai takes a knee right on the jaw!
Thatser throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tackai blocks it with crossed arms.
Tackai is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Thatser gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Tackai drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Thatser gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Thatser throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thatser tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Thatser with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thatser looking to throw knees to the head but Tackai is blocking nicely.
Thatser tries to land a knee to the head but Tackai blocks with his arms.
Thatser misses with a knee to the head.
Thatser with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tackai can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nicko Tackai. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thatser connects with a nasty looking knee right to Tackai's face.
Thatser looking to throw knees to the head but Tackai is blocking nicely.
Thatser gets underhooks to prevent Tackai's takedown attempt.
Tackai tries for a takedown. No joy.
Thatser using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tackai has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Thatser misses with a knee to the head.
Tackai has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Thatser avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Thatser gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Tackai.
Thatser using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tackai has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Thatser gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Tackai.
Thatser landing knees to the head.
Tackai can't get the takedown.

Tackai jumps guard and drags Thatser to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Tackai wants to sweep but no luck.
Thatser must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Tackai striking off his back but it's not causing Thatser any problems.
Tackai thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Thatser stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tackai swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tackai will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tackai wants to stand and escape but Thatser is having none of it.
Tackai lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Thatser!
Tackai landing strikes, looking to finish!
Tackai punishing his opponent with strikes.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Tackai lands a nice shot to the head.
Tackai lands a big elbow.
Tackai landing strikes, looking to finish!

Tackai working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thatser really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Tackai landing shots from mount.
Tackai lands a nice shot to the head.
Tackai with a couple of short strikes.
Tackai scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Tackai punishing his opponent with strikes.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Tackai with shots to the head and body - Thatser looks very uncomfortable down there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Tackai landing strikes from the mount and Thatser is in trouble!
Thatser really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Tackai. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Tackai in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

Tackai looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Tackai is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Thatser can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Tackai scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Thatser is looking to get to half guard.
Tackai has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Tackai looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

Tackai goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Thatser is on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicko Tackai dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Nicko Tackai's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Tackai keeps the fight on the outside.
Tackai rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Thatser moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Thatser swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Tackai counters with a series of strikes. Thatser will be more careful next time no doubt.
Thatser fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tackai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Thatser rushes Tackai and presses him up against the ropes.
Thatser scores with a knee to the head.
Thatser lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Thatser gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Tackai.
Tackai looking for a takedown.
Tackai tries to score a body lock takedown but Thatser shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nicko Tackai. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thatser throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thatser misses with a knee strike.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thatser misses with a knee to the head.
Thatser throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thatser tries to land a knee to the head but Tackai blocks with his arms.
Tackai goes for a takedown in the clinch but Thatser prevents it.
Tackai tries for a takedown. No joy.
Thatser throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tackai blocks it with crossed arms.
Thatser misses with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thatser tries a knee to the head but Tackai blocks it.
Thatser tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tackai drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Thatser misses with a knee to the head.
Thatser using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tackai has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Thatser throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tackai is trying to drag Thatser to the mat but Thatser just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Tackai tries for a takedown but Thatser manages to get underhooks.
Tackai drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tackai tries for a takedown. No joy.
Thatser tries a knee to the head but Tackai blocks it.
Tackai is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Thatser pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Thatser throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thatser tries to land a knee to the head but Tackai blocks with his arms.
Tackai goes for a takedown in the clinch but Thatser prevents it.
Tackai tries for a takedown. No joy.
Thatser with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Thatser tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Thatser lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Thatser with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tackai looking for a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thatser misses with a knee to the head.
Thatser throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tackai has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Thatser avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Thatser with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Thatser tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Thatser using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tackai has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Thatser misses with a knee strike.
Thatser tries to land a knee to the head but Tackai blocks with his arms.
Tackai takes a knee right on the jaw!
Thatser using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tackai has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Thatser throws a knee to the head but misses.
Thatser tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Thatser is pressed up against the ropes. Tackai has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Thatser down to the mat. Thatser avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Thatser avoids a punch combination nicely.
Thatser doesn't manage to clinch there - Tackai circles away.
Thatser tries to clinch up but Tackai circles away and keeps his distance.
Thatser avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tackai circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tackai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Tackai throws a right and a left that both miss.
Thatser doesn't manage to clinch there - Tackai circles away.
Tackai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thatser tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Thatser tries to land a leg kick but Tackai saw it coming and moves away.
Tackai throws a nice looking combination but Thatser bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Thatser wants to clinch up but Tackai keeps it at a distance.
Thatser tries to clinch up.
Thatser fails with an attempt to clinch.

Thatser gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Tackai jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Thatser walks away with a smile on his face. Tackai gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Thatser wants to clinch.
A combination from Tackai does no damage.
Tackai swats away the attempt to clinch by Thatser.
A right-left combo lands from Tackai.
Tackai throws a series of punches but Thatser avoids them all with ease.
Tackai connects with a right hand. Thatser shakes it off.

Thatser pushes Tackai up against the ropes in a clinch.
Thatser lands a knee to the head.
Thatser stops a takedown attempt from Tackai.
Tackai goes for a takedown attempt but Thatser pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tackai keeps the fight on the outside.
Tommy Thatser seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thatser uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tackai.
Thatser tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Tackai paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thatser is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Thatser looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Thatser tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tackai tries to bum rush Thatser with a series of wild strikes but Thatser uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tackai swats away the attempt to clinch by Thatser.
Tackai throws a right hand that Thatser ducks under and follows up with a left that Thatser also avoids with ease.
Tackai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tackai swats away the attempt to clinch by Thatser.
Thatser tries to clinch up.
Thatser tries to close the distance and clinch but Tackai swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tackai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tommy Thatser comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Thatser 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tommy Thatser!