PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Richard Ryan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sailosi Tauafao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tauafao has chosen Warriors as his entrance music. Sailosi Tauafao struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 206.1lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Ryan
vs
Tauafao

185 cm
24
210 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

190 cm
23
220 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

St. Paul's Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Richard Ryan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Sailosi Tauafao!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Eliza Hachem and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tauafao throws a series of punches but Ryan avoids them all with ease.
Ryan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tauafao lands a two punch combo.
Tauafao misses with a two punch combination.
Ryan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tauafao moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ryan drops Tauafao with a right and a left! Ryan comes rushing in but Tauafao regains his composure and manages to keep Ryan in guard.

It looks like Sailosi Tauafao has been cut.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Tauafao manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Tauafao in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

Tauafao jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Ryan is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Ryan and Tauafao has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Ryan is looking to regain half guard here but Tauafao keeps moving and retains side control.
Tauafao throws an elbow but Ryan slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryan parries the strikes from Tauafao easily there. Tauafao is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Ryan to escape.
Tauafao misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

Tauafao tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Tauafao looks gassed!
Ryan tries to escape but Tauafao is in control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tauafao moves in looking to clinch but Ryan pushes him off.
Sailosi Tauafao is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Tauafao drives through and clinches with Ryan against the cage.

Tauafao's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ryan throws a right and a left that Tauafao avoids nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Tauafao looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Ryan tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tauafao swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tauafao getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Tauafao slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
No joy there for Ryan, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tauafao blocks a head kick by Ryan.
Tauafao dodges the punch combination from Ryan.

Tauafao closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Tauafao pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tauafao throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick from Tauafao lands but Ryan takes it in his stride.
Ryan lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Tauafao lands a slapping body shot.
Ryan throws a front kick aimed at Tauafao's knee but Tauafao avoids it well.

Tauafao takes the fight into the clinch.

Tauafao's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tauafao scores with a punch to the head.
Ryan misses with a double jab

and Tauafao counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Tauafao.
Tauafao has Ryan pushed against the cage.
Ryan wants to get back to striking at distance but Tauafao won't allow it.
Ryan prevents Tauafao from breaking the clinch.

Tauafao breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ryan tries to clinch but Tauafao moves out of range.
Some wild striking there from Ryan.
A jab from Tauafao finds it's way through Ryan's defenses.
Tauafao looks to land a combination but Ryan avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ryan looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ryan misses with a wild combination.
Tauafao scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Tauafao closes the distance and clinches.

Tauafao manages to break the clinch.
Tauafao pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ryan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tauafao connects with a jab.

Ryan tries to keep at a distance but Tauafao has taken the fight into the clinch.
Tauafao is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Tauafao breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Ryan dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sailosi Tauafao's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ryan swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A combination from Tauafao does no damage.
Tauafao lands a head kick. Ryan smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Tauafao wants to clinch up but Ryan keeps it at a distance.
Ryan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
No joy there for Ryan, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A left lands for Tauafao.
Ryan throws a right and a left that Tauafao avoids nicely.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ryan.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Tauafao in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.

Tauafao clinches up against the cage.

Tauafao breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A lazy left from Tauafao finds it's target.
Nice cross by Tauafao.

Tauafao clinches.

Tauafao pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tauafao connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Tauafao moves into the clinch successfully.

Tauafao breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tauafao lands with a kick to the temple. Ryan shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Richard Ryan is winning the standup battle so far.

Tauafao moves into the clinch.

Tauafao breaks from the clinch.
Tauafao avoids a punch combination nicely.
Richard Ryan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tauafao scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Ryan misses with a double jab

and Tauafao counters by clinching up.

Tauafao breaks the clinch.
Ryan throws a right and a left that both miss.
A combination from Ryan does no damage.
Richard Ryan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Tauafao closes the distance and pushes Ryan back into the cage.

Tauafao breaks from the clinch.

Tauafao has closed the distance and engaged Ryan in a clinch.
Ryan is trying to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tauafao pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ryan walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Ryan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tauafao thuds his right hand into Ryan's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Tauafao lands a head kick!
Tauafao bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Good shot there by Tauafao.

Tauafao rushes Ryan and presses him up against the cage.

Tauafao pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ryan throws a right and a left that both miss.
Tauafao scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ryan doesn't seem bothered though.

Tauafao moves into the clinch.
Ryan has had enough of the clinch but Tauafao keeps him there for the moment.

Tauafao's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tauafao rushes Ryan and presses him up against the cage.

Tauafao breaks from the clinch.
Tauafao lands with a hook. Ryan tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Tauafao misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tauafao rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ryan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ryan throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Ryan takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ryan misses with a wild combination.
Tauafao lands with an overhand left.

Tauafao darts in and clinches Ryan up against the cage.

Tauafao breaks the clinch.
Tauafao throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Nice jab there from Tauafao.
Ryan closes the distance and clinches up with Tauafao, looking for a takedown. Ryan pushes Tauafao against the cage but Tauafao circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Tauafao scores with a one two! Ryan had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Tauafao moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ryan misses with a wild combination.
Ryan throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Tauafao counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Tauafao gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Tauafao escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ryan takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Ryan lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Tauafao moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Ryan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tauafao.
Tauafao stuffs the takedown attempt from Ryan. Ryan gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Richard Ryan. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Tauafao darts in and clinches Ryan up against the cage.

Tauafao's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ryan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tauafao moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Tauafao clinches with his opponent.
Ryan wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tauafao has him pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sailosi Tauafao showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Sailosi Tauafao's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Tauafao uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ryan has time to react.
Tauafao scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Tauafao cracks Ryan with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Ryan throws a nice looking combination but Tauafao bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ryan just misses with a punch to the body.
Ryan tries to bum rush Tauafao with a series of wild strikes but Tauafao uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Tauafao gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Tauafao breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ryan pivots, looking for a leg kick but Tauafao is out of range and Ryan settles back down.
The fighters circling - Ryan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Tauafao takes the fight into the clinch.
Ryan has had enough of the clinch but Tauafao keeps him there for the moment.

Tauafao pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ryan looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Tauafao dodges the punch combination from Ryan.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tauafao avoids the head kick by Ryan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryan walks into a stiff left hand from Tauafao.

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

Tauafao's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ryan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tauafao.

Tauafao drives through and clinches with Ryan against the cage.

Tauafao breaks from the clinch.
Tauafao will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tauafao stalks Ryan and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Ryan's face. Ryan staggers backwards, shaken.
Tauafao sizes up Ryan with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Ryan swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tauafao goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Tauafao scores with a decent looking hook.
Tauafao ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Tauafao clinches up against the cage.
Tauafao has Ryan pushed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tauafao breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tauafao misses with a head kick.
A cross from Tauafao lands.
A punch combination from Tauafao misses.
Ryan misses with the combination.
Ryan misses with a combination
and Tauafao counters with a nice uppercut.
Ryan takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Tauafao lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Ryan misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Tauafao takes the fight into the clinch.

Tauafao escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tauafao lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Ryan throws a left and a right that both miss

and Tauafao counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Tauafao.

Tauafao breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A head kick misses from Tauafao.
A nice combination there by Ryan.
Tauafao throws a head kick but Ryan moves out of range.
Tauafao scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Tauafao takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Ryan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tauafao as he jumps to the side.

Tauafao takes the fight into the clinch.
Ryan tries to break the clinch but Tauafao is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tauafao pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ryan swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ryan takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Tauafao slips a jab and a cross from Ryan.
Tauafao cracks Ryan with a good jab.
Tauafao scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Tauafao throws a head kick but Ryan moves out of range.
Tauafao avoids the body shot from Ryan.
Ryan misses with a series of wild punches.

Tauafao clinches with his opponent.

Tauafao escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ryan throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Tauafao lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Left hook, right uppercut from Tauafao.
Ryan misses with a few strikes there.
Ryan is looking to wear down Tauafao with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Ryan misses with a combination

and Tauafao counters by moving into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sailosi Tauafao comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tauafao has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sailosi Tauafao!