PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Lee Tassen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fabio Maximilian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Maximilian's choice of entrance music: Die Antwoord : Enter the Ninja. Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Fabio Maximilian enters the cage!

Tassen
vs
Maximilian

175 cm
25
150 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

175 cm
23
155 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Shango Designs
Star.Inc

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 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lee Tassen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Fabio Maximilian!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tassen throws a series of punches but Maximilian avoids them all with ease.
Maximilian throws out a loose jab but Tassen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Maximilian fails with an attempt to clinch.

Tassen fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Maximilian sprawls well initially but Tassen persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Maximilian is pressing down on Tassen's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Tassen stops Maximilian from standing up.
Tassen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Tassen throwing strikes but missing.
Maximilian is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Maximilian is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tassen is aware though and is defending well.
Tassen tries to free his leg and advance position but Maximilian is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maximilian is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Tassen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Maximilian has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tassen has managed to get both his arms back between Maximilian's legs - danger averted.

Maximilian working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tassen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tassen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Tassen won't allow Maximilian to sweep him here.
Tassen wants to control from the top but Maximilian keeps moving.

Maximilian has his foot on Tassen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Tassen works his way back into a safe position though.
Maximilian trying to strike off his back.

That's two 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.
Maximilian can't keep his opponent in guard - Tassen advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Tassen slows the pace down in half guard.
Tassen throwing shots but Maximilian is blocking nicely.
Maximilian is refusing to be controlled, as Tassen sits in half guard.

Tassen decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Tassen closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Tassen lands in his opponent's guard.
Tassen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maximilian is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Maximilian is looking to stand up but Tassen isn't so interested in that idea.
Maximilian is trying to control the position but Tassen postures up.
Tassen wants to stand and escape but instead Maximilian has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

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.
Tassen wants to sweep here but Maximilian controlling him for the moment.
Maximilian tries to free his leg and advance position but Tassen is retaining full guard.
Maximilian trying to control but Tassen is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Maximilian tries to close the distance and clinch but Tassen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Maximilian wants to clinch up but Tassen keeps it at a distance.
Tassen stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lee Tassen dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Some wild striking there from Tassen.

Tassen drives through with a takedown into guard.

Maximilian is working an open guard so Tassen takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Maximilian tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Maximilian misses with a takedown attempt
and Maximilian takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Tassen gets a takedown into half guard.
Maximilian pushes Tassen off looking to stand but Tassen dives back in and keeps control.
Tassen slows the pace down in half guard.
Maximilian tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tassen frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Tassen lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Tassen prevents Maximilian from getting the reversal.
Tassen lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Tassen is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Maximilian can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Maximilian slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Maximilian looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Maximilian is breathing heavily.
Maximilian is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tassen moves into full mount! Maximilian won't be happy about that!
Maximilian is looking to get to half guard.
Tassen lands a big elbow.
Maximilian tries to hold on but Tassen postures up.
Tassen lands a nice shot to the head.
Maximilian wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tassen controlling from the full mount.
Maximilian taking shots to the head.
Maximilian is squirming around, avoiding Tassen's attempts to control the action.
Lee Tassen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Maximilian flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Maximilian is looking to improve his position but Tassen isn't that keen on the idea.
Maximilian wants to control but Tassen is having none of it.

That's four 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.
Maximilian is looking to get to half guard.
Maximilian is trying to stand up.
Tassen lands a heavy elbow.
Tassen takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Maximilian taking shots to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lee Tassen dominated that second round.
That's time! Tassen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Maximilian tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Tassen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tassen throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Maximilian tries to clinch
and Tassen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tassen is defended easily by Maximilian.
Tassen throws a looping overhand right but Maximilian ducks down to avoid it.
Tassen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maximilian was well out of range. Poor timing from Tassen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maximilian closes the distance but Tassen moves to the side

and Tassen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Tassen is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Maximilian has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Tassen is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maximilian tries to get to full guard but Tassen has control of the leg.
Tassen perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Maximilian trying to control from the bottom.
Tassen wants to stand up but Maximilian has a hold of him and won't allow it.

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.
Maximilian pushes Tassen off looking to stand but Tassen dives back in and keeps control.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Tassen pivots, looking for a leg kick but Maximilian is out of range and Tassen settles back down.
Fabio Maximilian seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jab from Tassen.
Maximilian takes a swing at Tassen's ribcage but misses.
Lee Tassen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A swing and a miss from Tassen.
Maximilian closes the distance but Tassen moves to the side
and Tassen makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Tassen throws a combination. Maximilian tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Tassen closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Maximilian to the mat! Maximilian manages to get full guard.
Tassen controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Maximilian is trying to control the position but Tassen postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maximilian looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Maximilian takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tassen works over Maximilian with some ground and pound from guard.
Tassen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Maximilian has an active guard here but Tassen has managed to pass into half guard.
Maximilian is looking for a sweep. Tassen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Maximilian looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Tassen pushes past his half guard into mount!
Lee Tassen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Maximilian is trying desperately to improve position.
Tassen sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Fabio Maximilian has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Maximilian tries to hold on but Tassen postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lee Tassen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tassen has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lee Tassen!