PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bruce Irvin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dmitri Tarasov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Irvin
vs
Tarasov

190 cm
20
205 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

188 cm
21
210 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bruce Irvin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Dmitri Tarasov!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Bruno Hogan and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tarasov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Irvin sprawls well initially but Tarasov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Irvin is trying to stand up here but Tarasov is controlling him well.
Tarasov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Irvin is looking to escape.
Nice strikes from Tarasov there.
Irvin is trying to stand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tarasov winds up and cracks Irvin with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Tarasov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Tarasov prevents Irvin from standing back up.
Tarasov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Irvin knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Irvin wants to get back to his feet.
Tarasov slips a nice elbow through Irvin's hands, connecting with Irvin's forehead.
Irvin is looking to escape.
Tarasov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Irvin is trying to stand.
Tarasov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Irvin is looking to escape.
Irvin has hold of Tarasov's hands but Tarasov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Tarasov there.
Irvin pushes Tarasov off looking to stand but Tarasov dives back in and keeps control.
Irvin is refusing to be controlled, as Tarasov sits in half guard.
Irvin is trying to stand back up but Tarasov is controlling him
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Tarasov lands a nice short elbow.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Tarasov lands a nice short elbow.
Tarasov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Tarasov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Tarasov stops Irvin from getting back to his feet.
Tarasov trying to control the action but Irvin is working from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Irvin wants to get back to his feet.
Tarasov working Irvin over with strikes.
Tarasov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Irvin looks like he's trying to stand up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Tarasov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Irvin tries to score with a low kick but Tarasov moves his leg out of the way.
Irvin lands a high kick!

It looks like Dmitri Tarasov has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A good leg kick by Irvin.
Tarasov looks gassed!
Tarasov avoids the head kick by Irvin.

Tarasov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Irvin's guard.
Irvin wants to stand but Tarasov is controlling the position.
Irvin keeping moving, preventing Tarasov from controlling successfully.
Irvin is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tarasov is controlling him.
Tarasov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarasov stops Irvin from standing up.

Irvin has his feet on Tarasov's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Tarasov blocks a head kick by Irvin.

Tarasov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Irvin wants to get back to his feet but Tarasov drags him back down.
Irvin on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Irvin on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Irvin wants to get back to his feet.
Tarasov lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Irvin down.
Tarasov lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Irvin down.
Irvin takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tarasov grinds an elbow into Irvin's temple.
Irvin is pushing Tarasov's head away, looking to escape. Tarasov manages to hold on to the position though.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Tarasov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Irvin was covering up waiting for the punch and Tarasov finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Tarasov landing some decent shots from guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tarasov connects with a couple of short punches.
Tarasov trying to control the position from guard on top but Irvin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tarasov scoring with punches to the head and body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dmitri Tarasov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dmitri Tarasov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Tarasov blocks a head kick by Irvin.
Irvin misses with a kick to the body.

Irvin lands a big head kick that sends Tarasov tumbling to the mat! Irvin takes a step backwards and waves Tarasov back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Irvin ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Horrible takedown by Tarasov or perhaps it was just good defense by Irvin which made him look bad.
Irvin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Irvin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tarasov shoots in for a takedown but Irvin shows good takedown defense.
Tarasov avoids a kick to the body.
Irvin misses with a head kick.
Tarasov avoids the head kick by Irvin.
Irvin throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Irvin is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Irvin scores with a knee to the head.
Irvin is pressed up against the cage. Tarasov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Irvin down to the mat. Irvin avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Bruce Irvin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dmitri Tarasov.
Irvin throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Tarasov.
Tarasov keeps the fight on the outside.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Tarasov blocks a head kick by Irvin.
Irvin on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Tarasov throws a hook but Irvin blocks it.

Tarasov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Irvin is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Tarasov working Irvin over with strikes here.

Irvin bucks up and throws Tarasov to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!

Tarasov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Tarasov thows a big elbow that misses.
Irvin wants to get back to his feet but Tarasov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tarasov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Tarasov stops Irvin from standing up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Tarasov shoots in and bounces Irvin off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
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!
Tarasov cracks Irvin with a solid left hand.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Irvin is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Tarasov works over Irvin with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irvin is looking to stand up but Tarasov isn't so interested in that idea.

Irvin wriggles free and stands up.
Irvin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bruce Irvin is winning the standup battle so far.
Irvin wants to clinch.

Tarasov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Irvin sprawls well initially but Tarasov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Irvin is trying to stand back up but Tarasov is controlling him
Tarasov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Irvin is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Tarasov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Tarasov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Irvin is trying to stand back up but Tarasov is controlling him
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Tarasov connects with a nice short shot to Irvin's temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Irvin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Tarasov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Irvin was covering up waiting for the punch and Tarasov finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Irvin wants to get back to his feet but Tarasov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Tarasov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Tarasov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Tarasov won't allow Irvin to get back to his feet.

Irvin uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Tarasov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tarasov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Irvin's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Bruce Irvin will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Dmitri Tarasov's cut.
That's time! Irvin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Irvin plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Tarasov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Irvin looks like he's trying to stand up.
Tarasov is nestled in close to Irvin, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Tarasov stops Irvin from getting back to his feet.
Tarasov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Irvin pushes Tarasov off looking to stand but Tarasov dives back in and keeps control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Tarasov connects with a nice short shot to Irvin's temple.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Irvin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Tarasov closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Irvin to the mat! Irvin manages to get full guard.
Tarasov wants to control from the top but Irvin keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarasov prevents Irvin from getting back to his feet.
Irvin trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Tarasov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Irvin is looking to stand up but Tarasov isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tarasov lands a couple of decent looking shots.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Irvin misses with a head kick.

Tarasov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Irvin looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Irvin is trying to buck Tarasov off.
Tarasov scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tarasov scores with punches from side control.
Irvin wants to get back to his feet but Tarasov is dominant here and he's now got Irvin's back!
Irvin holding both Tarasov 's hands and preventing any damage.
Tarasov scores with punches from the back.
Tarasov lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Irvin hold on?!
Tarasov lands punches and elbows.
Irvin trying to get back to his feet but Tarasov is in full control for now.
Tarasov scores with punches and elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irvin wants to get back to his feet.
Tarasov is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Irvin. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Tarasov is punishing Irvin with strikes - can he finish him?!
Irvin covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Can Irvin hold on?! Tarasov is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Irvin has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Tarasov gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Irvin looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Tarasov is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Oooh a big shot gets through from Tarasov. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Tarasov scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Irvin wants to get back to his feet.
Irvin is taking damage to the body and head.
Irvin wants to get back to his feet.
Tarasov is punishing Irvin with strikes - can he finish him?!
Irvin is trying to stand back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dmitri Tarasov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tarasov 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dmitri Tarasov!