PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Miller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chan Tapanakara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mike Miller is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Miller
vs
Tapanakara

198 cm
22
210 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

180 cm
25
223 lbs
6 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

Powerful takedowns
Good low kicks
Powerful

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mike Miller!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Chan Tapanakara!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Leandro Rodrigues and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Miller fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A punch combination from Miller misses.
Miller tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Tapanakara is able to avoid easily.
Tapanakara throws a head kick that misses.
Tapanakara thows a body shot but no joy.
Miller ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tapanakara moves away.
Miller stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Miller wants it to stay on the feet.
Miller looks to land a combination but Tapanakara avoids it well.
Tapanakara throws a sloppy head kick and Miller moves out of range easily.
Miller pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Miller defending well as Tapanakara loads up on a big left hand.
Miller connects with a single shot there.
Miller takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Miller throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tapanakara is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Tapanakara throws a sloppy head kick and Miller moves out of range easily.
Tapanakara steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Miller.
Tapanakara fails with the takedown.
Miller misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tapanakara takes one to the chin there.
Miller lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Miller blocks a head kick by Tapanakara.
Miller takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Mike Miller seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Miller misses with the combination.
Miller connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Tapanakara feints and as Miller raises his hands in defense, Tapanakara changes levels and drives through with a 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!
Miller keeping moving, preventing Tapanakara from controlling successfully.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Miller holds on and takes a little breather.
Tapanakara postures up in Miller's guard and throws a big left but Miller blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miller pulls Tapanakara in to control the position.
Miller keeping moving, preventing Tapanakara from controlling successfully.
Tapanakara working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Miller working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tapanakara.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Tapanakara has gone for a leg lock! Miller slips out almost immediately though and dives into Tapanakara's guard.
Tapanakara looks gassed!

Tapanakara has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Miller can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Miller controls from within his opponent's guard.
Miller loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller is looking to work some ground and pound but Tapanakara has wrist control.

Tapanakara escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Miller gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Miller works over Tapanakara with some ground and pound from guard.
Miller throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tapanakara works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Miller knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Tapanakara on the ground.
Tapanakara preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Miller is working Tapanakara over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Tapanakara has his foot on Miller's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Miller works his way back into a safe position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Miller lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Tapanakara keeping moving, preventing Miller from controlling successfully.
Miller tries to free his leg and advance position but Tapanakara is retaining full guard.
Miller will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Miller is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miller throwing strikes but missing.
Miller throwing strikes but missing.

Tapanakara looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Miller missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Miller is looking to work some ground and pound but Tapanakara has wrist control.
Miller postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tapanakara avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Tapanakara looking for a guillotine here but Miller defends easily.
Miller postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Miller dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A telegraphed right hand from Miller misses the target.
Tapanakara has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Tapanakara there as he acknowledges the shot.
Miller connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Mike Miller is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tapanakara misses with a head kick.
Miller misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Miller scores with a hook to the body. Tapanakara takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A leg kick checked by Tapanakara.
Tapanakara looks to land a right hand but Miller moved out of range.
Miller throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Miller throws a jab when Tapanakara was well out of range.
Tapanakara misses the body punch
and Miller counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Tapanakara slips under a jab.
Left hook, right uppercut from Miller.
Tapanakara is breathing heavily.
Miller throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tapanakara.
Miller throws and low kick but Tapanakara moves out of range easily.
Miller throws a right hand that Tapanakara ducks under and follows up with a left that Tapanakara also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Tapanakara.
Miller misses with a hook.
Tapanakara throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Miller lands a jab.
Mike Miller is winning the standup battle so far.
Miller closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Miller lands a body shot.
Mike Miller is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tapanakara misses with a shot to the body
and Miller counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Tapanakara dodges the punch combination from Miller.
Miller looks to land a combination. Tapanakara sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Miller connects with a nice looking jab.
Miller goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Tapanakara shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Tapanakara moves out of range as Miller strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miller throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Miller throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Miller swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Miller dips to his left and cracks Tapanakara with an uppercut!
Good shot there by Miller.
Miller misses with a few strikes there.
The fighters circling - Miller throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Miller thuds his right hand into Tapanakara's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Miller throws a right and a left that both miss.
Miller misses the body punch

and Tapanakara counters with a nice double leg into side control. Miller won't be happy with that.
Miller on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Miller tries to get out of the position.
Miller is trying to get back to half guard.
Tapanakara tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapanakara landing strikes.
Miller wants to get back to his feet but Tapanakara drags him back down.

Miller explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Tapanakara throws a head kick that misses.
Miller misses with a looping left.
Tapanakara tries to score a power double leg takedown but Miller sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tapanakara somewhat.
Miller throws a solid leg kick but Tapanakara takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Miller.
Miller throws a hook to the side of Tapanakara's head but Tapanakara sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tapanakara cracks Miller with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Tapanakara clinches but Miller breaks the clinch
and Miller counters with a series of strikes. Tapanakara will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miller moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Miller is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Tapanakara checks a leg kick.
Tapanakara avoids a punch combination nicely.
A swing and a miss from Miller.
Miller throws out a powerful jab.
Tapanakara slips a jab from Miller.
Miller throws a leg kick
and Tapanakara counters with a leg kick.
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!
Tapanakara with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Tapanakara.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Tapanakara.
Tapanakara swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Miller counters with a straight right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Miller dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Tapanakara throws a lazy head kick
letting Miller counter with a right hand.
Miller swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Tapanakara counters with an outside leg kick.
A big left from Tapanakara misses.
Tapanakara has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Tapanakara tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Miller paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Good leg kick by Miller there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Tapanakara throws a lazy head kick
and Miller counters with a straight right hand.
Miller misses with a body kick.
Miller throws a series of punches but Tapanakara avoids them all with ease.
Miller falls off balance throwing a combination

and Tapanakara counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Miller regains full guard. Nicely done.

Tapanakara has gone for a leg lock! Miller slips out almost immediately though and dives into Tapanakara's guard.
Miller postures up in Tapanakara's guard and throws a big left but Tapanakara blocks it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tapanakara utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Miller lands a couple of elbows.
Tapanakara avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Miller trying to control the position from guard on top but Tapanakara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tapanakara thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Miller scoring with some ground and pound.

Tapanakara looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Chan Tapanakara has got the better of the ground game so far.
Miller working some strikes from top position.
Miller postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Tapanakara escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Miller gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Miller in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Miller with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Miller wants to pass the guard but Tapanakara is keeping the position.

Miller stands up and waves to Tapanakara to follow him.
No joy there for Miller, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Miller throws a big shot that misses.
Miller lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Miller fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Tapanakara looks to land a right hand but Miller moved out of range.
Miller swinging wildly here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapanakara looks for a takedown but Miller sprawls well.
Tapanakara takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Tapanakara throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Miller's waist but Miller gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tapanakara off to one side.
Tapanakara ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Miller throws a combination that misses

so Tapanakara counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Tapanakara tries to free his leg and advance position but Miller is retaining full guard.
Miller wants to sweep but no luck.
Tapanakara prevents Miller from getting back to his feet.
Tapanakara in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Miller scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tapanakara uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Miller.
Mike Miller is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Miller works over Tapanakara's head and body with a nice combination.
Tapanakara slips a jab and a cross from Miller.
Miller lunges at Tapanakara with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Tapanakara's hand.
Nice straight punches there by Miller. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Miller.
A swing and a miss from Tapanakara.
Chan Tapanakara has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tapanakara tries to clinch but Miller moves out of range.
Tapanakara misses with a double jab
enabling Miller to counter with a crisp jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tapanakara checks a low kick from Miller.
Miller throws out a powerful jab.
Miller misses with a kick to the body
and Tapanakara counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Tapanakara moves forwards but Miller connects with a nice, crisp jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Mike Miller.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Miller, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Miller!