PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mick Maurizio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chan Tapanakara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maurizio comes into the arena with NMH2: No More Riot blaring out of the sound system. Mick Maurizio has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Maurizio
vs
Tapanakara

172 cm
26
210 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

180 cm
25
223 lbs
6 - 6 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent elbows
Granite chin

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 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mick Maurizio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Chan Tapanakara!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Seu Braga and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tapanakara misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Maurizio closes the distance and clinches.
Maurizio stops a takedown attempt from Tapanakara.
Tapanakara being controlled against the cage.
Tapanakara jumps guard but Maurizio stands there with Tapanakara around his waist. Tapanakara gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Maurizio lands an elbow just above Tapanakara 's eye.

It looks like Chan Tapanakara has been cut.
Tapanakara blocks an elbow strike from Maurizio.
Nice elbow from Maurizio.
Maurizio creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Tapanakara's defenses.
Maurizio tries to land a knee to the head but Tapanakara blocks with his arms.
Maurizio stalling against the cage.
Maurizio pushes off an throws an elbow but Tapanakara leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Maurizio creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Tapanakara's defenses.
Maurizio with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Tapanakara on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Maurizio tries to land knees in the clinch but Tapanakara avoids the damage to the body.
Tapanakara blocks an elbow strike.
Maurizio creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Tapanakara's defenses.
Tapanakara blocks the elbow strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Maurizio just misses with a elbow thrown towards Tapanakara's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tapanakara takes an elbow to the temple.
Tapanakara tries for a takedown but Maurizio manages to get underhooks.
Mick Maurizio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chan Tapanakara.
Maurizio just leaning against Tapanakara, taking a breather.
Maurizio creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Tapanakara's defenses.
Maurizio unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Tapanakara looks gassed!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maurizio leaning against his opponent.
Maurizio lands with a short shot to the head.
Knees to the body from Maurizio.
Tapanakara takes an elbow to the temple.
Maurizio lands an elbow inside that Tapanakara shrugs off.

That has opened up Chan Tapanakara's cut even more.
Maurizio leaning his opponent against the cage.
Maurizio lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Knees to the body from Maurizio.
Maurizio lands a damaging elbow.
Maurizio lands a nice elbow.
Maurizio misses with an elbow over the top.
Maurizio lands a good knee to the midsection. Tapanakara won't want to take too many of those.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maurizio just leaning against Tapanakara, taking a breather.
Tapanakara avoids the elbow strike from Maurizio, against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Maurizio putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Tapanakara in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Maurizio has Tapanakara pressed against the cage.
Tapanakara dodges an elbow strike from Maurizio.
Tapanakara avoids a wild elbow strike from Maurizio.
Maurizio misses with an elbow strike.
Maurizio is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Maurizio pushes off an throws an elbow but Tapanakara leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Tapanakara blocks an elbow strike from Maurizio.
Maurizio prevents the takedown attempt.
Maurizio creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Maurizio stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maurizio crunches a lovely knee into Tapanakara's ribcage.
Tapanakara is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
With the fighters up against the cage, Maurizio throws an elbow but misses.
Tapanakara blocks an elbow strike.
Maurizio stalling the fight.
Maurizio lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Maurizio.
Nice elbow from Maurizio.
Maurizio looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Maurizio leaning against his opponent.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mick Maurizio.
Tapanakara throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Maurizio.

It looks like Mick Maurizio has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tapanakara takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Maurizio tries to clinch but Tapanakara is having none of it.
Maurizio is looking to clinch.

Maurizio pushes Tapanakara up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maurizio working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Maurizio - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Maurizio looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Maurizio taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Maurizio misses with an elbow over the top.
Maurizio gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Maurizio holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Maurizio throws an elbow but it's blocked.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maurizio taking a breather.
Tapanakara is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Maurizio gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mick Maurizio dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action!

Maurizio closes the distance and clinches.
Tapanakara takes a knee right on the jaw!
Maurizio stalls.
Tapanakara can't get the takedown.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Maurizio.
Maurizio stalls.
Mick Maurizio has scored more points in the clinch so far.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mick Maurizio.
Maurizio tries to clinch but Tapanakara is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tapanakara looks to score with a jab to the body but Maurizio is just out of range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Tapanakara.
Tapanakara is breathing heavily.
Maurizio shoots in for a takedown but Tapanakara shows good takedown defense.
Maurizio tries to close the distance and clinch but Tapanakara swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tapanakara looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Maurizio is fending him off so far but Tapanakara persists. Nope, Maurizio circles away and we're back to standing.
Mick Maurizio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chan Tapanakara.
Maurizio wants to clinch up but Tapanakara keeps it at a distance.
Horrible takedown by Tapanakara or perhaps it was just good defense by Maurizio which made him look bad.
Maurizio shoots in for a double leg but Tapanakara sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Tapanakara tries to keep at a distance but Maurizio has taken the fight into the clinch.
Maurizio lands a nice elbow.
Maurizio lands a left hand.
Maurizio lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Maurizio lands an elbow inside.
Tapanakara takes an elbow to the forehead.
Maurizio pushes off an throws an elbow but Tapanakara leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Maurizio throws an elbow but misses.
Maurizio lands with a short shot to the head.
Maurizio gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Maurizio unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Maurizio taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maurizio lands an elbow inside.
Maurizio throws an elbow but it misses.
Maurizio lands an elbow just above Tapanakara 's eye.
Maurizio lands an elbow just above Tapanakara 's eye.
Tapanakara tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Maurizio just stands there and leans against the cage.
Maurizio slows down the pace here.
Knees in the clinch landing for Maurizio.
Maurizio lands a knee to the body.
Maurizio pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Maurizio taking a breather.
Maurizio lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tapanakara backwards.
Maurizio slows down the pace here.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Maurizio creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapanakara blocks the elbow strike.
Maurizio lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Tapanakara dodges an elbow strike from Maurizio.
Maurizio tries to land knees in the clinch but Tapanakara avoids the damage to the body.
A short left from Maurizio.
Maurizio creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Tapanakara's defenses.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Maurizio.
Maurizio pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Maurizio misses with an elbow strike.
Maurizio lands a right hand.
Tapanakara dodges an elbow strike from Maurizio.
Maurizio pushes off an throws an elbow but Tapanakara leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Tapanakara avoids the elbow strike from Maurizio, against the cage.
Maurizio slows down the pace here.
Maurizio throws an elbow that misses.

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.
Tapanakara fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Tapanakara jumps guard.
Maurizio wants to stand but Tapanakara has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

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

Maurizio gets to his feet. Tapanakara looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Tapanakara blocks a head kick by Maurizio.
Maurizio wants to clinch.

Maurizio closes the distance and clinches.
Maurizio lands a knee to the body.
Maurizio misses with a hook from the clinch.
Maurizio effectively controlling the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mick Maurizio dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Tapanakara throws a body punch but Maurizio moves out of range.
Maurizio throws a head kick that misses
and Tapanakara counters with a two punch combo.
Tapanakara looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Tapanakara ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Maurizio moves away.
Maurizio tries to clinch but Tapanakara is having none of it.
Maurizio throws a head kick that misses
and Tapanakara counters with a nice leg kick.
Mick Maurizio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maurizio throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Tapanakara keeps the fight on the outside.
Maurizio pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Tapanakara looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Tapanakara loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tapanakara thows a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tapanakara drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Maurizio dives on top into guard.

Tapanakara throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Maurizio forces his way into half guard.
Tapanakara is not content to let Maurizio control the position.
Maurizio throwing shots but Tapanakara is blocking nicely.
Maurizio tries to stand but can't do so whilst Tapanakara controls his leg.
Maurizio blocks the strikes from Tapanakara.
Tapanakara gets back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maurizio slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Maurizio stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Tapanakara looks to land a combination but Maurizio avoids it well.
Maurizio is looking to clinch.
Maurizio lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Tapanakara shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Maurizio as he avoids it easily.
Maurizio shoots in for a double leg but Tapanakara sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Maurizio throws a head kick but Tapanakara moves out of range.
Tapanakara throws a push kick but Maurizio slaps the foot to one side.
Maurizio wants to clinch up but Tapanakara keeps it at a distance.
Maurizio doesn't manage to clinch there - Tapanakara circles away.

Maurizio gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Maurizio creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Maurizio.
Maurizio connects with a knee to the head.
Tapanakara fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Mick Maurizio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chan Tapanakara.
Maurizio creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Maurizio is looking to control Tapanakara's arms but Tapanakara gets an underhook and turns him. Now Maurizio has his back to the cage.
Tapanakara has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Maurizio is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Tapanakara on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tapanakara tries for a takedown. No joy.
The referee is keeping an eye on Maurizio - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Maurizio wants to stall.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Maurizio.
Maurizio creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Tapanakara's defenses.
Tapanakara is working for takedown but Maurizio is calmly controlling the position for now.
Maurizio creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Tapanakara's defenses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Maurizio creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Tapanakara's defenses.
Maurizio misses with an elbow strike.
Maurizio avoiding damage.
Tapanakara blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Tapanakara goes for a takedown attempt but Maurizio pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Maurizio fails with an attempt to clinch.
Chan Tapanakara has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Maurizio tries to clinch but Tapanakara moves out of range.
Maurizio tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tapanakara swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Mick Maurizio is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tapanakara with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Tapanakara looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Maurizio clinches up with Tapanakara and pushes him back against the cage.
Maurizio throws an elbow but it misses.
Maurizio comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Maurizio misses with an elbow over the top.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Chan Tapanakara.
I think Maurizio has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mick Maurizio!