PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kyle LeBlanc (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jon Tavaras (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jon Tavaras has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Kyle LeBlanc's chin.

LeBlanc
vs
Tavaras

178 cm
24
189 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

167 cm
23
187 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kyle LeBlanc!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jon Tavaras!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Konstantin Menshow and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tavaras dodges the punch combination from LeBlanc.
Tavaras takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
LeBlanc fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Tavaras drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
LeBlanc moves into range and connects with a jab.
LeBlanc misses with a double jab.

Tavaras drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
LeBlanc will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Tavaras drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but LeBlanc manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Tavaras has LeBlanc in his guard.
LeBlanc wants to stand but Tavaras has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LeBlanc being controlled here momentarily.

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.

Tavaras has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes LeBlanc off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavaras takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
LeBlanc misses with a few strikes there.
A punch combination from LeBlanc misses.
LeBlanc throws a right and a left that both miss.
LeBlanc misses with a series of wild punches.
LeBlanc throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tavaras fails with the takedown.
LeBlanc looks to land a combination. Tavaras sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Tavaras shoots in and bounces LeBlanc off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Tavaras drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and LeBlanc dives on top into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
LeBlanc would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavaras is controlling LeBlanc's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle LeBlanc dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Tavaras darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Tavaras stops LeBlanc from getting back to his feet.

Tavaras is trying to work for a kimura but LeBlanc is defending well.

Tavaras is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, LeBlanc has managed to free his arm - good work.

Tavaras is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but LeBlanc still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, LeBlanc has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!

That's one minute gone in the round.
LeBlanc wants to stand but Tavaras has his arm trapped.

Tavaras throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
LeBlanc throws a nice looking combination but Tavaras bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
LeBlanc throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Tavaras shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. LeBlanc defends it nicely.
LeBlanc lands the left hand.
LeBlanc will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

LeBlanc gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Tavaras to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Tavaras tries to free his leg and advance position but LeBlanc is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tavaras is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! LeBlanc is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! LeBlanc has escaped and now he's on top!
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Tavaras holds on and takes a little breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Tavaras not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tavaras controlling the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
LeBlanc won't allow Tavaras to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Tavaras showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

LeBlanc cracks Tavaras with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by LeBlanc.
The fighters circling - LeBlanc throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
LeBlanc swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
LeBlanc lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Kyle LeBlanc seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Some wild striking there from LeBlanc.
LeBlanc takes a swing at Tavaras's ribcage but misses.
Nice straight punches there by LeBlanc. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of LeBlanc.

Tavaras closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming LeBlanc to the mat! LeBlanc manages to get full guard.

Tavaras drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but LeBlanc manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Tavaras has LeBlanc in his guard.
LeBlanc has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Tavaras looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavaras is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
LeBlanc would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two 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.
Tavaras wants to get back to his feet but LeBlanc is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Tavaras pushes LeBlanc off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Kyle LeBlanc is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavaras avoids a punch combination nicely.
LeBlanc is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

Tavaras drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Tavaras pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. LeBlanc is keeping the position for now.
Tavaras trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but LeBlanc manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Tavaras pushes LeBlanc off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Tavaras.
LeBlanc rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tavaras moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
LeBlanc throws a right and a left that Tavaras avoids nicely.
LeBlanc tries to bum rush Tavaras with a series of wild strikes but Tavaras uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
LeBlanc defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tavaras.

Tavaras fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. LeBlanc sprawls well initially but Tavaras persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Tavaras is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Tavaras takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Tavaras is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Tavaras is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so LeBlanc is just riding it out for now. Tavaras eventually gives up the hold.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jon Tavaras comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tavaras 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:29
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jon Tavaras!