PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rumina Sato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jon Tavaras (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sato comes to the cage accompanied by Serj Tankian - Sky is over. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Sato
vs
Tavaras

174 cm
19
186 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

167 cm
24
187 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

STEEL PENN'S SKIN SHOP $2 Shirts/Shorts

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rumina Sato!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jon Tavaras!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Vladimir Khabensky and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tavaras throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Sato was covering up waiting for the punch and Tavaras finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Tavaras is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

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

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

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

Tavaras drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Tavaras jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Sato working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tavaras doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tavaras manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Tavaras is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Tavaras pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sato is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tavaras is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Sato looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tavaras is one step ahead there.

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

Sato working for a triangle but Tavaras defends it easily.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Tavaras drops back looking for a leg! Sato is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sato manages to kick Tavaras off! Tavaras jumps back into Sato's guard.

Tavaras is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

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

Tavaras thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Sato is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Tavaras is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Sato is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Sato has escaped and now he's on top!
Sato tries to free his leg and advance position but Tavaras is retaining full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tavaras looking for a sweep. Not yet Tavaras, not yet.
Sato wants to pass the guard but Tavaras is keeping the position.
Sato stands and throws Tavaras's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
I wouldn't like to be where Tavaras is right now.

Sato thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Sato is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Tavaras is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's four 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 manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Sato is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Tavaras sees it coming and defends easily.

Sato is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Tavaras looking for submissions off his back.
Sato is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Tavaras reverses the position - he's now on top in Sato's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Tavaras keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sato misses with a double jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sato looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tavaras misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Tavaras looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Tavaras shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Tavaras goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Sato is on top in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Tavaras is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sato is aware though and is defending well.
Sato trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Tavaras manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Sato is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tavaras is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sato has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tavaras can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Sato is looking for a triangle but Tavaras pushes his legs off easily.
Tavaras wants to pass the guard but Sato is keeping the position.

Tavaras is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Sato is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tavaras defends well.

Sato looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Sato is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tavaras defends well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavaras stands and throws Sato's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Tavaras is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sato is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Tavaras thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Sato is looking for a sweep.

Tavaras wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Sato, who protects the arm well.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Tavaras tries for a kimura but Sato is defending well.
Sato is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tavaras looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

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

Sato wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Tavaras, who protects the arm well.
Tavaras wants to get back to his feet but Sato drags him back down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Sato is trying to get an arm triangle but Tavaras is defending well.

Sato is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Tavaras looks calm but he's in trouble here. Sato gets his leg over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Tavaras is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! Sato lets go of the hold and Tavaras can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:30 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Rumina Sato!