PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Deki Stankovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vlad Tapisht (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stankovic comes into the arena with Kosovo-Vidovdan blaring out of the sound system. Tapisht comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Evanescence: Bring Me To Life kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Stankovic
vs
Tapisht

173 cm
24
163 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

177 cm
20
163 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Deki Stankovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vlad Tapisht!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tapisht throws a solid leg kick but Stankovic takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Tapisht.
Stankovic thows a left - swing and a miss!

Tapisht throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Stankovic was covering up waiting for the punch and Tapisht finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Stankovic wants to stand and escape but Tapisht is having none of it.

Tapisht got a little sloppy there for a moment and Stankovic has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tapisht has managed to get both his arms back between Stankovic's legs - danger averted.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tapisht accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Stankovic knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Tapisht on the ground.
Stankovic tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tapisht throwing strikes but missing.
Tapisht preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stankovic working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tapisht.
Stankovic looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tapisht is one step ahead there.

Stankovic scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Stankovic misses with the combination.
Stankovic throws a body punch but Tapisht moves out of range.
Tapisht avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A jab from Stankovic misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stankovic takes one to the side of the head.
Stankovic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tapisht throws a wild body kick that Stankovic sees coming a mile off.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Stankovic misses with a series of wild punches.
Stankovic throws the left hand but Tapisht avoids the punch easily.

Tapisht decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Stankovic is defending against the submission attempts here by Tapisht.
Stankovic gets full guard.

Tapisht thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Stankovic has his hands on Tapisht's head, controlling the position.
Stankovic wants to sweep here but Tapisht controlling him for the moment.
Stankovic working a defensive guard here.
Stankovic avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tapisht throwing strikes but missing.

Tapisht drops back looking for a leg! Stankovic is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Stankovic manages to kick Tapisht off! Tapisht jumps back into Stankovic's guard.
Tapisht won't allow Stankovic to get back to his feet.
Tapisht throwing strikes from guard but Stankovic blocks nicely.
Stankovic wants to get back to his feet but Tapisht is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Tapisht throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tapisht passes into half guard.

Tapisht 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.
Tapisht missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapisht throwing shots but Stankovic is blocking nicely.
Tapisht wants to pass to mount but Stankovic is defending the position.
Tapisht passes to side control.
Tapisht lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Stankovic down.
Stankovic struggling a bit here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stankovic tries to escape but Tapisht is in control.

Tapisht is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Stankovic is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Stankovic tries to bench press Tapisht off him but Tapisht keeps the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tapisht is trying to get an arm triangle but Stankovic is defending well.
Stankovic is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Tapisht seems to be working for a kimura but Stankovic defends the submission attempt.

Tapisht is looking for a kimura but Stankovic is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Tapisht to get the leverage.
Tapisht looks gassed!
Stankovic wants to get back to his feet.

Tapisht seems to be working for a kimura but Stankovic defends the submission attempt.
Stankovic throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Stankovic is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Tapisht's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Tapisht's back!
Tapisht turns into Stankovic and is now in his guard.

Stankovic scrambles and gets back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vlad Tapisht dominated that round.
That's time! Stankovic's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Tapisht closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Stankovic wants to get back to his feet.

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

Stankovic stands up.

Tapisht feints and as Stankovic raises his hands in defense, Tapisht changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Tapisht thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Stankovic is trying to control the position but Tapisht postures up.
Tapisht is breathing heavily.
Stankovic wants to get back to his feet but Tapisht is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tapisht accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Stankovic wants to sweep here but Tapisht controlling him for the moment.

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

Tapisht drops back looking for a leg! Stankovic is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Stankovic manages to kick Tapisht off! Tapisht jumps back into Stankovic's guard.
Tapisht throws a big right hand that misses.
Tapisht stops Stankovic from standing up.
Tapisht passes Stankovic's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Tapisht missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Stankovic is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Stankovic taking some punishment here, with Tapisht in his half guard.
Tapisht not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Tapisht thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Tapisht not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Stankovic is trying to stand.

Tapisht is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Tapisht thows a huge punch but Stankovic dodges it nicely.
Stankovic is looking to improve his position.
Stankovic is working hard here to advance position.
Stankovic looks like he's trying to stand up.
Tapisht throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Tapisht thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Stankovic's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapisht throwing shots but Stankovic is blocking nicely.
Stankovic tries to kick Tapisht off but Tapisht keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Tapisht missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Stankovic tries to get to full guard but Tapisht has control of the leg.
Tapisht thows a huge punch but Stankovic dodges it nicely.

Tapisht is looking for a kimura but Stankovic is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Tapisht to get the leverage.
Tapisht throwing shots but Stankovic is blocking nicely.
Tapisht looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Tapisht.

Tapisht is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Stankovic wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tapisht is working for a submission of some sort.
Vlad Tapisht has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tapisht throwing shots but Stankovic is blocking nicely.

Tapisht seems to be working for a kimura but Stankovic defends the submission attempt.

Tapisht is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Stankovic looks like he's trying to stand up.

Tapisht is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Stankovic defends it well.
Tapisht wants to free his trapped foot but Stankovic is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Stankovic tries to kick Tapisht off but Tapisht keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vlad Tapisht showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. 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.

Stankovic moves out of range as Tapisht throws a body kick.
Stankovic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Stankovic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tapisht moves away.
Stankovic thows a left - swing and a miss!
Stankovic misses with a jab, cross combination.
Stankovic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Stankovic misses with a body kick.
Stankovic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Stankovic misses with a looping left.
Stankovic scores with a body shot.
Tapisht pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Tapisht fails with a takedown attempt.
Good work by Stankovic as he checks the leg kick.
Deki Stankovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stankovic throws a head kick that misses.
Deki Stankovic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stankovic fails to land with a series of punches.
Stankovic misses with an uppercut.
Nice body punch from Tapisht.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stankovic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Stankovic moves out of range as Tapisht throws a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tapisht shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Tapisht landing punches.
Stankovic is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Stankovic wants to hold on but Tapisht pushes him away.
Tapisht has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Stankovic's face.
Stankovic squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Tapisht is trying to take his opponent's back.
Tapisht scoring with strikes but Stankovic is staying in there.

Tapisht looking to secure an arm triangle but Stankovic defends it well.
Tapisht unloads with some shots from mount but Stankovic bucks and avoids them well.

Tapisht working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Stankovic can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tapisht landing strikes from the mount and Stankovic is in trouble!

Tapisht looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Tapisht unloads with some shots from mount but Stankovic bucks and avoids them well.
Stankovic regains half 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!
Stankovic moves into full guard.
Stankovic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Stankovic is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Tapisht throwing strikes but missing.
Stankovic wants to stand up but Tapisht is controlling him.
Tapisht working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapisht with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tapisht won't allow Stankovic to get back to his feet.

Tapisht 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.
Stankovic is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tapisht is controlling him.

Tapisht drops back looking for a leg! Stankovic is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Stankovic manages to kick Tapisht off! Tapisht jumps back into Stankovic's guard.
Tapisht pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Stankovic is keeping the position for now.
Tapisht is looking to work some ground and pound but Stankovic has wrist control.
Stankovic tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Stankovic wants to stand but Tapisht is controlling the position.
Tapisht has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Tapisht preventing the sweep.
Tapisht postures up in Stankovic's guard and throws a big left but Stankovic blocks it.

Tapisht drops back looking for a leg! Stankovic is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Stankovic manages to kick Tapisht off! Tapisht jumps back into Stankovic's guard.
Tapisht throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Vlad Tapisht is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stankovic 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.
Stankovic lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Tapisht!
Tapisht wants to hold on but Stankovic pushes him away.
Stankovic scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Deki Stankovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stankovic postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Tapisht looks a forlorn figure.
Stankovic is landing with some decent strikes but Tapisht is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vlad Tapisht comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Tapisht winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vlad Tapisht!