PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chris Masters (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Oleg Taktarov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Masters
vs
Taktarov

198 cm
19
300 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

188 cm
26
300 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Chris Masters!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Oleg Taktarov!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Taktarov scores with a takedown into Masters's guard.
Masters looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Masters working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Taktarov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Taktarov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Masters trying to control the position.
Masters looking for a sweep. Not yet Masters, not yet.
Masters trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Masters escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Taktarov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Masters has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Taktarov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Masters works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Masters has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Taktarov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Masters wants to hit a switch here but Taktarov passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Masters there!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masters is trying desperately to improve position.
Taktarov pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Masters tries to hold on but Taktarov postures up.
Masters looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
You can see the frustration on Masters's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Taktarov tries to keep control of the position but Masters is staying busy.
Taktarov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Masters kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Taktarov is trying to stick to Masters's back but Masters is turning into Taktarov. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Taktarov's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Masters.

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.

Taktarov is looking for a triangle but Masters pushes his legs off easily.

Masters 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.
Masters preventing the sweep.
Taktarov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Masters trying to control but Taktarov is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Masters controlling from the top position.
Masters trying to control but Taktarov is working from the bottom.
Taktarov with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Masters can't handle though.
Taktarov keeping moving, preventing Masters from controlling successfully.

We're going to have a standup here because Chris Masters wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Masters misses the body punch

and Taktarov counters with a takedown into side control.
Masters can't do much from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taktarov is looking to take a break and control but Masters is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Masters is looking to reverse the position.
Masters is trying to work for a sweep but Taktarov has mounted him!
Masters is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oleg Taktarov dominated that round.
That's time! Masters's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Masters fails with the takedown

and Taktarov counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Masters's guard now.
Masters is trying to control the position but Taktarov postures up.
Taktarov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Taktarov advances position into side control!
Taktarov trying to control the action but Masters is working from the bottom.
Masters is looking for a sweep.
Masters looking for a sweep but Taktarov has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Taktarov postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Masters looks a forlorn figure.
Taktarov content just to control the position here.
Masters flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masters tries to hold on but Taktarov postures up.
Masters is desperately trying to improve his position but Taktarov has a good base and remains in mount.
Masters gets back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Masters is trying to maintain the position but Taktarov is very close to passing his half guard.
Masters is looking to improve his position.
Masters tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Taktarov is looking to advance position but Masters won't allow it.
Masters regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Masters looking to hit a scissor sweep but Taktarov is one step ahead there.

Masters has his foot on Taktarov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Taktarov works his way back into a safe position though.
Taktarov wants to pass the guard but Masters is keeping the position.
Masters manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Masters working for a submission here. He's tucked his head under his opponent's arm, looking for an arm triangle. He's hopped off into side control, looking to tighten the submission... is it going to work? He's given up a good position looking for it. Taktarov looks OK. Oh, I spoke too soon, he's out! That must have been tighter than I thought! Excellent work there by Masters! Submission of the night perhaps?

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:53 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Chris Masters!