PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Paden Taber (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Red Forman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Forman has chosen Ultimate as his entrance music. Paden Taber could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Red Forman's chin.

Taber
vs
Forman

180 cm
23
162 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

176 cm
24
160 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

xXx - Voodoo Labs - 159+ Energy - $45
xXx - Voodoo Labs - 159+ Energy - $45

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Paden Taber!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Red Forman!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taber throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Taber looks to land a combination but Forman avoids it well.
Taber feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Forman's calf.
Forman stuns Taber with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Taber lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Forman shoots in for a takedown but Taber shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Taber throws the left hand but Forman avoids the punch easily.
Forman misses the shot to the body.
Taber uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Forman.
Taber leaves Forman with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Taber throws a leg kick which misses Forman's front leg but catches the back leg as Forman tries to avoid it.
Taber tries to work over Forman's front leg with a kick but Forman checks it.
Forman throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Taber fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Forman.
Forman feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Tabers jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taber lands a nice leg kick that just misses Forman's sensitive parts.
A nice leg kick lands there from Taber.
Forman throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Forman looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Forman rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Taber moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Taber finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Forman lands a right hook to the body.
Taber throws a sloppy head kick and Forman moves out of range easily.
Taber swings for the body but Forman moves out of range.
Forman fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Taber looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Paden Taber seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Taber tries to score with a low kick but Forman moves his leg out of the way.
Taber bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Forman misses with a few strikes there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taber jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Taber stuffs the takedown.
Paden Taber has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Red Forman.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Forman crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Taber - the referee stops the clock and Forman gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Taber. Forman manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Taber throws a leg kick but Forman moved away.
Forman checks the leg kick.
Taber scores with a leg kick.
Taber lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Forman tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Taber paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Taber with a nice cross.
Taber misses with a two punch combination.
Taber connects with an inside leg kick.
Taber lands a nice leg kick that just misses Forman's sensitive parts.
An inside leg kick from Taber misses.
Forman takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Forman moves out of range of the body kick from Taber.
Taber misses with a body kick.
A good leg kick by Taber.
Taber lands a lovely overhand right.
Taber throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Forman tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A slapping body kick lands there for Taber.
Forman is looking to clinch but Taber is avoiding it.
Taber lands a front kick.
Forman fails with the takedown.
Forman takes a kick to the side of the head.
Taber throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Forman gets a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Forman prevents Taber from breaking the clinch.
A short left from Forman.

Taber manages to break the clinch.
Taber ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Forman moves away.
Forman is trying desperately to land a takedown but Taber is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Forman.
Taber digs a good hook to Forman's body.
Forman throws a shot from downtown. Taber moves away and avoids it.
Forman fails to land with a series of punches.
Forman is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Taber rather than just go for the knockout.
Taber throws a leg kick but Forman checks it.
Taber connects with a nice looking jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Taber fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Taber connects with a high kick.
Forman walks forward, straight into a front kick from Taber.
Forman tries to clinch there but Taber circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paden Taber dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A decent looking cross lands there for Taber.
Taber tries to score with a low kick but Forman moves his leg out of the way.
Taber lands a head kick!

It looks like Red Forman has been cut.
Forman takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Forman tries to clinch up but Taber circles away and keeps his distance.
Taber cracks a nice hook into Forman's ribs.
Forman tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Taber paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Forman doesn't manage to clinch there - Taber circles away.
Taber jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Paden Taber is winning the standup battle so far.
Taber connects with a leg kick. Forman looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Taber misses the body punch

and Forman counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Forman.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Taber breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Forman blocks the body kick.
Taber misses with a head kick.
Forman misses with a hook.
Forman walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Taber checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Forman throws the left hand but Taber avoids the punch easily.
Taber feints and then cracks Forman's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Forman down.
Taber ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Forman moves away.
Forman fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Taber manages to avoid it.
Taber throws a head kick that misses
and Forman counters with a two punch combo.

Forman has closed the distance and engaged Taber in a clinch.
Forman tries to work over Taber's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Forman misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Taber escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Taber lands a leg kick that knocks Forman off balance momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taber lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Taber swats away the attempt to clinch by Forman.
Forman is looking to clinch.
Taber swings away with a leg kick that misses.
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!
Taber catches Forman with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Forman takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Taber connects with a solid leg kick.
Forman chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Taber can pounce on him.
Forman misses with a body shot.
Taber tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Forman is able to avoid easily.
Taber throws a leg kick but Forman moved away.
Taber jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taber lands a nice looking body shot.
Taber swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A leg kick checked by Forman.
Taber keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Forman looks to land a combination but Taber avoids it well.
Taber lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Forman listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Taber pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Forman back to the cage. Taber follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Forman's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Taber misses with a leg kick.
Taber finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Forman cracks Taber with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Taber tries to move into range but Forman moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Taber connects with a single shot there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taber finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Forman walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Taber swings for the body but Forman moves out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Taber throws a right and a left that Forman avoids nicely.
Taber motions for Forman to come forward. Taber throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Forman throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Taber scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

Forman clinches with his opponent.
Forman presses Taber against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Taber is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Taber wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Forman is looking to control Taber's arms but Taber gets an underhook and turns him. Now Forman has his back to the cage.
Taber wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Forman has him pressed against the cage.
Taber lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paden Taber dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Red Forman's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Taber throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Taber lands a head kick. Forman smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Taber scores with a three punch combo!
Taber lands a head kick!
Forman tries to clinch but Taber is having none of it.
Taber keeps the fight on the outside.
Taber lands a nice leg kick that just misses Forman's sensitive parts.

Forman clinches up against the cage.
Taber blocks a body shot from Forman.
Forman is leaning against Taber and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Forman prevents Taber from breaking the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Forman.
Taber misses with some punches.
Forman tries a body shot but Taber blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Taber's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Forman lands a left hand.
Taber wants to get back to striking at distance but Forman won't allow it.
Taber wants to break free but Forman has control.
Taber blocking some punches.
Taber tries to break free but Forman pushes him back against the cage.
Forman cracks Taber with a nice body shot.

Taber pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Forman darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Taber lands a leg kick that knocks Forman off balance momentarily.
Taber fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Taber scores with a three punch combo!
Forman swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Taber counters with a nice leg kick.
Taber lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Forman at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Forman on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Forman feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Tabers jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Forman lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Forman.
Taber tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Taber is looking to chop away at Forman's legs.
Forman scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Taber doesn't seem bothered though.
Taber throws a leg kick that misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Taber.
Forman tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Taber paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Taber lands with an uppercut that bounces Forman off the cage and back into range.
Donk. Forman catches Taber right on the button with a cross.
Sloppy strikes from Taber. Those never looked like landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Forman avoids the head kick by Taber.
Taber moves out of range of the leg kick from Forman.
Nice shot by Forman.
Forman misses with a straight left.
Forman avoids the body shot from Taber.
Forman steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Taber. That one must have hurt.
Nice defenses there by Forman.
Forman fails with an attempt to clinch.
Taber fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Forman on the side of the head.
Taber lands a head kick. Forman smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Forman misses the shot to the body.
Forman on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taber on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Taber connects with a solid leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A punch combination from Forman misses.
Taber tries to score with a low kick but Forman moves his leg out of the way.
Taber connects with an inside leg kick.
Forman takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Taber circles away from the clinch attempt.
Forman chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Taber can pounce on him.
Taber throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Taber shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Forman eats them both and turns towards Taber to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Forman checks a leg kick.
Forman scores with a hook to the body. Taber takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Red Forman just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Red Forman's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A jab from Taber misses.
Forman throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Taber thows a leg kick but Forman checks it
and Taber takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Taber scores with a jab to the jaw.
Taber lands with a shot to the body.
Taber misses with a low kick as Forman jumps back.
Forman throws a big shot that misses.
Nice sprawl there from Taber as Forman shoots in.
Forman misses with a wild body shot.
Taber looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Forman walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Forman misses with a low kick as Taber jumps back.
Forman ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Taber moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Forman throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Taber throws a half hearted mid kick.
Forman wants to clinch up but Taber keeps it at a distance.
Forman tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Taber paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Taber rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Forman moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Forman has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Taber.
No joy there for Forman, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Taber misses with a low kick.
Forman just misses with a punch to the body.
Forman tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Forman misses with a series of wild punches.
Taber throws a low kick but Forman avoids it.
Paden Taber is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taber throws a hook but Forman avoids it easily.
Taber scores with a spinning back kick!
Taber lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Taber misses with a looping left.
Taber goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Forman moves out of range of the body kick from Taber.
Taber dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Forman. That did some damage!
Taber misses with an attempted mid kick.
Taber throws a solid leg kick but Forman takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Taber.
Forman scores with a body shot.
Forman checks the leg kick nicely there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Taber avoids the head kick by Forman.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Forman fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Forman is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Taber lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Taber throws a good cross that connects.
Forman just misses with a punch to the body.
Taber drops his hands momentarily and Forman takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Taber thumps Forman with a low kick.
Taber throws a leg kick which misses Forman's front leg but catches the back leg as Forman tries to avoid it.
That kick from Taber tenderised Forman's leg. Forman is trying to keep his angry face on.
Taber throws a leg kick but Forman sees it coming and moves out of range.
Taber fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Forman has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taber lands a nice leg kick that just misses Forman's sensitive parts.
Forman checks the leg kick nicely there.
Forman rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Taber counters with a low kick, right behind Forman 's knee.
A left lands for Taber.
Forman throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Forman tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Taber manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Forman throws a shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Taber throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Forman tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Forman misses with a hook to the body
and Taber counters with a low kick, right behind Forman 's knee.
Forman looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Taber lands with a nice body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paden Taber had his way with Red Forman in that round.
The cut man is working on Red Forman's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Taber throws a nice inside leg kick.
Jab by Taber.
Taber misses with a looping left.
Taber shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Forman misses with a kick to the body.
Forman throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Taber sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Forman tries to clinch up.
Taber throws a leg kick but Forman checks it.
Forman tries to clinch up.
Forman on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Taber. Taber obviously looking to wear him down.
Forman throws a hook but Taber blocks it.
Forman lands a jab-cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Forman fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Forman throws the left hand but Taber avoids the punch easily.
Taber turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Taber is looking to chop away at Forman's legs.
Taber scores with a leg kick.
Taber thuds a left hand into Forman's body.
Taber lands with a right hand.
Taber steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Forman.
Taber throws a low kick but Forman avoids it.
Good leg kick by Taber there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Forman tries to close the distance and clinch but Taber swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The fighters circle momentarily. Forman darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Forman chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Taber can pounce on him.
Forman has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Forman there as he acknowledges the shot.
Taber throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Forman fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Taber throws a leg kick but Forman sees it coming and moves out of range.
Forman throws a hook to the side of Taber's head but Taber sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Taber ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Taber lands a slapping body shot.
Forman is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Forman fails in his attempt to clinch.
Forman with a hook.
Paden Taber is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Taber connects with a jab.
Forman dodges the punch combination from Taber.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taber throws a head kick that half lands.
Taber scores with a nice strike.
Taber throws a body punch but Forman moves out of range.
Forman moves in looking to clinch but Taber pushes him off.
Forman has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Taber jabs at Forman's body.
Taber loads up on a big right hand but Forman slips the punch.
Forman moves out of range as Taber throws a body kick.
Taber tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Forman is able to avoid easily.

Forman clinches up against the cage.
Taber wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Forman gets control of Taber's arms and successfully pulls guard. Forman will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taber wants to get up but he can't break Forman's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Forman is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taber stopping the sweep attempt from Forman.
Taber content to stall in guard here.
Taber pushes down on Forman's leg and manages to get into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Forman is trying to control but can't.
Red Forman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Taber is trying to control the action in half guard but Forman is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Forman looking for submissions off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paden Taber showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Taber 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 49:46
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 49:46
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paden Taber!
Paden Taber retains his lightweight title!