PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Paden Taber (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Qing Kong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kong has chosen THE RISING SUN as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Taber
vs
Kong

180 cm
25
162 lbs
13 - 3 - 0

177 cm
25
169 lbs
14 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

5th Round Clothing

Conviction
Convicted Trap House

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 13 - 3 - 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 14 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Qing Kong!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kong keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kong is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Taber.
Kong thows a body shot but no joy.
Taber walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kong checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Taber takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Taber was well out of range. Poor timing from Kong.
Taber swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kong fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Taber looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Taber throws a sloppy head kick and Kong moves out of range easily.
Kong has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Taber finds it's way round the side to connect with Kong's head.
Taber avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kong misses with a jab, cross combination.
Taber uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kong.
Kong throws a big shot that misses.

Kong gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Taber misses with a punch on the inside.
Kong working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taber is trying to break the clinch but Kong has him pressed against the cage.
Taber working aggressively here.
Taber wants to break free but Kong has control.
Taber has Kong pressed against the cage, preventing Kong from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Kong breaks from the clinch.
Kong throws a leg kick that is checked
and Taber counters with a series of strikes. Kong will be more careful next time no doubt.
A cross from Taber lands.
Taber lands a nice hook to Kong's body. Kong takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Kong drops Taber with a beautiful combination! Taber stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Kong is looking for the KO!

Taber is rocked!

It looks like Paden Taber has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Taber moves out of range of the leg kick from Kong.
Oh Taber is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Nice body punch from Taber.
That kick from Taber tenderised Kong's leg. Kong is trying to keep his angry face on.

Taber tries to keep at a distance but Kong has taken the fight into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kong.
A nice left hand lands by Kong.
Kong lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kong lands with a light punch inside.

Taber breaks the clinch.
Taber fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Kong.
Kong keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Taber.
Taber seems to have got his legs back now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kong misses with a head kick.

Kong gets a clinch.
A short left from Taber.
Kong pushes Taber back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A short right from Kong on the inside.
Taber is trying to break the clinch but Kong is controlling him.
Taber blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Taber is trying to break the clinch but Kong is controlling him.
Kong lands with a short shot to the head.

Taber's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Taber throws a leg kick but Kong checks it.
Taber moves away from the strike by Kong.
Kong scores with a hook to the body. Taber takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kong swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kong connects with a good right hand that stumbles Taber. Taber circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Taber throws a right and a left that Kong avoids nicely.
Taber scoring well with a low kick there.
Taber connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A good leg kick by Taber.
Kong connects with a leg kick. Taber looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Taber steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kong.
Kong takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Taber scores with a jab to the body.
A jab lands there for Kong.
Kong looks to land a left hand but Taber moved out of range nicely.
Taber scores with a one two! Kong had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Taber cracks Kong with an open hand slap.
Kong blocks a leg kick.
Kong misses with a hook. Taber ducked under it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Taber was well out of range. Poor timing from Kong.
Taber scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Kong misses with a looping right.
A combination from Kong does no damage.
Nice uppercut lands for Kong. That snapped Taber's head back.
Taber throws a nice outside leg kick.
Taber misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kong throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Taber finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Kong takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kong throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
An inside leg kick from Kong misses.
Kong throws a half hearted mid kick.
Taber throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Taber throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Qing Kong dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Paden Taber's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Taber throws a push kick but Kong slaps the foot to one side.
Taber has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Taber bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kong's head.
Kong throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kong avoids a kick to the body.
Kong connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Taber momentarily.
Taber throws a head kick but Kong moves out of range.
Taber scores with a head kick.

Kong gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A hook to the body from Kong.
Taber is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Kong breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kong feints and then cracks Taber's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Taber down.
A jab from Taber finds it's way through Kong's defenses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Taber misses with a body shot.
Taber getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kong moves forwards but Taber connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Taber moves out of range of the body kick from Kong.
Taber lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kong at a distance.
Kong tried to score with a low kick but Taber checks it.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Kong.
Taber closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Taber falls off balance throwing a combination
letting Kong counter with a right hand.
Taber showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kong.
Taber walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kong checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Taber feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kongs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Taber lands the left hand.
Taber just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taber misses with a straight right.

Kong closes the distance and clinches.

Kong breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kong swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kong throws a leg kick but Taber checks it.
Taber takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Kong defending well as Taber loads up on a big left hand.
Kong fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Taber manages to avoid it.
Kong throws a lazy body kick
and Taber counters with a right hand to the body.
Taber looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Taber takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
A lazy left from Kong finds it's target.
Kong walks into a left hand.
Kong misses the shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kong on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kong buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Taber throws a hook but Kong blocks it.
Kong misses with a straight left.
Taber changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A lazy body kick from Kong
and Taber counters with a solid body kick.
Kong on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Taber connects with a body shot.
Taber throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kong.
A jab from Taber does it's job there.
Kong's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Taber connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kong scrambles back to his feet.
Kong uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Taber.
Taber thuds a left hand into Kong's body.
Taber misses with a hook
and Kong counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four 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!
Kong fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Taber throws a good cross that connects.
Taber swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kong lands the left hand.
Taber tried to score with a low kick but Kong checks it.
Qing Kong seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Taber works Kong's body with a nice hook.
Taber feints and then cracks Kong's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kong down.
Taber scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kong looks to score with a jab to the body but Taber is just out of range.
Kong is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Taber misses with a looping right.
Taber throws a right and a left that Kong avoids nicely.
Taber takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Qing Kong will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Paden Taber's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Taber fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kong.
Taber blocks a leg kick.
Taber digs a good body shot into Kong's ribs.
Kong swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kong throws a leg kick that is checked
and Taber counters with a nice low kick that buckles Kong's knee momentarily.
Taber throws a jab but it's blocked by Kong.
A bone on bone clash there as Kong blocks the leg kick.
Taber walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kong checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Taber lands a lovely overhand right.
Kong tries to close the distance and clinch up but Taber swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kong misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Kong takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kong takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A head kick by Taber misses
and Kong counters with a nice leg kick.
Kong has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kong lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taber punishes Kong's body with a nice straight punch.
Taber fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kong looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Taber checks the leg kick.
Taber throws a jab but it's blocked by Kong.
Kong moves forwards but Taber connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kong misses with a two punch combination.
Kong throws a solid leg kick but Taber takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kong.
Kong misses with a head kick.
Taber on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kong. Kong obviously looking to wear him down.
A slapping leg kick lands for Taber.
Taber throws a head kick that misses.
Kong takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kong's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Kong has Taber up against the cage in a clinch.
Kong scores a nice knee to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Kong is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Taber is defending well for now.
Kong is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Taber is defending well for now.
Taber tries to break free but Kong pushes him back against the cage.
Taber looking to stall.
Taber avoids the elbow strike from Kong, against the cage.
Taber has a couple of punches blocked by Kong.
Taber is trying to push Kong away but Kong has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kong can't find room to land a body shot as Taber controls the action.

Taber breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A punch combination from Kong misses.
Kong tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kong lands a glancing blow to the side of Taber's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taber works over Kong's head and body with a nice combination.

Kong has closed the distance and engaged Taber in a clinch.
Taber swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kong scores with a knee to the head.
Kong is trying to stall.
Kong has Taber pressed against the cage, preventing Taber from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kong tries to land knees in the clinch but Taber avoids the damage to the body.
Kong using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kong throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kong is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kong scores with a shoulder strike.
Taber managing to block the knees to the body from Kong.

Taber breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kong punishes Taber's body with a nice straight punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A low kick from Taber is predictable there
and Kong counters with a low kick, right behind Taber 's knee.
Kong ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kong swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kong misses with a wild body shot.
Kong dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Taber throws a series of punches but Kong moves out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Kong.
Kong ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Taber moves away.
Taber tries a low kick but Kong avoids it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Taber throws a nice outside leg kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Kong.
Kong pivots, looking for a leg kick but Taber is out of range and Kong settles back down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Qing Kong really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Paden Taber's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kong delivers a nice body kick.
Kong throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kong.
Taber scores with a kick to the midsection.
Taber takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Kong smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kong misses with a looping right.
Taber lands a jab to the nose.
Kong looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kong fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Taber manages to avoid it.
A bone on bone clash there as Kong blocks the leg kick.

Kong darts in and clinches Taber up against the cage.
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!
A hook to the body from Taber.
Taber takes a knee to the side of the body.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taber takes a knee to the side of the body.
Kong is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A shot in the inside from Taber.
Kong lands with a light punch inside.
Kong misses with the head strike.
Kong tries to land a knee to the head but Taber blocks with his arms.
Kong wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kong.
Taber scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Taber trying to stall but Kong improves his position.
Taber is trying to break free.

Taber breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Taber connects with a looping right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kong walks into a straight right hand from Taber.
Kong misses with a body shot.
Kong looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kong throws a body punch but Taber moves out of range.
Taber steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Kong. That one must have hurt.
Kong ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kong scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kong looks to land a left hand but Taber moved out of range nicely.
Kong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Taber was well out of range. Poor timing from Kong.
Kong avoids the body shot from Taber.
Taber will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Taber wants to land a leg kick but Kong is out of range.
Taber lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kong circles away quickly and effectively.
Kong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taber swinging wildly here.
Taber throws the left hand but Kong avoids the punch easily.
Kong swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kong lands a jab to the head.
Taber throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Taber jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Taber throws a nice outside leg kick.
Taber looks to score with a jab to the body but Kong is just out of range.
Taber scores with a jab to the body.
Nice shot by Taber.
Kong looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kong attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taber takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Taber lands a head kick!
Taber with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kong moves out of range as Taber strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kong pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Taber throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
No joy there for Kong, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Taber checks a leg kick.
Taber lands with a right hand.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Taber buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kong fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kong jabs Taber to the body, keeping him at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Qing Kong dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Paden Taber's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Taber throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kong throws a body kick that misses.
Kong misses with a looping left.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Taber, as that shot connected.
Kong throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Taber stalks Kong and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kong's face. Kong staggers backwards, shaken.
Taber uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kong.
A decent looking cross lands there for Taber.
Kong scoring well with a low kick there.
Jab, jab by Taber - just one landing.
Kong pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Taber connects with a jab.
Taber staying out of range there.
Kong doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kong tries to land a front kick but Taber steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Taber keeps the fight on the outside.
Donk. Taber catches Kong right on the button with a cross.
Kong lands a nice shot to the body.
Taber throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kong on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Taber. Taber obviously looking to wear him down.
Taber throws a sloppy head kick and Kong moves out of range easily.
Taber lands a leg kick that knocks Kong off balance momentarily.
Kong throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Taber looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Taber throws a leg kick which misses Kong's front leg but catches the back leg as Kong tries to avoid it.
Kong misses with the body kick
and Taber counters with a nice low kick that buckles Kong's knee momentarily.
Kong wants to slow Taber down by chopping away at his legs.
Paden Taber has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kong.
Kong looks to land a body kick but Taber moved away.
Taber connects with a leg kick. Kong looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Kong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kong has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Taber.
Kong is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
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 dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Taber moves into range and connects with a jab.
Kong is looking to clinch.
Taber pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kong scores with a leg kick.
Taber swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kong tries to clinch up.
Taber moves out of range of the body kick from Kong.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kong throws a one two combo.
Taber misses with a body shot.
Taber takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kong throws a left and a right that both miss
and Taber finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Taber with a nice cross.
Taber throws a nice inside leg kick.
Taber tries to score with a low kick but Kong moves his leg out of the way.
Taber throws a leg kick but Kong moved away.
A head kick misses from Kong.
A nice leg kick lands there from Taber.
Taber scores with a decent looking hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kong misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kong connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Taber with a jab.
Kong throws a lazy body kick
and Taber makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kong. Taber does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kong slips a jab and a cross from Taber.
Taber dips to his left and cracks Kong with an uppercut!
Kong with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Taber to score with a decent uppercut.
Taber tries a head kick but it misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Taber. Kong does a little dance to reset his feet.
Taber pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kong cracks Taber with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Taber misses with a lunging right hand
and Kong counters with a nice body kick.
Kong takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paden Taber showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kong has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 46:49
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 46:49
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Qing Kong! Qing Kong retains his lightweight title!
Qing Kong took some time post fight to say the following; 'Sheppard we shall be.. eh my lord.. for eh power.. hath descend from hand.. feet carry swift command! so shall.. flow.. riva! tooo the.. and teeming souls shall be.. in name of father.. of son.. and? Holy spirit! Mwahaha no seikō! Speak well, fight better.'.