PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Oleg Taktarov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dariusz Karlowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dariusz Karlowski is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Taktarov
vs
Karlowski

188 cm
28
225 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

198 cm
19
265 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
Insanely flexible

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Oleg Taktarov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dariusz Karlowski!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karlowski closes the distance and clinches up with Taktarov, looking for a takedown. Karlowski pushes Taktarov against the cage but Taktarov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Taktarov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Taktarov is stalling in the full guard.
Taktarov prevents Karlowski from getting back to his feet.
Taktarov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Taktarov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Karlowski swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Karlowski can do anything to dispel that myth.
Taktarov sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Oleg Taktarov.
Karlowski fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karlowski closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Karlowski fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Oleg Taktarov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dariusz Karlowski.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Karlowski wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Taktarov has him pressed against the cage.
Karlowski is trying to force a seperation but Taktarov has the dominant position.

Karlowski breaks from the clinch.
Taktarov misses with a head kick.
Karlowski keeps the fight on the outside.
Taktarov needs to keep his hands up - Karlowski had a free shot at his head there.
Karlowski misses with a two punch combination.

Karlowski tries to sprawl but Taktarov drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Taktarov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Taktarov lands with a punch from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karlowski scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Taktarov manages to mount him!
Taktarov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Taktarov is working to isolate an arm here. It's a telegraphed submission attempt but he's gone for it anyway - and he's got it! Taktarov extends the arm and Karlowski is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:49 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Oleg Taktarov!