PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jose Aldo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Papov Taaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jose Aldo has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Aldo
vs
Taaka

170 cm
18
145 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

176 cm
23
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jose Aldo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Papov Taaka!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Felipe Paraventi and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aldo throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Aldo throws a leg kick but Taaka sees it coming and moves out of range.

Taaka closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Taaka is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Papov Taaka hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Taaka shoots in and bounces Aldo off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Aldo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Taaka.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taaka stays in close to Aldo's body and controls the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Papov Taaka hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Taaka closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Aldo's guard.
Taaka sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Taaka 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taaka stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Aldo swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Taaka is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Taaka wants to pass the guard but Aldo is keeping the position.
Aldo is wriggling around but Taaka manages to pass to half guard.

Taaka is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taaka performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Taaka wants to pass to mount but Aldo is defending the position.
Taaka throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Aldo keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Taaka passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Aldo!
Taaka looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Taaka is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Aldo to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Aldo shrugs it off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Papov Taaka dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Aldo tries to score with a low kick but Taaka moves his leg out of the way.
Aldo misses with a double jab.
Aldo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A combination from Aldo does no damage.
Aldo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Aldo throws a leg kick that is checked

and Taaka counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Aldo!
Taaka content just to control the position here.

Taaka looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Taaka controlling from the full mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taaka takes Aldo's back.
Taaka trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Aldo doesn't escape.

Taaka looking for the choke but no joy.

Taaka is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Aldo has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Taaka just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Taaka looking for the RNC.

Aldo defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Taaka is looking for the choke from the back position but Aldo is controlling his hands well.
Taaka loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Aldo hold on?

Taaka working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Taaka slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taaka has got one arm under Aldo's chin. This could be trouble... Aldo trying to control the other hand but Taaka gets it free and sqeezes tight - just a matter of time now! Yep, Aldo has tapped out! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:27 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Papov Taaka!