PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Gibson Rickenbacker v.2 (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yang Tao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 2 and Yang Tao. Rickenbacker v.2 kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Back Stabber!. Tao is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Carl Douglas - Kung Fu Fighting. Yang Tao has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Rickenbacker v.2
vs
Tao

175 cm
24
180 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

175 cm
27
170 lbs
18 - 6 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Gibson Rickenbacker v.2!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Yang Tao!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Hugh Johnson and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice body punch from Tao.
Rickenbacker v.2 throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rickenbacker v.2 throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Rickenbacker v.2 avoids a kick to the body.
Rickenbacker v.2 throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Rickenbacker v.2 looks to throw a body kick
and Tao counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Nice cross by Tao.
Rickenbacker v.2 is looking to chop away at Tao's legs.
Tao slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Rickenbacker v.2 is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tao sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rickenbacker v.2 fails with the takedown.
Tao moves out of range of the body kick.
Tao swings for the body but Rickenbacker v.2 moves out of range.
Tao misses with a body kick.
Rickenbacker v.2 will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gibson Rickenbacker v.2. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tao lands a nice looking body kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tao throws a head kick that misses.
Tao moves out of range of the body kick.
Rickenbacker v.2 pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Tao moves out of range of the body kick from Rickenbacker v.2.
Rickenbacker v.2 takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tao pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Rickenbacker v.2 throws the kick towards the body but Tao avoids it.
Rickenbacker v.2 checks a leg kick nicely.
Rickenbacker v.2 has a takedown stuffed.
Rickenbacker v.2 throws the kick towards the body but Tao avoids it.
Rickenbacker v.2 throws a push kick but Tao slaps the foot to one side.
Tao fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Tao ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rickenbacker v.2 moves away.
Tao misses with a body shot.
Rickenbacker v.2 throws a leg kick but Tao sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Tao blocks the body kick.
Rickenbacker v.2 throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Tao avoids a kick to the body.
Rickenbacker v.2 shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tao as he avoids it easily.
Tao buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Tao looks to land a body kick but Rickenbacker v.2 moved away.
Gibson Rickenbacker v.2 seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tao dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tao misses with an attempted mid kick.
Tao lands a slapping body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tao misses with a wild body shot.
Tao misses with a kick to the body.
Tao ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rickenbacker v.2 moves away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tao tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rickenbacker v.2 was well out of range. Poor timing from Tao.
Tao is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Rickenbacker v.2 rather than just go for the knockout.
Tao is looking to slow Rickenbacker v.2 down with leg kicks.
Rickenbacker v.2 takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Tao bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rickenbacker v.2's head backwards.
Yang Tao is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tao moves out of range of the body kick.
Rickenbacker v.2 is looking to land body kicks.
Tao wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Tao missing with a left hand there. Rickenbacker v.2 was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tao connects with a solid leg kick.
Rickenbacker v.2 takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Rickenbacker v.2 throws a lazy head kick
and Tao counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Tao throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rickenbacker v.2 will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rickenbacker v.2 looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Tao moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rickenbacker v.2 looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Tao lands with a kick to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rickenbacker v.2 scores with a crisp jab that stopped Tao in his tracks.
Rickenbacker v.2 is looking to land body kicks.
Rickenbacker v.2 chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tao can pounce on him.
A nice leg kick lands there from Tao.
Tao thows a body shot but no joy.
Rickenbacker v.2 ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tao moves away.
Tao moves out of range of the body kick from Rickenbacker v.2.
Tao connects with a solid leg kick.
Rickenbacker v.2 chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tao can pounce on him.
Rickenbacker v.2 is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Nice body kick from Tao.
Rickenbacker v.2 moves out of range of the body kick.
Rickenbacker v.2 looks for the body kick but Tao saw that one coming.
Rickenbacker v.2 throws a lazy body kick
and Tao counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Rickenbacker v.2. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Tao throws a solid leg kick but Rickenbacker v.2 takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Tao.
Tao dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rickenbacker v.2. That did some damage!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tao misses with a body shot.
Rickenbacker v.2 takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A decent looking cross lands there for Tao.
Rickenbacker v.2 cracks the inside of Tao's front leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rickenbacker v.2 finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Tao stuffs the takedown attempt from Rickenbacker v.2. Rickenbacker v.2 gets slowly back to his feet.
Tao bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Rickenbacker v.2 is breathing heavily.
Tao is looking to land body kicks.
Tao throws a low kick but Rickenbacker v.2 avoids it.
Rickenbacker v.2 throws a body punch but Tao moves out of range.
Tao lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tao.
Rickenbacker v.2 misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rickenbacker v.2 shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tao as he jumps to the side.
Tao scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Tao throws a push kick but Rickenbacker v.2 slaps the foot to one side.
Rickenbacker v.2 will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tao throws the kick towards the body but Rickenbacker v.2 avoids it.
Tao connects with a good right hand that stumbles Rickenbacker v.2. Rickenbacker v.2 circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Tao throws a head kick but Rickenbacker v.2 moves out of range.
An inside leg kick from Tao misses.
Tao throws a sloppy head kick and Rickenbacker v.2 moves out of range easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yang Tao dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Tao tries to land a front kick but Rickenbacker v.2 steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Rickenbacker v.2 throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Tao counters with a nice leg kick.
Rickenbacker v.2 blocks the body kick.
Yang Tao seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rickenbacker v.2 looks to land a body kick but Tao moved away.
Rickenbacker v.2 gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Rickenbacker v.2 throws a body kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Rickenbacker v.2.
Rickenbacker v.2 pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tao throws a wild body kick that Rickenbacker v.2 sees coming a mile off.
Rickenbacker v.2 tries a head kick but it misses.
Tao misses with a hook.
Gibson Rickenbacker v.2 is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rickenbacker v.2 changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tao tries to avoid it but Rickenbacker v.2 manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tao to the ground. Tao escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tao misses with an attempted mid kick.
A head kick misses from Rickenbacker v.2.
Tao cracks Rickenbacker v.2 with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Rickenbacker v.2 misses with an attempted mid kick.
Rickenbacker v.2 avoids the head kick by Tao.
Tao avoids the head kick by Rickenbacker v.2.
Tao is looking to slow Rickenbacker v.2 down with leg kicks.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Rickenbacker v.2 might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rickenbacker v.2 pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tao throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Tao throws a head kick but Rickenbacker v.2 moves out of range.
Tao 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.
Rickenbacker v.2 shoots in for a takedown but Tao shows good takedown defense.
Tao lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Tao tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rickenbacker v.2 was well out of range. Poor timing from Tao.
Rickenbacker v.2 takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rickenbacker v.2 has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Tao.
Tao explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tao thumps Rickenbacker v.2 with a low kick.
Rickenbacker v.2 looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Tao throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Rickenbacker v.2 avoids the head kick by Tao.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rickenbacker v.2 with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Rickenbacker v.2 has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Tao.
Tao feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rickenbacker v.2's calf.
Tao avoids the head kick by Rickenbacker v.2.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tao scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Tao lands a right hook to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Tao.
Tao lands a lovely overhand right.
Rickenbacker v.2 walks forward, straight into a front kick from Tao.
Tao fakes the leg kick and cracks Rickenbacker v.2 in the body.
Tao throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Tao scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Tao lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Rickenbacker v.2 throws a push kick but Tao slaps the foot to one side.
Tao fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Tao lands a front kick.
Rickenbacker v.2 takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Tao plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Rickenbacker v.2 moves out of range as Tao throws a body kick.
Rickenbacker v.2 misses with a body kick.
Rickenbacker v.2 pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tao misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rickenbacker v.2 shoots in for a double leg but Tao sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gibson Rickenbacker v.2. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tao throws a half hearted mid kick.
Tao thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Rickenbacker v.2 if he has to take too many more of those.
Rickenbacker v.2 moves out of range of the body kick.
Rickenbacker v.2 looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tao is fending him off so far but Rickenbacker v.2 persists. Nope, Tao circles away and we're back to standing.
Rickenbacker v.2 throws a head kick that misses.
Tao fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tao lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Tao swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rickenbacker v.2 takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Rickenbacker v.2 looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Tao has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rickenbacker v.2 looks to land a body kick but Tao moved away.
Tao fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rickenbacker v.2 manages to avoid it.
Tao connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Tao works the jab nicely.
A slapping body kick lands there for Tao.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rickenbacker v.2 keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tao is looking to clinch.
A head kick by Rickenbacker v.2 misses
and Tao counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Tao misses with a kick to the body.
Tao looks to score with a jab to the body but Rickenbacker v.2 is just out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Tao.
Tao avoids the head kick by Rickenbacker v.2.
Rickenbacker v.2 takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Tao takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Tao throws the kick towards the body but Rickenbacker v.2 avoids it.
Rickenbacker v.2 throws a front kick that sends Tao stumbling back into the cage.
Tao moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Tao lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Rickenbacker v.2 misses with a head kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tao fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Tao keeps Rickenbacker v.2 at a distance using the push kick.
Tao lands a nice looking body shot.
Tao connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Rickenbacker v.2's hands.
Tao comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yang Tao showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Tao throws a push kick but Rickenbacker v.2 slaps the foot to one side.
Rickenbacker v.2 ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rickenbacker v.2 cracks Tao with a right hand to the side of the head.
A good leg kick by Tao.
Tao fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rickenbacker v.2 tries to land a body kick
and Tao counters with a body kick.
Tao thuds a left hand into Rickenbacker v.2's body.
Tao uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Rickenbacker v.2 doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Tao looks to land a body kick but Rickenbacker v.2 moved away.
Rickenbacker v.2 blocks the body kick.
Rickenbacker v.2 throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tao's waist but Tao gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rickenbacker v.2 off to one side.
Tao lands a nice looking kick to the body. Rickenbacker v.2 takes a step back to recover.
Tao tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Tao. Rickenbacker v.2 shrugs it off though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rickenbacker v.2 misses with a body kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tao digs a good hook to Rickenbacker v.2's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tao gets a clinch.
Rickenbacker v.2 tries to circle away but Tao has him pinned against the cage.
Tao lands an uppercut.
Tao crunches a lovely knee into Rickenbacker v.2's ribcage.
Tao keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rickenbacker v.2's efforts to push away.
Rickenbacker v.2 looking to stall.
Tao throws an elbow but it misses.
Rickenbacker v.2 is trying to break the clinch but Tao is controlling him.
Rickenbacker v.2 is trying to break free.
Tao misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tao presses Rickenbacker v.2 against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A right handed body shot lands from Tao.
Tao lands with a right to the head.
Rickenbacker v.2 looking to slow down the pace here.
Rickenbacker v.2 is trying to break free.
Gibson Rickenbacker v.2 has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tao lands a body shot in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tao lands a hook that snaps the head of Rickenbacker v.2 backwards.
Rickenbacker v.2 is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Tao lands a left hand.
Tao misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tao lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rickenbacker v.2 looking to stall.
A short right from Tao on the inside.
Rickenbacker v.2 throws a head punch that misses.
Tao lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rickenbacker v.2 backwards.
Tao works on Rickenbacker v.2's body with a couple of short punches.
Tao prevents Rickenbacker v.2 from breaking the clinch.
Tao lands a right hand.
A short right from Tao on the inside.
Tao lands a body punch in the clinch.
Tao lands a nice shot to the body.
Yang Tao is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rickenbacker v.2 wants to get back to striking at distance but Tao won't allow it.
Tao lands with a left to the head.
Rickenbacker v.2 wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rickenbacker v.2 wants to break free but Tao has control.
Rickenbacker v.2 stalling in the clinch but Tao improves position.
Tao softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Tao as the two fighters clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Rickenbacker v.2's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Rickenbacker v.2 wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rickenbacker v.2 trying to land knees to the body.
Rickenbacker v.2 misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tao lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rickenbacker v.2 backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rickenbacker v.2 breaks the clinch.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Tao crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Rickenbacker v.2 - the referee stops the clock and Tao gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Rickenbacker v.2. Tao manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Tao lands a jab to Rickenbacker v.2's midsection.
Tao uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rickenbacker v.2.
Rickenbacker v.2 steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Tao. That one must have hurt.
Tao scores with a spinning back kick!
Rickenbacker v.2 shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tao defends it nicely.
Tao lands a head kick!
A kick lands to the mid section there for Tao.
Tao works the jab nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tao takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tao cracks the inside of Rickenbacker v.2's front leg.
Tao lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rickenbacker v.2 at a distance.
Tao lands a leg kick that knocks Rickenbacker v.2 off balance momentarily.
Rickenbacker v.2 misses with the body kick
and Tao counters with a nice uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yang Tao comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tao 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yang Tao!
An out of breath Yang Tao thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.