PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kaspars Daugavins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Peter Taphorn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Daugavins
vs
Taphorn

176 cm
26
167 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

170 cm
22
161 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kaspars Daugavins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Peter Taphorn!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Dillan Fox and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taphorn lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Taphorn clinches up with Daugavins and pushes him back against the cage.
Daugavins wants to break free but Taphorn has control.
Daugavins prevents a takedown attempt there.
Taphorn lands an uppercut.
Taphorn wants a takedown but no success here.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Taphorn just misses with a elbow thrown towards Daugavins's brow.
Daugavins blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Taphorn stalling the fight.
Daugavins avoids a wild elbow strike from Taphorn.
Taphorn's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Taphorn with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taphorn is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Daugavins is defending well for now.
Daugavins managing to block the knees to the body from Taphorn.
Daugavins letting Taphorn take a breather here.

Taphorn pulls guard effortlessly.
Taphorn wants to sweep here but Daugavins controlling him for the moment.
Taphorn is trying to keep Daugavins in close.

Taphorn throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn wants to sweep here but Daugavins controlling him for the moment.
Taphorn keeping moving, preventing Daugavins from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Taphorn is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Daugavins defends well.

Taphorn had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Daugavins defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taphorn has his foot on Daugavins's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Daugavins works his way back into a safe position though.
Taphorn controls Daugavins momentarily but Daugavins frees himself.
Taphorn looking to control but Daugavins passes into half guard.
Taphorn is not content to let Daugavins control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Taphorn looking for submissions off his back.
Taphorn is holding on to half guard well.
Taphorn is trying to get back to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Taphorn is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Daugavins's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Daugavins's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Peter Taphorn dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Taphorn throws a leg kick but Daugavins sees it coming and moves out of range.
Taphorn with a poor takedown
and Daugavins counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Taphorn throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Daugavins stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Daugavins checks a leg kick nicely.
Daugavins misses with a combination
and Taphorn cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Taphorn closes the distance and clinches.
Daugavins working hard to break the clinch.

Daugavins breaks from the clinch.
Taphorn finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

Taphorn has closed the distance and engaged Daugavins in a clinch.
Taphorn is trying to pull guard but Daugavins has him pressed against the cage.
Taphorn throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Daugavinss head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taphorn is pushing Daugavins up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Taphorn wants to take the fight to the mat but Daugavins manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Kaspars Daugavins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Peter Taphorn.
Daugavins managing to block the knees to the body from Taphorn.
Daugavins wants to break the clinch but can't.
Taphorn wants a takedown but no success here.
Taphorn tries to pull guard but Daugavins forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Taphorn tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Daugavins avoids it.
Taphorn will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Daugavins up against the cage.
Taphorn tries to land knees in the clinch but Daugavins avoids the damage to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Taphorn fails to land.
Taphorn holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Taphorn tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Daugavins smiles and moves away.
Daugavins takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Taphorn misses with a takedown attempt - Daugavins sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Daugavins lands a two punch combo.
Kaspars Daugavins is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Taphorn decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Taphorn is keen to just control but Daugavins is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daugavins wants to get back to his feet.
Daugavins is looking to control Taphorn's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Daugavins avoid being mounted?

Taphorn is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Taphorn is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn controls from within his opponent's guard.
Taphorn looking to pass the guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Taphorn is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Daugavins is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Daugavins has escaped and now he's on top!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Peter Taphorn showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Taphorn darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Taphorn is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Daugavins is just riding it out for now. Taphorn eventually gives up the hold.

Daugavins is defending against the submission attempts here by Taphorn.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Taphorn seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Daugavins has recovered full guard.
Taphorn trying to control the position from guard on top but Daugavins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Taphorn pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Daugavins is keeping the position for now.
Taphorn advances to half guard.

Taphorn is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Taphorn is keen to just control but Daugavins is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taphorn looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Daugavins looks like he's trying to stand up.
Kaspars Daugavins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Taphorn looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Taphorn wants to work for an arm triangle but Daugavins is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Peter Taphorn comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Taphorn 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 William Peck scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Peter Taphorn!