PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kevin McTaggert (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikko Kivinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kevin McTaggert has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

McTaggert
vs
Kivinen

175 cm
25
245 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

196 cm
18
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kevin McTaggert!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mikko Kivinen!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McTaggert waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kivinen.
McTaggert swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
McTaggert leaves Kivinen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from McTaggert. Kivinen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kivinen moves in looking to clinch but McTaggert pushes him off.
Kivinen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kivinen tries for a takedown but McTaggert circles away easily

and McTaggert counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Kivinen trying to control but McTaggert postures up.
Kivinen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
McTaggert working the head and body with strikes.
McTaggert really is a fat lump.

Kivinen actively working from the bottom here.
McTaggert knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kivinen on the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kivinen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McTaggert throws a big right hand that misses.
Kivinen controls McTaggert momentarily but McTaggert frees himself.
McTaggert with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kivinen has momentary wrist control but McTaggert slips an elbow through the middle.
McTaggert throws a big right hand that misses.
McTaggert has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
McTaggert loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
McTaggert postures up in Kivinen's guard and throws a big left but Kivinen blocks it.
McTaggert is working Kivinen over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McTaggert trying to control but Kivinen is working from the bottom.
Kivinen keeping full guard, as McTaggert tries to pass.
McTaggert content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kivinen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McTaggert doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McTaggert manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kivinen looks winded!
McTaggert postures up and lands a big shot to Kivinen's brow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McTaggert looking to pass the guard.
McTaggert wants to control from the top but Kivinen keeps moving.
Kivinen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
McTaggert wants to control from the top but Kivinen keeps moving.
McTaggert is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
McTaggert content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
McTaggert lands a couple of digs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McTaggert looking to pass the guard.
McTaggert lands a couple of digs.
McTaggert trying to control but Kivinen is working from the bottom.
McTaggert trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
McTaggert trying to control but Kivinen is working from the bottom.
McTaggert keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kivinen's head.
McTaggert with a flurry of punches that miss.
McTaggert might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
McTaggert stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kivinen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McTaggert cracks Kivinen with a solid left hand.
McTaggert looking to sit in guard and control but Kivinen gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Kivinen preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McTaggert is pulling down on Kivinen's head to control his posture.
Kivinen postures up in McTaggert's guard and throws a big left but McTaggert blocks it.
McTaggert on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if McTaggert tries to get out of the position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McTaggert working a defensive guard here.

We're going to have a standup here because Kevin McTaggert wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
McTaggert misses the jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A looping hook to the body misses from McTaggert. Kivinen does a little dance to reset his feet.

Excellent takedown into side control there by McTaggert.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

McTaggert looks to land a right hand but Kivinen moved out of range.
Kivinen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McTaggert as he jumps to the side.
Kivinen tries to clinch up but McTaggert circles away and keeps his distance.

McTaggert shoots in and gets a takedown into Kivinen's guard.
McTaggert postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kivinen is looking to stand up but McTaggert isn't so interested in that idea.
McTaggert wants to pass the guard but Kivinen is keeping the position.
McTaggert working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kivinen is breathing heavily.
Kivinen keeping moving, preventing McTaggert from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kivinen has momentary wrist control but McTaggert slips an elbow through the middle.
McTaggert stands up over Kivinen, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McTaggert accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
McTaggert wants to pass the guard but Kivinen is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McTaggert wants to control from the top but Kivinen keeps moving.
McTaggert with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Kivinen keeping moving, preventing McTaggert from controlling successfully.
Kivinen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
McTaggert stands up over Kivinen, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
McTaggert trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
McTaggert working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McTaggert trying to control but Kivinen is working from the bottom.
Kivinen throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
McTaggert lands a couple of digs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McTaggert working some strikes from top position.
McTaggert trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
McTaggert trying to control the position from guard on top but Kivinen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
McTaggert trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kevin McTaggert wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Kivinen fails with an attempt to clinch.

McTaggert throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Kivinen tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. McTaggert is in Kivinen's guard.
McTaggert is in close to Kivinen's body, working some short punches and elbows.
McTaggert scoring with some ground and pound.
McTaggert looking to pass the guard.
McTaggert is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
McTaggert trying to control but Kivinen is working from the bottom.
McTaggert postures up and lands a big shot to Kivinen's brow.
McTaggert is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
McTaggert lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McTaggert lands a couple of digs.
McTaggert is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
McTaggert trying to control but Kivinen is working from the bottom.
McTaggert is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Kivinen is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
McTaggert working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
McTaggert keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kivinen's head.
McTaggert looking to pass the guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McTaggert trying to control but Kivinen is working from the bottom.
McTaggert makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kevin McTaggert dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

McTaggert closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. McTaggert connects with a nice short shot to Kivinen's temple.
McTaggert working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
McTaggert stalling away here and it's allowed Kivinen to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
McTaggert wants to pass the guard but Kivinen is keeping the position.
Kivinen working a defensive guard here.
McTaggert is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kivinen is trying to control the position but McTaggert postures up.

McTaggert avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
McTaggert's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Kivinen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McTaggert wants to pass the guard but Kivinen is keeping the position.
McTaggert lands a couple of digs.

Kivinen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
McTaggert lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
McTaggert landing some decent shots from guard.
McTaggert landing some decent shots from guard.
McTaggert tries to free his leg and advance position but Kivinen is retaining full guard.
McTaggert lands a couple of elbows.
McTaggert works over Kivinen with some ground and pound from guard.
McTaggert wants to control from the top but Kivinen keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McTaggert landing with the ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McTaggert postures up and lands a big shot to Kivinen's brow.
McTaggert trying to control but Kivinen is working from the bottom.
McTaggert is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kivinen keeping moving, preventing McTaggert from controlling successfully.
McTaggert connects with a couple of short punches.
McTaggert working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kivinen's head.
McTaggert trying to control the position from guard on top but Kivinen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McTaggert works over Kivinen with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kivinen looking to control.
McTaggert stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kivinen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McTaggert is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kivinen can do to turn this around?
McTaggert lands a couple of decent looking shots.
McTaggert working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kivinen's head.
McTaggert trying to control the position from guard on top but Kivinen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kivinen is trying to control the position but McTaggert postures up.
McTaggert wants to control from the top but Kivinen keeps moving.
Kivinen being controlled here, momentarily.
Kevin McTaggert overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McTaggert working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kivinen's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McTaggert landing some decent shots from guard.
McTaggert scoring with some ground and pound.

Kivinen is rocked!
McTaggert trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
McTaggert connects with a couple of short punches.
Kivinen is still in real trouble! Can McTaggert finish him?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McTaggert chips away with some ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells McTaggert's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
McTaggert postures up from his opponent's guard, before exploding into some vicious ground and pound! Kivinen covers up, he's hurt! McTaggert keeps throwing the strikes, glancing at the referee... Will he stop it?? One more big shot from McTaggert and the ref steps in to end the fight! McTaggert can't hide his delight as he celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:43 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kevin McTaggert!