PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andre James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Oleg Taktarov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Taktarov is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: BEAR ATTACK BY CATTLE DECAPITATION. Oleg Taktarov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

James
vs
Taktarov

180 cm
21
180 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

186 cm
25
260 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Andre James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Oleg Taktarov!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Roosa Järviläinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taktarov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. James tries to avoid it but Taktarov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag James to the ground. James escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
James throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Taktarov should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
James throws a right hand that Taktarov ducks under and follows up with a left that Taktarov also avoids with ease.
Taktarov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
James tries to score a power double leg takedown but Taktarov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten James somewhat.
Taktarov moves in looking to clinch but James pushes him off.
James looks for a takedown but Taktarov sprawls well.
James misses with a takedown attempt - Taktarov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andre James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Taktarov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. James tries to avoid it but Taktarov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag James to the ground. James escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
No luck for James with that takedown attempt.

James manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Taktarov on his heels. He'll look to pass Taktarov's guard now, I'm sure.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

James thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Taktarov wants to sweep here but James controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taktarov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
James looking to pass the guard.
James preventing the sweep.
Taktarov controlling the position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Oleg Taktarov hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
No joy there for James, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Taktarov feints and as James raises his hands in defense, Taktarov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Taktarov looking to sit in guard and control but James gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

James drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Taktarov dives on top into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taktarov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Taktarov is looking to pass into half guard but James pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now James is in guard.
Taktarov has his hands on James's head, controlling the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Taktarov keeping moving, preventing James from controlling successfully.
Taktarov seems keen to control James's posture.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
James drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Taktarov manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now James has Taktarov in his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James keeping moving, preventing Taktarov from controlling successfully.
Taktarov stands and throws James's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Taktarov tries for a kimura but James is defending well.
Taktarov taking a break here but James is having none of it and regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Taktarov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and James defends it well.

Taktarov seems to be looking for submissions.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Taktarov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and James defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oleg Taktarov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

James tries for a takedown but Taktarov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Taktarov as James shoots in.

Taktarov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
James keeping moving, preventing Taktarov from controlling successfully.
Taktarov trying to move into half guard but instead James has managed to sweep!
Taktarov has control of James's left arm, preventing James from doing any damage.
James looking to pass the guard.
James is looking to advance position but Taktarov has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Taktarov goes for an armbar but he's not got it… James turns into him and now he's in Taktarov's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taktarov trying to control the position here.

Taktarov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
James throws a big elbow that misses.
James wants to pass the guard but Taktarov is keeping the position.

Taktarov isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. James stacks Taktarov on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by James!

James is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Taktarov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taktarov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but James wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
James misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Taktarov is trying to improve his position.
Taktarov can't do much from the bottom here.

James wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Taktarov, who protects the arm well.
Taktarov tries to bench press James off him but James keeps the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taktarov holds on to James's head and controls the position momentarily.
You can see the frustration on Taktarov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

James thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
James working the ground and pound but Taktarov is defending the strikes.

James goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Taktarov rolls with the submission and now he's on top in James's guard! Nice work there by Taktarov!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
James being controlled here, momentarily.
Let's hope that Taktarov has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taktarov advances position into side control!
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Taktarov has eaten all the pies!

Taktarov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but James is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
James is looking to regain half guard here but Taktarov keeps moving and retains side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Taktarov is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. James is trying to escape and Taktarov transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and James is forced to tap! Nice work there by Taktarov! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Oleg Taktarov!
After winning the bout, Oleg Taktarov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.