PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ales Zhandunka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Tavarius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tavarius has chosen Loser - 3 Doors Down as his entrance music. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Zhandunka
vs
Tavarius

220 cm
39
291 lbs
27 - 21 - 0

185 cm
30
220 lbs
22 - 11 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Cynical Truth Vegas (steel penn)

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 27 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ales Zhandunka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Richard Tavarius!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Wesley Smith and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tavarius fails with the takedown.
Tavarius thows a body shot but no joy.
Tavarius misses with a takedown attempt
and Zhandunka counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Tavarius displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zhandunka throws out the jab.
Tavarius misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zhandunka.
Richard Tavarius seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A jab from Tavarius misses.
Tavarius takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Some wild striking there from Zhandunka.
Tavarius tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Zhandunka defends well and Tavarius ends up having to push Zhandunka into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Ales Zhandunka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard Tavarius.
Tavarius throws a punch but it's blocked by Zhandunka.
Zhandunka working aggressively here.
Tavarius misses with the head strike.
A nice right hand lands inside from Zhandunka.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zhandunka.
Tavarius working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhandunka throws a head punch that misses.
Tavarius takes a shot to the head.
Tavarius pushes Zhandunka back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Zhandunka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zhandunka misses with a short punch on the inside.
Zhandunka has a couple of punches blocked by Tavarius.
Zhandunka lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tavarius backwards.
Tavarius fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Zhandunka throws a head punch that misses.
Tavarius blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tavarius.
Tavarius throws a head punch that misses.
Tavarius misses with the head strike.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Zhandunka.
Zhandunka gets through Tavarius's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Zhandunka.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zhandunka fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Zhandunka misses with some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhandunka lands with a light punch inside.
Tavarius blocking some punches.
Tavarius lands a shot to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Zhandunka.
Zhandunka working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Tavarius as Zhandunka tries to tie him up.
Zhandunka swings wildly with an uppercut but Tavarius uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zhandunka scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Tavarius blocks a body shot from Zhandunka.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zhandunka.
A head punch on the inside from Tavarius fails to land.
Tavarius swings wildly with an uppercut but Zhandunka uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch on the inside from Zhandunka fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zhandunka.
Zhandunka misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Zhandunka lands a left hand.
Tavarius blocks an uppercut.
Zhandunka tries a body shot but Tavarius blocks it.
Tavarius tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zhandunka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zhandunka misses with a punch on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Tavarius scores with a nice short uppercut.
Zhandunka is looking to control Tavarius's arms but Tavarius gets an underhook and turns him. Now Zhandunka has his back to the cage.
Zhandunka'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.
Tavarius throws a punch but it's blocked by Zhandunka.
Zhandunka misses with a short punch on the inside.
Tavarius blocking some punches.
Zhandunka's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Zhandunka blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tavarius misses with a punch on the inside.
Zhandunka lands a nice uppercut.
Zhandunka blocks an uppercut.
A short uppercut from Zhandunka.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Zhandunka.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Tavarius.
A short right from Zhandunka on the inside.
Zhandunka misses with some punches.
Zhandunka misses with a short punch on the inside.
Zhandunka lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Zhandunka throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tavariuss head.
Zhandunka scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Tavarius lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Zhandunka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tavarius's elbow.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A right handed body shot lands from Zhandunka.
Tavarius blocking some punches.
Tavarius throws a head punch that misses.
Zhandunka lands a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Zhandunka defending well as Tavarius loads up on a big left hand.
Zhandunka lands with a good body shot.
Zhandunka connects with a good right hand that stumbles Tavarius. Tavarius circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Zhandunka with a jab.

Tavarius fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Zhandunka to the ground. Tavarius is now in Zhandunka's guard.
Zhandunka can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Tavarius controls the pace.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zhandunka is trying to keep Tavarius in close.
Tavarius wants to control from the top but Zhandunka keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Tavarius fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Zhandunka manages to avoid it.
Tavarius swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zhandunka moves out of range of the strikes.
Tavarius throws an off balance right hand
and Zhandunka counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tavarius displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zhandunka throws out the jab.
Zhandunka is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Zhandunka connects with a jab.
Zhandunka will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tavarius throws a body punch but Zhandunka moves out of range.

Tavarius gets the takedown into side control.

Zhandunka explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavarius shoots in but no luck this time.
Ales Zhandunka is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zhandunka dips to his left and cracks Tavarius with an uppercut!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tavarius fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Zhandunka looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Tavarius takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Tavarius avoids the body shot from Zhandunka.
Tavarius swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ales Zhandunka is winning the standup battle so far.
Zhandunka tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Tavarius counters with a single leg into guard. Zhandunka didn't expect that.
Zhandunka will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Tavarius looking to sit in guard and control but Zhandunka gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Zhandunka won't allow Tavarius to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhandunka is pushing down on Tavarius's leg trying to pass to half guard. Tavarius is fighting to maintain full guard but Zhandunka has managed to sneak the leg through.
Tavarius tries to get to full guard but Zhandunka has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zhandunka trying to control the pace.
Zhandunka wants to stand but Tavarius has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavarius trying to control but Zhandunka postures up.
Zhandunka prevents Tavarius from improving his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tavarius is looking to control Zhandunka's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tavarius avoid being mounted?

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Tavarius uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zhandunka.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ales Zhandunka will probably get the nod.
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!

Donk. Zhandunka catches Tavarius right on the button with a cross.
Zhandunka uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tavarius.
Tavarius throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zhandunka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zhandunka bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tavarius shoots in and drives through. Zhandunka sprawls well.
Zhandunka rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tavarius moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tavarius tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zhandunka was well out of range. Poor timing from Tavarius.
Zhandunka throws a lazy right hand but Tavarius sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zhandunka is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Zhandunka moves into range and connects with a jab.
Tavarius shoots for a takedown but Zhandunka saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Tavarius is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Zhandunka rather than just go for the knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Tavarius - just one landing.
A left lands for Zhandunka.
Zhandunka misses with a wild body shot.
Zhandunka pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Zhandunka scores with a crisp jab that stopped Tavarius in his tracks.
Tavarius takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Tavarius with a poor takedown
and Zhandunka counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Ales Zhandunka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard Tavarius.
Zhandunka dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Zhandunka throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Tavarius throws a lazy right hand but Zhandunka sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zhandunka lands a nice looking body shot.
Tavarius takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zhandunka throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Zhandunka is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavarius takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Zhandunka jabs Tavarius to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Tavarius lands a nice shot that snaps Zhandunka's head back.
Zhandunka misses with a looping left.
Tavarius throws a right hand that misses
and Zhandunka counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tavarius shoots in but no luck this time.
Zhandunka misses with a body shot.
Tavarius shoots in looking for a takedown. Zhandunka tries to sprawl out of it but Tavarius keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Zhandunka manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Zhandunka uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tavarius.
Tavarius thows a body shot but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhandunka throws a jab but it's blocked by Tavarius.
Zhandunka slaps away a takedown attempt from Tavarius, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Tavarius loads up on a big right hand but Zhandunka slips the punch.
Tavarius lands with a cross.
Zhandunka missing with a left hand there. Tavarius was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zhandunka lands a right hook to the body.
Zhandunka ducks under a wild hook from Tavarius.
Zhandunka looks to score with a jab to the body but Tavarius is just out of range.
Tavarius looks for a takedown but Zhandunka sprawls well.
Tavarius throws an overhand right that lands on Zhandunka's shoulder, as Zhandunka tries to avoid the shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhandunka misses with a body shot.
Zhandunka lands a jab to the head.
Tavarius takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
No joy there for Zhandunka, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Zhandunka scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A decent looking cross lands there for Tavarius.
Zhandunka throws out a loose jab but Tavarius uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zhandunka lands an overhand right.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zhandunka's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Tavarius connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Zhandunka scrambles back to his feet.
Zhandunka bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Tavarius's head backwards.
Richard Tavarius has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ales Zhandunka is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A jab from Zhandunka does it's job there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ales Zhandunka showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zhandunka, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ales Zhandunka!