PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Peter Taphorn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Evgeniy Malkin (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.

Taphorn
vs
Malkin

170 cm
25
168 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

191 cm
25
210 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Dangerous knees
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Reaper Combatwear

Bad Man Clothing

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 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Peter Taphorn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Evgeniy Malkin!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Phil Schofield and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taphorn shoots in looking for a takedown. Malkin tries to sprawl out of it but Taphorn keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Malkin manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Malkin tries to keep at a distance but Taphorn has taken the fight into the clinch.
Malkin is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Taphorn misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Taphorn gets control of Malkin's arms and successfully pulls guard. Taphorn will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Taphorn looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Taphorn might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Malkin is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Taphorn tries to land a sweep but no joy.
My spies in Gym Beam inform me that Malkin has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Malkin trying to control the position from guard on top but Taphorn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Malkin has gone for a leg lock! Taphorn slips out almost immediately though and dives into Malkin's guard.
Taphorn engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taphorn has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's two minutes 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.
Malkin scores with the left hand. Taphorn knows he should have avoided that one.

Taphorn shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Taphorn showed some decent athleticism there.
Malkin is trying to control but can't.
Taphorn looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Malkin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Taphorn.
Malkin moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Taphorn accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn postures up in Malkin's guard and throws a big left but Malkin blocks it.
Malkin keeping moving, preventing Taphorn from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Malkin working for a triangle but Taphorn defends it easily.
Malkin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn wants to control from the top but Malkin keeps moving.
Taphorn wants to pass the guard but Malkin is keeping the position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Malkin has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Taphorn is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Malkin.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Malkin is not content to let Taphorn control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Peter Taphorn dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Malkin misses with a low kick as Taphorn jumps back.
Malkin moves away from the strike by Taphorn.
Malkin shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Malkin displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Taphorn throws out the jab.
Malkin bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Taphorn scores with a spinning back kick!
Malkin takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Taphorn misses the shot to the body.
Malkin throws a leg kick that misses.
Taphorn scores with a body shot.
Malkin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Taphorn.
Taphorn connects with a nice looking jab.
Some bone on bone action there as Taphorn checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Malkin chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Taphorn can pounce on him.
A low kick from Malkin misses

and Taphorn holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Malkin scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Malkin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Malkin takes one to the chin there.
The fight stays on the outside here - Taphorn looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A big left from Malkin misses.
Malkin delivers a nice body kick.
Malkin lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Taphorn on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Taphorn tries to sprawl but Malkin drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Taphorn tries to roll over but Malkin keeps him under control.

Malkin is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Taphorn has managed to free his arm - good work.
Malkin trying to control from half guard but Taphorn is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Taphorn trying to hold on to Malkin's head to control him but Malkin postures up.
Taphorn is refusing to be controlled, as Malkin sits in half guard.

Taphorn is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Malkin pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn is staying active underneath Malkin, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Taphorn slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Taphorn throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Malkin escapes and throws Taphorn's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Taphorn is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

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

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Evgeniy Malkin!
An out of breath Evgeniy Malkin thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.