PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mustaffa Spliff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michal Tarnowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tarnowski has chosen Hemp Gru - Sami swoi as his entrance music. 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.

Spliff
vs
Tarnowski

188 cm
35
185 lbs
41 - 42 - 0

179 cm
26
154 lbs
28 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Very quick

Excellent grappler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Fury Nutrition Inc.

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 41 - 42 - 0, fighting out of London, Mustaffa Spliff!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Michal Tarnowski!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Jonathan Paton and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tarnowski cracks Spliff with an open hand slap.
Spliff tries to clinch
and Tarnowski counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Tarnowski throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Spliff on the side of the head.
Tarnowski throws a low kick but Spliff moves out of range easily.
A big right from Tarnowski misses.
Spliff tries to clinch up

and Tarnowski counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Spliff is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tarnowski is controlling him.
Tarnowski trying to control but Spliff is working from the bottom.
Tarnowski trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Spliff is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tarnowski is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarnowski missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tarnowski prevents Spliff from getting back to his feet.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Tarnowski thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Spliff is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tarnowski is controlling him.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Tarnowski dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Spliff. That did some damage!
Mustaffa Spliff is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Spliff tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Tarnowski counters with a takedown into side control.
Spliff is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Tarnowski has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tarnowski creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Spliff sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Tarnowski is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Spliff is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Spliff is pushing Tarnowski's head away, looking to escape. Tarnowski manages to hold on to the position though.
Spliff is not content to let Tarnowski control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Spliff is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Spliff is looking to get back to his feet here but Tarnowski is keeping cool and he's managed to take Spliff's back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Tarnowski. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Tarnowski missing with punches from the back.
Spliff is trying to get back to his feet but Tarnowski has full control of the position and if anything, Spliff has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Tarnowski trying to control momentarily.
Spliff wants to get back to his feet.
Tarnowski misses with punches from the back.
Spliff trying to get back to his feet but Tarnowski is in full control for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Tarnowski. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Tarnowski missing with strikes from the back.
Spliff is trying to get back to his feet but Tarnowski has full control of the position and if anything, Spliff has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Spliff trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tarnowski has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Spliff.

Tarnowski is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Spliff defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Tarnowski looking to break Spliff's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Spliff remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Tarnowski will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Tarnowski lands a slapping body shot.
Tarnowski misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Spliff displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Tarnowski.

Spliff fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Tarnowski, pushing him back against the cage.
Spliff throws a punch but it's blocked by Tarnowski.

Tarnowski has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Spliff uses from the top position.
Spliff tries to stand but Tarnowski is controlling from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tarnowski trying to keep a closed guard but Spliff is proving a slippery customer.
Michal Tarnowski has got the better of the ground game so far.
Spliff wants to get up but he can't break Tarnowski's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spliff won't allow Tarnowski to sweep him here.
Spliff wants to get up but he can't break Tarnowski's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Spliff walks into a jab.

Spliff gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Tarnowski manages to break the clinch.
Spliff doesn't manage to clinch there - Tarnowski circles away.
Tarnowski throws a body punch but Spliff moves out of range.
Tarnowski looks to land a body kick but Spliff moved away.

Tarnowski throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Spliff was covering up waiting for the punch and Tarnowski finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Tarnowski stops Spliff from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tarnowski throws a big elbow that misses.
Spliff wants to stand and escape but Tarnowski is having none of it.
Spliff working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tarnowski.
Spliff is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Spliff working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tarnowski.
Spliff is looking to stand up but Tarnowski isn't so interested in that idea.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Spliff instigates a clinch.
Spliff lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Tarnowski works on Spliff's body with a couple of short punches.
Tarnowski tries a body shot but Spliff blocks it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Spliff is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarnowski tries to throw a body punch but Spliff avoids it by throwing Tarnowski back against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Spliff.

Tarnowski jumps guard.
Spliff wants to stand but Tarnowski has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Spliff won't allow Tarnowski to sweep him here.
Spliff wants to stand but Tarnowski has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Tarnowski looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Spliff wants to stand but Tarnowski is controlling his posture from full guard.
Tarnowski is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spliff tries to stand but Tarnowski is controlling from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Mustaffa Spliff seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tarnowski circles away from the clinch attempt
and Spliff takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Tarnowski looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Spliff looks like he's trying to stand up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tarnowski scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Tarnowski seems to be looking for submissions.
Tarnowski is trying to control. Spliff wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michal Tarnowski 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!

Tarnowski moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Tarnowski has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Spliff tries to clinch up.
Spliff tries to clinch up
and Tarnowski counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Spliff needs to keep his hands up - Tarnowski had a free shot at his head there.
Spliff wants to clinch
and Tarnowski counters with a thumping low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tarnowski works the jab nicely.
Spliff tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tarnowski swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tarnowski misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Spliff wants to clinch up but Tarnowski keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spliff tries to clinch up.
Spliff is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Spliff looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Spliff tries to clinch but Tarnowski is having none of it.
Spliff checks the leg kick.
Tarnowski shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Spliff but Spliff pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Spliff closes the distance but Tarnowski moves to the side
and Tarnowski counters with a stiff right hand.
Spliff tries to close the distance and clinch but Tarnowski swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spliff wants to clinch but Tarnowski slips to the side

and Tarnowski counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Tarnowski trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Spliff wants to stand up but Tarnowski is controlling him.

Tarnowski drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Tarnowski jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Spliff wants to stand up but Tarnowski is controlling him.
Tarnowski throws a big right hand that misses.
Spliff wants to stand up but Tarnowski is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Tarnowski misses with a straight right.
Spliff tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mustaffa Spliff has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Spliff tries to clinch up.
Tarnowski turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Spliff tries to clinch up

so Tarnowski counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Tarnowski passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Spliff is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Tarnowski has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tarnowski cracks Spliff with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Tarnowski scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Spliff to see if he's OK.
Tarnowski throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Spliff wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Michal Tarnowski is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Spliff prevents Tarnowski from moving into mount.
Tarnowski trying to control the position but Spliff is working away.

Tarnowski is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Spliff is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Spliff is pushing Tarnowski's head away, looking to escape. Tarnowski manages to hold on to the position though.
Tarnowski lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michal Tarnowski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Tarnowski winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 25:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 25:30
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michal Tarnowski!
Michal Tarnowski seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.