PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight kickboxing rules bout between Riki Tahlin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Matthiessen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tahlin comes into the arena with Fear and Wonder blaring out of the sound system. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Tahlin
vs
Matthiessen

182 cm
25
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
145 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Excellent MT
Cuts easily

Excellent MT
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Riki Tahlin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Max Matthiessen!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Peter Branson and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Matthiessen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tahlin swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Matthiessen wants to clinch.
Matthiessen looks to land a combination but Tahlin avoids it well.
Tahlin swinging wildly here.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Tahlin, as that shot connected.
Matthiessen staying out of range there.
Tahlin thows a leg kick but Matthiessen checks it
and Matthiessen counters with a three punch combo that has Tahlin backing up. Tahlin nods at Matthiessen to acknowledge the strikes.

Tahlin has taken the fight to the clinch.
Tahlin slowing the pace effectively.
Matthiessen pushes off an throws an elbow but Tahlin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Tahlin prevents Matthiessen from breaking the clinch.
Tahlin avoiding damage.
Tahlin blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tahlin holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Matthiessen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tahlin has him pressed against the cage.
Matthiessen is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tahlin is defending well for now.
Matthiessen avoids the elbow strike from Tahlin, against the cage.
Tahlin has Matthiessen pressed against the cage, preventing Matthiessen from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Matthiessen throws a knee to the head but misses.
Matthiessen missing with knees to the body.
Matthiessen is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Tahlin is keeping busy.
Tahlin stalling.
Tahlin lands an elbow just above Matthiessen 's eye.
Matthiessen is trying to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tahlin pushes Matthiessen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tahlin creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Tahlin on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Matthiessen wants to break the clinch but can't.
Tahlin lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Matthiessen blocks an elbow strike from Tahlin.
Tahlin lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Matthiessen is rocked!

It looks like Max Matthiessen has been cut.
Matthiessen looking to slow down the pace here.
Matthiessen is still on wobbly legs! Can Tahlin finish him?

Tahlin manages to break the clinch.
Matthiessen misses the jab.
Tahlin loads up on a big right hand but Matthiessen slips the punch.
Tahlin connects with a stiff jab that staggers Matthiessen - oh and he follows up with a huge uppercut that knocks him out cold! Man, that was brutal!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Riki Tahlin!
Riki Tahlin decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.