PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Tavares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Nicklaus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nicklaus has chosen Maino f.Busta Rhymes Jim Jones Gucci Mane Yo Gotti Trae The Truth - Mobbin as his entrance music. This should be fireworks!

Tavares
vs
Nicklaus

190 cm
33
240 lbs
17 - 7 - 0

204 cm
36
255 lbs
28 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hellbent

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 17 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Tavares!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jack Nicklaus!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nicklaus takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Jack Nicklaus seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nicklaus fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Nicklaus is looking to chop away at Tavares's legs.
Tavares moves out of range of the leg kick from Nicklaus.
Tavares throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Tavares finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Nicklaus fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Tavares.
A thudding body kick lands there by Nicklaus!
We've been told by Tavares's head coaches at Brazilian Elite Team that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Nicklaus lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Nicklaus shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tavares as he jumps to the side.
Good leg kick by Nicklaus there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Tavares scores with a kick to the midsection.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Nicklaus, right into the meat.
Tavares pulls out of a head kick attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Nicklaus gets a clinch.
Tavares lands with a short shot to the head.
Nicklaus has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Tavares avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Nicklaus can't find room to land a body shot as Tavares controls the action.
Tavares manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicklaus lands a right hand that snaps the head of Tavares backwards.
Nicklaus tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tavares's elbow.
A short body shot lands from Nicklaus as the two fighters clinch.
Nicklaus tries a body shot but Tavares blocks it.

Tavares's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nicklaus misses with a low kick.
Tavares checks a low kick from Nicklaus.
Nicklaus throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Nicklaus.
Nicklaus tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Tavares is able to avoid easily.
Thiago Tavares is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nicklaus attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Tavares lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Nicklaus has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Nicklaus and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Nicklaus throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nicklaus moves out of range of the strikes.
Tavares tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Nicklaus tenderised Tavares's leg. Tavares is trying to keep his angry face on.
Nicklaus misses with a series of wild punches.
Nicklaus misses with a straight left.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Tavares.
A bone on bone clash there as Tavares blocks the leg kick.
Jab from Tavares.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nicklaus looks to land a body kick but Tavares moved away.
Tavares scores with a leg kick.
Tavares feints and then cracks Nicklaus's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Nicklaus down.
Nicklaus fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Tavares.
Nicklaus scores with a leg kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Tavares.
Tavares throws a leg kick which misses Nicklaus's front leg but catches the back leg as Nicklaus tries to avoid it.
Tavares throws a sloppy head kick and Nicklaus moves out of range easily.
Tavares checks a leg kick.
Nicklaus scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nicklaus finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Tavares is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nicklaus tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tavares swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A cross from Tavares lands.
Nicklaus throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Tavares checks a leg kick.
Tavares throws a body kick that misses.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tavares. That's going to slow Nicklaus down.
A low kick from Tavares misses

and Nicklaus counters by moving into the clinch.
Nicklaus misses with a punch to the body.
Tavares is looking to break free of the clinch but Nicklaus has double underhooks.
Tavares is trying to stall.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Nicklaus.
Nicklaus tries to throw a body punch but Tavares avoids it by throwing Nicklaus back against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Tavares.
Nicklaus misses with a punch to the body.
Nicklaus tries to throw a body punch but Tavares avoids it by throwing Nicklaus back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Nicklaus.
A nice right hand lands inside from Nicklaus.
Nicklaus tries to throw a body punch but Tavares avoids it by throwing Nicklaus back against the cage.
Nicklaus scores with a hook to the body.
Tavares is breathing heavily.

Nicklaus is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Tavares can't fight it off and eventually Nicklaus manages to take the fight to the floor. Tavares looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nicklaus working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Nicklaus throwing strikes from guard but Tavares blocks nicely.
Tavares avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nicklaus controls from within his opponent's guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nicklaus loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Nicklaus dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Tavares checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Nicklaus just misses with a punch to the body.
Nicklaus takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nicklaus is looking to land body kicks.
Nicklaus staying out of range there.
Tavares throws a lazy right hand but Nicklaus sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tavares throws a head kick but Nicklaus moves out of range.
Tavares needs to keep his hands up - Nicklaus had a free shot at his head there.
Nicklaus takes a jab right on the kisser.
Jack Nicklaus seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tavares looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Tavares throws a low kick but Nicklaus moves out of range easily.
Tavares misses with a looping right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tavares getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A combination from Tavares does no damage.
Nicklaus uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nicklaus fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tavares manages to avoid it.
Nicklaus moves out of range of the leg kick from Tavares.
Tavares blocks a low kick nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Tavares is looking to score with low kicks.
Nicklaus throws out a leg kick but Tavares moves out of range and Nicklaus only half commits.
Tavares misses with a lunging right hand

and Nicklaus counters with a nice double leg into side control. Tavares won't be happy with that.
Tavares is looking for a sweep.
Tavares might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Nicklaus throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Tavares takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tavares is not content to let Nicklaus control the position.
Tavares gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Tavares tries to get to full guard but Nicklaus has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nicklaus not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nicklaus works his foot free and advances to mount.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Nicklaus working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Nicklaus lands with some strikes.
A nice elbow there by Nicklaus.
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!
Nicklaus working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Nicklaus is landing with some decent strikes but Tavares is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

Tavares is rocked!
Nicklaus has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Tavares is in all sorts of trouble here.
Oh Tavares is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Tavares manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Nicklaus tries to pass the half guard into mount. Tavares knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Tavares seems to have got his legs back now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares tries to get to full guard but Nicklaus has control of the leg.
Nicklaus thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tavares's head.
Nicklaus is keen to just control but Tavares is a slippery customer.
Nicklaus wants to free his trapped foot but Tavares is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Nicklaus working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Jack Nicklaus has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nicklaus is looking to take a break and control but Tavares is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tavares tries to roll over but Nicklaus keeps him under control.
Tavares has hold of Nicklaus's hands but Nicklaus slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Nicklaus passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Tavares!
Tavares tries to buck Nicklaus off but he can't manage it.
Nicklaus raining down shots from the mount!
Tavares wants to control but Nicklaus is having none of it.
Tavares working to try and regain half guard.
Nicklaus lands a big shot there that rocks Tavares but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Nicklaus showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Nicklaus shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Nicklaus fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Nicklaus finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

Nicklaus instigates a clinch.
Nicklaus tries to work over Tavares's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nicklaus misses with a body punch.

Tavares breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nicklaus has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tavares throws a leg kick

and Nicklaus counters by clinching up.
Nicklaus stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Nicklaus can't find room to land a body shot as Tavares controls the action.
Nicklaus misses with a punch to the body.
Nicklaus tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nicklaus lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tavares backwards.
Nicklaus lands a shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nicklaus misses with a punch to the body.
Nicklaus working aggressively here.
Tavares is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicklaus struggles to land a body shot inside as Tavares controls his hands.
Nicklaus tries to work over Tavares's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Nicklaus.
A right handed body shot lands from Tavares.
Nicklaus goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nicklaus scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Nicklaus has a couple of punches blocked by Tavares.
Jack Nicklaus seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Tavares breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nicklaus lands a jab to the nose.
Nicklaus lands with a right hand.
Nicklaus slips a straight right by Tavares.
Nicklaus misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tavares throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nicklaus lands with a shot to the body.
Nicklaus attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Tavares, right into the meat.
Thiago Tavares has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nicklaus throws a head kick that misses.
Tavares connects with a leg kick. Nicklaus looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Nicklaus thows a leg kick but Tavares checks it
and Tavares counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Tavares throws a head kick that misses.
Nicklaus throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A good leg kick by Tavares.
Nicklaus cracks a nice hook into Tavares's ribs.
Nicklaus connects with an inside leg kick.
Tavares misses the shot to the body.
Tavares plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Nicklaus lands with a shot to the body.
Tavares takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Nicklaus misses the shot to the body.
Crunch! Nicklaus slams his shin into Tavares's torso.
Tavares works Nicklaus's body with a nice hook.
An inside leg kick lands from Nicklaus.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nicklaus lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Tavares avoids the body shot from Nicklaus.
Tavares bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Nicklaus is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Tavares rather than just go for the knockout.
Tavares throws a chopping leg kick but Nicklaus manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Nicklaus dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Tavares. That did some damage!
Tavares looks to land a body kick but Nicklaus moved away.
Tavares on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Nicklaus scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nicklaus thuds his shin into the meat of Tavares's side.
Nicklaus lands with a thumping leg kick.
Tavares tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nicklaus lands a right hook to the body.
Nicklaus scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tavares throws a body kick that misses.
A left lands for Nicklaus.
Nicklaus moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nicklaus connects with an inside leg kick.
Nicklaus scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Nicklaus does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Tavares throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nicklaus.
Nicklaus throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Tavares misses with an uppercut. Nicklaus saw that one coming.
Tavares looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Nicklaus wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Tavares tries to land a leg kick but Nicklaus saw it coming and moves away.
Tavares throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Nicklaus throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nicklaus throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tavares lands a nice looking body kick.
Tavares throws a low kick, looking for Nicklaus's leg but Nicklaus calmly moves out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Tavares.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Nicklaus comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nicklaus has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Nicklaus!
Jack Nicklaus decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.