PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Michal Tarnowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Athan Stamatis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tarnowski's entrance music is Hemp Gru - Sami swoi . A fine choice. Stamatis is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Lose Yourself. This should be fireworks!

Tarnowski
vs
Stamatis

179 cm
26
154 lbs
35 - 10 - 0

176 cm
37
184 lbs
54 - 26 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

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 35 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Michal Tarnowski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 54 - 26 - 0, fighting out of New York, Athan Stamatis!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Chad Campbell and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tarnowski throws a nice looking combination but Stamatis bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tarnowski throws a body kick that misses.
Stamatis fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Stamatis manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Tarnowski on his heels. He'll look to pass Tarnowski's guard now, I'm sure.
Tarnowski is pulling down on Stamatis's head to control his posture.

Tarnowski looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Tarnowski wants to sweep here but Stamatis controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stamatis landing with the ground and pound.
Stamatis throwing strikes from guard but Tarnowski blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tarnowski had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Stamatis defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stamatis preventing the sweep.
Stamatis wants to control from the top but Tarnowski keeps moving.
Stamatis passes Tarnowski's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Tarnowski gets back to full guard.
Stamatis must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Tarnowski wants to sweep but no luck.
Stamatis stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tarnowski swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Tarnowski working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stamatis.
Tarnowski being controlled here, momentarily.
Stamatis looking to pass the guard.

Tarnowski working for submissions but it's allowed Stamatis to get to half guard.
Tarnowski wants to improve his position but Stamatis is controlling well.
Stamatis throwing shots but Tarnowski is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarnowski gets full guard.
Stamatis wants to pass the guard but Tarnowski is keeping the position.
Tarnowski keeping moving, preventing Stamatis from controlling successfully.
Stamatis lands a couple of elbows.
Tarnowski bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Stamatis's guard.

A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tarnowski accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tarnowski throwing strikes but missing.
Tarnowski postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Stamatis preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stamatis keeping moving, preventing Tarnowski from controlling successfully.
Tarnowski throwing strikes but missing.
Tarnowski trying to control the position from guard on top but Stamatis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tarnowski advances position into side control!
Stamatis is trying to get back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stamatis dodges the ground and pound from Tarnowski.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Michal Tarnowski will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

The fighters circling - Stamatis throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stamatis connects with a body shot that sends Tarnowski's belly button to the back.
Tarnowski tries to move into range but Stamatis moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Tarnowski thuds a left hand into Stamatis's body.
Tarnowski throws out a powerful jab.
Stamatis goes for a double leg but Tarnowski avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Tarnowski continues to drive forward.
Stamatis throws the kick towards the body but Tarnowski avoids it.
Stamatis thuds his shin into the meat of Tarnowski's side.
Tarnowski motions for Stamatis to come forward. Tarnowski throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stamatis looks to score with a jab to the body but Tarnowski is just out of range.
Tarnowski connects with a nice looking jab.
Tarnowski throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Tarnowski on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Stamatis. Stamatis obviously looking to wear him down.
Tarnowski misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarnowski takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Tarnowski tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stamatis was well out of range. Poor timing from Tarnowski.
Stamatis looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Tarnowski looks to land a body kick but Stamatis moved away.
Stamatis throws the left hand but Tarnowski avoids the punch easily.
Stamatis misses the shot to the body.
Tarnowski drops down looking for a counter takedown but Stamatis sprawls and moves away.
Stamatis throws a wild body kick that Tarnowski sees coming a mile off.
Stamatis looks to throw a body kick

and Tarnowski counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Stamatis is looking to control Tarnowski's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Stamatis avoid being mounted?
Tarnowski thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Stamatis's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tarnowski is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Stamatis keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tarnowski has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Tarnowski scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Tarnowski is just content to waste time from the top position. Stamatis takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Tarnowski is looking to work some ground and pound but Stamatis has wrist control.
Tarnowski slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tarnowski accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tarnowski working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarnowski throws an elbow that misses. Stamatis uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Tarnowski's guard. Nice move by Stamatis!

Stamatis looking to pass the guard.
Stamatis postures up and lands a big shot to Tarnowski's brow.
Stamatis is working Tarnowski over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Tarnowski is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Stamatis defends well.
Stamatis stands up over Tarnowski, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Stamatis looking to sit in guard and control but Tarnowski gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Stamatis trying to keep a closed guard but Tarnowski is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tarnowski throws a big right hand that misses.
Tarnowski preventing the sweep.
Stamatis has his hands on Tarnowski's head, controlling the position.
Tarnowski trying to control but Stamatis is working from the bottom.
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 Michal Tarnowski will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Stamatis blocks a leg kick.
Stamatis swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Michal Tarnowski is winning the standup battle so far.
Tarnowski moves out of range of the body kick.
Stamatis keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Stamatis takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Stamatis avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Stamatis works Tarnowski's body with a nice hook.
The fighters circling - Tarnowski throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stamatis rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tarnowski moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tarnowski throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tarnowski throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Stamatis tries a head kick but it misses.
Tarnowski appears to be looking for a big counter.
Tarnowski walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Stamatis checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Stamatis misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stamatis scores with a jab to the head.
Tarnowski thumps Stamatis with a low kick.
Stamatis scores with a kick to the midsection.
Tarnowski misses with a low kick as Stamatis jumps back.
Stamatis lands a jab to Tarnowski's midsection.
Tarnowski with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Stamatis misses with a leg kick.
Tarnowski drops down looking for a counter takedown but Stamatis sprawls and moves away.
Stamatis is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tarnowski sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Tarnowski slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Stamatis throws a body punch but Tarnowski moves out of range.

Stamatis shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stamatis trying to control the position from guard on top but Tarnowski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stamatis is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Tarnowski looking to control.
Stamatis throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tarnowski works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Tarnowski is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stamatis avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tarnowski throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Stamatis works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tarnowski wants to control from the top but Stamatis keeps moving.
Athan Stamatis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Tarnowski drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Stamatis dives on top into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Stamatis postures up.
Stamatis stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tarnowski swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Stamatis postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tarnowski is trying to control the position but Stamatis postures up.
Michal Tarnowski is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stamatis trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Stamatis dips to his left and cracks Tarnowski with an uppercut!

Tarnowski is rocked!
Stamatis connects with a leg kick. Tarnowski looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Oh Tarnowski is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Stamatis throws a nice looking combination but Tarnowski bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tarnowski seems to have got his legs back now.
Stamatis ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tarnowski moves away.
Stamatis is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Tarnowski rather than just go for the knockout.
Tarnowski bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Good exchange - Tarnowski coming out on top.

And that's the end of the fight!
Athan Stamatis comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tarnowski has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 John Roberts scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michal Tarnowski!
A victorious Michal Tarnowski thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.