PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Tavares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Claudio Espinoza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tavares
vs
Espinoza

190 cm
33
240 lbs
17 - 8 - 0

188 cm
37
242 lbs
32 - 21 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Hellbent

KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)

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 - 8 - 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 32 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Claudio Espinoza!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tavares rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Espinoza moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tavares throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
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.
Espinoza walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Tavares checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Tavares throws a jab but it's blocked by Espinoza.
Espinoza checks a leg kick.
Tavares connects with a good right hand that stumbles Espinoza. Espinoza circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Espinoza jabs Tavares to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Espinoza ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tavares moves away.
Tavares scores with a kick to the body.
Espinoza takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Tavares throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Tavares throws a head kick that misses.
Tavares misses with a low kick.
Tavares misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tavares tries to land a front kick but Espinoza steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Espinoza changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Tavares scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Espinoza drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Tavares defends it well.
Tavares with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Tavares ducks under a wild hook from Espinoza.
Tavares misses with a body kick.
Espinoza tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nice body kick there by Tavares.
A punch combination from Tavares misses.
Tavares misses with a low kick as Espinoza jumps back.
Tavares darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

It looks like Claudio Espinoza has been cut.
Good leg kick by Espinoza there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Espinoza blocks a leg kick.
Tavares throws a body shot but no joy.
Espinoza shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Espinoza connects with a looping right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares is looking to slow Espinoza down with leg kicks.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Espinoza shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tavares as he jumps to the side.
Espinoza takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Tavares cracks the inside of Espinoza's front leg.
Espinoza throws a leg kick which misses Tavares's front leg but catches the back leg as Tavares tries to avoid it.
Espinoza moves forwards but Tavares connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A slapping leg kick lands for Espinoza.
Espinoza on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Tavares wants to slow Espinoza down by chopping away at his legs.
Tavares scores with a leg kick.
Espinoza misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tavares.
Left hook, right uppercut from Tavares.
Espinoza shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares throws a lazy right hand but Espinoza sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Espinoza shoots in and drives through. Tavares sprawls well.
Thiago Tavares has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Claudio Espinoza.
Tavares defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Espinoza.
Thiago Tavares seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
An inside leg kick lands from Tavares.
Espinoza is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tavares.
Espinoza looks to land a right hand but Tavares moved out of range.
Tavares fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Espinoza is out of range.
Tavares throws a nice outside leg kick.
Tavares scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Tavares scores with a jab to the jaw.
Tavares uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Espinoza.
Tavares is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Espinoza.
Espinoza lands with a nice body punch.
Tavares misses with a head kick.
Espinoza drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Tavares defends it well.
A telegraphed right hand from Espinoza misses the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tavares lands a nice looking body shot.
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!
Espinoza's corner calls for a 1-2. Espinoza obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Espinoza looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tavares is fending him off so far but Espinoza persists. Nope, Tavares circles away and we're back to standing.
Tavares uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Espinoza.
Tavares misses with a low kick.
Espinoza takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Tavares throws a body shot but no joy.
Tavares moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Espinoza looks to land a left hand but Tavares moved out of range nicely.
Tavares scores with a push kick.
Espinoza takes a swing at Tavares's ribcage but misses.
Espinoza missing with a left hand there. Tavares was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Espinoza throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tavares sees it coming and avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Tavares dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Claudio Espinoza's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Espinoza ducks under a wild hook from Tavares.
And Espinoza tries to counter it with a takedown but Tavares pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Tavares throws a chopping leg kick but Espinoza manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Tavares uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Espinoza.
Tavares lands a nice shot that snaps Espinoza's head back.
Espinoza fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tavares swings away with a leg kick that misses.
And Espinoza tries to counter it with a takedown but Tavares pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Tavares stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Tavares lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Tavares will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Espinoza with the counter takedown but Tavares avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tavares delivers a nice body kick.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Espinoza might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Tavares has got the better of the exchanges.
Tavares lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Espinoza on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tavares. Tavares obviously looking to wear him down.
Espinoza's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Espinoza with a poor takedown
and Tavares makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Tavares throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares tries a head kick but it misses.
Tavares misses with a wild combination.
Espinoza shoots in and drives through. Tavares sprawls well.
Thiago Tavares has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Claudio Espinoza.
A jab from Espinoza misses.
Tavares chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Tavares connects with a single shot there.
Tavares takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Espinoza blocks a leg kick.
Espinoza on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Tavares tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Espinoza is able to avoid easily.
Espinoza slips a jab from Tavares.
Tavares throws a body shot but no joy.
Espinoza changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Tavares pivots, looking for a leg kick but Espinoza is out of range and Tavares settles back down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Espinoza on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Espinoza throws a poor cross that misses
and Tavares counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Espinoza ducks under a wild hook from Tavares.
Tavares lands with a thumping leg kick.
Thiago Tavares is winning the standup battle so far.
Tavares misses with an attempted mid kick.
Tavares fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Espinoza throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Tavares counters with a nice uppercut.
Espinoza with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Tavares to score with a decent uppercut.
Tavares feints and then cracks Espinoza's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Espinoza down.
Espinoza throws a chopping leg kick but Tavares manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Tavares cracks Espinoza with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Espinoza blocks the body kick.
Espinoza is trying desperately to land a takedown but Tavares is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Espinoza.

Espinoza fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Tavares sprawls well initially but Espinoza persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Tavares trying to hold on to Espinoza's head to control him but Espinoza postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares pushes Espinoza off looking to stand but Espinoza dives back in and keeps control.
Espinoza not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Espinoza looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Espinoza is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Tavares sees it coming and defends easily.
Tavares is trying to maintain the position but Espinoza is very close to passing his half guard.
Tavares is looking to escape.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Tavares misses with a head kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Tavares, right into the meat.
Tavares feints and then cracks Espinoza's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Espinoza down.
Tavares is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Espinoza can do to turn this around?
Tavares with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Tavares fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Espinoza has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Tavares dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Espinoza. That did some damage!
Tavares is looking to score with low kicks.
Tavares tries to land a leg kick but Espinoza saw it coming and moves away.
Tavares scores with a hook.
Tavares throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Espinoza feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Tavares's calf.
Tavares thumps Espinoza with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Tavares dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Claudio Espinoza's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Tavares stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Tavares wants it to stay on the feet.
Tavares thows a body kick. Espinoza tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Tavares tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tavares tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tavares plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Espinoza moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Tavares tries to bum rush Espinoza with a series of wild strikes but Espinoza uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tavares throws a low kick, looking for Espinoza's leg but Espinoza calmly moves out of range.
Espinoza throws a shot from downtown. Tavares moves away and avoids it.
Espinoza stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tavares.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Espinoza tries a low kick but Tavares avoids it.
Espinoza takes one to the chin there.
Tavares lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Tavares goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Espinoza has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Tavares.
Tavares misses with a low kick.
Espinoza misses with a right hand
and Tavares counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Espinoza lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
You can see that Espinoza has visibly slowed down as a result of the leg kicks
Espinoza is looking to chop away at Tavares's legs.
Tavares connects with an inside leg kick.
Espinoza cracks the inside of Tavares's front leg.
Tavares lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Tavares misses with a looping left.
Espinoza with the counter takedown but Tavares avoids it easily.

Tavares lands a big right hand that sends Espinoza crashing to the mat! Tavares stays standing though and waves Espinoza back to his feet!

Espinoza is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Espinoza connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Tavares lands a big head kick that sends Espinoza tumbling to the mat! Tavares takes a step backwards and waves Espinoza back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Espinoza is still on wobbly legs! Can Tavares finish him?

That has opened up Claudio Espinoza's cut even more.
Tavares throws an overhand right that drops Espinoza like a sack of potatoes! Tavares dives in to finish the fight with more strikes and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Thiago Tavares!
A victorious Thiago Tavares thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.