PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Matt Chabala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yin Tao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tao is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Philip Bailey - Walking on the Chinese Wall. 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.

Chabala
vs
Tao

169 cm
27
168 lbs
14 - 3 - 2

175 cm
35
160 lbs
35 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conquer
Hellbent

PayDay Fightwear
Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 3 - 2, fighting out of New York, Matt Chabala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Yin Tao!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tao cracks Chabala with a right hand to the side of the head.
Chabala throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Tao swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Chabala throws an overhand right that lands on Tao's shoulder, as Tao tries to avoid the shot.
Tao blocks a jab.
Chabala fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Tao has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Chabala looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Chabala throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A big right from Chabala misses.
Good work by Chabala as he checks the leg kick.
Tao throws a sloppy head kick and Chabala moves out of range easily.
Chabala stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Tao dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tao fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A big left from Tao misses.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Chabala, as that shot connected.
Tao slips a straight right by Chabala.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tao on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Tao catches Chabala with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Chabala lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Chabala with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Tao to score with a decent uppercut.
Chabala drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chabala throws a nice looking combination but Tao bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Chabala misses with a body kick.
Tao moves into range and connects with a jab.
Tao ducks under a wild hook from Chabala.
Tao throws out a counter right but Chabala avoids it with no problem.
Chabala throws a body punch but Tao moves out of range.
Some wild striking there from Tao.
Tao's coach down at Homunculus Alembic was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Tao's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Chabala swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Chabala feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Tao's calf.
Tao takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Chabala throws a hook but Tao avoids it easily.
The fighters circling - Tao throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tao ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Tao connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Tao takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
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!
Chabala throws a solid leg kick but Tao takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Chabala.
Tao misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tao misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Chabala.
Tao misses with a straight right.
Chabala wants to clinch up but Tao keeps it at a distance.
Chabala looks for the body kick but Tao saw that one coming.
Chabala misses with an attempted mid kick.
As Chabala backs off Tao throws a huge counter combo but Chabala manages to avoid it all.
Tao tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Chabala manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Yin Tao is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Chabala fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Tao.
Chabala tries to bum rush Tao with a series of wild strikes but Tao uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Chabala throws a jab but it's blocked by Tao.
Tao comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Some bone on bone action there as Tao checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Tao now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Chabala cracks the inside of Tao's front leg.
Tao wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Chabala throws a hook but Tao blocks it.
A bone on bone clash there as Tao blocks the leg kick.
Tao doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Tao throws a body shot but no joy.
Chabala attempts a counter takedown but Tao avoids it well and moves away.
Tao misses with the body kick

and Chabala decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Tao's guard.
Tao looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Chabala accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Chabala prevents Tao from getting back to his feet.
Chabala trying to control but Tao is working from the bottom.
Chabala preventing the sweep.
Chabala in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tao not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Tao stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Chabala.
Nice defenses there by Tao.
Tao pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Chabala throws a jab when Tao was well out of range.
Tao uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Chabala.

Tao moves into the clinch.
Chabala misses with the head strike.
Chabala has a couple of punches blocked by Tao.
Chabala misses with the head strike.
Chabala leaning against his opponent.

Chabala breaks from the clinch.
Chabala's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Tao connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Chabala scrambles back to his feet.
Tao looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Tao looks to land a body kick but Chabala moved away.
Chabala pushes Tao away with a front kick.
Chabala tries to land a front kick but Tao steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Chabala checks the leg kick nicely there.
Chabala throws a leg kick
and Tao counters with a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Tao checks the leg kick.
Tao throws a lazy right hand but Chabala sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Chabala appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Tao blocks a low kick nicely.
Chabala scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Chabala avoids the head kick by Tao.
Nice cross by Tao.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Chabala.
Tao feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Chabala's calf.
Chabala blocks a low kick nicely.
Tao throws a lazy right hand but Chabala sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chabala throws a low kick but Tao moves out of range easily.
Chabala takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
A good leg kick by Chabala.
Chabala throws a front kick aimed at Tao's knee but Tao avoids it well.
Chabala swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Tao counters with a good low kick that Chabala was not able to check.
Tao slips a jab from Chabala.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chabala tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Chabala slips a jab and a cross from Tao.
Yin Tao seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tao wants to slow Chabala down by chopping away at his legs.
Tao misses with a hook.
Chabala was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Tao misses with an uppercut.
Chabala shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Tao pinned against the cage. Tao gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Chabala throws a sloppy head kick and Tao moves out of range easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Tao! But no joy.
Tao smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Tao misses the shot to the body.
Tao fails to land with a series of punches.
Crunch! Chabala slams his shin into Tao's torso.
Chabala shoots in looking for a takedown. Tao tries to sprawl out of it but Chabala keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tao manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Chabala. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tao has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Chabala.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tao tries to clinch but Chabala is having none of it.
Chabala appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Chabala.
Chabala throws a looping overhand right but Tao ducks down to avoid it.
Tao let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Tao rushes Chabala and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Tao lands a hook that snaps the head of Chabala backwards.
Tao lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Chabala backwards.
Tao stalling.
Chabala fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tao blocks an uppercut.
Chabala struggles to land a body shot inside as Tao controls his hands.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Chabala.
Chabala lands a right hand.
Tao lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Tao digs a right hand into Chabala's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Chabala's gas tank.
Tao has a couple of punches blocked by Chabala.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chabala manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Chabala misses with some punches.
Tao blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tao lands a body punch.
Chabala throws a punch but it's blocked by Tao.
Tao lands a shot to the body.
Tao blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Chabala leaning against his opponent.
Tao pushes Chabala back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Chabala takes a shot to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Tao.
Tao prevents a body shot from Chabala.

Tao's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tao is looking to clinch.
Tao on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Chabala misses the shot to the body.
Tao now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chabala throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tao clobbers Chabala with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Chabala shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Tao misses with a kick to the body.
Tao jabs Chabala right on the nose. Chabala blinks but takes it well.
Tao wants to clinch.
Tao tries to clinch there but Chabala circles away.
Tao tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A little feinted left hand from Chabala on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Chabala throws a head kick but Tao moves out of range.
Tao fails to land with a series of punches.
Tao keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Chabala.
Tao just misses with a punch to the body.
Chabala uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tao.
Chabala attempts a counter takedown but Tao avoids it well and moves away.
Tao is looking to clinch but Chabala is avoiding it.
Chabala throws an overhand right that lands on Tao's shoulder, as Tao tries to avoid the shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yin Tao showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Tao cracks Chabala with an open hand slap.
Chabala on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Tao scores with a leg kick.
Tao lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Chabala circles away quickly and effectively.
Chabala throws a lazy body kick
and Tao counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tao lands a slapping body shot.
Tao throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Tao slips a straight right by Chabala.
A solid leg kick lands there for Chabala.
Chabala misses with a hook.
Tao tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Tao checks a leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tao.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tao misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Chabala.
Chabala jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tao has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Chabala.
Chabala shoots in looking for a takedown. Tao tries to sprawl out of it but Chabala keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tao manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tao throws a half hearted mid kick.
Tao thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Chabala if he has to take too many more of those.
Chabala lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Tao's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Chabala feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Taos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Chabala wants to slow Tao down by chopping away at his legs.
Chabala misses with a right hand
and Tao counters with a stiff right hand.
Tao throws a sloppy head kick and Chabala moves out of range easily.

Tao rushes Chabala and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Chabala blocking some punches.
Chabala tries a body shot but Tao blocks it.
Tao misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tao makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Tao blocks a body shot from Chabala.
Tao throws a head punch that misses.
Tao blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chabala jumps guard but Tao turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Tao lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tao works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Chabala misses with a short punch on the inside.

Tao breaks the clinch.
Yin Tao is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Chabala, right into the meat.
A punch combination from Tao misses.
Chabala lunges at Tao with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Tao's hand.
Tao defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Chabala.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Chabala. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tao connects with a body shot.
Chabala pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Chabala misses with a wild combination.
Chabala throws a jab but it's blocked by Tao.
Tao throws a body punch but Chabala moves out of range.
Tao looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Chabala tries a head kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tao throws a leg kick which misses Chabala's front leg but catches the back leg as Chabala tries to avoid it.

Tao moves into the clinch.
Chabala swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Tao.
Tao misses with some punches.

Chabala pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tao throws a body punch but Chabala moves out of range.
Chabala throws a quick inside leg kick.
Sloppy strikes from Tao. Those never looked like landing.
Chabala thows a left - swing and a miss!
Chabala tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Chabala takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Chabala rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tao moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tao throws a push kick but Chabala slaps the foot to one side.
Tao misses with a looping right.
Tao throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Tao looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Tao looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Tao tries to close the distance and clinch but Chabala swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tao throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Chabala jabs Tao to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Chabala thows a body kick. Tao tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Tao blocks a jab.
Tao connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Tao lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Tao moves out of range of the strikes.
Tao is looking to land body kicks.
Tao goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sloppy strikes from Chabala. Those never looked like landing.
Tao moves out of range of the body kick.
A big right from Tao misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yin Tao comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tao has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yin Tao!
Our winner, Yin Tao, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.