PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight kickboxing rules bout between Riki Tahlin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Teenager Torres (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tahlin comes to the cage accompanied by Fear and Wonder. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Tahlin
vs
Torres

182 cm
25
165 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

176 cm
26
155 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

Excellent MT
Very strong

Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 2 - 2 - 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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Teenager Torres!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Michael Johnstone and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tahlin with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Torres tries a head kick but it misses.
We've been informed that Torres has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

Tahlin moves into the clinch.
Torres is looking to break free of the clinch but Tahlin has double underhooks.
Torres pushes off an throws an elbow but Tahlin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Tahlin pressing his opponent against the cage.
Tahlin keeps control of Torres as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tahlin scores with a shot to the side of Torres's head.
Tahlin is struggling to control the position.
Tahlin scores with a shot to the side of Torres's head.
Tahlin gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Torres is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tahlin blocks an elbow strike.
Tahlin throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tahlin holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Tahlin blocks an elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tahlin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Torres backwards.
Torres on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tahlin with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Tahlin tries to land a knee to the head but Torres blocks with his arms.
Torres throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tahlin will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Torres up against the cage.
Torres throws an elbow but it misses.
Torres lands a good knee to the midsection. Tahlin won't want to take too many of those.
Torres misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Torres tries a body shot but Tahlin blocks it.
Tahlin lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A short right from Tahlin.
Tahlin throws a punch but it's blocked by Torres.
Torres pressing his opponent against the cage.
Torres tries to break free but Tahlin pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tahlin tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tahlin working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Knees to the body from Tahlin.
Torres tries to break free but Tahlin pushes him back against the cage.
Tahlin avoiding damage as Torres throws knees to the body.
Tahlin tries to land a knee to the head but Torres blocks with his arms.

Torres's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tahlin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Tahlin tries to close the distance and clinch but Torres swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Torres fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Tahlin is out of range.
Torres misses with a low kick.
Tahlin definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Tahlin connects with an inside leg kick.
Torres misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Torres will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tahlin tries to counter by clinching up but Torres breaks away and moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Torres feints and then cracks Tahlin's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Tahlin down.
Tahlin connects with a solid leg kick.
Torres lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Decent striking displayed by Torres there.
Torres tries a head kick but it misses.
Tahlin seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Tahlin keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Torres.
Tahlin tries to counter by clinching up but Torres breaks away and moves out of range.

Tahlin moves into the clinch.
Tahlin stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Tahlin avoiding damage as Torres throws knees to the body.
Tahlin blocks an uppercut.
Tahlin lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A bit of stalling here from Tahlin.
Knees in the clinch landing for Tahlin.
Torres with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tahlin using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
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!
Tahlin gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Tahlin with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Torres tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The referee is keeping an eye on Tahlin - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Tahlin misses with a knee to the head.
Tahlin scores a nice knee to the body.
Tahlin lands a shoulder strike.
Torres stalling in the clinch but Tahlin improves position.
Tahlin effectively controlling the action here.
Tahlin gets through Torres's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Tahlin effectively controlling the action here.
Torres stalling the fight.
Torres landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Torres as the two fighters clinch.
The referee calls for Tahlin to work.
Tahlin lands a nice uppercut.
Torres tries a knee to the head but Tahlin blocks it.
Torres being controlled against the cage.
Torres softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Tahlin lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Torres misses with a punch to the body.
Torres lands an elbow inside that Tahlin shrugs off.

It looks like Riki Tahlin has been cut.
A nice left hand lands by Tahlin.
Tahlin on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Tahlin misses with a knee strike.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Tahlin on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Torres wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Torres blocks an elbow strike.
Tahlin looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Knees in the clinch landing for Tahlin.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tahlin working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Tahlin.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Torres obliges.
Torres goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tahlin lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Torres backwards.
Torres 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.
Tahlin is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Torres is defending well for now.
Tahlin putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Torres in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Tahlin landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Tahlin misses with an elbow strike.
Tahlin is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Tahlin looking to slow down the pace here.
Torres lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Tahlin comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Torres taking a breather.
Tahlin lands an elbow inside.
A bit of stalling here from Tahlin.
Tahlin tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Torres throws an elbow that misses.
Torres tries to break free but Tahlin pushes him back against the cage.
Torres just leaning against Tahlin, taking a breather.
Tahlin working Torres over with knees to the body.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Tahlin blocking some punches.
Torres has had enough of the clinch but Tahlin keeps him there for the moment.
Tahlin gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Tahlin keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Torres's efforts to push away.
Tahlin on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tahlin will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Torres up against the cage.
Tahlin working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tahlin has Torres pressed against the cage.
Tahlin is stalling here.
Tahlin seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Tahlin lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Torres breaks from the clinch.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Torres looks to throw the jab but Tahlin is out of range.
Tahlin is looking to counter the offense by Torres and move into the clinch.
Torres scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Torres tries to land a front kick but Tahlin steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Tahlin is looking to chop away at Torres's legs.
A little jabbing left from Torres on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Torres moves out of range as Tahlin throws a body kick.
Torres throws a shot to the body.
Torres throws a right hand that Tahlin ducks under and follows up with a left that Tahlin also avoids with ease.
Tahlin ducks under a wild hook from Torres.

Tahlin fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Torres, pushing him back against the cage.
Tahlin dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Tahlin throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Torres pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Tahlin lands an elbow just above Torres 's eye.
Tahlin gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Torres landing knees to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Riki Tahlin dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Riki Tahlin's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Tahlin doesn't manage to clinch there - Torres circles away.
Good standup being displayed there by Torres as he connects with a hook.

Tahlin rushes Torres and presses him up against the cage.
Tahlin throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tahlin with a knee to the head.
Riki Tahlin has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A right hand to the body from Torres.
Torres goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Torres trying to stall but Tahlin improves his position.
Torres tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Torres.
Torres lands a good knee to the midsection. Tahlin won't want to take too many of those.
Torres on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tahlin controlling the action here for a moment.
Torres is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Tahlin is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tahlin tries a knee to the head but Torres blocks it.
Torres misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tahlin.
Torres lands a nice knee to the body.
Tahlin is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Torres doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tahlin lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Tahlin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Torres can do to turn this around?
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Torres is looking to break free of the clinch but Tahlin has double underhooks.
Tahlin prevents a body shot from Torres.
Tahlin lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Tahlin throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Torress head.
Torres misses with a knee to the head.
Tahlin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Torres misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Torres stalling in the clinch but Tahlin improves position.
Torres creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Tahlin taking a breather.
Tahlin with a knee to the head.
The referee calls for Tahlin to work.
Torres misses with some punches.
Tahlin stalling in the clinch.
Tahlin misses with a knee to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Torres misses with an elbow strike.
Tahlin manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Tahlin managing to block the knees to the body from Torres.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tahlin avoiding damage.
Torres misses with a knee to the head.
Torres misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tahlin.
Torres has had enough of the clinch but Tahlin keeps him there for the moment.
A short right from Tahlin.
Tahlin tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Torres looking to slow down the pace here.
Torres blocks an elbow strike.
Tahlin creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Tahlin prevents a body shot from Torres.
Torres takes an elbow to the temple.
Tahlin dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Tahlin lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Torres letting Tahlin take a breather here.
Torres wants to break free but Tahlin has control.
Tahlin pressing his opponent against the cage.
Tahlin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Torres avoids it.
Tahlin putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Torres in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Torres missing with knees to the body.
Tahlin wants to stall.
Tahlin lands an elbow inside.
Torres working hard to break the clinch.
Torres misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tahlin.
Torres trying to land knees to the body.
Tahlin creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Torres's defenses.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Torres misses with a punch on the inside.
A bit of stalling here from Tahlin.
Tahlin is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Torres is keeping busy.
Tahlin is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A head punch on the inside from Tahlin fails to land.
Tahlin avoiding damage.
Tahlin tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Torres takes an elbow to the temple.
Torres struggles to land a body shot inside as Tahlin controls his hands.
Tahlin is looking to control Torres's arms but Torres gets an underhook and turns him. Now Tahlin has his back to the cage.
Tahlin with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Torres missing with knees to the body.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Torres looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A short uppercut from Tahlin.
Tahlin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Torres backwards.
Tahlin is stalling here.
Torres is trying to break the clinch but Tahlin has him pressed against the cage.
Tahlin is struggling to control the position.
Torres tries to work over Tahlin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Torres misses with some punches.
Tahlin on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Torres's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Torres throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Torres throws a leg kick but Tahlin sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Torres throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Teenager Torres seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Tahlin moves into the clinch.
Riki Tahlin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Come on Tahlin - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Torres breaks the clinch.
Torres throws out a leg kick but Tahlin moves out of range and Torres only half commits.
Torres pivots, looking for a leg kick but Tahlin is out of range and Torres settles back down.
Tahlin is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Torres.
Torres throws a hook but Tahlin blocks it.
Torres misses with a few strikes there.
Tahlin throws a sloppy head kick
and Torres counters with a nice uppercut.
Tahlin moves out of range of the strikes.
Tahlin moves out of range of the strikes.
Torres avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Tahlin slips a straight right by Torres.
Torres listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Torres swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Teenager Torres seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Torres is breathing heavily.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

Tahlin clinches with his opponent.
Tahlin has Torres pressed against the cage.
Torres tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tahlin's elbow.
Tahlin just leaning against Torres, taking a breather.
Torres using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tahlin has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Torres doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Torres tries a body shot but Tahlin blocks it.
Torres dodges an elbow strike from Tahlin.
Torres is pushing Tahlin up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Torres pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Tahlin stalling in the clinch.
Torres has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Torres with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tahlin managing to block the knees to the body from Torres.
Tahlin taking a breather.

Torres breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Torres swings for the body but Tahlin moves out of range.
As Torres tries to get set, Tahlin tries to push him back and clinch up but Torres manages to avoid the attempt.
Torres misses with a hook. Tahlin ducked under it nicely.
Torres looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Tahlin is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Torres.
Teenager Torres has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Torres swings widly with a right hand

and Tahlin counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Riki Tahlin.
I think Tahlin 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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight for Riki Tahlin!
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight for Riki Tahlin!
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight for Riki Tahlin!

Riki Tahlin wins by unanimous decision!
Post fight, Riki Tahlin took to the microphone: 'Another contract completed.. '.