PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Peter Taphorn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anton Chekhov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chekhov has chosen КАТЮШA as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Taphorn
vs
Chekhov

170 cm
30
138 lbs
22 - 10 - 1

169 cm
28
139 lbs
17 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Dangerous knees
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Hellbent
GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 10 - 1, fighting out of New York, Peter Taphorn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Anton Chekhov!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Daniel Bishop and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taphorn shoots in for a double leg but Chekhov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Chekhov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A cross from Taphorn lands.
Taphorn throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Chekhov lets loose with a powerful body kick. Taphorn will feel that in the morning.
Chekhov's coach down at Beast Cartel was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Chekhov's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Chekhov throws a body punch but Taphorn moves out of range.
Chekhov tries a head kick but it misses.
Taphorn cracks Chekhov with an open hand slap.
Chekhov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Taphorn in his tracks.
A swing and a miss from Taphorn.
Taphorn throws a leg kick
and Chekhov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Chekhov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Chekhov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Chekhov misses with an uppercut. Taphorn saw that one coming.
Taphorn moves out of range of the leg kick from Chekhov.
Chekhov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Taphorn misses with a looping right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chekhov scores with a jab.
Taphorn slips a jab from Chekhov.
Taphorn scores with a jab. Chekhov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Taphorn loads up on a big right hand but Chekhov slips the punch.
Taphorn misses with a straight left.
Taphorn connects with an inside leg kick.
Chekhov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Taphorn moves out of range of the body kick.
Taphorn plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Chekhov takes a jab right on the kisser.
Anton Chekhov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Chekhov 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 Taphorn has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Taphorn and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Nice uppercut there from Chekhov.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Chekhov misses with a straight left.
A nice leg kick lands there from Chekhov.
Taphorn swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Chekhov.
Good standup being displayed there by Chekhov as he connects with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chekhov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Taphorn steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Chekhov.
Chekhov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Anton Chekhov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Taphorn misses with a left hand
and Chekhov counters with a right hand to the body.
Taphorn throws a right and a left that both miss.
Chekhov misses with a leg kick.
Taphorn is looking to counter with a body kick.
Taphorn will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Chekhov throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Taphorn makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Taphorn lands a nice leg kick that just misses Chekhov's sensitive parts.
Taphorn blocks the body kick.
Chekhov moves out of range of the strikes.
A nice side step and Chekhov releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Taphorn avoids the body shot from Chekhov.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Chekhov. Taphorn shrugs it off though.
Chekhov throws a right hand that misses

and Taphorn counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Taphorn swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Taphorn.
Chekhov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Chekhov scores with a shot to the side of Taphorn's head.
Taphorn prevents a body shot from Chekhov.
Taphorn lands with a right to the head.
Taphorn lands a shoulder strike.
Taphorn misses with a knee to the head.
Chekhov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Come on Taphorn - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Taphorn misses with a hook from the clinch.
Taphorn tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Chekhov's elbow.
Chekhov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Taphorn lands a nice shot to the body.
Chekhov lands a nice uppercut.
Chekhov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Taphorn backwards.
Chekhov works on Taphorn's body with a couple of short punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Taphorn throws a head punch that misses.
Chekhov scores with a hook to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Taphorn fails to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn misses with some punches.
Taphorn lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Taphorn blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Chekhov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Taphorn is keeping busy.
Chekhov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Taphorn lands a nice uppercut.

Chekhov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Taphorn tries to land a front kick but Chekhov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Taphorn smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Chekhov connects with a leg kick. Taphorn looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A head kick misses from Chekhov.
Chekhov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Taphorn on the side of the head.
Taphorn looks to land a left hand but Chekhov moved out of range nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Taphorn scores with a nice right hand.
Taphorn lands a leg kick that knocks Chekhov off balance momentarily.
Taphorn is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Taphorn looks to score with a jab to the body but Chekhov is just out of range.
Taphorn throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Anton Chekhov will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Chekhov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Chekhov throws a predictable looking body shot
and Chekhov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Taphorn throws out a powerful jab.
Taphorn takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Taphorn fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Chekhov manages to avoid it.

Taphorn fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Chekhov, pushing him back against the cage.
Peter Taphorn has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Taphorn misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Taphorn fails to land.
Chekhov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Taphorn up against the cage.
Chekhov has a couple of punches blocked by Taphorn.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chekhov tries to work over Taphorn's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Taphorn is trying to pull guard but Chekhov has him pressed against the cage.
Chekhov presses Taphorn against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Taphorn fails to land.
Taphorn landing knees to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taphorn prevents a body shot from Chekhov.
Taphorn scores with a nice hook to the head.
Taphorn's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Taphorn is trying to pull guard but Chekhov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Chekhov prevents a body shot from Taphorn.
Taphorn digs a right hand into Chekhov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Chekhov's gas tank.
Chekhov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Taphorn is keeping busy.
Chekhov pushes Taphorn back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A shot in the inside from Chekhov.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Chekhov throws a head punch that misses.
Nice body punch from Taphorn - that landed with a thud.
Chekhov tries a body shot but Taphorn blocks it.
Taphorn blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Chekhov.
Chekhov working aggressively here.
Stalling in the clinch from Chekhov.
Taphorn misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Chekhov.
Chekhov gets through Taphorn's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Taphorn blocks an uppercut.
Chekhov tries to work over Taphorn's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Chekhov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Taphorn's elbow.
Taphorn with a knee to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice right hand lands inside from Chekhov.
Taphorn is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Chekhov cracks Taphorn with a nice body shot.
Taphorn goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Chekhov tries to work over Taphorn's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Taphorn tries to land knees in the clinch but Chekhov avoids the damage to the body.
Chekhov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Taphorn.
Chekhov tries a body shot but Taphorn blocks it.
Chekhov lands with a short shot to the head.
Chekhov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Chekhov is trying to maintain a safe position but Taphorn gets an underhook and turns Chekhov into the cage.
Chekhov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chekhov misses with a hook from the clinch.

Chekhov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Chekhov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Chekhov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Taphorn tried to counter with a leg kick but Chekhov avoided it.
Chekhov throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Sloppy strikes from Taphorn. Those never looked like landing.
Chekhov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Taphorn has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Chekhov swings for the body but Taphorn moves out of range.
Taphorn misses with a right hand
and Chekhov counters with a nice uppercut.
Chekhov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Chekhov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Chekhov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Taphorn misses with a two punch combination.
Chekhov throws the left hand but Taphorn avoids the punch easily.
Chekhov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Chekhov steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chekhov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Chekhov looks to land a right hand but Taphorn moved out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Chekhov throws a leg kick but Taphorn checks it.
Taphorn throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Chekhov, right into the meat.
Chekhov throws a leg kick
and Taphorn counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Taphorn misses with a straight left.
Chekhov wants to slow Taphorn down by chopping away at his legs.
Taphorn stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Chekhov.
Taphorn is looking to slow Chekhov down with leg kicks.
Taphorn scores with a decent looking hook.
Chekhov moves out of range as Taphorn throws a body kick.
A leg kick checked by Taphorn.
Taphorn throws a leg kick but Chekhov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Taphorn throws a hook but Chekhov avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Chekhov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Taphorn misses the shot to the body.
Taphorn backing away here, and Chekhov unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Chekhov throws a body kick that misses.
Taphorn is looking to clinch but Chekhov is avoiding it.
Chekhov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Taphorn tries to clinch there but Chekhov circles away.
Chekhov throws a leg kick but Taphorn sees it coming and moves out of range.
Chekhov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Taphorn closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Taphorn chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Chekhov can pounce on him.
Chekhov checks a low kick from Taphorn.
Taphorn fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Chekhov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A swing and a miss from Chekhov.
Chekhov lands a body shot.
Anton Chekhov seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Taphorn gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Chekhov tries to throw a body punch but Taphorn avoids it by throwing Chekhov back against the cage.
Chekhov can't find room to land a body shot as Taphorn controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chekhov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Chekhov avoiding damage as Taphorn throws knees to the body.
Taphorn misses with a short punch on the inside.
Taphorn trying to control the position but instead, Chekhov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Taphorn into the cage.
Taphorn misses with a punch to the body.
Taphorn lands with a short shot to the head.
Chekhov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Chekhov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Taphorn misses with a punch on the inside.
Taphorn doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Taphorn tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Taphorn blocking some punches.
Chekhov lands a shoulder strike.
Taphorn's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Chekhov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Peter Taphorn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Anton Chekhov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Chekhov is defending well for now.
Taphorn is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Taphorn has a couple of punches blocked by Chekhov.
Taphorn lands a body shot in the clinch.
Taphorn misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Chekhov.
Chekhov blocks a body shot from Taphorn.
Taphorn stalling in the clinch.
Taphorn working aggressively here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Taphorn with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Chekhov digs a right hand into Taphorn's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Taphorn's gas tank.
Taphorn tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Chekhov avoids it.
Taphorn tries to pull guard but Chekhov won't allow it.
Taphorn trying to land knees to the body.
Taphorn missing with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Taphorn lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Chekhov backwards.
Taphorn throws a punch but it's blocked by Chekhov.
Taphorn misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Taphorn lands a left hand that snaps the head of Chekhov backwards.
Good body shot from Taphorn.
Taphorn lands a knee to the body.
Taphorn lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Chekhov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Taphorn tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Chekhov smiles and moves away.
Chekhov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Taphorn checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Decent striking displayed by Chekhov there.
Taphorn throws a push kick but Chekhov slaps the foot to one side.
Taphorn scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Peter Taphorn. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Chekhov moves away from the strike by Taphorn.
Chekhov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Taphorn throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Taphorn takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Taphorn needs to keep his hands up - Chekhov had a free shot at his head there.
Taphorn gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Chekhov lands a leg kick that knocks Taphorn off balance momentarily.
Chekhov thuds his shin into the meat of Taphorn's side.
Nice body kick there by Chekhov.
Taphorn fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Chekhov manages to avoid it.
Taphorn is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Chekhov.
Chekhov feints and then cracks Taphorn's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Taphorn down.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Anton Chekhov.
I've got Chekhov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29

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