PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Yang Tao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aristos Ioannidis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tao comes to the cage accompanied by Carl Douglas - Kung Fu Fighting. Ioannidis has chosen If I Can't - 50 Cent as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tao
vs
Ioannidis

175 cm
39
170 lbs
42 - 17 - 1

185 cm
31
185 lbs
13 - 18 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 42 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Yang Tao!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Aristos Ioannidis!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Ian Loll and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tao lands a leg kick that knocks Ioannidis off balance momentarily.
Yang Tao seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheers as Tao lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ioannidis doesn't seem phased though.
Ioannidis avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

Ioannidis moves into the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Tao.
Tao swings wildly with an uppercut but Ioannidis uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tao lands with a short shot to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Tao.
Ioannidis is trying to pull guard but Tao turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Tao gets through Ioannidis's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Tao lands a shoulder strike.
Tao pushes Ioannidis back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Tao works on Ioannidis's body with a couple of short punches.
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!
A nice right hand lands inside from Tao.
Tao doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Ioannidis breaks the clinch.
Ioannidis fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tao swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tao throws a quick inside leg kick.
Tao looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Tao lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ioannidis at a distance.
Tao bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Ioannidis doesn't manage to clinch there - Tao circles away.
Tao misses the shot to the body.
Ioannidis shoots in looking for a takedown but Tao manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ioannidis's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Yang Tao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aristos Ioannidis.
Ioannidis doesn't manage to clinch there - Tao circles away.
Tao tries a head kick but it misses.
Tao changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Ioannidis goes for a double leg but Tao avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Tao continues to drive forward.
Ioannidis throws a jab when Tao was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tao listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Tao checks a leg kick.
Tao cracks Ioannidis with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
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 thuds his right hand into Ioannidis's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Ioannidis tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Tao manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tao looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ioannidis scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Tao throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ioannidis tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tao paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Tao was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Tao bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Ioannidis's head backwards.
Tao lands with an uppercut that bounces Ioannidis off the cage and back into range.
Tao delivers a nice body kick.
Ioannidis takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ioannidis misses with a kick to the body
and Tao makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Ioannidis throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Tao to counter with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ioannidis tries to clinch but Tao moves away
and Tao counters with a stiff right hand.
Tao buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Tao throws a looping overhand right but Ioannidis ducks down to avoid it.
A cross from Tao lands.
Tao looks to land a right hand but Ioannidis moved out of range.

Ioannidis gets a clinch.
Tao tries a body shot but Ioannidis blocks it.
Ioannidis taking a breather.
Tao lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ioannidis backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ioannidis.

Tao escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ioannidis.
Nice takedown defense from Tao. No joy for Ioannidis on that attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ioannidis throws a sloppy body shot
and Tao counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ioannidis thinking.
Crunch! Tao slams his shin into Ioannidis's torso.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tao lets loose with a powerful body kick. Ioannidis will feel that in the morning.
Yang Tao is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tao scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Tao changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Tao cracks Ioannidis with a right hand to the side of the head.
Tao punishes Ioannidis's body with a nice straight punch.
Tao moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ioannidis misses with a takedown attempt
and Tao counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ioannidis looks winded!
Tao throws a good cross that connects.
Ioannidis takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tao feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Ioannidiss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

Ioannidis closes the distance and pushes Tao back into the cage.
Ioannidis blocks a body shot from Tao.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yang Tao dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ioannidis shoots for a takedown but Tao saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Tao.
Tao avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A quick step to the side and Tao tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tao is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ioannidis can do to turn this around?
That kick from Tao tenderised Ioannidis's leg. Ioannidis is trying to keep his angry face on.
Tao thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Ioannidis if he has to take too many more of those.
Nice straight punches there by Tao. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Tao.
Tao swats away the attempt to clinch by Ioannidis.
Tao scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jab, jab by Tao - just one landing.
Tao keeps the fight on the outside.
Tao buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Tao lands a front kick.
Ioannidis throws a sloppy body shot
letting Tao counter with a right hand.
Aristos Ioannidis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tao throws out a powerful jab.
Ioannidis on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Tao throws a body kick that misses.
Ioannidis with a lazy takedown attempt
and Tao counters with a head kick. That will keep Ioannidis thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Ioannidis with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Tao to score with a decent uppercut.
Ioannidis walks forward, straight into a front kick from Tao.
Tao cracks a nice hook into Ioannidis's ribs.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Tao.
Tao goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Tao lands a right hook to the body.
Yang Tao is winning the standup battle so far.
Tao displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ioannidis.
Yang Tao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aristos Ioannidis.
Ioannidis is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tao with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Ioannidis has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Tao.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tao with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Ioannidis pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tao connects with a solid leg kick.
Tao thumps Ioannidis with a low kick.
Tao scores with a jab to the body.
Tao misses with a body shot.
Ioannidis pulls out of a head kick attempt.
It looked like Tao was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Ioannidis.
Nice shot by Tao.
Ioannidis tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ioannidis walks forward, straight into a front kick from Tao.
Ioannidis fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tao scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ioannidis doesn't seem bothered though.
Tao swats away the attempt to clinch by Ioannidis.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ioannidis takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Ioannidis has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Tao.
A slapping body kick lands there for Tao.
Tao lands a really nice looking cross but Ioannidis seems unphased.
Tao throws a push kick but Ioannidis slaps the foot to one side.
Tao dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ioannidis. That did some damage!
Ioannidis takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Tao lands with a hook. Ioannidis tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Tao throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Ioannidis fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tao stuffs the takedown.
A quick step to the side and Tao tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tao pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Ioannidis has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tao is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Ioannidis shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tao as he jumps to the side.
Tao lands a leg kick that knocks Ioannidis off balance momentarily.
Tao scores with a shot to the body.

Ioannidis has Tao up against the cage in a clinch.

Tao breaks from the clinch.
Ioannidis on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

Ioannidis forces Tao back against the cage and clinches.
Ioannidis is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Tao to keep the fight standing.
Tao lands a body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yang Tao dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ioannidis tries to clinch up
and Tao counters with a nice body kick.
Ioannidis is trying desperately to land a takedown but Tao is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Ioannidis.
Ioannidis is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Tao thumps Ioannidis with a low kick.
Tao lands a nice looking body kick.
Ioannidis shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tao as he jumps to the side.
Jab by Tao.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ioannidis dives in for a single leg takedown but Tao sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Ioannidis takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ioannidis throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tao's waist but Tao gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ioannidis off to one side.
Yang Tao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aristos Ioannidis.
Tao scores with a kick to the body.
Tao thows a body kick. Ioannidis tries to catch it but that hurt him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Tao finds it's way through Ioannidis's defenses.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Ioannidis crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Tao - the referee stops the clock and Ioannidis gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Tao. Ioannidis manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Ioannidis takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Tao explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Jab from Tao.

Ioannidis is rocked!
Crunch! Tao slams his shin into Ioannidis's torso.
Ioannidis is still on wobbly legs! Can Tao finish him?
Tao jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
A thudding body kick lands there by Tao!
Tao punishes Ioannidis's body with a nice straight punch.
Ioannidis on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tao. Tao obviously looking to wear him down.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tao fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ioannidis.
Tao lands a slapping body shot.
Tao throws a nice outside leg kick.
Tao's corner calls for a 1-2. Tao obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Tao cracks Ioannidis with a big right hand that sees him stumbling back against the cage! Ioannidis falls to his knees and Tao doesn't need a second invitatation - he rushes in and fires off several unanswered shots that force the referee to stop the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:05 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Yang Tao!
Yang Tao retains his welterweight title!
An out of breath Yang Tao thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.