PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Vincent Oketch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marat Tandelov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Oketch
vs
Tandelov

170 cm
25
140 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

160 cm
25
146 lbs
10 - 7 - 1

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!
Conviction

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 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Vincent Oketch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Marat Tandelov!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, William Peck and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Oketch throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Vincent Oketch seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A lazy left from Oketch finds it's target.
Oketch blocks a jab.
Oketch throws a head kick that misses.
Oketch ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Tandelov misses with an uppercut. Oketch saw that one coming.
Oketch throws a nice outside leg kick.
Oketch lands a leg kick that knocks Tandelov off balance momentarily.
Oketch throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tandelov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tandelov throws a hook but Oketch blocks it.
Tandelov misses with the combination.
Oketch uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tandelov.
Oketch has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Oketch there as he acknowledges the shot.
Tandelov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Oketch doesn't seem bothered though.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tandelov looks to land a left hand but Oketch moved out of range nicely.
Oketch lands with a nice body punch.
Oketch thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Tandelov if he has to take too many more of those.

Oketch moves into the clinch successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oketch tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tandelov avoids it.
Oketch misses with a punch to the body.
Oketch softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Oketch working aggressively here.
Tandelov works on Oketch's body with a couple of short punches.
Tandelov is trying to stall.
Oketch scores with a shoulder strike.

Oketch's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A slapping body kick lands there for Oketch.
Tandelov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Oketch was well out of range. Poor timing from Tandelov.
Tandelov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Oketch moves away.
Tandelov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Oketch.
Tandelov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Oketch pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Oketch uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tandelov.
Oketch changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Tandelov is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oketch lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Oketch throws a leg kick
and Tandelov counters with a straight right hand.
Tandelov moves out of range of the body kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tandelov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Tandelov misses with a hook
and Oketch counters with a nice leg kick.
We've been hearing reports that Oketch has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
A telegraphed right hand from Tandelov misses the target.
Oketch missing with a left hand there. Tandelov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Oketch throws a sloppy head kick and Tandelov moves out of range easily.

Oketch moves into the clinch successfully.
Oketch scores with a shoulder strike.
Tandelov prevents a body shot from Oketch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Tandelov.
Come on Oketch - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Oketch makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Tandelov working hard to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oketch working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Oketch is trying to trip Tandelov. He has hold of a leg but Tandelov is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Oketch persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Oketch wants to pass the guard but Tandelov is keeping the position.
Tandelov wants to sweep but no luck.
Oketch stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tandelov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tandelov keeping moving, preventing Oketch from controlling successfully.
Oketch is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Oketch pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tandelov is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oketch wants to control from the top but Tandelov keeps moving.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Oketch is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Oketch looks for the body kick but Tandelov saw that one coming.
Tandelov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Oketch momentarily.
Tandelov loads up on a big right hand but Oketch slips the punch.
Oketch lands a nice looking kick to the body. Tandelov takes a step back to recover.
Oketch tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A big right from Oketch misses.
Tandelov misses with an uppercut.
Tandelov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Oketch sees it coming and avoids it easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tandelov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tandelov throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Oketch to counter with a crisp jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Oketch keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Oketch feints and then cracks Tandelov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Tandelov down.
Oketch steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tandelov.
Oketch throws a nice inside leg kick.
Oketch dodges the punch combination from Tandelov.
Oketch is looking to counter the offense by Tandelov and move into the clinch.
Oketch throws a sloppy head kick and Tandelov moves out of range easily.

Oketch shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Oketch showed some decent athleticism there.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Oketch controlling the action here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Oketch's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Further stalling from Oketch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oketch thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Oketch not doing much here.
Tandelov is trying to maintain the position but Oketch is very close to passing his half guard.
Tandelov is staying active underneath Oketch, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Jab, jab by Tandelov - just one landing.
Oketch connects with a solid leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oketch fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tandelov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Oketch throws a wild body kick that Tandelov sees coming a mile off.
That kick from Oketch tenderised Tandelov's leg. Tandelov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Oketch scores with a sloppy right hand. Tandelov should have avoided that one.
Tandelov throws a looping overhand right but Oketch ducks down to avoid it.
Tandelov throws an overhand right that lands on Oketch's shoulder, as Oketch tries to avoid the shot.
Oketch is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tandelov can do to turn this around?
Tandelov takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Tandelov misses with a right hand
and Oketch counters with a nice body shot.
Tandelov throws a jab but it's blocked by Oketch.
Oketch cracks the inside of Tandelov's front leg.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Oketch closes the distance looking to clinch
and Tandelov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Oketch misses with a body kick.
Oketch is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Tandelov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Tandelov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Oketch takes one on the button.
Tandelov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Oketch with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Tandelov to score with a decent uppercut.
Oketch misses with a body kick.
Oketch slips a jab from Tandelov.
A quick step to the side and Oketch tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Oketch fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tandelov blocks a head kick by Oketch.
Tandelov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tandelov scores with a shot to the body.
Oketch tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Tandelov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tandelov throws out a counter right but Oketch avoids it with no problem.
Oketch goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Oketch fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Tandelov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tandelov avoids a kick to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tandelov. Oketch does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tandelov scores with a hook.
Oketch fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Oketch throws a body punch but Tandelov moves out of range.
Tandelov throws a body shot but no joy.
Oketch throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Oketch drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Oketch dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Tandelov. That did some damage!
Tandelov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Tandelov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Oketch is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Tandelov takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Tandelov missing with a left hand there. Oketch was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tandelov on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Tandelov looks to land a left hand but Oketch moved out of range nicely.
A telegraphed right hand from Tandelov misses the target.
Oketch tries to counter with a takedown but Tandelov is quick to defend against it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Marat Tandelov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Tandelov avoids the body shot from Oketch.
Tandelov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Tandelov, as that shot connected.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Oketch.
Oketch goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Oketch pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Oketch throws a nice inside leg kick.
Oketch misses with an attempted mid kick.
Oketch works Tandelov's body with a nice hook.
Oketch connects with a leg kick. Tandelov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A cross from Tandelov lands.

Oketch scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Oketch in particular looking to stall.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tandelov is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Oketch jumps into side control!
Oketch taking a breather here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oketch throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Tandelov tries to bench press Oketch off him but Oketch keeps the position.
Tandelov trying to remain calm as Oketch controls from the top position.
An elbow from Oketch crashes against the mat.
Oketch taking a breather here.
Tandelov manages to work his way to half guard, despite Oketch's best efforts.

That's two 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.
Oketch throwing shots but Tandelov is blocking nicely.
Oketch seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Tandelov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Tandelov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Oketch trying to control but Tandelov is working from the bottom.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Tandelov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick from Oketch lands but Tandelov takes it in his stride.
Oketch fails in his attempt to clinch.
Oketch looks to score with a jab to the body but Tandelov is just out of range.
Tandelov throws a body shot but no joy.
Tandelov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Tandelov misses with a few strikes there.
Oketch ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tandelov moves away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Tandelov! But no joy.
Sloppy strikes from Tandelov. Those never looked like landing.
Oketch misses with a leg kick.
A countering left hand to the body from Tandelov misses.

Oketch is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Tandelov's half guard.
Oketch wants to take a breather but Tandelov is having none of it.
Oketch is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oketch seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Oketch is trying to control the action in half guard but Tandelov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Tandelov holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Oketch keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tandelov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tandelov trying to control from the bottom.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Vincent Oketch showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Oketch has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 30:28
Judge William Peck scores the fight 29:28
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vincent Oketch!
Vincent Oketch seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.