PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Teppo Tavi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sean Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Taylor is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Tool - Pushit. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tavi
vs
Taylor

157 cm
28
183 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

180 cm
27
180 lbs
11 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Spartan Nutrition
Highland Clothing

Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Teppo Tavi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sean Taylor!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Felipe Paraventi and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taylor uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tavi.
Taylor shoots for a takedown but Tavi saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Tavi, right into the meat.
Taylor gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Tavi counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Tavi.
Tavi lands a nice elbow.
Tavi lands an elbow inside that Taylor shrugs off.

It looks like Sean Taylor has been cut.
Taylor is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Tavi pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Teppo Tavi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sean Taylor.
Taylor can't get the takedown.
Tavi lands a nice elbow.

Tavi breaks the clinch.
Taylor ducks right into an uppercut from Tavi.

Tavi fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Taylor, pushing him back against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Tavi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tavi buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Taylor fails to land the takedown.
Tavi swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Tavi moves into range and throws a big uppercut. OH! Taylor goes down! Can Tavi finish him!?

Taylor is rocked!
Taylor lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Taylor has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Taylor trying to control the position from guard on top but Tavi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taylor stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tavi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Taylor lands a couple of elbows.
Tavi looking to control.
Taylor missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Taylor throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tavi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Taylor postures up in Tavi's guard and throws a big left but Tavi blocks it.
Taylor missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Taylor trying to control the position from guard on top but Tavi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tavi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Taylor.
Taylor throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tavi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Tavi on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Tavi tries to get out of the position.
Taylor in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Tavi fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tavi throws a quick inside leg kick.

Taylor shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Taylor showed some decent athleticism there.
Taylor thows a huge punch but Tavi dodges it nicely.
Tavi is trying to stand back up but Taylor is controlling him
Taylor working the head and body with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Taylor lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Taylor drops an elbow to the side of Tavi's head.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Taylor lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Taylor looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Tavi with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Taylor throws a strike but Tavi avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Tavi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tavi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Taylor postures up in Tavi's guard and throws a big left but Tavi blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor scoring with some ground and pound.
Taylor postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Taylor wants to control from the top but Tavi keeps moving.
Taylor stopping the sweep attempt from Tavi.
Taylor with a flurry of punches that miss.
Taylor working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Tavi's head.
Tavi knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Taylor on the ground.
Taylor throws a big right hand that misses.
Taylor throws a big elbow that misses.
Tavi has momentary wrist control but Taylor slips an elbow through the middle.
Taylor is looking to work some ground and pound but Tavi has wrist control.
Taylor postures up in Tavi's guard and throws a big left but Tavi blocks it.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Teppo Tavi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sean Taylor's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Tavi has taken the fight to the clinch.
Taylor takes an elbow to the forehead.
Tavi lands with a left to the head.
A body shot lands from Tavi.
Taylor is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Tavi is defending well.
Taylor wants a takedown.
Taylor takes an elbow to the forehead.
Tavi gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Tavi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tavi tries a head kick but it misses.
Taylor misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Teppo Tavi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sean Taylor.
Taylor looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tavi is fending him off so far but Taylor persists. Nope, Tavi circles away and we're back to standing.

Tavi fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Taylor, pushing him back against the cage.
Taylor changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tavi fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Tavi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tavi scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Taylor is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Tavi finds it's way round the side to connect with Taylor's head.
Tavi scores with a hook to the body. Taylor takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Tavi is looking to slow Taylor down with leg kicks.

Taylor shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Taylor throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taylor throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tavi might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Taylor wants to control from the top but Tavi keeps moving.
Tavi is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Tavi is really struggling to control Taylor but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Taylor working some strikes from top position.
Tavi is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Taylor is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor with a nice head shot there.
Tavi pulls Taylor in close to prevent any damage.
Tavi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Nice shot lands for Tavi.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Taylor is defended easily by Tavi.
Sean Taylor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A slapping leg kick lands for Tavi.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tavi lands with a thumping leg kick.
Taylor shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tavi as he avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Tavi lands a leg kick that knocks Taylor off balance momentarily.
Taylor has a takedown stuffed.
Taylor fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Taylor looks for a takedown but Tavi sprawls well.
Tavi connects with an inside leg kick.
Tavi throws a series of punches but Taylor moves out of range.
Taylor fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Tavi lands with a cross.
Tavi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Taylor feints the counter takedown.
Tavi lands with a shot to the body.
Tavi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Taylor can do to turn this around?
Taylor shoots and misses
and Tavi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Tavi drives through and clinches with Taylor against the cage.
Taylor has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Tavi avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Taylor's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Tavi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tavi lands a nice looking body shot.
Teppo Tavi is winning the standup battle so far.
Tavi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Taylor's sensitive parts.

Tavi rushes Taylor and presses him up against the cage.
Tavi lands an elbow just above Taylor 's eye.
Tavi lands a nice elbow.

Tavi breaks the clinch.
Taylor misses with a takedown attempt - Tavi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Tavi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Taylor dives in for a single leg takedown but Tavi sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Tavi scores with a hook to the body. Taylor takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Taylor closes this distance looking for a takedown but Tavi circles away.
Tavi connects with an inside leg kick.
Tavi lands the left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Teppo Tavi dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Sean Taylor's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Taylor gets tackled into the cage by Tavi. Tavi maintains the clinch.
Tavi lands an elbow that stopped Taylor in his tracks for a moment.

Tavi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Taylor takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Tavi buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Taylor tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Tavi gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Taylor to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Taylor in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Taylor trying to control but Tavi is working from the bottom.
Taylor throwing strikes from guard but Tavi blocks nicely.
Tavi is adopting a defensive guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor wants to control from the top but Tavi keeps moving.
Tavi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Taylor.
Taylor wants to control from the top but Tavi keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Taylor accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Teppo Tavi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Taylor feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Taylor throwing strikes but missing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Taylor won't allow Tavi to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Taylor's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sean Taylor has got the better of the ground game so far.
Taylor wants to control from the top but Tavi keeps moving.
Taylor throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tavi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Taylor controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Taylor is in close to Tavi's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Taylor postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Taylor throws a big right hand that misses.
Taylor is in close to Tavi's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Tavi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Taylor doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Taylor manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavi has momentary wrist control but Taylor slips an elbow through the middle.
Taylor missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Tavi stuffs the takedown.
Taylor shoots for a double leg takedown but Tavi sprawls well. He's pushed Taylor's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Tavi cracks the inside of Taylor's front leg.
Tavi lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Tavi scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Tavi closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Tavi manages to break the clinch.
Tavi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tavi is looking to land body kicks.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Taylor is defended easily by Tavi.
Teppo Tavi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sean Taylor.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor shoots in for a takedown but Tavi shows good takedown defense.
Tavi uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Tavi drives through and clinches with Taylor against the cage.
Teppo Tavi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
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 short body shot lands from Tavi as the two fighters clinch.
Tavi lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Taylor wants a takedown.
Taylor tries for a takedown. No joy.
Tavi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Taylor goes for a takedown in the clinch but Tavi prevents it.
Taylor changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tavi fights it off and pushes away nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Teppo Tavi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tavi, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:26
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Teppo Tavi!
During a confident post fight interview, Teppo Tavi thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.