PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Issumatar Tariaksuq (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Carter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tariaksuq's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Tanya Tagaq - Uja. Carter has chosen Jazz Cartier - New Religion as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Tariaksuq
vs
Carter

177 cm
27
142 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

176 cm
21
157 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Great low kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition
King of Fists

Voodoo Nutrition
KnockOut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Issumatar Tariaksuq!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Michael Carter!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Carter throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tariaksuq's waist but Tariaksuq gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Carter off to one side.
Tariaksuq lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Carter lands with a right hand.
Carter connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Tariaksuq's hands.
Tariaksuq swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Carter misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tariaksuq tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Carter swings for the body but Tariaksuq moves out of range.
Carter's coach down at Heart Cave (8 elites, 4 double-elites, 1 triple) was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Carter's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Issumatar Tariaksuq seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tariaksuq attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Tariaksuq tries to work over Carter's front leg with a kick but Carter checks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tariaksuq uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Carter.
Carter shoots in for a takedown but Tariaksuq shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Tariaksuq half committed to a counter leg kick.
Tariaksuq gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Carter counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tariaksuq ducks right into an uppercut from Carter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body kick there by Tariaksuq.
Carter connects with a jab.
Carter avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

Carter gets a double leg takedown into Tariaksuq's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Carter postures up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Tariaksuq holds on and takes a little breather.
Carter looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Let's hope that Carter has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Tariaksuq is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tariaksuq seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Carter trying to control the position from guard on top but Tariaksuq is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Carter stands up over Tariaksuq, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Carter landing some decent shots from guard.
Carter throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Carter is in close to Tariaksuq's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Tariaksuq controls Carter momentarily but Carter frees himself.
Tariaksuq avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carter postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Carter makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Tariaksuq knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Carter on the ground.
Carter loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Carter working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tariaksuq wants to sweep here but Carter controlling him for the moment.
Carter postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Tariaksuq seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Carter landing with the ground and pound.
Carter wants to control from the top but Tariaksuq keeps moving.
Carter wants to pass the guard but Tariaksuq is keeping the position.
Tariaksuq looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tariaksuq is pulling down on Carter's head. It's preventing any offense from Carter, at least for the moment.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Tariaksuq'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.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Tariaksuq throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Carter's head.
Carter connects with a nice looking jab.
Carter on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tariaksuq. Tariaksuq obviously looking to wear him down.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Carter dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Carter throws a hook but Tariaksuq blocks it.
Tariaksuq displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Carter.
Tariaksuq looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Carter dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Tariaksuq tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A countering left hand to the body from Carter misses.
Tariaksuq throws a sloppy head kick
and Carter counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Tariaksuq scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Carter throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tariaksuq.
Carter misses with an uppercut
and Tariaksuq counters with a good low kick that Carter was not able to check.
Carter jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Carter lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Carter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tariaksuq throws a head kick that misses.

Carter closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Tariaksuq to the mat! Tariaksuq manages to get full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tariaksuq seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Tariaksuq controls Carter momentarily but Carter frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tariaksuq is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Carter is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Carter throws a big elbow that misses.
Carter throws a big elbow that misses.
Carter has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Carter drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Carter jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Tariaksuq is trying to keep Carter in close.
Carter stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tariaksuq swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Carter throws a big elbow that misses.
Carter is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Tariaksuq has Carter pulled in close to control his posture.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Carter lands a nice hook to Tariaksuq's body. Tariaksuq takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Carter.
Tariaksuq is trying to control Carter's posture but Carter avoids it.
Tariaksuq on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Carter wants to control but Tariaksuq is keeping him busy.
Tariaksuq struggling a bit here.
Tariaksuq on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Tariaksuq tries to get out of the position.

Carter tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Carter looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Michael Carter has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carter lands some shots froms side control.
You can see the frustration on Tariaksuq's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Carter has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Tariaksuq sneaks back into half guard.
Tariaksuq trying to control from the bottom.
Tariaksuq is looking for a sweep. Carter is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Carter takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's four 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.
Carter content to control rather than advance.
Tariaksuq is trying to maintain the position but Carter is very close to passing his half guard.
Ground and pound from Carter.
Tariaksuq trying to control from the bottom.
Tariaksuq controlling the position for now.
Carter missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Tariaksuq keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tariaksuq is staying active underneath Carter, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Carter working the head and body with strikes.
Tariaksuq avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Carter.
Tariaksuq trying to control here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Carter showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Carter uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Tariaksuq gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Carter lands a lovely overhand right.
Tariaksuq tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tariaksuq goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Tariaksuq throws a low kick but it's checked well by Carter.
Tariaksuq throws a half hearted mid kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A low kick from Tariaksuq misses
and Carter counters with a two punch combo.
Tariaksuq tries a head kick but it misses.
Tariaksuq scoring well with a low kick there.
Tariaksuq throws a head kick that misses.
Issumatar Tariaksuq is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tariaksuq connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Tariaksuq misses with an attempted mid kick.
Tariaksuq slaps away a takedown attempt from Carter, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Carter blocks a head kick by Tariaksuq.
Nice uppercut lands for Carter. That snapped Tariaksuq's head back.

Carter scores with a takedown into Tariaksuq's guard.
Tariaksuq working a defensive guard but Carter passes into half guard.
Carter trying to control from half guard but Tariaksuq is working away.
Carter throwing shots but Tariaksuq is blocking nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carter wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tariaksuq keeps working.
Tariaksuq wants to control but Carter is keeping busy.
Carter lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Tariaksuq wants to get back to his feet.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Tariaksuq trying to control but Carter postures up.
Still in half guard, Carter seems content to control.
Tariaksuq is in trouble now - Carter has advanced to mount!
Carter punishing his opponent with strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Carter connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tariaksuq is squirming around, avoiding Carter's attempts to control the action.
Tariaksuq wants to hold on but Carter pushes him away.
A nice elbow there by Carter.
Carter content just to control the position here.
Carter avoids the attempt from Tariaksuq to control.

Carter is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Tariaksuq has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Carter lands a nice shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tariaksuq tries to lock up and control but Carter gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Carter jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Tariaksuq manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Tariaksuq takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Carter wants to control but Tariaksuq is keeping him busy.

Carter is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Tariaksuq has escaped the position, nice work there.
Tariaksuq wants to control but Carter postures up.
Tariaksuq manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Tariaksuq tries to stand and escape but Carter is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Carter really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Carter lands with an overhand left.
Tariaksuq throws a body kick that misses
and Carter counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A head kick misses from Tariaksuq.
Carter tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tariaksuq was well out of range. Poor timing from Carter.
Carter loads up on a big right hand but Tariaksuq slips the punch.
Carter's corner calls for a 1-2. Carter obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Tariaksuq throws a leg kick that is checked

and Carter counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Tariaksuq!
Carter fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Carter working the ground and pound from side control.
Tariaksuq is not content to let Carter control the position.

Carter is trying to get an arm triangle but Tariaksuq is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tariaksuq can't do much from the bottom here.
Tariaksuq holding on.
Carter cracks Tariaksuq with a big elbow.
Tariaksuq takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Carter lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Tariaksuq down.
Tariaksuq wants to get back to his feet.
Carter working away.
Carter grinds an elbow into Tariaksuq's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carter working the head with strikes.
Carter slows the pace down.
Carter advances nicely into full mount.
Carter landing strikes from the mount and Tariaksuq is in trouble!
Carter content just to control the position here.
Carter avoids the attempt from Tariaksuq to control.

Carter working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carter lands a big elbow.
Carter lands a heavy elbow.

Carter goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Tariaksuq turns into him and now he's in Carter's guard.

Carter is working an open guard so Tariaksuq takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Carter fails with the takedown
and Tariaksuq counters with a nice leg kick.
Tariaksuq tries a head kick but it misses.
Tariaksuq fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Carter checks it well.
That kick from Tariaksuq tenderised Carter's leg. Carter is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carter moves away from the strike by Tariaksuq.
Tariaksuq moves forwards but Carter connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Carter keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Carter connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Carter checks a low kick from Tariaksuq.
Carter connects with a crisp jab.
Tariaksuq misses with a head kick.
Tariaksuq misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tariaksuq throws a leg kick but Carter sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Carter misses with a straight left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Carter dominated that fourth 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A head kick misses from Tariaksuq.
Tariaksuq throws a sloppy head kick and Carter moves out of range easily.
Carter lands a jab to the head.
Carter lands a glancing blow to the side of Tariaksuq's head.
Tariaksuq with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Tariaksuq uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Carter.
Tariaksuq looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Carter throws a body shot but no joy.
Tariaksuq throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Carter drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Carter cracks Tariaksuq with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Carter lands some shots froms side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carter is looking to take a break and control but Tariaksuq is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tariaksuq taking a bit of punishment here - Carter scoring with strikes.
The strikes coming from Carter are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Carter fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Carter staying calm.
You can see the frustration on Tariaksuq's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Carter scoring with punches and elbows.

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.
Tariaksuq on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Tariaksuq is trying to control Carter's posture but Carter avoids it.
Carter misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Carter in side control lands a decent elbow.
Tariaksuq is trying to control Carter's posture but Carter avoids it.
What's Tariaksuq going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Carter grinds an elbow into Tariaksuq's temple.
Carter trying to control the action but Tariaksuq is working from the bottom.
Tariaksuq managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Carter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Carter tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Carter has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Tariaksuq holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
You can see the frustration on Tariaksuq's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Michael Carter is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Carter controls the position.
Tariaksuq can't do much from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Carter controlling the position from side mount.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Carter.
Carter is continuing to stall.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tariaksuq tries a head kick but it misses.
Issumatar Tariaksuq has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Carter swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Tariaksuq throws a quick counter head kick but Carter was just out of range.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tariaksuq throws a sloppy head kick
and Carter counters with a nice uppercut.
Tariaksuq wants to slow Carter down by chopping away at his legs.
Carter cracks Tariaksuq with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Carter comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Carter has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 45:50
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 45:50
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Carter!
Michael Carter is the new featherweight champion!
Michael Carter took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Voodoo Nutrition for their support in the buildup to the fight.