PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jozef Szczepkowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tarvo Jaak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Szczepkowski
vs
Jaak

195 cm
25
252 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

205 cm
18
255 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jozef Szczepkowski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tarvo Jaak!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Daniel Franklin and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jaak connects with a looping right hand.

It looks like Jozef Szczepkowski has been cut.

Szczepkowski clinches up against the cage.
Szczepkowski using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Jaak has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Szczepkowski fails to pull guard.
With the fighters up against the cage, Szczepkowski throws an elbow but misses.
Szczepkowski blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jaak misses with a short punch on the inside.
Jaak gets through Szczepkowski's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Szczepkowski wants a takedown.
Jaak fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Come on Szczepkowski - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Szczepkowski's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Szczepkowski tries to pull guard but Jaak holds him up against the cage and eventually Szczepkowski drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jozef Szczepkowski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jaak misses with a hook to the ribs.
Jaak throws a head punch that misses.
Jaak misses with some punches.
Jaak swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaak makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Jaak lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Szczepkowski trying to land knees to the body.
Szczepkowski's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Szczepkowski pulls Jaak into guard.
Szczepkowski keeping moving, preventing Jaak from controlling successfully.
Szczepkowski throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Jaak has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Szczepkowski is proving hard to escape from.
Szczepkowski keeping moving, preventing Jaak from controlling successfully.
Szczepkowski is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Jaak throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Szczepkowski works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Szczepkowski escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Jaak gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jaak not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Szczepkowski is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Jaak is looking to clinch but Szczepkowski is avoiding it.
Szczepkowski swats away the attempt to clinch by Jaak.
Szczepkowski doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Jaak counters with a stiff right hand.
Jaak defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Szczepkowski.
Jaak doesn't manage to clinch there - Szczepkowski circles away.
Jaak tries to clinch up but Szczepkowski circles away and keeps his distance.
Jaak wants to clinch.
Jaak is looking to clinch but Szczepkowski is avoiding it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Szczepkowski.
Szczepkowski shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Jaak catches Szczepkowski with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

Szczepkowski clinches up with Jaak and pushes him back against the cage.
Szczepkowski is trying to break the clinch but Jaak has him pressed against the cage.

Szczepkowski jumps into guard, dragging Jaak to the mat.
Jaak stays in close to Szczepkowski's body and controls the position.
Jaak trying to control the position from guard on top but Szczepkowski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Szczepkowski wants to sweep but no luck.
Jaak looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Szczepkowski throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Szczepkowski keeping moving, preventing Jaak from controlling successfully.
Szczepkowski looking to control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Szczepkowski circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jaak is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jaak tries to close the distance and clinch but Szczepkowski swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
It looked like Szczepkowski was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Szczepkowski tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jaak swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

Szczepkowski forces Jaak back against the cage and clinches.
Jaak misses with the head strike.
Szczepkowski tries to pull guard but Jaak forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Szczepkowski decides to pull guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tarvo Jaak dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jozef Szczepkowski's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Jaak is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Szczepkowski fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Jaak fails with a takedown attempt.
Szczepkowski misses the shot to the body.

Szczepkowski gets tackled into the cage by Jaak. Jaak maintains the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Jaak fails to land.
Szczepkowski blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Szczepkowski has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Jaak is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Szczepkowski jumps into guard, dragging Jaak to the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Szczepkowski keeping moving, preventing Jaak from controlling successfully.
Szczepkowski seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Szczepkowski wants to stand but Jaak is controlling the position.
Jaak is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Jaak wants to control from the top but Szczepkowski keeps moving.
Jaak slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

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

Szczepkowski forces Jaak back against the cage and clinches.
Szczepkowski jumps guard but Jaak stands there with Szczepkowski around his waist. Szczepkowski gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Jaak misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Szczepkowski blocking some punches.
Szczepkowski is trying to push Jaak away but Jaak has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Jaak throws a punch but it's blocked by Szczepkowski.
Tarvo Jaak seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Jaak tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Szczepkowski's elbow.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Szczepkowski.
Jaak tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Jaak working aggressively here.
Jaak lands a body shot in the clinch.

Szczepkowski ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Szczepkowski no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Szczepkowski keeping moving, preventing Jaak from controlling successfully.
Jaak postures up.

Szczepkowski is looking for a triangle but Jaak pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jaak trying to control the position from guard on top but Szczepkowski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jaak being controlled here momentarily.
Jaak trying to control but Szczepkowski is working from the bottom.
Szczepkowski looking for a sweep. Not yet Szczepkowski, not yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Jaak with a nice cross.
Tarvo Jaak is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Szczepkowski is defended easily by Jaak.
Jaak looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jozef Szczepkowski. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Szczepkowski has closed the distance and engaged Jaak in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaak swings wildly with an uppercut but Szczepkowski uses good head movement to avoid it.
Szczepkowski tries to pull guard but Jaak holds him up against the cage and eventually Szczepkowski drops back down to his feet.
Jaak misses with a short punch on the inside.
Jaak throws a punch but it's blocked by Szczepkowski.
Szczepkowski is working for takedown but Jaak is calmly controlling the position for now.

Szczepkowski decides to pull guard.
Jaak wants to control from the top but Szczepkowski keeps moving.
Szczepkowski is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Jaak trying to control but Szczepkowski is working from the bottom.
Szczepkowski working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tarvo Jaak will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Jozef Szczepkowski's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Jaak is looking to clinch.
Jaak tries to close the distance and clinch up but Szczepkowski swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Szczepkowski is trying hard to land a takedown here. Jaak sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
It seemed like Jaak was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tarvo Jaak seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jaak misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Szczepkowski drops down looking for a counter takedown but Jaak sprawls and moves away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jaak looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Szczepkowski is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Jaak.
Jaak has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Jaak tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Szczepkowski paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Jaak tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Szczepkowski paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Jaak doesn't manage to clinch there - Szczepkowski circles away.
Szczepkowski was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Szczepkowski walks into a jab.
Jaak tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Szczepkowski manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jaak avoids the body shot from Szczepkowski.
Jaak doesn't manage to clinch there - Szczepkowski circles away.
Szczepkowski throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Szczepkowski closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jaak circles away.
Jaak swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Jaak wants to clinch up but Szczepkowski keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Szczepkowski misses with a wild body shot.
Szczepkowski closes the distance and clinches up with Jaak, looking for a takedown. Szczepkowski pushes Jaak against the cage but Jaak circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jozef Szczepkowski. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Szczepkowski darts in and clinches Jaak up against the cage.
Jaak tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Szczepkowski's elbow.
Szczepkowski misses with an elbow over the top.
Jaak throws a head punch that misses.
Jaak has a couple of punches blocked by Szczepkowski.
Jaak tries to throw a body punch but Szczepkowski avoids it by throwing Jaak back against the cage.
Szczepkowski wants a takedown but no success here.
Jaak misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jaak misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Szczepkowski.
Jaak presses Szczepkowski against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Jaak tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Szczepkowski tries to pull guard but Jaak holds him up against the cage and eventually Szczepkowski drops back down to his feet.
Szczepkowski is looking for a takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Szczepkowski tries to break free but Jaak pushes him back against the cage.
Szczepkowski fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Jaak swings wildly with an uppercut but Szczepkowski uses good head movement to avoid it.
Szczepkowski blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Jaak is trying to stall.
Jaak misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Jaak fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Szczepkowski is looking to take this one to the mat.
Jaak throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Szczepkowskis head.
Szczepkowski blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jaak goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Szczepkowski is trying to pull guard but Jaak turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Jaak misses with some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Szczepkowski is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Jaak to keep the fight standing.
Jaak misses with a hook to the ribs.
Jaak fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Jaak tries to throw a body punch but Szczepkowski avoids it by throwing Jaak back against the cage.
Szczepkowski fails to pull guard.
Jaak prevents the takedown attempt.
Jaak swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Jaak lands a shot to the body.
Jaak lands with a light punch inside.
Jaak tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Szczepkowski looking for a takedown.
A short right from Jaak.
Szczepkowski blocks an elbow strike from Jaak.
Szczepkowski blocking some punches.
Jaak lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Szczepkowski backwards.
Tarvo Jaak is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Jaak.
Szczepkowski blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Jaak working aggressively here.
Szczepkowski drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Jaak gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Jaak lands a left hand.
Jaak throws a punch but it's blocked by Szczepkowski.
Szczepkowski jumps guard but Jaak stands there with Szczepkowski around his waist. Szczepkowski gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Jaak fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
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!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jaak swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Jaak swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Szczepkowski blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jozef Szczepkowski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Szczepkowski lands with a right to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tarvo Jaak comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Jaak 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tarvo Jaak!
Tarvo Jaak bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.