PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Polavic Monira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Massimiliano Taddeo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Massimiliano Taddeo will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Monira
vs
Taddeo

188 cm
25
195 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

187 cm
25
198 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Polavic Monira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Massimiliano Taddeo!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Daniel Bishop and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jab from Taddeo.
Taddeo fails to land with a series of punches.
Monira half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Taddeo cracks Monira with a right hand to the side of the head.

Taddeo gets caught flat footed, as Monira shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Monira postures up and lands a big shot to Taddeo's brow.
Monira passes Taddeo's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Monira throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Monira is trying to control. Taddeo wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Monira scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Monira is looking for a kimura here.
Monira wants to pass the guard but Taddeo is defending well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Taddeo is defending against the submission attempts here by Monira.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monira seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Taddeo does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Monira not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Monira is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Taddeo is defending against the submission attempts here by Monira.

Monira decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Monira has his takedown stuffed
enabling Taddeo to counter with a crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monira shoots in for a takedown but Taddeo shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A nice combination there by Taddeo.
Monira gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Taddeo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Polavic Monira. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Monira tries for a takedown but Taddeo circles away easily
and Taddeo counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Monira is breathing heavily.

Monira changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Taddeo looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Taddeo tries to buck Monira off but Monira is having none of it.

Monira is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Taddeo has escaped the position, nice work there.
Taddeo is trying to improve his position.
Monira has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Monira working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Taddeo holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
An elbow from Monira crashes against the mat.

Monira thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Monira is looking to take a break and control but Taddeo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've been informed that Taddeo has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Monira fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Monira misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

Monira tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Taddeo is looking for a sweep.

Monira is trying to get an arm triangle but Taddeo is defending well.
Taddeo is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Monira working the ground and pound from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Polavic Monira will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Taddeo connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Monira.
Taddeo scores with a body shot.
Taddeo jabs Monira right on the nose. Monira blinks but takes it well.
Nice sprawl there from Taddeo as Monira shoots in.

Monira gets a double leg takedown into Taddeo's guard.
Monira is looking to work some ground and pound but Taddeo has wrist control.
Monira trying to control the position from guard on top but Taddeo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Monira drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Monira jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taddeo keeping full guard, as Monira tries to pass.
Monira trying to control the position from guard on top but Taddeo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monira trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Monira slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Taddeo trying to control the position here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Taddeo can do anything to dispel that myth.
Monira won't allow Taddeo to sweep him here.
Monira lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Monira working some strikes from top position.
Monira throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Monira lands a couple of digs.
Taddeo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Monira. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Taddeo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monira trying to control but Taddeo is working from the bottom.
Monira stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Taddeo swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Monira sitting in guard here, content to control.

Monira is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Monira thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Taddeo scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Monira shoots in for a takedown but Taddeo shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Polavic Monira. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taddeo throws a series of strikes that have Monira backpedaling.
Monira doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Taddeo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Taddeo lands a right hook to the body.
Monira gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Monira is rocked!
Taddeo cracks Monira with an open hand slap.
Oh Monira is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Taddeo fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Monira looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Today's fight clock is brought to you by... OOOH that's a huge shot by Taddeo! Monira is in big trouble here - the ref steps in to save him and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:30 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Massimiliano Taddeo!