PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Serge Ibaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Peter Taphorn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ibaka
vs
Taphorn

170 cm
35
143 lbs
30 - 8 - 0

170 cm
38
138 lbs
33 - 14 - 2

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Serge Ibaka!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 14 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Peter Taphorn!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Anthony Taglia and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice defenses there by Ibaka.
Ibaka misses with the combination.
Ibaka waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Taphorn.

Ibaka closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ibaka stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Taphorn fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ibaka scores with a shot to the side of Taphorn's head.
Taphorn misses with the head strike.
A frustrated look appears on Taphorn's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Taphorn throws a head punch that misses.
Taphorn tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ibaka smiles and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taphorn throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Ibaka to counter with a crisp jab.
Donk. Ibaka catches Taphorn right on the button with a cross.
Nice takedown defense from Ibaka. No joy for Taphorn on that attempt.
Taphorn uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ibaka.
Taphorn takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibaka takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Ibaka tries to clinch but Taphorn is having none of it.
Taphorn drops his hands momentarily and Ibaka takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Taphorn tries to score with a low kick but Ibaka moves his leg out of the way.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ibaka. Taphorn does a little dance to reset his feet.
Taphorn lands with a good body shot.
Serge Ibaka is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Taphorn swings widly with a right hand
enabling Ibaka to counter with a crisp jab.
Ibaka lands with a right hand.
Ibaka takes one to the chin there.
Ibaka stuns Taphorn with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Taphorn looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A clash of legs there as Ibaka blocks the low kick.
Taphorn swings for the body but Ibaka moves out of range.
Taphorn moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ibaka will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Taphorn darts in looking for a takedown but Ibaka gets double underhooks and turns Taphorn into the cage.
Serge Ibaka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Peter Taphorn.
Ibaka bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ibaka missing with a left hand there. Taphorn was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Taphorn just misses with a punch to the body.
Taphorn tries to land a front kick but Ibaka steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Taphorn ducks under a wild hook from Ibaka.
Taphorn lands a body shot.
A shot to the body from Taphorn misses
enabling Ibaka to counter with a crisp jab.
Taphorn throws a right hand that misses
and Ibaka counters with a straight right hand.
Taphorn throws a front kick aimed at Ibaka's knee but Ibaka avoids it well.
Taphorn throws a leg kick but Ibaka moved away.
Taphorn lands a right hook to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ibaka. Taphorn does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn shoots in but no luck this time.
Taphorn digs a good body shot into Ibaka's ribs.
Ibaka chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Taphorn can pounce on him.
Ibaka bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Taphorn looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Taphorn drives through and clinches with Ibaka against the cage.
Ibaka lands a left hand.
Ibaka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Taphorn digs a right hand into Ibaka's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ibaka's gas tank.
Taphorn misses with a punch on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Ibaka.
Ibaka misses with a hook to the ribs.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Taphorn misses with a hook to the ribs.
Taphorn blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ibaka misses with some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ibaka breaks from the clinch.
Ibaka checks the leg kick nicely there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Taphorn walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ibaka checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Taphorn throws a body punch but Ibaka moves out of range.
Taphorn throws out a leg kick but Ibaka moves out of range and Taphorn only half commits.
No joy there for Ibaka, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ibaka misses with a looping left.
It looks like Ibaka has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Taphorn connects with the punch.
Ibaka looks to throw the jab but Taphorn is out of range.
Taphorn now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Taphorn on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Taphorn jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Taphorn throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Taphorn takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Taphorn takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Taphorn throws a leg kick
and Ibaka counters with a stiff right hand.
Ibaka jabs Taphorn right on the nose. Taphorn blinks but takes it well.
A big left from Taphorn misses.
Taphorn throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ibaka lands a jab to the nose.
Taphorn throws out a leg kick but Ibaka moves out of range and Taphorn only half commits.
Taphorn scores with a three punch combo!

Taphorn moves into the clinch.
Taphorn lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ibaka backwards.
Ibaka lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Taphorn lands a body shot in the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ibaka lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Taphorn landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Ibaka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Taphorn misses with a punch to the body.
Taphorn tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibaka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Taphorn tries to work over Ibaka's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Taphorn goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Taphorn doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Taphorn misses with some punches.
Ibaka tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Taphorn avoids it.
Taphorn tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ibaka misses with a body punch.
Ibaka blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ibaka wants to get back to striking at distance but Taphorn won't allow it.
Taphorn works on Ibaka's body with a couple of short punches.
Ibaka tries a body shot but Taphorn blocks it.
Taphorn stalling in the clinch.
Taphorn tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ibaka creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ibaka misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch on the inside from Taphorn fails to land.
Ibaka lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Serge Ibaka has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Taphorn displaying some good clinch control by pressing Ibaka up against the cage.
Taphorn goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Ibaka's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Taphorn cracks Ibaka with a right hand to the side of the head.
A slapping leg kick lands for Taphorn.

Taphorn closes the distance and clinches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Taphorn fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ibaka.
Taphorn tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Taphorn tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ibaka's elbow.

Ibaka breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ibaka throws a big shot that misses.
Ibaka misses with a few strikes there.
Ibaka slips a straight right by Taphorn.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ibaka.
A slow jab from Ibaka misses its intended target.
Taphorn turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A good leg kick by Taphorn.
Taphorn looks to land a right hand but Ibaka moved out of range.
Ibaka throwing a counter right hand but Taphorn manages to avoid it.
Taphorn throws a low kick but Ibaka moves out of range easily.
Taphorn's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Ibaka connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Taphorn scrambles back to his feet.
Ibaka takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Taphorn staying out of range there.
Taphorn looks to score with a jab to the body but Ibaka is just out of range.

Taphorn moves into range and clinches up with Ibaka.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ibaka.
Ibaka working aggressively here.
Ibaka misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka stalling.
Taphorn misses with some punches.
Ibaka throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Taphorn using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ibaka has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ibaka lands with a short shot to the head.
Taphorn lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ibaka backwards.
Ibaka's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Ibaka breaks from the clinch.
Ibaka displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Taphorn throws out the jab.
Ibaka throws a hook but Taphorn blocks it.
Taphorn misses the shot to the body.
Taphorn moves out of range of the body kick from Ibaka.
Taphorn lands a body shot.
Ibaka slips a straight right by Taphorn.
Taphorn throws a chopping leg kick but Ibaka manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Peter Taphorn will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Ibaka's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Taphorn fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Ibaka checks it well.
Taphorn throws a leg kick
enabling Ibaka to counter with a crisp jab.
Taphorn misses with a body punch
letting Ibaka counter with a right hand.
Taphorn swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Taphorn scores with a sloppy right hand. Ibaka should have avoided that one.
Ibaka throws a hook but Taphorn avoids it easily.
Ibaka slips under a jab from Taphorn.
As Taphorn looks to move away, Ibaka throws a big counter combo but Taphorn just gets out of the way.
Taphorn throws a wild body kick that Ibaka sees coming a mile off.
Ibaka swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ibaka jabs Taphorn to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Taphorn misses with the combination.
Peter Taphorn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taphorn throws a jab but it's blocked by Ibaka.
As Taphorn backs away, Ibaka returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Taphorn misses the shot to the body.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Taphorn, right into the meat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taphorn throws a leg kick
and Taphorn takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A slow jab from Ibaka misses its intended target.
Taphorn throws a leg kick which misses Ibaka's front leg but catches the back leg as Ibaka tries to avoid it.
Ibaka chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Taphorn can pounce on him.
Nice uppercut there from Taphorn.
Ibaka misses with a few strikes there.
Taphorn now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Ibaka is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Taphorn tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Taphorn throws a body punch but Ibaka moves out of range.
Taphorn throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Taphorn is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice body kick there by Taphorn.
Taphorn throws a combination that misses
and Ibaka counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Taphorn back to the cage. Ibaka follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Taphorn with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Ibaka fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Serge Ibaka is winning the standup battle so far.
Ibaka misses with the combination.
Taphorn throws a predictable looking body shot
and Ibaka counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Taphorn throws a jab but it's blocked by Ibaka.
Ibaka seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Taphorn has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Taphorn throws a hook but Ibaka avoids it easily.
Taphorn throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Ibaka to counter with a crisp jab.
Taphorn misses with a right hand
and Ibaka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ibaka rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Taphorn moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A countering left hand to the body from Taphorn misses.
Taphorn takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Ibaka will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Taphorn! But no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Ibaka to counter with a crisp jab.
Ibaka on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Taphorn takes a swing at Ibaka's ribcage but misses.
Taphorn lands a nice hook to Ibaka's body. Ibaka takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ibaka walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Taphorn moves out of range as Ibaka strikes.
Taphorn scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Taphorn avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A countering left hand to the body from Taphorn misses.
Taphorn misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ibaka.
As Taphorn backs away, Ibaka returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Ibaka scores with a decent looking hook.
Good exchange - Taphorn coming out on top.
A swing and a miss from Taphorn.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Taphorn throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A punch lands to the side of Ibaka 's head but he takes it in his stride.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Taphorn throws a lazy uppercut
and Ibaka counters with a straight right hand.
Ibaka lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Taphorn has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ibaka finds it's way round the side to connect with Taphorn's head.
Taphorn throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ibaka loads up on a big right hand but Taphorn slips the punch.
Taphorn swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Taphorn looks to throw the jab but Ibaka is out of range.
Ibaka listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Taphorn throws a low kick but Ibaka moves out of range easily.
Taphorn throws a poor cross that misses
and Ibaka counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ibaka lands a glancing blow to the side of Taphorn's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Serge Ibaka did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ibaka takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A slow jab from Taphorn misses its intended target.
Ibaka uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Taphorn.
Taphorn just misses with a punch to the body.
Ibaka throwing a counter right hand but Taphorn manages to avoid it.
Taphorn misses with a jab, cross combination.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Taphorn, as that shot connected.
A decent looking cross lands there for Taphorn.
A punch combination from Taphorn misses.
A head kick misses from Ibaka.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ibaka throws the left hand but Taphorn avoids the punch easily.
A jab from Ibaka does it's job there.
Taphorn misses the shot to the body.
Taphorn scores with a punch to the head.
Ibaka lands a head kick. Taphorn smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Ibaka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ibaka lands a lovely overhand right.
Ibaka throws a lazy uppercut
and Taphorn counters with a nice leg kick.
Taphorn misses with an attempted mid kick.
Taphorn pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ibaka lands a nice hook to Taphorn's body. Taphorn takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Taphorn changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice defenses there by Taphorn.
Ibaka misses with a wild body shot.
Taphorn misses with a hook.
Ibaka fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Taphorn looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Ibaka fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Taphorn looks to throw a body kick
and Ibaka counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn throws a poor cross that misses
and Ibaka counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Taphorn tries for a takedown but Ibaka circles away easily
and Taphorn takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Taphorn lands a two punch combo.
A jab from Ibaka misses.
A little jabbing left from Taphorn on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Taphorn lands a jab to the head.
Taphorn throws the kick towards the body but Ibaka avoids it.
A jab from Taphorn misses.
Taphorn closes the distance looking to clinch
and Ibaka counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ibaka throws a series of punches but Taphorn avoids them all with ease.
Taphorn tries to work over Ibaka's front leg with a kick but Ibaka checks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ibaka's calf.
Ibaka ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Taphorn moves away.
Taphorn stuns Ibaka with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Taphorn tries to clinch but Ibaka moves out of range.
It looked like Ibaka wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Ibaka checks a leg kick.
Taphorn misses with a wild body shot.
Ibaka thuds his right hand into Taphorn's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Ibaka takes one to the side of the head.

Taphorn shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Ibaka makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Taphorn misses with a takedown attempt
and Ibaka counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Ibaka.
Taphorn throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ibaka sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Good shot there by Ibaka.
Ibaka steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Taphorn.
Ibaka was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Taphorn tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Taphorn bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ibaka lands a leg kick that knocks Taphorn off balance momentarily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Taphorn.
Taphorn lands a jab to the nose.
Taphorn looks to clinch
letting Ibaka counter with a right hand.
Taphorn throws a predictable looking body shot
and Ibaka counters with a stiff right hand.
Taphorn throws out a leg kick but Ibaka moves out of range and Taphorn only half commits.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Serge Ibaka will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Taphorn ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ibaka moves away.
Ibaka misses with a hook.
Ibaka sets himself, and Taphorn steps forward looking for the clinch! Ibaka avoids it this time.
Taphorn throws a wild body kick that Ibaka sees coming a mile off.
Taphorn drops his hands momentarily and Ibaka takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A swing and a miss from Ibaka.
A countering left hand to the body from Taphorn misses.
Ibaka moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Taphorn misses with an uppercut
letting Ibaka counter with a right hand.
Ibaka bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Taphorn looks to land a right hand but Ibaka moved out of range.
Ibaka was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick misses from Ibaka.
Ibaka fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Ibaka throws a hook but Taphorn avoids it easily.
Taphorn feints the counter takedown.
Taphorn showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ibaka.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibaka lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Taphorn looks to land a combination but Ibaka avoids it well.
Ibaka misses with a left hand
and Taphorn counters with a straight right hand.
A thudding body kick lands there by Taphorn!
Ibaka misses with a kick to the body.
Taphorn wants to slow Ibaka down by chopping away at his legs.
Taphorn misses with an uppercut. Ibaka saw that one coming.
Ibaka wants to clinch.
Taphorn moves forwards but Ibaka connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ibaka manages to avoid it.
Taphorn throws a low kick but Ibaka moves out of range easily.
Taphorn tries to work over Ibaka's front leg with a kick but Ibaka checks it.
Taphorn looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ibaka is fending him off so far but Taphorn persists. Nope, Ibaka circles away and we're back to standing.
Taphorn pivots, looking for a leg kick but Ibaka is out of range and Taphorn settles back down.
Taphorn fails with the takedown.
Ibaka throws a head kick but Taphorn moves out of range.
Taphorn looks to throw the jab but Ibaka is out of range.
Ibaka jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ibaka misses with the combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibaka throws a body punch but Taphorn moves out of range.
Taphorn takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Taphorn scores with a hook to the body. Ibaka takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Serge Ibaka is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ibaka takes a swing at Taphorn's ribcage but misses.
Taphorn misses with a jab, cross combination.
Peter Taphorn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Taphorn misses the body punch
and Ibaka cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ibaka throws a head kick but Taphorn moves out of range.
Taphorn misses with a wild body shot.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Ibaka, as that shot connected.
Taphorn connects with a looping right hand.

Taphorn clinches with his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn misses with a short punch on the inside.
Taphorn struggles to land a body shot inside as Ibaka controls his hands.
Taphorn scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Taphorn scores with a shoulder strike.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Taphorn looking to slow down the pace here.
A head punch on the inside from Taphorn fails to land.
Ibaka throws a knee to the head but misses.
Taphorn swings wildly with an uppercut but Ibaka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Taphorn can't find room to land a body shot as Ibaka controls the action.
Ibaka cracks Taphorn with a nice body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ibaka.
Taphorn is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Taphorn breaks the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Serge Ibaka.
I think Ibaka has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 49:46
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 49:46
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Serge Ibaka!
Serge Ibaka retains his bantamweight title!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Serge Ibaka made sure he mentioned Aspire Clothing, along with how happy he was to win his fight.