PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Cristian Tavares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Miller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tavares comes to the cage accompanied by oh, he's rocking two gold belts, shiny. Cristian Tavares is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Tavares
vs
Miller

173 cm
25
150 lbs
12 - 1 - 0

166 cm
25
148 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing
Conviction

Aspire Clothing

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 12 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Cristian Tavares!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ben Miller!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Sergei Dronov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Miller moves forwards but Tavares connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Miller forces Tavares back against the cage and clinches.

Tavares pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Miller is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tavares sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Miller throws a leg kick but Tavares moved away.
A big right from Tavares misses.
Miller wants to counter with a clinch but Tavares pushes him away.
Miller connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Tavares is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Miller walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Miller misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tavares.
Miller changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Miller blocks a jab.
Tavares misses with a straight left.
Miller tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tavares waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Miller.
Miller throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tavares looks to throw the jab but Miller is out of range.
Miller fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Miller misses the jab.
Tavares was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Tavares throws a body punch but Miller moves out of range.
Miller lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares scores with a punch to the head.
Miller fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Miller dives in and scores a takedown into Tavares's guard.
Tavares controls Miller momentarily but Miller frees himself.
Tavares wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Miller wants to pass the guard but Tavares is keeping the position.
Miller trying to control the position from guard on top but Tavares is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Miller throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tavares is trying to keep Miller in close.
Tavares managing to control the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Miller wants to control from the top but Tavares keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Miller rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Tavares counters with a straight right hand.
Tavares stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Miller.
Tavares lands with a shot to the body.
Tavares misses with a wild body shot.
Miller uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tavares.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tavares throws a hook to the side of Miller's head but Miller sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Miller is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Miller looks for a takedown but Tavares sprawls well.
Cristian Tavares has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Miller.
Tavares circles away from the clinch attempt.
An attempted straight right counter from Tavares misses the target.
Miller thuds a left hand into Tavares's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Miller shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Tavares is trying to defend but Miller finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Miller has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Miller throwing shots but Tavares is blocking nicely.
Tavares is pressing down on Miller's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Tavares working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Miller.
Miller trying to control the position from guard on top but Tavares is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Miller postures up.
Miller wants to pass the guard but Tavares is keeping the position.
Tavares not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Miller trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miller with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Miller pushes down on Tavares's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Miller thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Miller tries to pass to full mount but Tavares defends it.
Tavares is controlling Miller's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Tavares wants to control but Miller is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Miller thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tavares's head.

Miller is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Miller landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Miller dominated that 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.

Tavares throws a big shot that misses.
Tavares listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

Miller clinches with his opponent.
Miller working aggressively here.
Miller tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
I was talking to Tavares's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Miller tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Tavares just stands there and leans against the cage.
Tavares looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Miller tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tavares's elbow.
Tavares lands with a right to the head.
Miller softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Tavares misses with a body punch.
Tavares works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Tavares prevents a body shot from Miller.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tavares fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tavares is trying to break the clinch but Miller is controlling him.
Tavares tries a body shot but Miller blocks it.

Tavares breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cristian Tavares seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Miller scores with a three punch combo!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tavares misses with a hook.
And Miller tries to counter it with a takedown but Tavares pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good work by Tavares as he checks the leg kick.
Tavares swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Miller is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Tavares rather than just go for the knockout.
Miller connects with a leg kick. Tavares looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Miller uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tavares.
Tavares lands with a shot to the body.
Miller ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Tavares lands a jab to the head.
Tavares throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Miller on the side of the head.
Miller takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Miller takes one on the button.
Miller staying out of range there.
Miller lands a body shot.
Miller keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Miller is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Tavares is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Miller tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A shot to the liver by Miller. Beautiful body shot.
Tavares missing with a left hand there. Miller was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Miller tries to land a body kick
and Tavares counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Miller scores with a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares lands an overhand right.
A big right from Tavares misses.
Miller takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Cristian Tavares is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Miller throws a front kick aimed at Tavares's knee but Tavares avoids it well.

Miller gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Tavares misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tavares wants to get back to striking at distance but Miller won't allow it.
Tavares misses with a punch to the body.
Tavares lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Miller backwards.
Miller swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tavares wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tavares lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

Miller gets control of Tavares's arms and successfully pulls guard. Miller will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Tavares works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Tavares is pressing down on Miller's thigh, looking to free his foot. Miller is holding on for now.
Well, if Tavares is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Tavares pushes down on Miller's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Miller moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Miller 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Tavares sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Miller looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tavares is one step ahead there.
Tavares not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Tavares got a little sloppy there for a moment and Miller has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tavares has managed to get both his arms back between Miller's legs - danger averted.
Tavares is stalling in the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cristian Tavares dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Tavares takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Tavares lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Miller backs up against the cage.
Tavares blocks a jab.
Miller shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tavares defends it nicely.
Cristian Tavares is winning the standup battle so far.
Tavares throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Miller looks to score with a jab to the body but Tavares is just out of range.
Miller doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Miller on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Miller swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Miller uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tavares.
Tavares looks to land a left hand but Miller moved out of range nicely.
Miller changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tavares tries to avoid it but Miller manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tavares to the ground. Tavares escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A little feinted left hand from Tavares on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Nice jab there from Tavares.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller slips a jab and a cross from Tavares.
Miller feints the counter takedown.
Miller misses with a body kick.
Tavares fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Miller manages to avoid it.
Tavares misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Miller.
Miller ducks under a wild hook from Tavares.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Tavares.
Tavares takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Jab by Miller.
Miller throws a jab when Tavares was well out of range.
Miller ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Tavares keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Tavares misses the shot to the body.
Miller takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Tavares misses with a wild body shot.
Miller fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Tavares looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Miller takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Miller manages to avoid it.
Miller misses with a body shot.
Miller lands with a kick to the ribs.
Miller shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tavares as he avoids it easily.
Cristian Tavares has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Miller.
Tavares connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Miller fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Tavares has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Tavares connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Miller's hands.
Tavares throws the left hand but Miller avoids the punch easily.
Miller fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Tavares has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Miller showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tavares.
Miller ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tavares moves away.
Miller looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Miller scores with a hook to the body. Tavares takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Miller avoids the body shot from Tavares.
Tavares thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller misses with a jab to the body
and Tavares counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Tavares throws a lazy uppercut

so Miller counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Tavares pulls Miller in close to his closed guard and prevents Miller from doing any damage or advancing position.
Tavares keeping full guard, as Miller tries to pass.
Miller slips nicely into half guard.
Tavares is looking to control Miller's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tavares avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tavares looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Miller throwing shots but Tavares is blocking nicely.
Tavares trying to control from the bottom.
Miller frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Miller lands a big shot there that rocks Tavares but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Miller breaks from Tavares's wrist control and lands an elbow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tavares is looking to get to half guard.
Tavares is working hard here to advance position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Cristian Tavares did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
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.

Tavares lands a head shot.
A jab lands there for Tavares.
Miller is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Tavares takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Tavares bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Miller's head.
Miller moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Miller moves away from the strike by Tavares.
Miller is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Miller fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Miller closes the distance and clinches up with Tavares, looking for a takedown. Miller pushes Tavares against the cage but Tavares circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Tavares was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Tavares uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Miller.
Tavares lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Miller tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tavares swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tavares pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tavares just misses with a punch to the body.
Miller has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Miller just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Miller takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A cross from Tavares lands.
Miller lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Miller swings for the body but Tavares moves out of range.
Tavares is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Tavares throws a shot from downtown. Miller moves away and avoids it.
Miller is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Miller is looking to score with low kicks.
Tavares misses with a hook. Miller ducked under it nicely.
Miller tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Miller looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Tavares throws a sloppy body shot

and Miller counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Tavares wants to improve his position but Miller is controlling well.
Ben Miller has got the better of the ground game so far.

Miller is working for a submission of some sort.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tavares wants to improve his position but Miller is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miller wants to free his trapped foot but Tavares is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Tavares is looking to control Miller's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tavares avoid being mounted?

Miller is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Tavares has managed to free his arm - good work.
Tavares is looking to control Miller's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tavares avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller is trying to control the action in half guard but Tavares is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Tavares gets full guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Miller's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Tavares is controlling Miller's posture.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
A swing and a miss from Tavares.
Tavares throws a big shot that misses.
Tavares works Miller's body with a nice hook.
A looping hook to the body misses from Miller. Tavares does a little dance to reset his feet.
Miller displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tavares throws out the jab.
Miller lands a right hook to the body.
Miller tries to close the distance and clinch but Tavares swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tavares looks to score with a jab to the body but Miller is just out of range.
Miller fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Tavares looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Nice defenses there by Miller.
Tavares bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Miller's head backwards.
Tavares throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Miller keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tavares.
Tavares looks to land a right hand but Miller moved out of range.
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 Cristian Tavares will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Miller displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tavares throws out the jab.
Tavares is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Miller.
Tavares misses the shot to the body.
Tavares throws the left hand but Miller avoids the punch easily.
Miller looks to throw a body kick
and Tavares counters with a nice uppercut.
Miller throws a leg kick that is checked
and Tavares cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Miller changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Tavares misses with a two punch combination.
Tavares doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Tavares's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Miller connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Tavares scrambles back to his feet.
Tavares listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Tavares lands with a good body shot.
Miller chopping away at his opponent's legs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Tavares gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Miller to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Tavares pulls Miller in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Miller 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.
Tavares is pulling down on Miller's head to control his posture.
Miller tries to free his leg and advance position but Tavares is retaining full guard.

Miller 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.
Tavares is trying to keep Miller in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Miller engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Tavares working for a triangle but Miller defends it easily.
Tavares trying to keep a closed guard but Miller is proving a slippery customer.
Ben Miller has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller looking to pass the guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Miller tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Tavares swivels and escapes.
Tavares missing with a left hand there. Miller was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tavares jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Tavares throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Tavares tries to move into range but Miller moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Tavares on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Miller bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Miller ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tavares moves away.
Tavares was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Miller moves in looking to clinch but Tavares pushes him off.
Tavares with a jab.
Tavares throws the left hand but Miller avoids the punch easily.
Miller takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Tavares moves out of range of the body kick from Miller.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick from Miller lands but Tavares takes it in his stride.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tavares keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Miller is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Tavares scores with a nice head shot.
Tavares is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Miller ducks under a wild hook from Tavares.
Tavares misses the jab.
Miller takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Tavares misses with the combination.
Tavares missing with a left hand there. Miller was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tavares swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Miller misses with a body kick.
Tavares's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Miller connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Tavares scrambles back to his feet.
Tavares takes a jab right on the kisser.

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 Cristian Tavares.
I think Tavares 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 49:46
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 49:46
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cristian Tavares!
Cristian Tavares retains his featherweight title!
Cristian Tavares thanked the fans post fight for their support.