PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Steve Passion (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Djalo Tavares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tavares has chosen Voodoo Shit as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Passion
vs
Tavares

168 cm
27
135 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

178 cm
19
149 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

RAGS of a RONIN

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Steve Passion!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Djalo Tavares!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Sam Margolis and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tavares lands with a straight right. Passion didn't see that one coming.

Tavares moves into the clinch successfully.
Tavares goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Passion blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tavares goes for a takedown in the clinch but Passion prevents it.
Passion can't break the clinch.

Passion's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Passion takes the fight into the clinch.
Passion is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tavares misses with a hook to the ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Passion is trying to pull guard but Tavares turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Passion breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Passion scores with a shot to the body.
Tavares throws a hook but Passion avoids it easily.

Passion closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares swings away with an uppercut that misses.
We've been informed that Tavares has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Tavares pushes Passion back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tavares struggles to land a body shot inside as Passion controls his hands.
Tavares prevents Passion from breaking the clinch.
Passion is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Tavares gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Passion has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Tavares is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Tavares lands a shoulder strike.

Passion manages to pull guard.
Passion wants to stand but Tavares is controlling the position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Tavares's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Passion wants to stand but Tavares is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares is working Passion over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Passion is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at BodyWorx that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Passion wants to stand up but Tavares is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tavares postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Passion wants to get back to his feet but Tavares is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Tavares throws a big elbow that misses.
Tavares keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Passion's head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tavares accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tavares throwing strikes but missing.
Tavares chips away with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares scoring with punches to the head and body.
Tavares won't allow Passion to get back to his feet.
Tavares connects with a couple of short punches.
Tavares working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tavares accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tavares must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Passion wants to stand and escape but Tavares is having none of it.
Tavares is looking to work some ground and pound but Passion has wrist control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Tavares lands with an overhand left.
Passion stuffs the takedown.
Steve Passion has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Djalo Tavares.
Tavares keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Passion.

Passion gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Tavares misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tavares keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Passion's efforts to push away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Passion's elbow.
A short right from Tavares.

Tavares has Passion pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Tavares pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Passion tumbling to the mat - Tavares dives into Passion's guard.
Tavares stops Passion from standing up.
Tavares postures up and lands a big shot to Passion's brow.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Tavares's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Passion wants to stand and escape but Tavares is having none of it.
Tavares is stalling in the full guard.
Passion on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Passion tries to get out of the position.
Tavares trying to control but Passion is working from the bottom.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Passion gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Tavares misses with a punch on the inside.
Tavares goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tavares lands a body punch in the clinch.
Passion blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Passion blocks a body shot from Tavares.
Tavares goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tavares holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Tavares misses with a hook to the ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Passion tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tavares smiles and moves away.

Tavares closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Passion wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Tavares is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Tavares is looking to take this one to the mat.
Tavares tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short right from Tavares.
Tavares tries a body shot but Passion blocks it.
Passion is trying to force a seperation but Tavares has the dominant position.
Tavares misses with some punches.
Tavares has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Passion gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Tavares.
Steve Passion has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Djalo Tavares.
Passion wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tavares has him pressed against the cage.
Passion looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Passion prevents a body shot from Tavares.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares keeps control of Passion as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Passion blocks a body shot from Tavares.
Tavares has Passion pushed against the cage.
Djalo Tavares seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Tavares has a couple of punches blocked by Passion.
Passion is trying to drag Tavares to the mat but Tavares just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Passion kicks Tavares off and gets to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Tavares gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Nice body punch from Tavares.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares lands with a left to the head.

Passion breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Passion gets tackled into the cage by Tavares. Tavares maintains the clinch.
Tavares misses with a body punch.
A frustrated look appears on Passion's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Tavares keeps control of Passion as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tavares is trying to drag Passion to the mat but Passion just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Tavares is stalling here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tavares.

Tavares works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Djalo Tavares has got the better of the ground game so far.
Passion wants to stand but Tavares is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Passion is looking to stand back up but Tavares counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Passion.
Passion is trying to stand back up but Tavares is controlling him
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tavares thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Passion's head.
Passion tries to kick Tavares off but Tavares keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Tavares takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Tavares throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tavares prevents Passion from standing back up.
Passion trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Tavares looks to land a strike but Passion avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

Passion kicks Tavares off and gets to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Djalo Tavares showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Passion takes the fight into the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Passion jumps guard but Tavares stands there with Passion around his waist. Passion gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tavares wants to take the fight to the mat but Passion manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Tavares drops down looking for an ankle pick but Passion pulls his leg out and moves away.

Passion forces Tavares back against the cage and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tavares goes for a takedown in the clinch but Passion prevents it.
Steve Passion has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Djalo Tavares.
Passion wants to break free but Tavares has control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares tries to throw a body punch but Passion avoids it by throwing Tavares back against the cage.
Passion is trying to force a seperation but Tavares has the dominant position.
Passion is trying to break free.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tavares.
Tavares lands a right hand.
Tavares is working for takedown but Passion is calmly controlling the position for now.
Tavares pressing his opponent against the cage.
Passion prevents a body shot from Tavares.

Passion gets control of Tavares's arms and successfully pulls guard. Passion will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Tavares lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Tavares is stalling in the full guard.
Steve Passion has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tavares stops Passion from standing up.
Tavares with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Passion wants to get back to his feet but Tavares is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Tavares working some strikes from top position.
Tavares is looking to work some ground and pound but Passion has wrist control.
Tavares landing with the ground and pound.
Tavares throwing strikes but missing.
Tavares won't allow Passion to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Tavares's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Passion is rocked!
Passion is looking to stand up but Tavares isn't so interested in that idea.
Oh Passion is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

Passion has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Tavares has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Tavares tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Passion's elbow.
Passion seems to have got his legs back now.
Tavares lands a shoulder strike.
Tavares lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Tavares lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Passion makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Passion lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tavares circles away quickly and effectively.
Passion sets himself, and Tavares steps forward looking for the clinch! Passion avoids it this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Passion gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Passion misses with a two punch combination.
A telegraphed right hand from Passion misses the target.
Tavares shoots in for a takedown but Passion shows good takedown defense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares throws a body punch but Passion moves out of range.
Steve Passion is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Passion clinches with his opponent.
Tavares lands a hook that snaps the head of Passion backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Passion.
Tavares tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Passion's elbow.
Tavares misses with a punch on the inside.
Passion is trying to break the clinch but Tavares is controlling him.
Djalo Tavares is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Passion is trying to push Tavares away but Tavares has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Tavares tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Passion's elbow.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Tavares.
Tavares is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Tavares working aggressively here.
Passion struggles to land a body shot inside as Tavares controls his hands.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Djalo Tavares.
I've got Tavares 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 28:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Djalo Tavares!
After winning the bout, Djalo Tavares thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.