PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight kickboxing rules bout between Tahar Heart (ranked 20730 p4p, 640 weight class) and Cole Taggart (ranked 3232 p4p, 318 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Heart
vs
Taggart

170 cm
24
161 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

169 cm
39
160 lbs
25 - 15 - 0

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tahar Heart!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Cole Taggart!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Taggart, right into the meat.
Taggart feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Heart's calf.
Taggart throws a solid leg kick but Heart takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Taggart.
Taggart thows a leg kick but Heart checks it
and Heart counters with a head kick.
A head kick from Taggart lands but Heart takes it in his stride.
Taggart moves out of range of the body kick.
Taggart avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Heart throws a body kick that misses.
Taggart doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Heart seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
A big left from Taggart misses.
Taggart defending well as Heart loads up on a big left hand.
We've been informed that Taggart 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.
Taggart scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Heart tries to land a front kick but Taggart steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Taggart jabs Heart right on the nose. Heart blinks but takes it well.
Taggart lands with a thumping leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Taggart feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Heart's calf.
Heart scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A good leg kick by Taggart.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taggart looks to land a body kick but Heart moved away.
Taggart avoids the head kick by Heart.
Taggart fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Heart takes a kick to the side of the head.
Heart moves out of range of the body kick from Taggart.
Heart seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Heart throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Taggart throws a counter combo.
Heart misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Heart tests Taggart's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Heart blocks a head kick by Taggart.
Heart was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Heart misses with an attempted mid kick.
Taggart tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Heart was well out of range. Poor timing from Taggart.
A punch combination from Heart misses.
A slow jab from Taggart misses its intended target.
Taggart pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Taggart wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taggart slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Heart looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Heart misses with a wild body shot.
Heart misses with a low kick.
Taggart is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Heart with a body shot.
Taggart takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Heart throws a sloppy head kick and Taggart moves out of range easily.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Taggart.
Heart scores with a jab to the body.
Heart lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Heart throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Danga de danga de dang - Taggart scores with a four punch combination!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Heart stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Taggart.
Heart throws the kick towards the body but Taggart avoids it.
Taggart misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Taggart has closed the distance and engaged Heart in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Heart ducks under a wild hook from Taggart.
Heart throws a counter high kick but Taggart was just alert enough to avoid it.
Taggart blocks the body kick.
Taggart looks to land a body kick but Heart moved away.
Heart tries to move into range but Taggart moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Taggart lands a head kick. Heart smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Taggart will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Taggart moves into the clinch.
Taggart lands a shot to the body.
Taggart can't find room to land a body shot as Heart controls the action.
A short right from Taggart.
Heart tries to circle away but Taggart has him pinned against the ropes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Heart is trying to break the clinch but Taggart is controlling him.
Taggart scores with a shot to the side of Heart's head.

Heart's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Taggart has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Taggart is looking to chop away at Heart's legs.
Taggart ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tahar Heart is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Heart takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Heart pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Taggart throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Taggart moves into the clinch.
Heart scores with a shoulder strike.
Taggart connects with a nasty looking knee right to Heart's face.
Taggart prevents a body shot from Heart.
Heart goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Heart takes a shot to the head.
Taggart tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Heart's elbow.
Taggart lands a hook that snaps the head of Heart backwards.
Taggart missing with knees to the body.
Taggart prevents Heart from breaking the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Taggart.
Heart stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Heart is trying to break free.
Heart working hard to break the clinch.
Taggart misses with a body punch.
Heart struggles to land a body shot inside as Taggart controls his hands.
Taggart tries to throw a body punch but Heart avoids it by throwing Taggart back against the ropes.
Taggart swings wildly with an uppercut but Heart uses good head movement to avoid it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Heart blocks an uppercut.
Taggart digs a right hand underneath Heart's ribcage. Heart let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Taggart has Heart pressed against the ropes, preventing Heart from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Heart escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Taggart bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Taggart ducks right into an uppercut from Heart.
Taggart misses with a lunging right hand
and Heart counters with a two punch combo.
Taggart looks to score with a jab to the body but Heart is just out of range.
Both fighters circling a little - Taggart finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cole Taggart showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Taggart misses with a two punch combination.
Taggart lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Taggart lands a jab to Heart's midsection.
Cole Taggart seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Heart moves out of range of the body kick.
Heart on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Taggart with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Heart tries a head kick but it misses.
Heart tries to land a front kick but Taggart steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Taggart closes the distance and pushes Heart back into the ropes.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Taggart.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Taggart breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Taggart throws a low kick but it's checked well by Heart.
Taggart lands an overhand right.
Taggart scores with a leg kick.
Taggart misses with a low kick as Heart jumps back.
Heart is looking for a counter combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taggart thows a leg kick but Heart checks it
letting Heart counter with a right hand.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Taggart, right into the meat.
Taggart avoids a kick to the body.
Taggart jabs Heart right on the nose. Heart blinks but takes it well.
Cole Taggart seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Taggart is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Heart moves away from the strike by Taggart.
Heart throws a body kick that misses.
Taggart pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Heart clobbers Taggart with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Heart ducks under a wild hook from Taggart.
A solid body kick from Heart.
Heart will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Taggart is looking to chop away at Heart's legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taggart throws a big shot that misses.
Taggart throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
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 sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Heart checks a leg kick.
Heart moves out of range of the leg kick from Taggart.
Taggart pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Heart thinks about countering with a body kick.
Taggart cracks Heart with a good jab.

Taggart instigates a clinch.
Taggart landing knees to the head.

It looks like Tahar Heart has been cut.

Heart breaks from the clinch.
A head kick misses from Taggart.
Heart went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Left hook, right uppercut from Taggart.
Taggart avoids the head kick by Heart.
Heart uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Taggart.
Heart tries a head kick but it misses.
A clash of legs there as Heart blocks the low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cole Taggart really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tahar Heart's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Taggart gets a clinch.
Heart working aggressively here.
Cole Taggart seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Heart tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Heart lands a left hand.
Taggart scores with a nice hook to the head.
Heart misses with a knee to the head.
Taggart softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Taggart working aggressively here.
Heart blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Taggart misses with a hook to the ribs.
Heart misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Heart trying to stall but Taggart improves his position.
Taggart goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Heart is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

Heart breaks the clinch.
Taggart looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Heart seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Taggart lands with a nice body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Heart blocks the body kick.
Heart throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Taggart thuds his right hand into Heart's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Heart takes one to the chin there.
Taggart tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Heart manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Heart takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Taggart rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Heart moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
An inside leg kick from Taggart misses.
Taggart lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Heart misses the shot to the body.
Taggart misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Heart takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Heart looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Heart on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Taggart. Taggart obviously looking to wear him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Taggart.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Taggart pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Heart tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Taggart appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Taggart scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Heart doesn't seem bothered though.
Taggart punishes Heart's body with a nice straight punch.
Taggart looks for the body kick but Heart saw that one coming.
A looping hook to the body misses from Heart. Taggart does a little dance to reset his feet.
A lazy body kick from Taggart
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Heart blocks the body kick.
Heart throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Taggart.
Heart misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Taggart.
A left and a right from Heart both land. Nice combination.
Heart fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Taggart manages to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cole Taggart dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Tahar Heart's cut.
That's time! Heart's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Heart wants to slow Taggart down by chopping away at his legs.
Taggart throws a shot to the body.
Taggart misses with a hook. Heart ducked under it nicely.
Heart blocks a head kick by Taggart.
Heart has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Taggart finds it's way round the side to connect with Heart's head.
Taggart lands a nice leg kick that just misses Heart's sensitive parts.
Heart looks to land a body kick but Taggart moved away.
Taggart misses with the body kick
and Heart counters with a three punch combo that has Taggart backing up. Taggart nods at Heart to acknowledge the strikes.
Taggart moves to clinch but Heart breaks away
and Heart counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Heart looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Taggart attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Heart throws a big counter combination but Taggart scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Taggart throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Heart makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Heart misses with a lunging right hand
letting Taggart counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Heart fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Taggart is out of range.
Heart throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Taggart stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Taggart throws a solid leg kick but Heart takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Taggart.
Heart appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Heart looks to land a body kick but Taggart moved away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Taggart! But no joy.
Taggart throws a head kick but Heart moves out of range.
Heart seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Taggart swinging wildly here.
Heart keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Heart. Taggart does a little dance to reset his feet.
Taggart is looking to chop away at Heart's legs.
Heart quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Cole Taggart is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Taggart throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Heart thumps Taggart with a low kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Taggart.
Taggart gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Heart counters with a head kick. That will keep Taggart thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taggart misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Heart.
Taggart throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Taggart has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Heart.
Heart moves away from the strike by Taggart.
Heart is looking to slow Taggart down with leg kicks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Heart throws a solid leg kick but Taggart takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Heart.
Heart pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Taggart cracks a nice hook into Heart's ribs.
Taggart throws a quick inside leg kick.
Taggart connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Taggart dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Heart. That did some damage!
Taggart misses with a body shot.
Tahar Heart has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Taggart lands with a nice body punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Cole Taggart.
Well Taggart has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 46:49
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 45:50
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 46:49

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