PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tsyuoshi Taranaki (ranked 4075 p4p, 0 weight class) and Imanali Umarov (ranked 5876 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Taranaki
vs
Umarov

175 cm
25
155 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

179 cm
25
156 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

Good takedowns
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tsyuoshi Taranaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Imanali Umarov!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, David Hoff and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Umarov drives through and clinches with Taranaki against the cage.
Taranaki has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Taranaki is trying to maintain a safe position but Umarov gets an underhook and turns Taranaki into the cage.
Umarov gets underhooks to prevent Taranaki's takedown attempt.

Umarov manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Umarov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Umarov has his foot on Taranaki's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Taranaki works his way back into a safe position though.
Taranaki forces his way into half guard.
Umarov desperately trying to maintain half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Umarov tries to roll over but Taranaki keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Taranaki is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Umarov is just riding it out for now. Taranaki eventually gives up the hold.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Umarov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Umarov wants to control but Taranaki is keeping busy.
Umarov is trying to control but Taranaki manages to pass to mount!
Umarov tries to lock up and control but Taranaki gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Taranaki can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Umarov is looking to escape.
Umarov is desperately trying to improve his position but Taranaki has a good base and remains in mount.
Umarov wants to hold on but Taranaki pushes him away.
Taranaki wants to control the pace but Umarov is squirming around nicely.
Umarov can't escape the position.
Umarov tries to control the position but Taranaki now has his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Umarov trying to control the action but Taranaki just sinks the hooks in.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Will Taranaki go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
You can see the frustration on Umarov's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Taranaki misses with punches from the back.
Umarov wants to escape the position.
Umarov is trying to get back to his feet but Taranaki has full control of the position and if anything, Umarov has just worked his way into a worse spot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taranaki missing with punches from the back.
Taranaki missing with strikes from the back.
Umarov is really stuck here.
Taranaki is not going to allow Umarov to sit and survive in this position.
Umarov covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Umarov staying busy and making it hard for Taranaki to control.
Umarov trying to control but not successfully.

Umarov is trying to control the position but Taranaki manages to sink in the RNC - Umarov is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Tsyuoshi Taranaki!