PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kaplan Temrezov (ranked 23725 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tsyuoshi Taranaki (ranked 6741 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Temrezov
vs
Taranaki

175 cm
27
157 lbs
5 - 15 - 1

175 cm
26
155 lbs
8 - 11 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 15 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kaplan Temrezov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 11 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tsyuoshi Taranaki!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Valeri Chadov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taranaki has his takedown stuffed

and Temrezov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Taranaki preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Taranaki lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Temrezov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Temrezov tries to get out of the position.
Taranaki wants to control from the top but Temrezov keeps moving.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Temrezov holds on and takes a little breather.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Temrezov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Temrezov keeping moving, preventing Taranaki from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Temrezov looking for a sweep. Not yet Temrezov, not yet.
Taranaki postures up.
Temrezov thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Temrezov is striking off his back. Taranaki thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Taranaki wants to take a breather but Temrezov is having none of it.
Temrezov tries to get to full guard but Taranaki has control of the leg.
Taranaki tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Temrezov.
Taranaki throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Temrezov is looking for a sweep. Taranaki is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Taranaki wants to control but Temrezov is keeping him busy.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Temrezov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Temrezov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Taranaki is keeping the position for now.
Temrezov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Taranaki on the ground.
Taranaki controls Temrezov momentarily but Temrezov frees himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Temrezov stopping the sweep attempt from Taranaki.
Temrezov looking to sit in guard and control but Taranaki gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Taranaki trying to control but Temrezov is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Temrezov wants to sweep here but Taranaki controlling him for the moment.

Temrezov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Taranaki gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Temrezov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Temrezov working a defensive guard but Taranaki manages to pass into side control anyway.

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.

Taranaki goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Temrezov rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Taranaki's guard! Nice work there by Temrezov!

Taranaki had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Temrezov defends it easily.
Temrezov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Temrezov stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Temrezov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Temrezov lands in his opponent's guard.
Temrezov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kaplan Temrezov will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Temrezov looks for a takedown but Taranaki sprawls well.

Temrezov closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Taranaki to the mat! Taranaki manages to get full guard.
Temrezov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Taranaki not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Taranaki is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Temrezov controlling from the top position.
Taranaki tries to strike from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Temrezov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Taranaki swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Temrezov trying to control the position from guard on top but Taranaki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

Temrezov feints and as Taranaki raises his hands in defense, Temrezov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Taranaki not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Taranaki looking to hit a scissor sweep but Temrezov is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Temrezov wants to stand and escape but instead Taranaki has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Taranaki avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Temrezov trying to control the position.
Taranaki throwing strikes from guard but Temrezov blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taranaki trying to control the position from guard on top but Temrezov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taranaki stopping the sweep attempt from Temrezov.
Temrezov trying to control the position.
Taranaki wants to control from the top but Temrezov keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Taranaki shoots in looking for a takedown. Temrezov tries to sprawl out of it but Taranaki keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Temrezov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Taranaki avoids a punch combination nicely.
Taranaki misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Temrezov appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Taranaki shoots in looking for a takedown but Temrezov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Taranaki's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Temrezov tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Taranaki manages to circle out of the way.
Taranaki tries to score a power double leg takedown but Temrezov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Taranaki somewhat.
Kaplan Temrezov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tsyuoshi Taranaki.
Horrible takedown attempt by Taranaki or perhaps it was just good defense by Temrezov, which made it look bad.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Temrezov forces Taranaki back against the cage and clinches.
Temrezov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kaplan Temrezov dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Taranaki misses with a takedown
and Temrezov finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.

Temrezov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Taranaki's guard.
Taranaki tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Temrezov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Taranaki trying to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Temrezov passes Taranaki's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Taranaki trying to control but Temrezov postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taranaki wants to improve his position but Temrezov is controlling well.

Taranaki looking for submissions off his back.
Temrezov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Taranaki's head.
Temrezov is stalling here. Taranaki is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Temrezov seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Taranaki has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Taranaki working away.
Temrezov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Taranaki can do to turn this around?

Taranaki stands up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Temrezov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Taranaki changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Taranaki fails with the takedown
letting Temrezov counter with a right hand.
Taranaki tries to clinch up but Temrezov circles away and keeps his distance.
Taranaki shoots in for a double leg but Temrezov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kaplan Temrezov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tsyuoshi Taranaki.
Taranaki looks to clinch
and Temrezov counters with a two punch combo.

Temrezov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Temrezov throwing shots but Taranaki is blocking nicely.
Taranaki is looking to control Temrezov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Taranaki avoid being mounted?
Temrezov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taranaki moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Temrezov cracks Taranaki with a solid left hand.
Temrezov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Temrezov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Temrezov is looking to stand up but Taranaki won't let him.

Taranaki has his foot on Temrezov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Temrezov works his way back into a safe position though.
Taranaki wants to sweep but no luck.
Temrezov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Taranaki looking to hit a scissor sweep but Temrezov is one step ahead there.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Taranaki gets caught napping as Temrezov dives in and scores a takedown. Taranaki manages to retain guard.
Temrezov is looking to pass into half guard but Taranaki pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Taranaki is in guard.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Temrezov 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.
Tsyuoshi Taranaki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kaplan Temrezov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Temrezov is trying to control the position from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kaplan Temrezov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Temrezov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kaplan Temrezov!