PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Whitney Larsen (ranked 25196 p4p, 0 weight class) and LaTrell Tarver (ranked 7123 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Larsen
vs
Tarver

189 cm
22
140 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

165 cm
18
137 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Whitney Larsen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, LaTrell Tarver!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Eddie Farnsworth and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tarver has Larsen up against the cage in a clinch.

Tarver pulls guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Tarver 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.
Tarver managing to control the position.
Tarver thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Larsen postures up and lands a big shot to Tarver's brow.
Tarver looking to control but Larsen passes into half guard.
Tarver wants to control but Larsen is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tarver looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Tarver tries to roll over but Larsen keeps him under control.
Larsen sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Larsen is thwarting Tarver's attempts to control the position.

Larsen is looking for a kimura but Tarver is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Larsen to get the leverage.

Tarver looking for submissions off his back.

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.
Tarver controlling the position for now.
Tarver wants to control but Larsen is keeping busy.
Tarver makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Tarver.
Larsen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Tarver had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Larsen defends it easily.
Tarver tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larsen landing some decent shots from guard.
Larsen throwing strikes from guard but Tarver blocks nicely.
Larsen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tarver wants to sweep here but Larsen controlling him for the moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Tarver tries to keep at a distance but Larsen has taken the fight into the clinch.

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.
Tarver is trying to push Larsen away but Larsen has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Tarver jumps into guard, dragging Larsen to the mat.
Larsen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tarver keeping moving, preventing Larsen from controlling successfully.
Larsen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Larsen drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Tarver manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Larsen has Tarver in his guard.

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tarver trying to control the position from guard on top but Larsen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

LaTrell Tarver dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Larsen shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Larsen was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Tarver is trying to get back to half guard.
Tarver has one of Larsen's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
Tarver is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Larsen has just dragged him back down to the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Larsen controls the position from side control.
Tarver is trying to control Larsen's posture but Larsen avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Tarver regains half guard, as Larsen was trying to land strikes.
Tarver trying to hold on to Larsen's head to control him but Larsen postures up.
Larsen prevents Tarver from improving his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two 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.

Tarver looking for submissions off his back.
Tarver is trying to maintain the position but Larsen is very close to passing his half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Tarver gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Tarver works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Larsen is looking to stand back up but Tarver counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Larsen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tarver wants to lay and pray for a moment but Larsen keeps working.
Tarver tries to pass to full mount but Larsen defends it.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
LaTrell Tarver has got the better of the ground game so far.
Larsen is staying active underneath Tarver, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Tarver perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Tarver looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Larsen tries to kick Tarver off but Tarver keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tarver is looking to take a break and control but Larsen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Tarver thows a huge punch but Larsen dodges it nicely.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Larsen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tarver tries to avoid it but Larsen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tarver to the ground. Tarver escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tarver is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

Tarver clinches with his opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Tarver successfully pulls guard.
Larsen tries to stand but Tarver is controlling from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

LaTrell Tarver showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Larsen scores with a takedown into Tarver's guard.

Tarver pushes Larsen off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Tarver shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Larsen wants to get back to full guard.
Tarver wants to lay and pray for a moment but Larsen keeps working.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larsen trying to control but Tarver postures up.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Tarver in particular looking to stall.
Tarver is just content to waste time from the top position. Larsen takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Tarver trying to control but Larsen is working from the bottom.
Tarver slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Tarver misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Tarver slows the pace down.

Tarver decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Tarver bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Larsen really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Tarver trying to control the action but Larsen is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larsen prevents Tarver from moving into mount.

Tarver decides to stand up, so the ref orders Larsen to his feet.

Tarver gets the takedown into side control.
Tarver takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Tarver decides to stand back up. Tarver steps back and let's Larsen get back to his feet.

Tarver clinches up against the cage.

Tarver jumps guard and drags Larsen to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larsen throwing strikes from guard but Tarver blocks nicely.

Tarver has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Larsen doesn't defend quickly enough and Tarver has managed to lock this one up! Can Larsen escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Tarver on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:31 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). LaTrell Tarver!