PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ruslan Tagirbekov (ranked 1702 p4p, 196 weight class) and Daquan Bowman (ranked 1373 p4p, 159 weight class). Tagirbekov comes to the cage accompanied by Sabina Saidova - Dagestan. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Tagirbekov
vs
Bowman

175 cm
20
160 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

172 cm
19
163 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Blue Moon

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ruslan Tagirbekov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Daquan Bowman!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yuuki Gou and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tagirbekov misses with a hook. Bowman ducked under it nicely.
Tagirbekov just misses with a punch to the body.
Tagirbekov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bowman.
Bowman throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tagirbekov throws a big counter combination but Bowman scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Daquan Bowman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A left and a right from Tagirbekov both land. Nice combination.

It looks like Daquan Bowman has been cut.
Tagirbekov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Bowman cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Tagirbekov misses with a hook.
Tagirbekov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A big right from Tagirbekov misses.
Tagirbekov throws a series of punches but Bowman moves out of range.
Tagirbekov throws a body shot but no joy.
Tagirbekov throws a combination. Bowman tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tagirbekov misses with a two punch combination.
Tagirbekov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bowman.
Tagirbekov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Bowman slips a jab and a cross from Tagirbekov.
Bowman misses with a left hand
and Tagirbekov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tagirbekov misses with a double jab.
Bowman throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tagirbekov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bowman.
Bowman defending well as Tagirbekov loads up on a big left hand.
Bowman throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tagirbekov tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Bowman manages to circle out of the way.
Bowman moves out of range of the strikes.
Bowman listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Bowman moves out of range as Tagirbekov strikes.
A slow jab from Tagirbekov misses its intended target.
Tagirbekov moves forwards but Bowman connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Bowman lands with a straight right. Tagirbekov didn't see that one coming.
Tagirbekov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bowman.
Tagirbekov slips a jab from Bowman.
Bowman waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tagirbekov.
Tagirbekov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bowman.
Bowman thows a left - swing and a miss!
Tagirbekov misses with a wild body shot.
Tagirbekov throws a lazy right hand but Bowman sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bowman bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bowman swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Tagirbekov is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Tagirbekov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Bowman finds it's way round the side to connect with Tagirbekov's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bowman feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Tagirbekov's calf.
Bowman bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bowman slips under a jab from Tagirbekov.
It seemed like Bowman was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Bowman misses with a lunging right hand
and Tagirbekov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tagirbekov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tagirbekov throws out a loose jab but Bowman uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bowman scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bowman.
Bowman connects with a single shot there.
Bowman bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Sloppy strikes from Tagirbekov. Those never looked like landing.
A cross from Tagirbekov lands.
Tagirbekov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bowman paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bowman circles away from the clinch attempt
letting Bowman counter with a right hand.
Bowman throws a shot from downtown. Tagirbekov moves away and avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Tagirbekov.
Tagirbekov throws a hook but Bowman avoids it easily.
Bowman steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Bowman lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Bowman dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tagirbekov misses with a straight left.
Bowman throws out a loose jab but Tagirbekov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bowman lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Tagirbekov cracks Bowman with a good jab.
Nice defenses there by Tagirbekov.
Tagirbekov tests Bowman's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Tagirbekov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bowman.
A solid body kick from Bowman.
Bowman avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bowman throws a nice outside leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bowman is looking to slow Tagirbekov down with leg kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tagirbekov throws a body shot but no joy.
Bowman is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Tagirbekov had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Bowman connects with a single shot there.
Bowman throws a big shot that misses.
As Bowman tries to get set, Tagirbekov tries to push him back and clinch up but Bowman manages to avoid the attempt.
Bowman scores with a jab to the head.
Tagirbekov missing with a left hand there. Bowman was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bowman cracks Tagirbekov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Bowman misses with a straight right.
Tagirbekov catches Bowman with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Bowman throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tagirbekov sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Tagirbekov forces Bowman back against the cage and clinches.
Bowman tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tagirbekov is trying to pull guard but Bowman has him pressed against the cage.
Tagirbekov prevents a body shot from Bowman.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bowman looking to stall.
Bowman is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Bowman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tagirbekov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Bowman counters with a thumping low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Daquan Bowman will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Daquan Bowman's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Tagirbekov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Tagirbekov lands an overhand right.
Tagirbekov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Bowman counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bowman catches Tagirbekov with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Bowman scores with a hook to the body. Tagirbekov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
That kick from Bowman tenderised Tagirbekov's leg. Tagirbekov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Tagirbekov has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Bowman uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tagirbekov.
Bowman fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Tagirbekov on the side of the head.
Good standup being displayed there by Bowman as he connects with a hook.
Bowman throws a nice outside leg kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Bowman.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bowman takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Tagirbekov throws a body shot but no joy.
Bowman swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Tagirbekov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A clash of legs there as Tagirbekov blocks the low kick.
Tagirbekov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Bowman dodges the punch combination from Tagirbekov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Tagirbekov misses.
Daquan Bowman seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bowman cracks Tagirbekov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Tagirbekov slips a straight right by Bowman.
Bowman fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Tagirbekov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Tagirbekov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Bowmans jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Bowman lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Tagirbekov throws the left hand but Bowman avoids the punch easily.
Bowman misses with a straight left.
Tagirbekov scores with a one two! Bowman had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Bowman avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tagirbekov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bowman.
Tagirbekov misses with a left hand
and Bowman counters with a nice uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tagirbekov looks to land a left hand but Bowman moved out of range nicely.
Bowman uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tagirbekov.
An inside leg kick lands from Bowman.
Bowman connects with a solid leg kick.
Tagirbekov swings widly with a right hand
and Bowman counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tagirbekov missing with a left hand there. Bowman was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A little jabbing left from Bowman on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Tagirbekov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Bowman.
Bowman scoring well with a low kick there.
Tagirbekov moves out of range of the body kick from Bowman.
Bowman connects with a solid leg kick.
Tagirbekov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Tagirbekov looks to throw the jab but Bowman is out of range.
Bowman tries to land a leg kick but Tagirbekov saw it coming and moves away.
Tagirbekov misses with a body shot.
Bowman scoring well with a low kick there.
Bowman misses with a looping right.
Tagirbekov seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Tagirbekov moves out of range as Bowman strikes.
Bowman slips under a jab.
Bowman listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Tagirbekov throws a lazy right hand but Bowman sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tagirbekov throws a good cross that connects.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Bowman, as that shot connected.
Bowman lands an overhand right.
Tagirbekov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Tagirbekov moves out of range as Bowman throws a body kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Tagirbekov misses the target.
Bowman throws a hook but Tagirbekov blocks it.
Bowman throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Tagirbekov forces Bowman back against the cage and clinches.
Bowman tries to throw a body punch but Tagirbekov avoids it by throwing Bowman back against the cage.
Tagirbekov tries to throw a body punch but Bowman avoids it by throwing Tagirbekov back against the cage.
Tagirbekov prevents a body shot from Bowman.
Bowman lands with a left to the head.
Bowman dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Tagirbekov jumps guard but Bowman stands there with Tagirbekov around his waist. Tagirbekov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tagirbekov scores with a shot to the side of Bowman's head.
Tagirbekov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Bowman to keep the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bowman.
A right hook to the body lands for Tagirbekov.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tagirbekov misses with a hook to the ribs.
A nice left hand lands by Tagirbekov.
Tagirbekov is trying to pull guard but Bowman has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruslan Tagirbekov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Tagirbekov has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Bowman uses from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Tagirbekov is looking for a triangle here but Bowman uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Tagirbekov is looking for a sweep.
Bowman wants to control but Tagirbekov is keeping him busy.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tagirbekov is trying to get back to half guard.
Tagirbekov holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daquan Bowman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Daquan Bowman's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Bowman looks to land a body kick but Tagirbekov moved away.
Good leg kick by Bowman there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Bowman throws a hook but Tagirbekov blocks it.
Tagirbekov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bowman sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tagirbekov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Bowman has a couple of punches blocked by Tagirbekov.
Tagirbekov tries to pull guard but Bowman won't allow it.
Tagirbekov tries to throw a body punch but Bowman avoids it by throwing Tagirbekov back against the cage.
A short left from Bowman.
Bowman throws a punch but it's blocked by Tagirbekov.
A short right from Tagirbekov.
Tagirbekov stalls.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bowman fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Tagirbekov jumps guard.

Tagirbekov isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Bowman stacks Tagirbekov on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Bowman!
Tagirbekov is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tagirbekov struggling a bit here.
Tagirbekov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Bowman wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Tagirbekov can't do much from the bottom here.
Bowman trying to control the position but Tagirbekov is working away.
Ruslan Tagirbekov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two 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.
Bowman working away.
Tagirbekov is looking to regain half guard here but Bowman keeps moving and retains side control.
Bowman just content to control the position.
Tagirbekov throws a few strikes from the bottom but Bowman takes advantage and mounts!
Bowman really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Tagirbekov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Bowman avoids the attempt from Tagirbekov to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tagirbekov slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Tagirbekov wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tagirbekov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Tagirbekov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bowman pulls his head out easily.
Bowman controlling the pace.

Tagirbekov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bowman pulls his head out easily.

Tagirbekov actively working from the bottom here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Tagirbekov misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Bowman to counter with a crisp jab.

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.
Bowman fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Tagirbekov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Tagirbekov misses with a looping left.
Tagirbekov misses with a double jab.
Tagirbekov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Bowman counters with a straight right hand.
Bowman throws a leg kick which misses Tagirbekov's front leg but catches the back leg as Tagirbekov tries to avoid it.
Bowman throws a hook to the side of Tagirbekov's head but Tagirbekov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bowman misses with an uppercut.
Bowman circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tagirbekov swinging wildly here.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tagirbekov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bowman scores with a jab.
Tagirbekov throws a lazy right hand but Bowman sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tagirbekov throws a combination that misses
and Bowman counters with a nice leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Daquan Bowman comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bowman 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Daquan Bowman!
Daquan Bowman made sure to mention his sponsor, Blue Moon in his post fight interview.