PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Roger Frederick (ranked 24557 p4p, 0 weight class) and Moleg Taktarov (ranked 7199 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Frederick
vs
Taktarov

224 cm
18
214 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

180 cm
20
210 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Roger Frederick!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Moleg Taktarov!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Jeff Smith and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taktarov has his takedown stuffed
and Frederick counters with a series of strikes. Taktarov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Taktarov looks to land a body kick but Frederick moved away.
Taktarov moves to clinch but Frederick breaks away
and Frederick counters with a series of strikes. Taktarov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Taktarov dives in for a single leg takedown but Frederick sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Taktarov tries to clinch up but Frederick circles away and keeps his distance.

Taktarov closes the distance and pushes Frederick back into the cage.
Taktarov is looking to control Frederick's arms but Frederick gets an underhook and turns him. Now Taktarov has his back to the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taktarov just leaning against Frederick, taking a breather.

Frederick pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Frederick fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Frederick feints and as Taktarov raises his hands in defense, Frederick changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Taktarov is trying to control the position but Frederick postures up.
Frederick wants to get up but he can't break Taktarov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Frederick wants to stand and escape but instead Taktarov has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Taktarov throws a big elbow that misses.
Frederick looking for a sweep. Not yet Frederick, not yet.
Taktarov trying to control the position from guard on top but Frederick is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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.
Frederick tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Frederick has momentary wrist control but Taktarov slips an elbow through the middle.
Taktarov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Taktarov takes a little break here. Frederick wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

Taktarov decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Frederick misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Taktarov closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taktarov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Frederick is defending well.
Roger Frederick has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Moleg Taktarov.
Taktarov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Taktarov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Taktarov tries for a takedown. No joy.

Frederick breaks from the clinch.
Taktarov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Frederick counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Frederick.
Frederick tries to break free but Taktarov pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Taktarov jumps into guard, dragging Frederick to the mat.
Frederick wants to stand but Taktarov is controlling his posture from full guard.
Frederick won't allow Taktarov to sweep him here.

Frederick stands up from Taktarov's guard - Frederick perhaps looking for a knockout.
Taktarov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Frederick defends it nicely.
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 Roger Frederick will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Frederick moves into the clinch successfully.
Taktarov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Frederick gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Taktarov is trying to pull guard but Frederick turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Frederick keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Taktarov's efforts to push away.

Frederick breaks from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taktarov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Frederick defends it nicely.
Roger Frederick has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Moleg Taktarov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taktarov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Taktarov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Frederick counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Taktarov is breathing heavily.
Taktarov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Frederick feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Taktarov is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Taktarov is trying to pull guard but Frederick turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Frederick is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Frederick breaks the clinch.
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!
Taktarov misses with a takedown
and Frederick counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Taktarov blocks a head kick by Frederick.
Taktarov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Frederick moves into the clinch.

Frederick pulls guard successfully.
Frederick looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taktarov won't allow Frederick to sweep him here.
Taktarov looking to sit in guard and control but Frederick gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Frederick really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Frederick wants to stand but Taktarov is controlling his posture from full guard.
Frederick is looking to work some ground and pound but Taktarov has wrist control.
Taktarov has a closed guard, preventing Frederick from standing up.

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.
Taktarov looking to control.
Taktarov should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Frederick has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Taktarov is proving hard to escape from.

Frederick gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Taktarov takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Taktarov shoots in for a double leg but Frederick sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Frederick throws a big counter combination but Taktarov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Taktarov.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Taktarov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roger Frederick dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Frederick tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Taktarov defends well and Frederick ends up having to push Taktarov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Taktarov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Frederick sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Taktarov keeps the fight on the outside.
Taktarov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Frederick counters by moving into the clinch.
Taktarov tries to throw a body punch but Frederick avoids it by throwing Taktarov back against the cage.
Frederick has Taktarov pushed against the cage.
Frederick is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Taktarov can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taktarov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Frederick smiles and moves away.
Roger Frederick has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Moleg Taktarov.
Taktarov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Frederick tries to score a power double leg takedown but Taktarov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Frederick somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Frederick.
Taktarov lands a head kick!

It looks like Roger Frederick has been cut.
Frederick tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Taktarov defends well and Frederick ends up having to push Taktarov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Taktarov has closed the distance and engaged Frederick in a clinch.
Frederick wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Frederick takes an elbow to the temple.
Taktarov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Frederick pulls his leg out and moves away.
Taktarov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taktarov fails with the takedown.
Frederick shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Frederick has taken the fight to the clinch.

Taktarov breaks from the clinch.
Roger Frederick is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Taktarov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Frederick striking from the bottom.
Frederick controls Taktarov momentarily but Taktarov frees himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taktarov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Frederick knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Taktarov on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Frederick looking to control.
Taktarov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Frederick trying to keep a closed guard but Taktarov is proving a slippery customer.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Taktarov trying to control the position from guard on top but Frederick is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Taktarov tries for a takedown but Frederick circles away easily

and Frederick counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Frederick.
Taktarov tries to stall but Frederick uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's four 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.

Frederick drags the fight down to the ground.
Taktarov preventing the sweep.
Taktarov is stalling in the full guard.
Frederick tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Taktarov trying to control but Frederick is working from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Taktarov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Frederick dives on top into guard.

Moleg Taktarov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Roger Frederick is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Frederick wants to stand but Taktarov has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Moleg Taktarov.
I think Frederick has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roger Frederick!