PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Maki Tantor (ranked 2134 p4p, 4169 weight class) and Johny Handicks (ranked 305 p4p, 507 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Tantor
vs
Handicks

182 cm
25
180
12 - 5 - 0

175 cm
29
181
6 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Core Combat
Hardcore Sports Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Maki Tantor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Johny Handicks!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Konstantin Menshow and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tantor moves into the clinch successfully.
Tantor lands a body punch.
Handicks with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Handicks blocking some punches.
Tantor misses with a punch to the body.
Tantor definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Tantor tries to work over Handicks's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tantor tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tantor misses with a hook from the clinch.
Handicks slows down the pace here.
Tantor throws a head punch that misses.
A right hook to the body lands for Tantor.
Handicks dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Tantor pushes Handicks back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Handicks misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tantor.
Tantor dodges an elbow strike from Handicks.
A shot in the inside from Tantor.
Tantor tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Handicks's elbow.
Tantor lands a left hand that snaps the head of Handicks backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Tantor.
We've been informed that Handicks has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tantor misses with a body punch.
Handicks prevents a body shot from Tantor.
Tantor throws a head punch that misses.
Tantor lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Handicks backwards.
Handicks throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tantor blocks it with crossed arms.
Handicks landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Tantor managing to block the knees to the body from Handicks.
Handicks misses with a hook from the clinch.
Handicks blocks an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Tantor fails to land.
Tantor misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Tantor.
Handicks misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tantor.
Tantor swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tantor misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tantor misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tantor goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Handicks leaning his opponent against the cage.
Tantor tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Handicks unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Handicks goes for a takedown attempt but Tantor pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Tantor slips a jab from Handicks.
Handicks on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tantor. Tantor obviously looking to wear him down.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Handicks misses with a wild body shot.
Handicks loads up on a big right hand but Tantor slips the punch.
Handicks pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tantor punishes Handicks's body with a nice straight punch.
Tantor scores with a hook to the body. Handicks takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Tantor ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Handicks moves away.
A slow jab from Handicks misses its intended target.
Tantor scores with a decent looking hook.
Maki Tantor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tantor lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Tantor lunges at Handicks with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Handicks's hand.
Tantor connects with a high kick.
Nice defenses there by Handicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tantor takes a swing at Handicks's ribcage but misses.
Handicks throws a big counter head kick but Tantor avoids it with no problem.
Tantor blocks a jab.
Tantor works over Handicks's head and body with a nice combination.
Tantor changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A nice combination there by Tantor.
Handicks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tantor.
Handicks gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Handicks lands with an uppercut that bounces Tantor off the cage and back into range.
Tantor fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Handicks manages to avoid it.
Tantor jabs at Handicks's body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tantor scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Tantor misses with an uppercut
and Handicks counters with a straight right hand.
Tantor swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tantor cracks Handicks with a right hand to the side of the head.
Tantor is looking to wear down Handicks with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Handicks avoids the head kick by Tantor.
Handicks takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tantor thows a leg kick but Handicks checks it
and Handicks counters with a straight right hand.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Tantor. Handicks shrugs it off though.
Handicks takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Tantor tries a low kick but Handicks avoids it.
Handicks cracks Tantor with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Tantor clinches with his opponent.
Tantor misses with a punch to the body.
Handicks misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tantor.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tantor.
Tantor can't find room to land a body shot as Handicks controls the action.
Tantor misses with a body punch.
Handicks tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tantor avoids it.
Handicks blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tantor managing to block the knees to the body from Handicks.
Handicks swings wildly with an uppercut but Tantor uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tantor misses with a hook to the ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maki Tantor dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Tantor lands a body shot.
Tantor avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tantor is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Handicks can do to turn this around?
Handicks throws a shot from downtown. Tantor moves away and avoids it.
The fighters circle momentarily. Handicks darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Tantor uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Handicks.
Tantor feinted with a counter takedown.
Tantor misses with a double jab
and Handicks counters with a nice uppercut.
Maki Tantor is winning the standup battle so far.
Handicks looks to land a left hand but Tantor moved out of range nicely.
Handicks misses with a hook.
Handicks misses with a two punch combination.
Handicks takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Tantor is looking to clinch.
Despite the aggression on Handicks's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters circling - Handicks throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tantor tried to counter with a leg kick but Handicks avoided it.
Tantor cracks a nice hook into Handicks's ribs.
Handicks looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice shot by Tantor.
Handicks walks into a straight right hand from Tantor.
Handicks throws a looping overhand right but Tantor ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tantor has Handicks up against the cage in a clinch.
Tantor works on Handicks's body with a couple of short punches.
Handicks blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tantor fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tantor is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Tantor goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A right hook to the body lands for Tantor.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Good body shot from Tantor.
Handicks goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tantor misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tantor lands a body shot.
Handicks is breathing heavily.
A right hand to the body from Tantor.
Handicks throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Still in the clinch, Tantor scores with a nice short uppercut.
Tantor tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Handicks's elbow.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Tantor.
Tantor misses with a hook to the ribs.
Handicks throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tantor lands a left hand.
Tantor misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short body shot lands from Tantor as the two fighters clinch.
Maki Tantor has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Tantor can't find room to land a body shot as Handicks controls the action.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tantor is working Handicks over against the cage.
Tantor presses Handicks against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Tantor lands with a left to the head.
Handicks blocks an uppercut.
Tantor misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Handicks lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Tantor as the two fighters clinch.
Tantor lands with a left to the head.
A short left from Tantor.
Tantor works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Tantor scores with a shot to the side of Handicks's head.
Tantor presses Handicks against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Tantor lands a right hand that snaps the head of Handicks backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Tantor.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Handicks blocks a body shot from Tantor.
Tantor doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tantor misses with the head strike.
Handicks takes a shot to the head.
Tantor lands a body shot in the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Tantor.
Tantor lands a nice shot to the body.
Tantor doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Handicks prevents a body shot from Tantor.
Tantor goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tantor lands with a right to the head.
Tantor pushes Handicks back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tantor lands a hook that snaps the head of Handicks backwards.
Tantor cracks Handicks with a nice body shot.
Tantor lands a nice uppercut.
Handicks blocks a body shot from Tantor.
Tantor scores with a hook to the body.
Tantor goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Handicks working aggressively here.
Handicks working aggressively here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tantor misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tantor blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tantor.
Tantor scores with a shot to the side of Handicks's head.
Handicks stalling in the clinch but Tantor improves position.
Tantor misses with the head strike.
Handicks avoiding damage.
Tantor tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tantor lands a left hand that snaps the head of Handicks backwards.
Tantor misses with a punch to the body.
Tantor struggles to land a body shot inside as Handicks controls his hands.
Handicks blocks a body shot from Tantor.
Nice body punch from Tantor.
Tantor lands with a right to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Tantor.
Handicks blocks an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maki Tantor dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Handicks throws a head kick that misses.
Handicks might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Tantor fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Tantor lands a nice looking body kick.
Tantor lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Handicks takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Tantor connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Handicks momentarily.
Handicks walks into a left hand.

Tantor darts in and clinches Handicks up against the cage.
Tantor lands an uppercut.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Handicks - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
The crowd are getting on Handicks's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Tantor misses with a body punch.
Tantor tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tantor tries a body shot but Handicks blocks it.
Tantor tries a body shot but Handicks blocks it.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Tantor as Handicks tries to tie him up.
Tantor tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Handicks's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tantor lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Handicks.
Handicks takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Handicks blocks an uppercut.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Handicks just misses with a elbow thrown towards Tantor's brow.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Tantor.
Tantor tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Handicks blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tantor managing to block the knees to the body from Handicks.
Tantor doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Tantor fails to land.
Tantor lands an uppercut.
Tantor tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Handicks's elbow.
Tantor lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Handicks.
Tantor scores with a hook to the body.
Tantor lands a body shot.
Tantor throws a punch but it's blocked by Handicks.
Tantor working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Handicks is rocked!
Tantor lands a shoulder strike.
Handicks is still on wobbly legs! Can Tantor finish him?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tantor tries a body shot but Handicks blocks it.
Handicks blocks a body shot from Tantor.
Tantor misses with a short punch on the inside.
Handicks seems to have recovered his senses.
Handicks throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tantor blocks it with crossed arms.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tantor tries to throw a body punch but Handicks avoids it by throwing Tantor back against the cage.
Tantor doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tantor tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Handicks's elbow.
Tantor misses with a punch to the body.
Handicks is looking to control Tantor's arms but Tantor gets an underhook and turns him. Now Handicks has his back to the cage.
A short left from Tantor.
Tantor swings wildly with an uppercut but Handicks uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tantor works on Handicks's body with a couple of short punches.
Tantor lands with a short shot to the head.
Tantor tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Handicks's elbow.
A head punch on the inside from Tantor fails to land.
Handicks prevents a body shot from Tantor.
Tantor gets through Handicks's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Tantor tries to throw a body punch but Handicks avoids it by throwing Tantor back against the cage.
Tantor lands with a short shot to the head.
Handicks blocks a body shot from Tantor.
Tantor lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Handicks backwards.
Still in the clinch, Tantor scores with a nice short uppercut.
Tantor goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Handicks slowing the pace effectively.
Tantor goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tantor goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Handicks blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Handicks works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Handicks lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Tantor managing to block the knees to the body from Handicks.
Tantor lands with a right to the head.
Handicks is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tantor is defending well for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Handicks blocks a body shot from Tantor.
Handicks softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Tantor goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tantor doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tantor doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tantor throws a punch but it's blocked by Handicks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tantor lands a nice uppercut.
Tantor doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tantor digs a right hand underneath Handicks's ribcage. Handicks let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Tantor swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Handicks trying to stall but Tantor improves his position.
Johny Handicks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tantor lands with a left to the head.
Handicks working aggressively here.
A short uppercut from Tantor.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Tantor.
Tantor digs a right hand into Handicks's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Handicks's gas tank.
Tantor has a couple of punches blocked by Handicks.
Tantor misses with the head strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maki Tantor showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tantor 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maki Tantor!