PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Zach Smith (ranked 5372 p4p, 25067 weight class) and Kamar Tazmachev (ranked 631 p4p, 779 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.

Smith
vs
Tazmachev

190 cm
18
185
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
185
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Very confident

Overeem’s Horse Meat

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Zach Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kamar Tazmachev!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Gwen Towbar and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
That kick from Tazmachev tenderised Smith's leg. Smith is trying to keep his angry face on.
Smith lands a jab.
Tazmachev works over Smith's head and body with a nice combination.
Smith misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Tazmachev misses with a double jab

and Smith counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Tazmachev is pressed up against the cage. Smith has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Tazmachev down to the mat. Tazmachev avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Tazmachev misses with a series of wild punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tazmachev throws a head kick that misses.
Nice uppercut there from Tazmachev.
Tazmachev defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Smith.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zach Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith jabs Tazmachev to the body, keeping him at a distance.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tazmachev looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tazmachev with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Some wild striking there from Tazmachev.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tazmachev looks to land a body kick but Smith moved away.

Smith moves into the clinch.
Smith changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tazmachev fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Smith wants to clinch.
Tazmachev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tazmachev throws a right hand that Smith ducks under and follows up with a left that Smith also avoids with ease.
Tazmachev sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Smith scores with a head kick. Tazmachev tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Smith is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tazmachev sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Tazmachev tries to land a front kick but Smith steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Smith is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.

Smith has Tazmachev up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith just leaning against Tazmachev, taking a breather.
Smith has Tazmachev pressed against the cage, preventing Tazmachev from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Smith tries for a takedown but Tazmachev manages to get underhooks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tazmachev wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Smith lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tazmachev backwards.
Tazmachev tries to break the clinch but Smith is controlling the position.
Tazmachev tries to break the clinch but Smith is controlling the position.
Tazmachev tries to break the clinch but Smith is controlling the position.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Smith fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tazmachev avoids it really well and circles away.
No joy there for Tazmachev, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tazmachev misses with a double jab
and Smith counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Tazmachev misses with a combination
and Smith counters with an inside leg kick.
Kamar Tazmachev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tazmachev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Tazmachev misses with a double jab
and Smith makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Smith clinches up with Tazmachev and pushes him back against the cage.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kamar Tazmachev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tazmachev.
Tazmachev throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Smith stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
No joy there for Tazmachev, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Smith connects with a good right hand that stumbles Tazmachev. Tazmachev circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Smith fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tazmachev avoids it really well and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Tazmachev scores with a four punch combination!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tazmachev looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sloppy strikes from Tazmachev. Those never looked like landing.
Tazmachev misses with a two punch combination.
Tazmachev looks winded!
Tazmachev misses with a two punch combination.
Smith shoots in and drives through. Tazmachev sprawls well.
Tazmachev walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Smith checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Nice sprawl there from Tazmachev as Smith shoots in.
Tazmachev is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Smith with a body shot.
Smith throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Tazmachev's head.
Smith slips a jab and a cross from Tazmachev.
Tazmachev misses with a double jab.

Smith clinches.

Smith pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice jab there from Smith.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kamar Tazmachev will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Tazmachev falls off balance throwing a combination
and Smith cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Smith misses with a head kick.
Smith getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Smith shoots in but no luck this time.
Sloppy strikes from Tazmachev. Those never looked like landing.
Tazmachev swinging wildly here.
Zach Smith is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tazmachev looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Tazmachev misses with a body kick.
Tazmachev is looking to chop away at Smith's legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith fails to land with a series of punches.
Tazmachev misses with a low kick.
Smith tries to counter with a takedown but Tazmachev is quick to defend against it.
Smith misses the shot to the body.
Tazmachev will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
As Tazmachev tries to get set, Smith tries to push him back and clinch up but Tazmachev manages to avoid the attempt.
Tazmachev throws a nice looking combination but Smith bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tazmachev with a nice cross.
Tazmachev lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Tazmachev.

Smith moves into range and clinches up with Tazmachev.
Smith lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Tazmachev.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
Tazmachev falls off balance throwing a combination

and Smith holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Tazmachev in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Tazmachev is breathing heavily.
Tazmachev working hard to break the clinch.
Smith drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tazmachev gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Smith throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tazmachevs head.
Smith misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tazmachev.
Smith keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Tazmachev's efforts to push away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Smith manages to break the clinch.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Tazmachev.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Smith paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Tazmachev takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Tazmachev looks to land a combination but Smith avoids it well.
Tazmachev misses with a combination
and Smith counters with a body kick that stops Tazmachev in his tracks momentarily.
Smith is looking to clinch but Tazmachev is avoiding it.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tazmachev as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zach Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith tries to clinch up.
Tazmachev misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tazmachev as he jumps to the side.
Smith tries for a takedown but Tazmachev sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Tazmachev feints and then cracks Smith's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Smith down.
Tazmachev misses with a wild combination.
Danga de danga de dang - Tazmachev scores with a four punch combination!
Tazmachev swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Smith counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Smith struggles to land a body shot inside as Tazmachev controls his hands.
Tazmachev is trying to break the clinch but Smith has him pressed against the cage.
Tazmachev wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Smith lands a body shot.
Zach Smith has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Tazmachev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tazmachev prevents the takedown attempt.
Smith lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Smith tries to work over Tazmachev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Smith breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tazmachev lands with a hook. Smith tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Smith gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Smith struggles to land a body shot inside as Tazmachev controls his hands.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Smith takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Smith for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Smith lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Zach Smith will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Tazmachev throws a leg kick but Smith sees it coming and moves out of range.
Tazmachev throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Smith.
Smith attempts a counter takedown but Tazmachev avoids it well and moves away.
Tazmachev misses with a few strikes there.
Smith fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tazmachev fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Smith checks it well.
Some wild striking there from Tazmachev.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Smith swings for the body but Tazmachev moves out of range.
No joy there for Tazmachev, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tazmachev on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tazmachev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Smith.
Smith showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tazmachev.
Nice jab there from Smith.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Tazmachev scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Tazmachev looks to land a combination but Smith avoids it well.

Smith has closed the distance and engaged Tazmachev in a clinch.
Tazmachev is trying to force a seperation but Smith has the dominant position.
Smith taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Tazmachev wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Smith has him pressed against the cage.

Smith escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A combination from Tazmachev does no damage.

Smith closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Tazmachev's guard.
Tazmachev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Smith throwing strikes but missing.
Tazmachev is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Smith dives into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Tazmachev tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Smith trying to control the action but Tazmachev is working from the bottom.
Tazmachev stops Smith from passing to mount.
Tazmachev wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tazmachev throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
Tazmachev wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Smith decides to stand back up. Smith steps back and let's Tazmachev get back to his feet.
Smith tries to clinch up.
Smith avoids the body shot from Tazmachev.
As Tazmachev looks to move away, Smith throws a big counter combo but Tazmachev just gets out of the way.
Tazmachev swinging wildly here.
Tazmachev throws a left and a right that both miss
and Smith counters with a right hand to the body.
Tazmachev misses with a double jab
and Smith counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Tazmachev thinking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith shoots in for a double leg but Tazmachev sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tazmachev swinging wildly here.
Smith tries to counter by clinching up but Tazmachev breaks away and moves out of range.

Smith shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Tazmachev's guard.
Smith pushing down on Tazmachev's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Smith trying to control the action but Tazmachev is working from the bottom.
Smith is taking a breather. Tazmachev says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Tazmachev is looking to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Zach Smith.
I think Smith 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zach Smith!