PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ruslan Tagirbekov (ranked 1892 p4p, 901 weight class) and Jason Stackhouse (ranked 239 p4p, 117 weight class). Tagirbekov's entrance music is Sabina Saidova - Dagestan. A fine choice. The crowd seem to be enjoying Stackhouse 's choice of entrance music: True Blood. Jason Stackhouse is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Tagirbekov
vs
Stackhouse

175 cm
29
160
7 - 2 - 1

180 cm
30
164
17 - 9 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

Carnage
Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ruslan Tagirbekov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jason Stackhouse !
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Steve Montenegro and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stackhouse swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Stackhouse scores with the left hand. Tagirbekov knows he should have avoided that one.
Tagirbekov's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Stackhouse connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Tagirbekov scrambles back to his feet.
Tagirbekov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
We've been hearing reports that Tagirbekov has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Stackhouse lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tagirbekov circles away quickly and effectively.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Tagirbekov.

Tagirbekov is trying to get an arm triangle but Stackhouse is defending well.
Stackhouse prevents Tagirbekov from moving into mount.
Stackhouse is not content to let Tagirbekov control the position.

Tagirbekov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tagirbekov is trying to get an arm triangle but Stackhouse is defending well.
Tagirbekov controlling from side mount.
Stackhouse wants to get back to his feet but Tagirbekov drags him back down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Tagirbekov is trying to get an arm triangle but Stackhouse is defending well.

Stackhouse bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

Tagirbekov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Stackhouse manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

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

Tagirbekov has his hands on Stackhouse 's head, controlling the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Stackhouse dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Tagirbekov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

It looks like Ruslan Tagirbekov has been cut.
Stackhouse jabs at Tagirbekov's body.
Stackhouse has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tagirbekov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Stackhouse has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Stackhouse lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Tagirbekov throws a body punch but Stackhouse moves out of range.
Stackhouse misses with a wild combination.
Tagirbekov throws a push kick but Stackhouse slaps the foot to one side.
A low kick lands for Stackhouse .
Stackhouse throws a shot from downtown. Tagirbekov moves away and avoids it.
Jason Stackhouse seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stackhouse tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tagirbekov was well out of range. Poor timing from Stackhouse .
Stackhouse fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stackhouse with a jab.
Stackhouse throws a hook but Tagirbekov blocks it.
Tagirbekov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stackhouse misses with an uppercut.
Stackhouse misses with a hook to the body
and Tagirbekov counters with an outside leg kick.
Jason Stackhouse is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stackhouse throws a nice looking combination but Tagirbekov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Stackhouse throws a big shot that misses.
Tagirbekov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Nice uppercut lands for Stackhouse . That snapped Tagirbekov's head back.
Stackhouse misses with a wild body shot.
Stackhouse fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Tagirbekov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tagirbekov is defended easily by Stackhouse .
Stackhouse stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stackhouse wants it to stay on the feet.
Tagirbekov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stackhouse stalks Tagirbekov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Tagirbekov's face. Tagirbekov staggers backwards, shaken.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stackhouse is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tagirbekov.
Stackhouse throws a looping overhand right but Tagirbekov ducks down to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Stackhouse tenderised Tagirbekov's leg. Tagirbekov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Stackhouse stuffs the takedown attempt from Tagirbekov. Tagirbekov gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruslan Tagirbekov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stackhouse bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Tagirbekov's head backwards.
Tagirbekov with a poor takedown

and Stackhouse counters with a nice right hand that sends Tagirbekov toppling to the canvas! Tagirbekov scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Stackhouse finish him?!

Tagirbekov is rocked!
Stackhouse jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tagirbekov half committed to a counter leg kick.
Oh Tagirbekov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
A jab from Stackhouse misses.
Tagirbekov seems to have got his legs back now.
Stackhouse slaps away a takedown attempt from Tagirbekov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Tagirbekov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tagirbekov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Tagirbekov connects with a solid leg kick.
Stackhouse darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Tagirbekov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stackhouse as he avoids it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Stackhouse showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ruslan Tagirbekov's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Stackhouse looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Tagirbekov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Stackhouse counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Stackhouse misses with an uppercut. Tagirbekov saw that one coming.
Tagirbekov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Tagirbekov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stackhouse .
Stackhouse on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Stackhouse connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Stackhouse walks into a straight right hand from Tagirbekov.
Tagirbekov shoots in and drives through. Stackhouse sprawls well.
Stackhouse tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tagirbekov was well out of range. Poor timing from Stackhouse .
Stackhouse stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Stackhouse leaves Tagirbekov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruslan Tagirbekov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tagirbekov staying out of range there.
Tagirbekov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stackhouse defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tagirbekov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Stackhouse kicks off Tagirbekov and gets to his feet.

Stackhouse cracks Tagirbekov with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Stackhouse has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Tagirbekov to stand back up!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice takedown defense from Stackhouse . No joy for Tagirbekov on that attempt.
Stackhouse looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Stackhouse is looking to score with low kicks.

Stackhouse feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Tagirbekov sprawling to the canvas! Tagirbekov rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Stackhouse finish him?!
An inside leg kick lands from Stackhouse .
Stackhouse feints with a left and delivers a massive head kick! Tagirbekov collapses like a ragdoll! Game over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Jason Stackhouse !
Jumping up and down and very excited, Jason Stackhouse waved his t-shirt featuring Carnage 's logo in front of the cameras.