PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Maki Tantor (ranked 3649 p4p, 2564 weight class) and Romulus Gerber (ranked 453 p4p, 322 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Tantor
vs
Gerber

182 cm
30
180
18 - 13 - 0

179 cm
31
182
17 - 15 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 18 - 13 - 0, fighting out of London, Maki Tantor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Romulus Gerber!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Saam Ante and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Tantor.
Gerber connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A punch lands to the side of Gerber 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Tantor closes the distance looking to clinch
and Gerber counters with an outside leg kick.
Tantor misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick misses from Tantor.
Tantor gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Gerber to counter with a crisp jab.
Gerber throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Tantor stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Gerber throws a jab but it's blocked by Tantor.

Tantor closes the distance and clinches.
Gerber lands a nice shot to the body.
Gerber throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tantors head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Gerber breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tantor is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tantor gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Gerber gets through Tantor's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Gerber avoiding damage.
Gerber slowing the pace effectively.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
The crowd are getting on Gerber's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Gerber misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gerber effectively controlling the action here.
Tantor drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Gerber gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maki Tantor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gerber throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Gerber pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Tantor drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Tantor being controlled here momentarily.
Tantor trying to control but Gerber is working from the bottom.
Gerber wants to improve his position but instead Tantor has moved into half guard.
Well, if Tantor is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gerber blocking the ground and pound attempt from Tantor.
Tantor wants to get back to his feet.
Gerber is trying to get back to full guard.

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.
Tantor slows the pace down in half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Tantor trying to mount his opponent but Gerber defends it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tantor shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gerber sprawls well. Gerber wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Tantor gets slowly back to his feet.
Gerber appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Tantor.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Romulus Gerber dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Gerber slaps away a takedown attempt from Tantor, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Tantor misses with a takedown attempt - Gerber sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Gerber scores with a hook.
Tantor tries to clinch up but Gerber circles away and keeps his distance.
Romulus Gerber seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gerber throws a shot to the body.
Tantor takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Tantor tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Gerber defends well and Tantor ends up having to push Gerber into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maki Tantor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gerber tries to throw a body punch but Tantor avoids it by throwing Gerber back against the cage.

Tantor manages to pull guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gerber tries to free his leg and advance position but Tantor is retaining full guard.
Gerber controlling from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tantor is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Tantor takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Gerber works his way to full guard. Good work.
Gerber wants to get back to his feet but Tantor is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Tantor wants to get up but he can't break Gerber's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Gerber being controlled here, momentarily.
Tantor stands and throws Gerber's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tantor decides to stand back up.
Tantor changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gerber tries to avoid it but Tantor manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gerber to the ground. Gerber escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Gerber throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Gerber with a nice calf kick.
Gerber swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Tantor gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Tantor takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Tantor fails with the takedown.
Gerber lands with a nice body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tantor gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Tantor breaks the clinch.
Gerber scores with a punch to the head.
Tantor misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tantor fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tantor misses with a few strikes there.
Gerber fakes the leg kick and cracks Tantor in the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tantor swings away with a body shot that misses
and Gerber counters with a low kick, right behind Tantor 's knee.
Tantor blocks a head kick by Gerber.
Gerber misses with a straight right.
Tantor throws a big counter combination but Gerber scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Gerber takes a kick to the side of the head.
Gerber throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gerber dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Tantor. That did some damage!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tantor tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Gerber counters with a straight right hand.
Gerber avoids the head kick by Tantor.
Gerber uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Tantor has time to react.
Gerber has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gerber swats away the attempt to clinch by Tantor.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tantor with a poor takedown
and Gerber counters with a right hand to the body.
Tantor tries to clinch up.
Gerber scores with a jab to the head.
Tantor misses with a takedown
and Gerber cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Tantor doesn't manage to clinch there - Gerber circles away.
Tantor dives in and grabs Gerber's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gerber pushes down on Tantor's head and hops out.
Gerber throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tantor sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tantor takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Gerber pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gerber scores with a decent looking hook.

Tantor is rocked!
Tantor moves out of range of the body kick.
Oh Tantor is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tantor is defended easily by Gerber.
Tantor seems to have got his legs back now.
Tantor throws a sloppy head kick and Gerber moves out of range easily.
Gerber replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Tantor blocks it well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Romulus Gerber showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Tantor doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Gerber counter with a right hand.
Gerber throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tantor changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Tantor fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tantor backing away here, and Gerber unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Gerber.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Tantor.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maki Tantor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tantor throws a sloppy head kick
and Gerber counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Maki Tantor is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gerber with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Gerber scores with a hook to the body. Tantor takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tantor takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Tantor fails with the takedown
and Gerber counters with a straight right hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gerber lands a body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gerber throws a sloppy head kick and Tantor moves out of range easily.
Tantor pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gerber avoids the head kick by Tantor.
Gerber throws a head kick that half lands.
Gerber throws a leg kick but Tantor moved away.
Maki Tantor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tantor tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Gerber manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Gerber is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Gerber tries to land a front kick but Tantor steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Tantor looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gerber is fending him off so far but Tantor persists. Nope, Gerber circles away and we're back to standing.
Tantor backing away here, and Gerber unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Tantor blocks a head kick by Gerber.
Tantor is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tantor takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Gerber slaps away a takedown attempt from Tantor, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Tantor tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gerber swivels and escapes.
Gerber throws out a counter right but Tantor avoids it with no problem.
A head kick from Gerber lands but Tantor takes it in his stride.
Romulus Gerber is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tantor shoots in looking for a takedown. Gerber tries to sprawl out of it but Tantor keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gerber manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Tantor takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Romulus Gerber is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tantor throws a head kick that misses.
Horrible takedown attempt by Tantor or perhaps it was just good defense by Gerber, which made it look bad.
It seemed like Gerber was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tantor fails with a takedown attempt.
Gerber lands a high kick!
Tantor fails with the takedown.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Gerber! But no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tantor on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Gerber fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Tantor on the side of the head.
Gerber jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gerber lands a slapping body shot.
Tantor scores with a head kick. Gerber tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Gerber looks to score with a jab to the body but Tantor is just out of range.
A nice inside leg kick there by Gerber. That's going to slow Tantor down.
Gerber connects with a leg kick.
Tantor shoots in and drives through. Gerber sprawls well.
Tantor misses with a takedown attempt
and Gerber counters with a nice uppercut.
Tantor misses with a head kick.
Tantor with a lazy takedown attempt
and Tantor takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Gerber lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Maki Tantor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gerber pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tantor shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gerber sprawls well. Gerber wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Tantor gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gerber throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Gerber is looking to slow Tantor down with leg kicks.
Gerber lands a glancing blow to the side of Tantor's head.
Gerber avoids the head kick by Tantor.
Tantor has a takedown stuffed.
Tantor takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Tantor misses with a series of wild punches.
Gerber throws out a counter right but Tantor avoids it with no problem.
Tantor tries a head kick but it misses.
Tantor throws a head kick that misses
and Gerber counters with an inside leg kick.
Tantor looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Gerber staying out of range there.
Tantor throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

And that's the end of the fight!
Romulus Gerber comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Gerber 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Romulus Gerber!
A very excited looking Romulus Gerber made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.