PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Manny Tavares (ranked 366 p4p, 473 weight class) and Joe Exotic (ranked 51 p4p, 67 weight class). Exotic is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Joe Exotic - I Saw a Tiger. 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.

Tavares
vs
Exotic

183 cm
26
185
13 - 4 - 0

186 cm
26
185
13 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Brooklyn Apothecary
Conquer

Voodoo Nutrition
Groove Gear

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 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Manny Tavares!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joe Exotic!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Shirou Masuda and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Exotic on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Tavares has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Hard And Sweaty Men in the buildup to the fight.
Exotic throws a jab but it's blocked by Tavares.
Tavares throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tavares swinging wildly here.
Tavares lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Exotic at a distance.
Tavares scores with a punch to the head.
Exotic moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Exotic misses with a hook. Tavares ducked under it nicely.
Tavares's corner calls for a 1-2. Tavares obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Exotic misses with a hook. Tavares ducked under it nicely.
A big right from Exotic misses.
Tavares walks into a straight right hand from Exotic.
Tavares misses with a hook. Exotic ducked under it nicely.
Tavares tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Exotic was well out of range. Poor timing from Tavares.
Tavares misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Exotic.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Exotic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Exotic tries a quick counter leg kick but Tavares is wise to it.
Exotic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tavares moves away.
As Exotic backs away, Tavares returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Tavares throws a looping overhand right but Exotic ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares drops his hands momentarily and Exotic takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Exotic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A slow jab from Exotic misses its intended target.
Exotic throws a hook but Tavares avoids it easily.
Tavares tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Exotic connects with a good right hand that stumbles Tavares. Tavares circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Exotic scores with a jab.
Exotic lands a jab to the nose.
Exotic will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Tavares throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Exotic uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tavares.
Exotic defending well as Tavares loads up on a big left hand.
Tavares avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Exotic shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Exotic misses with a straight right.
Exotic cracks Tavares with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Exotic jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Exotic looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Tavares misses with a straight right.
Tavares throws a body punch but Exotic moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Exotic misses the target.
Exotic avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Exotic feints a counter leg kick.
Tavares lets loose with a powerful body kick. Exotic will feel that in the morning.
Exotic lands with an overhand left.
Manny Tavares seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Exotic shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Tavares misses with a low kick.
Exotic throws a jab but it's blocked by Tavares.
Tavares misses with an uppercut. Exotic saw that one coming.
Tavares throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Tavares takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Tavares misses with a body punch
and Exotic counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A low kick lands for Tavares.
Tavares avoids the body shot from Exotic.
Exotic misses with a right hand
and Tavares counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Tavares misses with a body kick.
Tavares throws a push kick but Exotic slaps the foot to one side.
A little jabbing left from Exotic on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Tavares stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Exotic.
Exotic throws a body shot but no joy.
Exotic with the inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Tavares uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Exotic.
A lazy left from Tavares finds it's target.
Tavares checks a leg kick.
Exotic uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tavares.
Tavares tries to land a leg kick but Exotic saw it coming and moves away.
Tavares throws a shot from downtown. Exotic moves away and avoids it.
Exotic uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tavares.
Exotic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tavares moves away.
Tavares is looking to counter punch.
Tavares stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Tavares throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Exotic sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Exotic scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Exotic ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Tavares uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Exotic.
Tavares misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Exotic to counter with a crisp jab.
Exotic throws a low kick but Tavares avoids it.
A jab from Tavares misses.
Tavares lands a nice leg kick that just misses Exotic's sensitive parts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tavares avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tavares throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A little jabbing left from Exotic on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Tavares bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Tavares tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Exotic is able to avoid easily.
Tavares moves out of range of the strikes.
Exotic throws an overhand right that lands on Tavares's shoulder, as Tavares tries to avoid the shot.
Tavares tries to land a leg kick but Exotic saw it coming and moves away.
Tavares throws a body punch but Exotic moves out of range.
Exotic is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Tavares had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Exotic throws a jab when Tavares was well out of range.
Tavares moves out of range as Exotic strikes.
Exotic is looking to land body kicks.
Tavares tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Exotic ducks right into an uppercut from Tavares.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tavares. Exotic does a little dance to reset his feet.
Exotic throws a body shot but no joy.
Tavares throws an off balance right hand
and Exotic counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Exotic connects with a right hand. Tavares shakes it off.
Exotic throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Joe Exotic will probably get the nod.
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.

Exotic blocks a leg kick.
Tavares is looking to chop away at Exotic's legs.
Tavares looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Tavares slips a jab from Exotic.
A little feinted left hand from Tavares on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Exotic misses with an uppercut
and Tavares counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Exotic goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Exotic just misses with a punch to the body.
An attempted straight right counter from Tavares misses the target.
Exotic slips under a jab from Tavares.
Exotic appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Exotic scores with the left hand. Tavares knows he should have avoided that one.
A big left from Exotic misses.
Exotic throws an overhand right that lands on Tavares's shoulder, as Tavares tries to avoid the shot.
Exotic misses with a left hand
and Tavares counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tavares takes a shot to the body in his stride.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tavares stuns Exotic with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Tavares walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Exotic checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Tavares throws a lazy right hand but Exotic sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A leg kick checked by Exotic.
Tavares throws an overhand right that lands on Exotic's shoulder, as Exotic tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Exotic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tavares manages to avoid it.
Tavares shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Exotic throws a hook to the side of Tavares's head but Tavares sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Exotic blocks a leg kick.
A big left from Tavares misses.
Tavares throws a shot from downtown. Exotic moves away and avoids it.
Tavares wants to land a leg kick but Exotic is out of range.
Tavares keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Tavares throws a body shot but no joy.
Nice defenses there by Tavares.
Exotic attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Exotic misses with a straight left.
Tavares lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Exotic throws a lazy right hand but Tavares sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tavares swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Exotic counters with a straight right hand.
Tavares misses with a straight right.
Tavares throws a hook to the side of Exotic's head but Exotic sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tavares throws a low kick but Exotic moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Exotic catches Tavares with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tavares throws a leg kick
enabling Exotic to counter with a crisp jab.
Exotic looks to score with a jab to the body but Tavares is just out of range.
Tavares tried to counter with a leg kick but Exotic avoided it.
Exotic looks to land a left hand but Tavares moved out of range nicely.
Tavares fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Exotic checks it well.
Tavares backing away here, and Exotic unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Exotic misses with an uppercut
and Tavares counters with a nice leg kick.
Exotic misses with a body kick.
Exotic blocks a low kick nicely.
Tavares moves out of range of the leg kick from Exotic.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tavares. Exotic does a little dance to reset his feet.
Exotic let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Exotic connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Tavares momentarily.
Tavares keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tavares throws a big shot that misses.
A slapping leg kick lands for Tavares.
Tavares throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Exotic sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Exotic slips under a jab.
A solid leg kick lands there for Exotic.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Joe Exotic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Exotic walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Tavares checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Exotic scores with a nice body kick.
Exotic lands a body shot.
Exotic connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Exotic throws a body punch but Tavares moves out of range.
Exotic throws a leg kick but Tavares checks it.
Exotic ducks under a wild hook from Tavares.
Exotic with the inside leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Tavares.
Exotic throws a poor cross that misses
and Tavares counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Exotic takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Tavares takes a swing at Exotic's ribcage but misses.
Exotic thows a left - swing and a miss!
Exotic checks the leg kick.
Tavares throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Tavares throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Exotic on the side of the head.
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!
Tavares throws the left hand but Exotic avoids the punch easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A low kick lands for Tavares.
Exotic throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Tavares throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Exotic misses with an uppercut.
Tavares defending well as Exotic loads up on a big left hand.
Exotic uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A slow jab from Exotic misses its intended target.
Tavares is looking to counter punch.
Some wild striking there from Tavares.
Exotic lands with a kick to the temple. Tavares shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Exotic with a hook.
Exotic will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Exotic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A telegraphed right hand from Exotic misses the target.
Exotic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Tavares slips a straight right by Exotic.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Joe Exotic will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Tavares takes a swing at Exotic's ribcage but misses.
Exotic feints a counter leg kick.
A big left from Tavares misses.
Tavares does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Exotic takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Tavares takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A big right from Exotic misses.
Tavares is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Exotic scoring well with a low kick there.
Exotic lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
That kick from Exotic tenderised Tavares's leg. Tavares is trying to keep his angry face on.
A big left from Tavares misses.
Exotic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Exotic motions for Tavares to come forward. Exotic throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Exotic throws a shot from downtown. Tavares moves away and avoids it.
Tavares is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Tavares chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Tavares missing with a left hand there. Exotic was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Exotic checks the leg kick.
Tavares fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Exotic on the side of the head.
Exotic looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Exotic is looking to score with low kicks.
Tavares was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Tavares takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Exotic misses with a body shot
and Tavares counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Exotic throws the kick towards the body but Tavares avoids it.
Tavares moves into range and connects with a jab.
Tavares cracks Exotic with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Tavares with a jab.
Tavares lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Exotic fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Tavares checks it well.
Exotic jabs at Tavares's body.
Exotic looks to throw the jab but Tavares is out of range.
Tavares tried to score with a low kick but Exotic checks it.
Exotic misses with a hook.
Exotic misses the shot to the body.
Tavares scores with a jab to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Exotic on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tavares. Tavares obviously looking to wear him down.
Exotic lands a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares throws a leg kick which misses Exotic's front leg but catches the back leg as Exotic tries to avoid it.
Exotic has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Tavares.
Exotic has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Tavares misses with a wild body shot.
Exotic slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Tavares takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Exotic moves out of range of the leg kick from Tavares.
Exotic throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tavares swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A nice leg kick lands there from Exotic.
Tavares gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Tavares takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Tavares will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Tavares works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Nice straight punches there by Exotic. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Exotic.
Nice shot lands for Tavares.
Exotic misses with a hook.
Tavares uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Exotic.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares scores with a jab to the jaw.
Exotic misses with a kick to the body.
Tavares moves out of range of the body kick from Exotic.
Exotic misses the shot to the body.
Tavares cracks a nice hook into Exotic's ribs.
Good work by Exotic as he checks the leg kick.
Exotic avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Exotic takes a swing at Tavares's ribcage but misses.
Exotic throws a chopping leg kick but Tavares manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Exotic slips under a jab from Tavares.
Exotic checks a leg kick.
Tavares throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Exotic misses with a wild body shot.
Tavares throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Exotic uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tavares.
Exotic moves out of range as Tavares strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares looks to score with a jab to the body but Exotic is just out of range.
Exotic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tavares.
Tavares swings for the body but Exotic moves out of range.
Tavares loads up on a big right hand but Exotic slips the punch.
Exotic takes a swing at Tavares's ribcage but misses.
Exotic throws a leg kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Exotic throws a hook to the side of Tavares's head but Tavares sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The fighters circling - Exotic throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A leg kick checked by Exotic.
Tavares ducks right into an uppercut from Exotic.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Exotic takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Exotic punishes Tavares's body with a nice straight punch.
Exotic misses with a body kick.
Exotic looks to land a left hand but Tavares moved out of range nicely.
Exotic loads up on a big right hand but Tavares slips the punch.
Tavares throws a half hearted mid kick.
A little jabbing left from Exotic on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Exotic slips under a jab from Tavares.

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 Manny Tavares.
Well Exotic has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Joe Exotic!
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight as a draw!
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Joe Exotic!

Joe Exotic wins by majority decision!
Our winner, Joe Exotic, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.