PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Okafor (ranked 104 p4p, 232 weight class) and Cesare Tiramanti (ranked 19 p4p, 36 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Okafor
vs
Tiramanti

220 cm
27
210
22 - 6 - 1

185 cm
32
207
27 - 13 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Pound Town INC
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Okafor!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 13 - 2, fighting out of New York, Cesare Tiramanti!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Nard Betker and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Okafor thumps Tiramanti with a low kick.
Tiramanti throws a low kick but Okafor moves out of range easily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Tiramanti.
Tiramanti uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Okafor has time to react.
Okafor misses with a head kick.
Tiramanti throws out a counter right but Okafor avoids it with no problem.
Danga de danga de dang - Okafor scores with a four punch combination!
Okafor moves away from the strike by Tiramanti.
Okafor fires out a quick counter leg kick but Tiramanti just manages to avoid it.
Tiramanti throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Tiramanti misses with a looping right.
It looked like Okafor wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Tiramanti thumps Okafor with a low kick.
Tiramanti pivots, looking for a leg kick but Okafor is out of range and Tiramanti settles back down.
Okafor really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Okafor looks to land a left hand but Tiramanti moved out of range nicely.
Tiramanti is looking for the big counter here.
Tiramanti throws a good cross that connects.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A jab from Tiramanti misses.
Tiramanti with a jab.
Tiramanti swings for the body but Okafor moves out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Okafor misses the target.
Okafor misses with a low kick.
Okafor lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Tiramanti on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Okafor. Okafor obviously looking to wear him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tiramanti is looking to chop away at Okafor's legs.
Okafor throws a sloppy head kick and Tiramanti moves out of range easily.
A nice side step and Tiramanti releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Tiramanti throws a body shot but no joy.
Okafor ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tiramanti moves away.
Tiramanti has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Okafor uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tiramanti.
Mike Okafor is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Okafor misses with an uppercut.
Tiramanti blocks a jab.
Okafor cracks Tiramanti with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Tiramanti takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A jab from Okafor misses.
Okafor moves away from the strike by Tiramanti.
Tiramanti ducks under a wild hook from Okafor.
Tiramanti connects with a crisp jab.
Okafor looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Tiramanti throws a chopping leg kick but Okafor manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Nice defenses there by Okafor.
Okafor ducks under a wild hook from Tiramanti.
Tiramanti throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okafor jabs at Tiramanti's body.
Cesare Tiramanti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
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!
Tiramanti with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Tiramanti walks into a stiff left hand from Okafor.
Tiramanti misses the shot to the body.
Okafor throws a leg kick but Tiramanti moved away.
Okafor lands a nice looking kick to the body. Tiramanti takes a step back to recover.
A telegraphed right hand from Tiramanti misses the target.
Okafor throws out a loose jab but Tiramanti uses good head movement to avoid it.
Okafor throws a low kick but Tiramanti moves out of range easily.
Okafor throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tiramanti sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tiramanti misses with an uppercut. Okafor saw that one coming.
Nice shot lands for Tiramanti.
Tiramanti bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tiramanti walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Okafor misses the jab.
Tiramanti throws a hook to the side of Okafor's head but Okafor sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tiramanti looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Okafor keeping moving, preventing Tiramanti from controlling successfully.
Tiramanti trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tiramanti seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Tiramanti stands and throws Okafor's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Tiramanti working away.
Okafor tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Tiramanti wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Okafor manages to get back to half guard.

Tiramanti is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Okafor has managed to free his arm - good work.
Okafor tries to roll over but Tiramanti keeps him under control.

Tiramanti is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Okafor has managed to free his arm - good work.
Okafor wants to get back to full guard.
Tiramanti controlling the pace.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Cesare Tiramanti will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Tiramanti throws a low kick but it's checked well by Okafor.
Okafor scores with a hook.
Mike Okafor is winning the standup battle so far.
Tiramanti misses with the combination.
Okafor fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Okafor connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Tiramanti momentarily.
Tiramanti blocks a jab.
Tiramanti lands a glancing blow to the side of Okafor's head.
Okafor throws a body kick that misses.
Tiramanti looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Okafor misses with a low kick.
Okafor keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tiramanti scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tiramanti moves out of range as Okafor strikes.
Tiramanti tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nice straight punches there by Tiramanti. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Tiramanti.
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!
Tiramanti throws a right hand that Okafor ducks under and follows up with a left that Okafor also avoids with ease.
Tiramanti throws a hook but Okafor blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okafor 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.
It seemed like Tiramanti was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Nice defenses there by Tiramanti.
Tiramanti throws the left hand but Okafor avoids the punch easily.
Tiramanti slips a straight right by Okafor.
Tiramanti moves forwards but Okafor connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Tiramanti gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Okafor slips a jab from Tiramanti.
Tiramanti lands a glancing blow to the side of Okafor's head.
Okafor avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nice defenses there by Tiramanti.
Tiramanti uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Okafor.
Tiramanti on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Tiramanti misses the shot to the body.
Tiramanti fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Okafor manages to avoid it.
Nice defenses there by Okafor.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tiramanti looks to land a combination. Okafor sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Okafor 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.
The crowd cheers as Okafor lands an impressive looking overhand right. Tiramanti doesn't seem phased though.
Tiramanti misses with a series of wild punches.
Tiramanti swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Tiramanti throws a leg kick but Okafor sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Okafor takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Tiramanti slips under a jab.
Tiramanti jabs at Okafor's body.
A head kick from Okafor lands but Tiramanti takes it in his stride.
Tiramanti throws a lazy right hand but Okafor sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tiramanti fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Okafor manages to avoid it.
Tiramanti ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Okafor moves away.
Okafor misses with a series of wild punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tiramanti throws a nice inside leg kick.
Okafor looks to throw the jab but Tiramanti is out of range.
Okafor throws a hook but Tiramanti avoids it easily.
Tiramanti loads up on a big right hand but Okafor slips the punch.
Okafor throwing a counter right hand but Tiramanti manages to avoid it.
Okafor misses with a straight left.
Tiramanti is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Tiramanti fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Okafor checks it well.
Okafor throws a lazy right hand but Tiramanti sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tiramanti. Okafor does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tiramanti takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Okafor checks a low kick from Tiramanti.
Okafor thinks about countering with a head kick.
Tiramanti ducks under a wild hook from Okafor.
A telegraphed right hand from Tiramanti misses the target.
Tiramanti misses with a looping right.
Okafor moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Tiramanti takes one to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tiramanti looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Okafor is fending him off so far but Tiramanti persists. Nope, Okafor circles away and we're back to standing.
Tiramanti cracks a nice hook into Okafor's ribs.
Tiramanti throws a poor cross that misses
and Okafor counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tiramanti keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Okafor.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tiramanti misses with a hook.
Okafor uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tiramanti.
Nice jab there from Okafor.
Okafor ducks under a wild hook from Tiramanti.
Tiramanti fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tiramanti scores with a decent looking hook.
Tiramanti on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Okafor. Okafor obviously looking to wear him down.
Tiramanti blocks a leg kick.
Tiramanti misses with a head kick.
Okafor looks for the body kick but Tiramanti saw that one coming.
Okafor scores with a hook to the body. Tiramanti takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tiramanti. Okafor does a little dance to reset his feet.
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 Mike Okafor will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nice jab there from Okafor.
Okafor moves out of range as Tiramanti strikes.
A telegraphed right hand from Okafor misses the target.
Tiramanti throws a leg kick which misses Okafor's front leg but catches the back leg as Okafor tries to avoid it.
Tiramanti misses with a looping right.
The crowd cheers as Okafor lands an impressive looking overhand right. Tiramanti doesn't seem phased though.
Okafor throws an overhand right that lands on Tiramanti's shoulder, as Tiramanti tries to avoid the shot.
Tiramanti misses with a low kick.
Okafor fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tiramanti manages to avoid it.
Okafor walks into a straight right hand from Tiramanti.
A punch combination from Okafor misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tiramanti throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Decent striking displayed by Okafor there.
Okafor lands with an overhand left.
Tiramanti misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Okafor.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Okafor connects with a looping right hand.
Okafor is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tiramanti chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Okafor can pounce on him.
Okafor swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tiramanti takes a swing at Okafor's ribcage but misses.
Tiramanti rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Okafor counters with a solid body kick.
Tiramanti throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Okafor displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tiramanti throws out the jab.
And Okafor counters with a quick kick to the body but Tiramanti blocks it.
Okafor throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A jab from Tiramanti misses.
Tiramanti pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Okafor dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Tiramanti. That did some damage!
Okafor stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tiramanti.
A nice leg kick from Okafor, right into the meat of the thigh.
Okafor throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Okafor uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tiramanti.
Tiramanti swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Okafor cracks Tiramanti with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Tiramanti.
Tiramanti drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A nice leg kick from Tiramanti, right into the meat of the thigh.
Okafor checks a leg kick.
Tiramanti takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Okafor connects with a solid leg kick.
Tiramanti fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Okafor checks it well.
Okafor swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Tiramanti lands with an uppercut that bounces Okafor off the cage and back into range.
Okafor throws a hook to the side of Tiramanti's head but Tiramanti sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tiramanti staying out of range there.
Okafor moves away from the strike by Tiramanti.
Okafor quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Okafor avoids the body shot from Tiramanti.
Tiramanti slips under a jab from Okafor.
A slapping leg kick lands for Okafor.
Okafor misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tiramanti swings away with a body shot that misses
and Okafor counters with a low kick, right behind Tiramanti 's knee.
Tiramanti moves out of range as Okafor throws a body kick.
Tiramanti defending well as Okafor loads up on a big left hand.
Tiramanti throws out a counter right but Okafor avoids it with no problem.
Okafor misses with a straight right.
A nice side step and Tiramanti releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Tiramanti takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Tiramanti scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Tiramanti misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
It looked like Okafor wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Okafor takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Nice sprawl there from Okafor as Tiramanti shoots in.
Okafor defending well as Tiramanti loads up on a big left hand.
Tiramanti misses with a head kick.
Okafor feints and then cracks Tiramanti's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Tiramanti down.
Tiramanti misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Okafor.
Nice uppercut there from Okafor.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tiramanti scores with a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tiramanti checks a low kick from Okafor.
Okafor throws a good cross that connects.
Tiramanti fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Okafor has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Okafor takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Tiramanti throws a lazy right hand but Okafor sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tiramanti swings for the body but Okafor moves out of range.
Tiramanti tries to score with a low kick but Okafor moves his leg out of the way.
Tiramanti throws a lazy uppercut
and Okafor counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Okafor throws a sloppy head kick and Tiramanti moves out of range easily.
Tiramanti throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Okafor throws a leg kick but Tiramanti sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Despite the aggression on Tiramanti's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Okafor dodges the punch combination from Tiramanti.
Tiramanti moves away from the strike by Okafor.
Tiramanti throws a front kick aimed at Okafor's knee but Okafor avoids it well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Okafor clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Okafor misses with an attempted mid kick.
Jab by Tiramanti.
Tiramanti displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Okafor throws out the jab.
Okafor lands with a straight right. Tiramanti didn't see that one coming.
Tiramanti's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Tiramanti thows a leg kick but Okafor checks it
and Okafor counters with a nice uppercut.
Okafor avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tiramanti takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Tiramanti misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Okafor counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Okafor throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Tiramanti on the side of the head.
Okafor blocks a jab.
Okafor throws a low kick but Tiramanti moves out of range easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tiramanti steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Okafor. That one must have hurt.
Okafor jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Okafor misses with a straight right.
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!
An inside leg kick lands from Okafor.
Okafor just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okafor scores with a nice right hand.
Okafor 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.
Okafor is looking to slow Tiramanti down with leg kicks.
Okafor connects with a right hand. Tiramanti shakes it off.
Okafor looks to throw the jab but Tiramanti is out of range.
Tiramanti lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Okafor keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tiramanti.
Okafor uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tiramanti.
Tiramanti throws a head kick but Okafor moves out of range.
Okafor scores with a kick to the body.
Tiramanti misses with a lunging right hand
and Tiramanti takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Okafor avoids the body shot from Tiramanti.
Okafor tries to work over Tiramanti's front leg with a kick but Tiramanti checks it.
Tiramanti thinks about the counter body kick.
Tiramanti misses with a straight right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okafor lands a head shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tiramanti tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A little feinted left hand from Okafor on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Tiramanti slips under a jab from Okafor.
Okafor scores with a push kick.
Tiramanti looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Okafor sizes up Tiramanti with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Nice jab there from Okafor.
Okafor throws a low kick but it's checked well by Tiramanti.
Tiramanti is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Okafor misses with a kick to the body.
Okafor jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tiramanti waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Okafor.
An attempted straight right counter from Okafor misses the target.
Okafor throws a poor cross that misses
and Tiramanti makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Okafor throws a lazy right hand but Tiramanti sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tiramanti bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Okafor works the jab nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tiramanti misses with an uppercut. Okafor saw that one coming.
Okafor throwing a counter right hand but Tiramanti manages to avoid it.
A jab from Okafor does it's job there.
Okafor connects with an inside leg kick.
Tiramanti has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Okafor.
Okafor scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Okafor listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Tiramanti throws a nice inside leg kick.
Okafor connects with the punch.
Tiramanti uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Okafor.
Tiramanti moves out of range of the strikes.
Tiramanti misses with a double jab
and Okafor counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Tiramanti checks the leg kick.
Tiramanti pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Okafor lands a nice looking body kick.
Okafor cracks Tiramanti with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tiramanti scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A big right from Okafor misses.
Tiramanti walks into a stiff left hand from Okafor.
Tiramanti throws out a loose jab but Okafor uses good head movement to avoid it.
Okafor throws a shot from downtown. Tiramanti moves away and avoids it.
Tiramanti has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Okafor throws an overhand right that lands on Tiramanti's shoulder, as Tiramanti tries to avoid the shot.
Tiramanti throws a hook to the side of Okafor's head but Okafor sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tiramanti tried to score with a low kick but Okafor checks it.
Okafor staying out of range there.
Tiramanti misses with a body kick.
Okafor wants to slow Tiramanti down by chopping away at his legs.
Tiramanti doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Tiramanti throws a body shot but no joy.
Tiramanti takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A jab lands there for Okafor.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Okafor had his way with Cesare Tiramanti in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Tiramanti throws a solid leg kick but Okafor takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Tiramanti.
Okafor tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tiramanti moves into range and connects with a jab.
Okafor jabs Tiramanti to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Tiramanti throws a body punch but Okafor moves out of range.
Okafor stuns Tiramanti with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Tiramanti dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tiramanti throws a predictable looking body shot
and Okafor counters with an inside leg kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Okafor darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Okafor throws a quick inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Decent striking displayed by Okafor there.
Tiramanti thuds a left hand into Okafor's body.
Tiramanti loads up on a big right hand but Okafor slips the punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Okafor throws a hook to the side of Tiramanti's head but Tiramanti sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A good leg kick by Tiramanti.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tiramanti throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Tiramanti misses with a low kick.
Tiramanti jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tiramanti is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Okafor.
Tiramanti tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Okafor defends well and Tiramanti ends up having to push Okafor into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Okafor scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Tiramanti moves out of range of the body kick from Okafor.
No joy there for Tiramanti, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Okafor throws a nice head kick!
Tiramanti looks for a takedown but Okafor sprawls well.
Tiramanti is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Tiramanti looks to land a left hand but Okafor moved out of range nicely.
Tiramanti with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Okafor to score with a decent uppercut.
Tiramanti checks a leg kick.
Tiramanti goes for a double leg but Okafor avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Okafor continues to drive forward.
Mike Okafor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cesare Tiramanti.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okafor connects with a single shot there.
Okafor with a nice cross.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Okafor tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A nice side step and Tiramanti releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
A telegraphed right hand from Okafor misses the target.
Okafor lands with a hook. Tiramanti tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Okafor keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tiramanti throws a body shot but no joy.
A telegraphed right hand from Tiramanti misses the target.
Okafor scores with a nice strike.
Okafor throws a quick inside leg kick.
Tiramanti scoring well with a low kick there.
Tiramanti attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A punch lands to the side of Okafor 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Tiramanti throws a hook but Okafor avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tiramanti looks to throw the jab but Okafor is out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Okafor on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Cesare Tiramanti has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Okafor avoids the body shot from Tiramanti.
Okafor scores with a nice strike.
Tiramanti shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A head kick misses from Tiramanti.
Okafor plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Okafor scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Tiramanti tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Okafor fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Tiramanti.
Okafor scoring well with a low kick there.
Okafor paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Okafor defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tiramanti.
Tiramanti misses with the combination.
Okafor tries a head kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Okafor misses with a straight left.
Tiramanti doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
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!
Good shot there by Okafor.
Tiramanti moves out of range as Okafor strikes.
Tiramanti misses with a looping left.
Okafor tests Tiramanti's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Okafor keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tiramanti.
Okafor throws a lazy right hand but Tiramanti sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tiramanti misses with an uppercut.
Tiramanti tries to bum rush Okafor with a series of wild strikes but Okafor uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Okafor is looking to land body kicks.
Okafor is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Tiramanti ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Okafor moves away.
A big left from Okafor misses.
Tiramanti ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Okafor moves away.
Mike Okafor is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tiramanti pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Okafor showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Okafor 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 48:47
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 49:46
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Okafor!
Mike Okafor retains his light heavyweight title!
Mike Okafor thanked the fans post fight for their support.