PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Tarver (ranked 132 p4p, 168 weight class) and Kodiyak Redd (ranked 7 p4p, 12 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Tarver
vs
Redd

169 cm
29
145
15 - 1 - 0

165 cm
28
141
14 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Fast

New Standard
HELLBENT

HELLBENT
SynCity Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Antonio Tarver!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kodiyak Redd!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, James Ackerman and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Redd swinging wildly here.
Redd jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Redd keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A slow jab from Tarver misses its intended target.
Tarver is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Redd.
Tarver wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters circling - Redd throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A swing and a miss from Redd.
Redd throws a shot from downtown. Tarver moves away and avoids it.
Tarver is looking to counter the offense by Redd and move into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarver uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Redd.
As Redd tries to get set, Tarver tries to push him back and clinch up but Redd manages to avoid the attempt.
Tarver looks to throw the jab but Redd is out of range.
Tarver closes the distance looking to clinch
enabling Redd to counter with a crisp jab.
Redd is looking to chop away at Tarver's legs.
A swing and a miss from Redd.
Tarver ducks under a wild hook from Redd.
Redd stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Redd looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Redd will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Tarver looks to score with a jab to the body but Redd is just out of range.
Redd throws a low kick but it's checked well by Tarver.

Tarver takes the fight into the clinch.
Redd tries to throw a body punch but Tarver avoids it by throwing Redd back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Redd misses with a hook to the ribs.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A bit of stalling here from Tarver.
Tarver is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Redd to keep the fight standing.
Tarver definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Tarver is trying to pull guard but Redd has him pressed against the cage.
Tarver jumps guard but Redd turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antonio Tarver. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tarver is trying to pull guard but Redd has him pressed against the cage.
Redd swings wildly with an uppercut but Tarver uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tarver tries to pull guard but Redd won't allow it.

Redd breaks the clinch.
Tarver tries to clinch there but Redd circles away.
Redd misses with a straight left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Redd misses.
Nice defenses there by Tarver.
Tarver slips under a jab from Redd.
Tarver tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Redd manages to circle out of the way.
Redd misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Tarver moves into the clinch.
Redd tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tarver's elbow.
Tarver tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Redd just stands there and leans against the cage.
Come on Tarver - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Tarver lands a right hand.
Tarver is trying to pull guard but Redd has him pressed against the cage.
Redd changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tarver fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Redd throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Tarver counters by moving into the clinch.

Redd gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Tarver regains guard.
Redd trying to control but Tarver is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Redd lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Tarver working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Redd doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Redd manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
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!
Tarver has a closed guard, preventing Redd from standing up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Tarver looking for a triangle here. Redd is fighting it but it looks tight! Tarver pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Redd is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Antonio Tarver!
Antonio Tarver retains his bantamweight title!
Antonio Tarver decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.