PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jerry Short (ranked 63 p4p, 202 weight class) and Antonio Tarver (ranked 6 p4p, 13 weight class). Short comes to the cage accompanied by Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger. Antonio Tarver will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Short
vs
Tarver

151 cm
32
135
17 - 9 - 0

169 cm
32
175
20 - 5 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Brawler
Insanely flexible

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Conviction
Shadow Realm Apparel

Shadow Realm Apparel
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jerry Short!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antonio Tarver!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Percy O'Donnell and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tarver clinches up against the cage.
Tarver lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Tarver lands with a short shot to the head.
Tarver jumps guard but Short stands there with Tarver around his waist. Tarver gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Short prevents a body shot from Tarver.
Short is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Tarver gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Tarver jumps guard and drags Short to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Tarver keeping moving, preventing Short from controlling successfully.
Our spies down at at IMMA Gym of Elite ASS inform us that Tarver has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

Tarver is looking for a triangle but Short pushes his legs off easily.

Short got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tarver has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Short has managed to get both his arms back between Tarver's legs - danger averted.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tarver escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Short gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Tarver looking for a guillotine here but Short defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarver not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Short trying to control but Tarver is working from the bottom.
Short is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Short drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Short jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Tarver working for a triangle but Short defends it easily.
Tarver is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Tarver keeping full guard, as Short tries to pass.
Short trying to control but Tarver is working from the bottom.

Tarver is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Short is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Short has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Short postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Tarver is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Short is aware though and is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Tarver looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Tarver has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Short can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Short trying to control but Tarver is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Short accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Short drops back looking for a leg! Tarver is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Tarver manages to kick Short off! Short jumps back into Tarver's guard.
Tarver keeping moving, preventing Short from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Short looking to pass the guard.

Tarver working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Short doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Tarver is tightening it up a little... Short has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Short reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Short taps out! Nice BJJ there by Tarver!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:38 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Antonio Tarver!
Our winner, Antonio Tarver, 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.