PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mariusz Tarkowski (ranked 5578 p4p, 5072 weight class) and Ozuma Ozumab (ranked 520 p4p, 491 weight class). Mariusz Tarkowski has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Tarkowski
vs
Ozumab

186 cm
22
189
0 - 1 - 0

182 cm
20
190
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Intelligent

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mariusz Tarkowski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ozuma Ozumab!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Jorge Garcia and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ozumab shoots in looking for a takedown but Tarkowski manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ozumab's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Tarkowski fails with the takedown

and Ozumab counters by moving into the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Ozumab.
Tarkowski is trying to break the clinch but Ozumab has him pressed against the cage.
Tarkowski working hard to break the clinch.
Ozumab has Tarkowski pushed against the cage.
Tarkowski tries to break free but Ozumab pushes him back against the cage.
Tarkowski wants to break free but Ozumab has control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tarkowski has had enough of the clinch but Ozumab keeps him there for the moment.

Ozumab breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A head kick misses from Tarkowski.

Ozumab instigates a clinch.
Ozumab tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ozumab pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ozumab or perhaps it was just good defense by Tarkowski, which made it look bad.
Mariusz Tarkowski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ozuma Ozumab.
Ozumab finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Tarkowski wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Left hook, right uppercut from Ozumab.
Ozumab throws a sloppy head kick and Tarkowski moves out of range easily.
Tarkowski wants to clinch.

Ozumab closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ozumab has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Tarkowski avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Ozumab.
Ozumab fails to pull guard.
Tarkowski misses with the head strike.
Tarkowski goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ozumab prevents it.
Ozumab is trying to drag Tarkowski to the mat but Tarkowski just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Ozumab goes for a takedown attempt but Tarkowski pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ozumab throws a head kick but Tarkowski moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ozumab looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ozumab moves to clinch but Tarkowski breaks away
and Tarkowski counters with a three punch combo that has Ozumab backing up. Ozumab nods at Tarkowski to acknowledge the strikes.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ozumab looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tarkowski will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tarkowski stuffs the takedown attempt from Ozumab. Ozumab gets slowly back to his feet.
Tarkowski tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Ozumab manages to circle out of the way.
Tarkowski tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tarkowski changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ozumab tries to avoid it but Tarkowski manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ozumab to the ground. Ozumab escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ozumab changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Ozumab closes this distance looking for a takedown but Tarkowski circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tarkowski throws a push kick but Ozumab slaps the foot to one side.
Tarkowski shoots in for a takedown but Ozumab shows good takedown defense.

Tarkowski gets tackled into the cage by Ozumab. Ozumab maintains the clinch.
Tarkowski jumps guard but Ozumab stands there with Tarkowski around his waist. Tarkowski gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Ozumab's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tarkowski has a takedown stuffed.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Ozumab moves into range and clinches up with Tarkowski.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ozumab tries for a takedown but Tarkowski manages to get underhooks.
Tarkowski jumps guard but Ozumab turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ozuma Ozumab 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.

No luck with that takedown attempt from Ozumab.
Ozumab shoots in for a double leg but Tarkowski sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tarkowski throws the left hand but Ozumab avoids the punch easily.
Ozumab shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tarkowski sprawls well. Tarkowski wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ozumab gets slowly back to his feet.
Mariusz Tarkowski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ozuma Ozumab.
Ozumab has a takedown stuffed.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ozumab shoots in looking for a takedown but Tarkowski manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ozumab's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Tarkowski drives through and clinches with Ozumab against the cage.
Tarkowski is pressed up against the cage. Ozumab has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Tarkowski down to the mat. Tarkowski avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Ozumab has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.

Tarkowski drives through and clinches with Ozumab against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarkowski wants a takedown but no success here.
Ozumab stalling.

Ozumab breaks the clinch.
Tarkowski stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Tarkowski wants it to stay on the feet.
Ozumab dives in and grabs Tarkowski's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tarkowski pushes down on Ozumab's head and hops out.
Ozumab is breathing heavily.

Tarkowski has Ozumab up against the cage in a clinch.
Ozumab tries to circle away but Tarkowski has him pinned against the cage.

Ozumab manages to break the clinch.
Tarkowski fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tarkowski shoots for a double leg takedown but Ozumab sprawls well. He's pushed Tarkowski's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mariusz Tarkowski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tarkowski throws a leg kick but Ozumab sees it coming and moves out of range.
Tarkowski shoots in for a takedown but Ozumab shows good takedown defense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ozumab fails to land the takedown.
Tarkowski shoots in for a takedown but Ozumab shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ozumab throws a counter combo.

Ozumab has managed to clinch.
Ozumab can't get the takedown.
Tarkowski tries for a takedown. No joy.

Ozumab manages to break the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Ozumab. No joy for Tarkowski on that attempt.
Tarkowski shoots in but no luck this time.
Tarkowski stuffs the takedown attempt from Ozumab. Ozumab gets slowly back to his feet.
Ozumab shoots in looking for a takedown. Tarkowski tries to sprawl out of it but Ozumab keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tarkowski manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ozumab fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Tarkowski feinted with a counter takedown.

Ozumab rushes Tarkowski and presses him up against the cage.
Ozumab drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tarkowski gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Stalling in the clinch from Tarkowski.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Tarkowski struggles to land a body shot inside as Ozumab controls his hands.
Ozumab tries for a takedown. No joy.
Ozumab unloads a knee to the mid-section.

Ozumab breaks the clinch.
Ozumab works Tarkowski's body with a nice hook.
Ozumab fails to land with a series of punches.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ozumab tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tarkowski sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ozumab somewhat.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tarkowski fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ozumab avoids it really well and circles away.
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 Mariusz Tarkowski will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Horrible takedown attempt by Tarkowski or perhaps it was just good defense by Ozumab, which made it look bad.
Tarkowski wants to clinch up but Ozumab keeps it at a distance.

Ozumab darts in and clinches Tarkowski up against the cage.
Tarkowski wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Ozumab jumps guard and drags Tarkowski to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ozumab can do anything to dispel that myth.
Ozumab is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ozumab wants to control but Tarkowski passes easily into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tarkowski is taking a breather. Ozumab says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarkowski works his foot free and advances to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Tarkowski is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ozumab is defended easily by Tarkowski.
As Ozumab looks to move away, Tarkowski throws a big counter combo but Ozumab just gets out of the way.
Ozumab changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tarkowski tries to avoid it but Ozumab manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tarkowski to the ground. Tarkowski escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ozumab tries to clinch but Tarkowski is having none of it.
Ozumab leaves Tarkowski with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tarkowski throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ozumab's waist but Ozumab gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tarkowski off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mariusz Tarkowski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tarkowski looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ozumab dives in and grabs Tarkowski's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tarkowski pushes down on Ozumab's head and hops out.
Tarkowski tries to counter with a takedown but Ozumab is quick to defend against it.
Ozumab takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tarkowski tries to clinch
and Ozumab counters with a three punch combo that has Tarkowski backing up. Tarkowski nods at Ozumab to acknowledge the strikes.
Tarkowski looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ozumab is fending him off so far but Tarkowski persists. Nope, Ozumab circles away and we're back to standing.
Tarkowski wants to clinch up but Ozumab keeps it at a distance.
Ozumab looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Ozumab tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Tarkowski is able to avoid easily.
Tarkowski is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ozumab sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ozumab with the counter takedown but Tarkowski avoids it easily.
Ozumab dives in for a single leg takedown but Tarkowski sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Ozumab throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Tarkowski counters with a one-two to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarkowski is looking to clinch but Ozumab is avoiding it.
Ozumab drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Tarkowski defends it well.

Ozumab forces Tarkowski back against the cage and clinches.
Ozumab is trying to pull guard but Tarkowski has him pressed against the cage.
Ozuma Ozumab seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Tarkowski jumps guard but Ozumab stands there with Tarkowski around his waist. Tarkowski gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tarkowski wants to stall.
Ozumab goes for a takedown attempt but Tarkowski pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ozumab closes this distance looking for a takedown but Tarkowski circles away.
Ozumab tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tarkowski paws at him with a jab and circles away.
No luck for Tarkowski with that takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tarkowski defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ozumab.
Tarkowski moves out of range of the leg kick from Ozumab.
Tarkowski stuffs the takedown.
Ozumab throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Tarkowski.
Tarkowski keeps the fight on the outside.
Tarkowski fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ozumab shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tarkowski defends it nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ozuma Ozumab.
I think Ozumab has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ozuma Ozumab!