PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Maksim Taranin (ranked 829 p4p, 336 weight class) and Draco Leonidas (ranked 64 p4p, 30 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Taranin
vs
Leonidas

170 cm
24
158
8 - 6 - 0

170 cm
24
150
6 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Conviction
Champion Apparel

Northern Zombie
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Maksim Taranin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Draco Leonidas!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Viktor Lagutenko and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leonidas sizes up Taranin with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

It looks like Maksim Taranin has been cut.
Taranin darts in trying to clinch
enabling Leonidas to counter with a crisp jab.
Taranin misses with a hook
enabling Leonidas to counter with a crisp jab.
Leonidas fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Taranin looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Taranin gets a takedown into half guard.
Leonidas is trying to control but can't.

Taranin seems to be working for a kimura but Leonidas defends the submission attempt.
Taranin slows the pace down in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taranin trying to control the action but Leonidas is working from the bottom.

Taranin is trying to work for a kimura but Leonidas is defending well.
Taranin moves nicely into side control.
Leonidas is trying to escape the position but Taranin is controlling the position.
Taranin has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Leonidas felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Taranin trying to control the position but Leonidas is working away.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leonidas stuffs the takedown attempt from Taranin. Taranin gets slowly back to his feet.
Leonidas connects with an inside leg kick.
Taranin looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Taranin throws an off balance right hand
letting Leonidas counter with a right hand.
Leonidas lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Leonidas scores with a push kick.
A nice leg kick from Leonidas, right into the meat of the thigh.
Leonidas tries to score with a low kick but Taranin moves his leg out of the way.
Taranin throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Leonidas's waist but Leonidas gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Taranin off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maksim Taranin. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leonidas just misses with a punch to the body.
Leonidas misses with the combination.
Taranin thows a left - swing and a miss!
It seemed like Leonidas was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Taranin moves into range and clinches up with Leonidas.
Leonidas tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
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!
Taranin tries for a takedown but Leonidas manages to get underhooks.
Leonidas working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Taranin goes for a takedown attempt but Leonidas pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Taranin tries to move into range but Leonidas moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Taranin is defended easily by Leonidas.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Draco Leonidas dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Maksim Taranin's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Taranin forces Leonidas back against the cage and clinches.
Leonidas scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Taranin wants a takedown but no success here.
Taranin wants to take the fight to the mat but Leonidas manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Leonidas lands a shot to the body.
Leonidas stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Leonidas works on Taranin's body with a couple of short punches.
Leonidas misses with a punch to the body.
Taranin is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maksim Taranin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Taranin wants a takedown but no success here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice left hand lands by Leonidas.
Leonidas throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Taranins head.
Taranin is trying to pull guard but Leonidas has him pressed against the cage.
Leonidas lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Taranin has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Leonidas after a bit of a struggle.
Leonidas lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taranin is looking for a takedown.
Leonidas throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Taranins head.
A hook to the body from Leonidas.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Leonidas lands with a light punch inside.
Taranin looking for a takedown.
Taranin prevents a body shot from Leonidas.
Leonidas lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Taranin backwards.
Leonidas pushes Taranin back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Taranin can't get the takedown.
A right hook to the body lands for Leonidas.
Taranin goes for a takedown in the clinch but Leonidas prevents it.
Leonidas stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Nice body punch from Leonidas - that landed with a thud.
Leonidas is pressed up against the cage. Taranin has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Leonidas down to the mat. Leonidas avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Taranin takes one on the button.
Leonidas smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Taranin is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Taranin shoots in but Leonidas avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Oh Taranin is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leonidas scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Leonidas scores with a push kick.
Leonidas circles away before darting back in with a big straight right hand. It connects beautifully and sends Taranin tumbling to the canvas! He's out cold! Leonidas wins by KO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:17 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Draco Leonidas!