PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tamaz Tsiklauri (ranked 2487 p4p, 3523 weight class) and Stephan Risi (ranked 300 p4p, 391 weight class). Risi is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Where Rainbows Never Die - The Steeldrivers. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Tsiklauri
vs
Risi

185 cm
20
170
2 - 0 - 0

174 cm
21
183
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Shadow Realm Apparel

Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Tamaz Tsiklauri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Stephan Risi!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Roosa Järviläinen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Risi pushes Tsiklauri away with a front kick.
Tsiklauri lunges at Risi with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Risi's hand.
Tsiklauri checks a low kick from Risi.
Tsiklauri looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Risi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tsiklauri manages to avoid it.
Tsiklauri connects with an inside leg kick.
Risi misses with a low kick as Tsiklauri jumps back.
Risi thows a leg kick but Tsiklauri checks it
and Tsiklauri counters with a stiff right hand.
Tsiklauri throws a quick inside leg kick.
Tsiklauri with a nice cross.
Tsiklauri takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Tsiklauri connects with an inside leg kick.
Tsiklauri with a jab.
Tsiklauri throws an overhand right that lands on Risi's shoulder, as Risi tries to avoid the shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A low kick from Risi misses
and Tsiklauri counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Tsiklauri takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
That kick from Risi tenderised Tsiklauri's leg. Tsiklauri is trying to keep his angry face on.
Tsiklauri with a jab.
Tsiklauri looks to throw the jab but Risi is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Risi scores with a hook to the body. Tsiklauri takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Tsiklauri bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Tsiklauri misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Risi.
Tsiklauri 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.
Tsiklauri is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Risi slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Tsiklauri moves out of range of the strikes.
Tamaz Tsiklauri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Risi takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Tsiklauri looks to land a left hand but Risi moved out of range nicely.
A chopping leg kick lands by Tsiklauri.
Risi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tsiklauri was well out of range. Poor timing from Risi.
It looked like Tsiklauri was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Risi.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Risi.
Risi misses with a low kick as Tsiklauri jumps back.
Risi misses with a hook.
A counter left hand to the body from Tsiklauri misses its target.
Risi on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Tsiklauri throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Risi doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Tsiklauri uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Risi.
Tsiklauri looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Risi throws a body shot but no joy.
Tsiklauri is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Tsiklauri lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Risi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tsiklauri paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Tsiklauri misses with a low kick as Risi jumps back.
Risi throws a body kick that misses.
Risi is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Tsiklauri rather than just go for the knockout.
Tsiklauri scores with the left hand. Risi knows he should have avoided that one.
Tsiklauri lands with a straight right. Risi didn't see that one coming.
Risi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Risi blocks a jab.
Risi throws a body kick that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Tsiklauri lands with an overhand left.
Tsiklauri fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Tsiklauri clinches.
Tsiklauri works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Tsiklauri.
Risi takes a shot to the head.
Risi misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsiklauri struggles to land a body shot inside as Risi controls his hands.
Tsiklauri misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tsiklauri makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Tsiklauri stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Tsiklauri using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Risi has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tsiklauri prevents a body shot from Risi.

Risi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Risi takes one on the button.
Tsiklauri takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Tsiklauri throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Risi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Tsiklauri moves into range and clinches up with Risi.
Tsiklauri misses with a hook from the clinch.
Risi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tsiklauri's elbow.
Risi is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Tsiklauri is trying to stall.

Risi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Risi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Tsiklauri. That did some damage!
Tsiklauri takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Tsiklauri throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Risi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Risi looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Tsiklauri scores with a jab to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tsiklauri with a nice cross.
Tsiklauri lands a jab-cross combination.
Good shot there by Tsiklauri.
Tsiklauri throws a body shot but no joy.
Tsiklauri scores with a decent looking hook.
Risi looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Tsiklauri takes one to the chin there.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Tsiklauri moves into the clinch.
Tsiklauri lands a left hand.
A head punch on the inside from Risi fails to land.
Tsiklauri goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tamaz Tsiklauri dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Tsiklauri fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Risi manages to avoid it.
Tsiklauri bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Risi's head backwards.
Tsiklauri stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Risi.
Risi throws a wild body kick that Tsiklauri sees coming a mile off.
A little feinted left hand from Tsiklauri on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Tsiklauri plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Tsiklauri is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Risi misses with a low kick.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Risi in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Risi looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Tsiklauri blocks a leg kick.
Risi throws a low kick, looking for Tsiklauri's leg but Tsiklauri calmly moves out of range.
It looked like Tsiklauri wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Risi finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Tsiklauri appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Tsiklauri is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Risi blocks a jab.
Tsiklauri throws a nice inside leg kick.
Tsiklauri scores with a punch to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tsiklauri stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Risi.
Risi takes a jab right on the kisser.
Risi moves out of range of the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsiklauri attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Tsiklauri is looking to score with low kicks.
Good leg kick by Tsiklauri.
Risi's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Risi takes a swing at Tsiklauri's ribcage but misses.
Risi with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Tsiklauri to score with a decent uppercut.
Tsiklauri is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Risi can do to turn this around?
Tsiklauri lands a lovely overhand right.

Tsiklauri drives through and clinches with Risi against the cage.
Tsiklauri swings wildly with an uppercut but Risi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tsiklauri misses with a knee to the head.
Tsiklauri blocks a body shot from Risi.
A short uppercut from Tsiklauri.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tsiklauri.
Risi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tsiklauri tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tsiklauri misses with a punch to the body.
Risi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tsiklauri's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Risi taking a breather.
Risi misses with the head strike.
Tsiklauri lands a left hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tsiklauri landing knees to the head.
Risi pushes Tsiklauri back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tsiklauri content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Tsiklauri lands a hook that snaps the head of Risi backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Risi.
Risi is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Risi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Tsiklauri scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Tamaz Tsiklauri has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Tsiklauri tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A head punch on the inside from Risi fails to land.
Tsiklauri lands a body shot.
A knee to the head by Tsiklauri.
Risi blocks an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Risi works on Tsiklauri's body with a couple of short punches.
Risi lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tsiklauri backwards.
Risi tries to throw a body punch but Tsiklauri avoids it by throwing Risi back against the cage.
Tsiklauri lands an uppercut.
Tsiklauri blocking some punches.
Tsiklauri scores with a nice hook to the head.
Tsiklauri makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Risi lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Tsiklauri or not.

Risi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tsiklauri ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Tsiklauri throws a hook but Risi blocks it.
Tsiklauri fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Risi manages to avoid it.
Risi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Risi.
Tsiklauri throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Risi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
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!
Tsiklauri takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tsiklauri connects with a right hand. Risi shakes it off.

Tsiklauri clinches up against the cage.
Tsiklauri with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Risi.
Risi has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Tsiklauri doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Risi leaning against his opponent.
Risi stalling in the clinch.
Tsiklauri makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Tsiklauri swings wildly with an uppercut but Risi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Risi.
Risi blocking some punches.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Risi leaning against his opponent.
Tsiklauri lands with a light punch inside.
Risi content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Tsiklauri works on Risi's body with a couple of short punches.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tsiklauri tries a body shot but Risi blocks it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tamaz Tsiklauri dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Risi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tsiklauri.
Tsiklauri throws a leg kick
and Risi counters with a one-two to the body.
Tsiklauri avoids the body shot from Risi.
A head kick misses from Tsiklauri.
Tsiklauri jabs at Risi's body.
Risi on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Tsiklauri misses with a body kick.
Risi throws a nice outside leg kick.
Risi feints a jab promting Tsiklauri to slip. Risi then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Tsiklauri slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Tsiklauri throws a jab when Risi was well out of range.
A bone on bone clash there as Tsiklauri blocks the leg kick.
Tsiklauri swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Tsiklauri lands a really nice looking cross but Risi seems unphased.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tsiklauri throws a sloppy head kick and Risi moves out of range easily.
Risi throws a low kick but Tsiklauri moves out of range easily.
Risi tries a low kick but Tsiklauri avoids it.
Tsiklauri takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsiklauri connects with an inside leg kick.
Risi ducks right into an uppercut from Tsiklauri.
Tsiklauri throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Risi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tsiklauri sizes up Risi with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Tsiklauri pushes Risi up against the cage in a clinch.
Tsiklauri presses Risi against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A nice right hand lands inside from Risi.
Risi is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Tsiklauri looking to throw knees to the head but Risi is blocking nicely.
Tsiklauri doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tsiklauri lands with a left to the head.
Tsiklauri lands a left hand that snaps the head of Risi backwards.
Tsiklauri manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Tsiklauri misses with a punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tsiklauri blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tsiklauri misses with some punches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tsiklauri using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Risi tries to work over Tsiklauri's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tsiklauri trying to land knees to the body.
Tsiklauri misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Tsiklauri fails to land.
Risi tries a body shot but Tsiklauri blocks it.
Tsiklauri struggles to land a body shot inside as Risi controls his hands.

Risi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Tsiklauri has managed to clinch.
Risi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tsiklauri misses with the head strike.
Risi misses with a body punch.
Tsiklauri tries a knee to the head but Risi blocks it.
Tsiklauri tries a knee to the head but Risi blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Risi slows down the pace here.
A short uppercut from Tsiklauri.
Tsiklauri misses with a short punch on the inside.
Risi misses with a punch to the body.
Tsiklauri misses with a hook from the clinch.
Risi blocks an uppercut.
Risi tries to work over Tsiklauri's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tsiklauri goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Risi has a couple of punches blocked by Tsiklauri.
Risi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tsiklauri lands a shoulder strike.
Tsiklauri tries to throw a body punch but Risi avoids it by throwing Tsiklauri back against the cage.
Tsiklauri fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tsiklauri stalling against the cage.
Risi scores with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tsiklauri pushes Risi back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Risi lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Tsiklauri.
Risi is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Risi letting Tsiklauri take a breather here.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Risi fails to land.
Risi tries a body shot but Tsiklauri blocks it.
Tsiklauri swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tsiklauri lands with a light punch inside.
Risi tries to work over Tsiklauri's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Risi blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Risi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Risi looking to slow down the pace here.
Stephan Risi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Risi misses with a punch to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tamaz Tsiklauri showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tsiklauri has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tamaz Tsiklauri!
Tamaz Tsiklauri thanked the fans post fight for their support.
In defeat, Stephan Risi stepped up to the mic, saying 'Yeah, I fucked up. Whatever. It happens.'.