PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Evan Kennedy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ruslan Tashinchev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kennedy comes to the cage accompanied by Domination by Jim Johnson. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Kennedy
vs
Tashinchev

184 cm
22
209 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

190 cm
24
205 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Evan Kennedy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ruslan Tashinchev!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Alec Ball and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tashinchev tries to clinch but Kennedy is having none of it.
Nice sprawl there from Tashinchev as Kennedy shoots in.
Tashinchev tries to clinch up.

Tashinchev has closed the distance and engaged Kennedy in a clinch.
Tashinchev lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Tashinchev working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Tashinchev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kennedy tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tashinchev sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kennedy somewhat.
Tashinchev wants to clinch.
Kennedy takes a jab right on the kisser.
Tashinchev moves in looking to clinch but Kennedy pushes him off.
Tashinchev tries to clinch there but Kennedy circles away.

Tashinchev darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tashinchev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tashinchev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Tashinchev controlling the pace.
Tashinchev is looking to advance position but Kennedy won't allow it.
Kennedy manages to get to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tashinchev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tashinchev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Tashinchev trying to control but Kennedy is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Kennedy has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tashinchev can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kennedy keeping full guard, as Tashinchev tries to pass.
Kennedy keeping moving, preventing Tashinchev from controlling successfully.
Tashinchev controlling from the top position.
Kennedy lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Tashinchev!
Kennedy landing shots from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tashinchev is squirming around, avoiding Kennedy's attempts to control the action.
Tashinchev can't escape the position.

Kennedy moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Tashinchev has worked his arm free - good work by Tashinchev!
Kennedy trying to control the action but Tashinchev is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Tashinchev throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Tashinchev is looking for a sweep.

Kennedy tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Kennedy has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Kennedy wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Tashinchev, who protects the arm well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruslan Tashinchev dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Tashinchev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kennedy paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Tashinchev changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kennedy looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Tashinchev trying to control the position but Kennedy is working away.
Kennedy is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Tashinchev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Tashinchev trying to control the action but Kennedy is working from the bottom.

Kennedy looking for submissions off his back.

Kennedy is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Tashinchev pulls his head out easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tashinchev is nestled in close to Kennedy, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Kennedy avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tashinchev.
Tashinchev is trying to control. Kennedy wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ground and pound from Tashinchev.
Ground and pound from Tashinchev.
Tashinchev stalling.
Kennedy tries to roll over but Tashinchev keeps him under control.
Tashinchev with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tashinchev wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Kennedy uses the opportunity to regain full guard.
Tashinchev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tashinchev is looking to work some ground and pound but Kennedy has wrist control.

Tashinchev gets to his feet - Kennedy follows without any prompting.
Tashinchev tries to clinch up but Kennedy circles away and keeps his distance.

Tashinchev moves into the clinch successfully.
A bit of stalling here from Tashinchev.
Kennedy is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Tashinchev gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kennedy is trying to break free.

Tashinchev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Evan Kennedy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kennedy slaps away a takedown attempt from Tashinchev, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy keeps the fight on the outside.
Tashinchev tries to clinch but Kennedy is having none of it.
Kennedy blocks a jab.
Kennedy gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Tashinchev counters with a stiff right hand.
Ruslan Tashinchev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tashinchev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kennedy doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Tashinchev counters by clinching up.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evan Kennedy. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Tashinchev decides to pull guard.
Kennedy wants to stand but Tashinchev has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Tashinchev controlling the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Tashinchev can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy won't allow Tashinchev to sweep him here.
Tashinchev wants to stand and escape but Kennedy is having none of it.
Tashinchev wants to sweep here but Kennedy controlling him for the moment.

Tashinchev is working an open guard so Kennedy takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Kennedy shoots and misses

and Tashinchev counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Kennedy!
Kennedy is trying to escape the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruslan Tashinchev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Tashinchev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tashinchev wants to clinch up but Kennedy keeps it at a distance.
Tashinchev leaves Kennedy with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Tashinchev throws a body punch but Kennedy moves out of range.
Tashinchev looks for the body kick but Kennedy saw that one coming.
Tashinchev wants to clinch up but Kennedy keeps it at a distance.
Kennedy is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tashinchev sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tashinchev rushes Kennedy and presses him up against the cage.
Tashinchev tries to land a knee to the head but Kennedy blocks with his arms.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A right hand to the body from Tashinchev.
Kennedy has Tashinchev pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Tashinchev manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evan Kennedy. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Tashinchev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tashinchev forces Kennedy back against the cage and clinches.
Tashinchev is stalling here.
Tashinchev digs a right hand underneath Kennedy's ribcage. Kennedy let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Tashinchev gets control of Kennedy's arms and successfully pulls guard. Tashinchev will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Tashinchev is controlling Kennedy's posture.
Tashinchev trying to control the position.

Tashinchev is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kennedy drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tashinchev misses with an elbow strike.

Tashinchev pulls guard.
Kennedy stopping the sweep attempt from Tashinchev.
Kennedy stops Tashinchev from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kennedy drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kennedy jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Tashinchev is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kennedy won't allow Tashinchev to sweep him here.
Evan Kennedy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Tashinchev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kennedy fails with the takedown

and Tashinchev moves into the clinch.

Tashinchev has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Kennedy is trying to keep an underhook but Tashinchev manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Tashinchev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kennedy keeps working.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kennedy is looking for a sweep. Tashinchev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ruslan Tashinchev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Kennedy looking for submissions off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ruslan Tashinchev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tashinchev has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ruslan Tashinchev!