PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bone Crusher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rikki Tavi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Crusher comes into the arena with This is the END of your CAREER!! Riki Tavi.... blaring out of the sound system. Tavi has chosen Lynyrd Skynyrd - Still Unbroken as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Crusher
vs
Tavi

189 cm
19
210 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

186 cm
20
205 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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•‡• LION Clothing •‡• [CBK]

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bone Crusher!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rikki Tavi!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Kenichi Hosakawa and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tavi misses the shot to the body.
Tavi wants to clinch.
Crusher shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tavi as he jumps to the side.
Tavi tries to clinch up but Crusher circles away and keeps his distance.
Tavi stuffs the takedown attempt from Crusher. Crusher gets slowly back to his feet.

Tavi drives through and clinches with Crusher against the cage.
Tavi has a couple of punches blocked by Crusher.

Crusher pulls Tavi into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Crusher wants to sweep but no luck.

Crusher is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Crusher has a closed guard, preventing Tavi from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crusher is trying to control the position but Tavi postures up.

Crusher manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Crusher swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tavi moves in looking to clinch but Crusher pushes him off.
Crusher avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Tavi misses with a low kick as Crusher jumps back.
Tavi gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Rikki Tavi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Crusher throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Tavi was covering up waiting for the punch and Crusher finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Crusher trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Tavi manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crusher has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Tavi has passed into side control.
Crusher tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Tavi wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Crusher is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Tavi off and has taken his back!

Crusher is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Crusher working for the choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavi covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Tavi manages to reverse the position and now he's in Crusher's guard. Nice work there by Tavi.
Tavi preventing the sweep.

Crusher throws his legs up looking for a submission but Tavi uses it to pass to side control.
Tavi wants to stand but Crusher has his arm trapped.
Crusher tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Tavi wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Tavi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Crusher keeps working.
Crusher is looking to reverse the position.
Crusher can't do much from the bottom here.
Crusher is looking for a sweep.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
No luck for Crusher with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bone Crusher. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Crusher scores with the left hand. Tavi knows he should have avoided that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bone Crusher dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Crusher drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Tavi avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Crusher.
Crusher throws an elbow but Tavi slips to the side and avoids it well.
Crusher connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Tavi some visible discomfort.
Crusher creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Tavi sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Crusher postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Tavi managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Crusher.
Crusher working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Crusher throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crusher throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Tavi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Crusher. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Crusher is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Tavi knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Crusher is trying to get an arm triangle but Tavi is defending well.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Crusher shoots in for a double leg but Tavi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tavi throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Crusher circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tavi tries to clinch up but Crusher circles away and keeps his distance.
Tavi tries to clinch there but Crusher circles away.
Tavi tries to clinch up but Crusher circles away and keeps his distance.
Crusher tries for a takedown but Tavi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Tavi takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Crusher misses with a head kick.
Crusher fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tavi avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bone Crusher. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Crusher fails with the takedown.
Tavi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Crusher paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crusher shoots in and drives through. Tavi sprawls well.

Tavi gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Crusher to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Crusher prevents Tavi from getting back to his feet.
Crusher stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tavi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Crusheris looking to pass into half guard but Tavi pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Tavi is in guard.
Crusher wants to sweep but no luck.
Tavi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Crusher swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Crusher has his foot on Tavi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Tavi works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crusher bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Tavi's guard.
Crusher scoring with some ground and pound.
Crusher throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tavi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tavi looking for a sweep. Not yet Tavi, not yet.
Crusher sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Tavi's guard.
Crusher throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Crusher seems to be looking for submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Crusher is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Tavi sees it coming and defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bone Crusher dominated that second 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.

Tavi wants to clinch.

Tavi moves into range and clinches up with Crusher.
Tavi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A left hand lands to the body for Tavi.
Tavi scores with a shoulder strike.
Tavi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Crusher wants a takedown but no success here.
Tavi is leaning against Crusher and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Crusher tries to score a body lock takedown but Tavi shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Crusher jumps guard but Tavi stands there with Crusher around his waist. Crusher gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bone Crusher. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Crusher tries to throw a body punch but Tavi avoids it by throwing Crusher back against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A head punch on the inside from Tavi fails to land.
Tavi is pushing Crusher up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Crusher has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Tavi is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crusher wants to break free but Tavi has control.
Tavi cracks Crusher with a nice body shot.
Tavi lands with a short shot to the head.
Crusher has Tavi pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Tavi manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A short left from Tavi.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Tavi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Tavi is pushing Crusher up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Crusher goes for a takedown attempt but Tavi pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Tavi tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Crusher is able to avoid easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tavi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tavi takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Tavi fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Crusher tries a head kick but it misses.

Tavi drives through and clinches with Crusher against the cage.
Tavi throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Crushers head.
Crusher tries to pull guard but Tavi holds him up against the cage and eventually Crusher drops back down to his feet.
Crusher drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tavi is stalling here.
Crusher struggles to land a body shot inside as Tavi controls his hands.
Tavi is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Crusher blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Tavi fails to land.
Tavi stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Crusher goes for a takedown in the clinch but Tavi prevents it.
Come on Tavi - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Tavi receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Tavi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Crusher tries to pull guard but Tavi holds him up against the cage and eventually Crusher drops back down to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavi throws a head punch that misses.
Tavi taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Tavi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tavi's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Crusher manages to pull guard.
Crusher wants to sweep but no luck.
Crusher is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tavi is controlling him.
Tavi won't allow Crusher to sweep him here.
Tavi trying to control but Crusher is working from the bottom.

Crusher throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Crusher looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Tavi puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Bone Crusher overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Crusher tries to roll over but Tavi keeps him under control.
Crusher works his way to full guard. Good work.
Tavi won't allow Crusher to get back to his feet.

Crusher has an active guard here but Tavi has managed to pass into half guard.
Crusher wants to improve his position but Tavi is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rikki Tavi really 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.

Nice body punch from Crusher.
Bone Crusher is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Crusher showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tavi.
Nice takedown defense from Tavi. No joy for Crusher on that attempt.
Tavi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Crusher swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Crusher slips under a jab.
Tavi tries to close the distance and clinch but Crusher swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tavi tries to clinch up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tavi tries to clinch but Crusher is having none of it.
Tavi swings for the body but Crusher moves out of range.
Crusher fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Good shot there by Tavi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavi tries to clinch there but Crusher circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tavi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Tavi forces Crusher back against the cage and clinches.
Crusher is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Tavi pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bone Crusher. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tavi slowing the pace effectively.
Crusher is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Tavi gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Crusher tries for a takedown but Tavi manages to get underhooks.
Crusher wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tavi has him pressed against the cage.
Tavi cracks Crusher with a nice body shot.
Tavi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Tavi holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A body shot lands from Tavi.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Tavi lands a shoulder strike.
Crusher misses with a punch to the body.
A short body shot lands from Tavi as the two fighters clinch.
Crusher fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crusher tries for a takedown but Tavi manages to get underhooks.
Tavi slows down the pace here.
Tavi gets underhooks to prevent Crusher's takedown attempt.
Tavi scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Tavi leaning his opponent against the cage.
Tavi works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A nice right hand lands inside from Tavi.
Crusher has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Tavi is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Tavi lands a body shot.
Crusher tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tavi lands a shot to the body.
Crusher has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Tavi avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Tavi.
Tavi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Crusher backwards.
Tavi lands with a light punch inside.
Tavi lands a shot to the body.
Crusher is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Tavi gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Tavi lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavi gets through Crusher's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Tavi scores with a hook to the body.
Tavi is pressed up against the cage. Crusher has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Tavi down to the mat. Tavi avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Tavi throws a low kick but it's checked well by Crusher.

Tavi moves into the clinch successfully.
Crusher tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Tavi just stands there and leans against the cage.
Tavi lands with a light punch inside.
Tavi lands a body punch in the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Tavi.
Tavi slowing the pace effectively.
Tavi gets through Crusher's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Tavi lands a left hand that snaps the head of Crusher backwards.
Tavi lands a right hand.
Tavi lands a left hand.
Crusher is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Tavi pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Tavi lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Crusher jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Tavi walks away with a smile on his face. Crusher gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Tavi is looking to clinch.
Tavi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Crusher swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Crusher tries to clinch up
and Tavi counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavi closes the distance looking to clinch

and Crusher counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Crusher.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Crusher stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tavi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Crusher passes Tavi's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Crusher throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Tavi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rikki Tavi dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Tavi tries to clinch but Crusher moves out of range.
Tavi fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Crusher is out of range.
Tavi fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Crusher is out of range.
Crusher gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Tavi counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Tavi leaning his opponent against the cage.
Tavi is working Crusher over against the cage.
Crusher changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tavi fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Crusher fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bone Crusher. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Tavi moves in looking to clinch but Crusher pushes him off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tavi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Crusher paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Crusher gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Tavi counters with a nice leg kick.
Crusher avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tavi tries to clinch up but Crusher circles away and keeps his distance.
Tavi attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Tavi tries to clinch there but Crusher circles away.
Crusher misses with a takedown

and Tavi holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Crusher drops down looking for an ankle pick but Tavi pulls his leg out and moves away.
Tavi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Crusher.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crusher walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Tavi attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Tavi throws a big shot that misses.
Tavi throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
enabling Crusher to counter with a crisp jab.
Crusher circles away from the clinch attempt

and Crusher counters with a single leg into guard. Tavi didn't expect that.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tavi keeping full guard, as Crusher tries to pass.
Crusher is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crusher throws and elbow that misses. Tavi uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Crusher's guard. Nice move by Tavi!

Crusher looking for subs off his back but Tavi has passed one foot through into half guard.
Crusher tries to roll over but Tavi keeps him under control.

That's four 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.
Tavi wants to take a breather but Crusher is having none of it.

Crusher looking for submissions off his back.

Crusher looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Tavi pushes past his half guard into mount!
Crusher can't escape the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rikki Tavi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tavi 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 47:48
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 47:48
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rikki Tavi!
Rikki Tavi is the new light heavyweight champion!