PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paco Tabera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Reyes Lyepis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paco Tabera has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Tabera
vs
Lyepis

195 cm
22
250 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

195 cm
19
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Paco Tabera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Reyes Lyepis!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Wagner Zegers and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tabera rushes Lyepis and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Tabera manages to pull guard.
Tabera wants to get back to his feet but Lyepis is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Lyepis got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tabera has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Lyepis has managed to get both his arms back between Tabera's legs - danger averted.

Lyepis is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Tabera is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Tabera has escaped and now he's on top!
Tabera throwing strikes but missing.
Lyepis throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Lyepis is trying to keep Tabera in close.
Tabera sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Lyepis's guard.
Lyepis is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tabera performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Tabera looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Tabera in particular looking to stall.

Tabera decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Lyepis blocks a leg kick.

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.
Tabera throws a low kick but it's checked well by Lyepis.

Tabera looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Lyepis!

Tabera stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Tabera misses with a double jab.
Tabera changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Tabera shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Tabera showed some decent athleticism there.
Lyepis wants to control but Tabera is keeping busy.

Tabera gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tabera misses with a double jab.
Lyepis fails with the takedown

and Tabera counters with a shoot takedown. Lyepis fights it but they end up in guard.
Lyepis is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Lyepis is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Tabera wants to pass the guard but Lyepis is keeping the position.

Tabera stands and steps away. Lyepis gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tabera decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Tabera stands up out of the half guard.
Lyepis looks gassed!

Tabera forces Lyepis back against the cage and clinches.

Tabera jumps guard and drags Lyepis to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Lyepis drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Tabera manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Lyepis has Tabera in his guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Lyepis is working an open guard so Tabera takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Tabera scores a takedown into full mount!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tabera is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Lyepis is in real trouble.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paco Tabera dominated that round.
That's time! Tabera's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Tabera scores with a hook.

Tabera bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Tabera is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Lyepis is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Tabera working the ground and pound.

Tabera thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Tabera staying calm.
Lyepis is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tabera throws a strike aimed at the side of Lyepis's head but Lyepis avoids it well.
Lyepis sneaks back into half guard.
Tabera not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Tabera keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Tabera stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Paco Tabera is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lyepis takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Lyepis is breathing heavily.

Tabera has Lyepis up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lyepis tries for a takedown. No joy.

Tabera tightens his grip and picks Lyepis up, before dumping him to the ground. Lyepis manages to land in guard.
Tabera advances position into side control!
Tabera is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Lyepis will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Tabera moves into full mount!
Tabera controlling the pace for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tabera has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Tabera seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Lyepis for as long as he can get away with.

Tabera wants to finish this one by submission but Lyepis is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Tabera.
Lyepis working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Lyepis tries to lock up and control but Tabera gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Tabera stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Tabera.
Tabera staying calm.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Paco Tabera just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Tabera throws a head kick but Lyepis moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paco Tabera dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Tabera darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Tabera thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lyepis's head.
Lyepis is controlling Tabera's trapped leg to prevent Tabera from advancing to side control.
Tabera slows the pace down in half guard.

Tabera stands up from half guard.
Tabera looks to land a combination but Lyepis avoids it well.
Tabera tries to land a leg kick but Lyepis saw it coming and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tabera will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Lyepis gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Tabera counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Lyepis takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lyepis is trying to maintain the position but Tabera is very close to passing his half guard.
Tabera looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Tabera is working for a kimura but Lyepis is defending it quite comfortably.
Tabera takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tabera wants to work for an arm triangle but Lyepis is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Tabera is taking a breather. Lyepis 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.
Tabera is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lyepis can do to turn this around?
Tabera is thwarting Lyepis's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Tabera is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Lyepis doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Tabera.
Lyepis misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Tabera is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Lyepis is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Tabera content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Paco Tabera is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tabera is thwarting Lyepis's attempts to control the position.
Tabera not doing much here.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Paco Tabera just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
A combination from Tabera does no damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paco Tabera showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tabera 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight for Paco Tabera!
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight for Paco Tabera!
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight for Paco Tabera!

Paco Tabera wins by unanimous decision!