PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tom Gabel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dick Tanner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Gabel might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Миша Маваши - &. The crowd seem to be enjoying Tanner's choice of entrance music: Pop that Pussy. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Gabel
vs
Tanner

196 cm
27
214 lbs
19 - 8 - 0

189 cm
24
209 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Very quick

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

Russian Top Team Nutrition

Bushido Clothing

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 19 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tom Gabel!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dick Tanner!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Aleksandr Martynov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tanner throws a series of punches but Gabel avoids them all with ease.
Gabel cracks Tanner with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Tanner lands a lovely overhand right.
Tanner walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Tanner moves into the clinch.
Tanner blocking some punches.
Gabel has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Tanner trying to land knees to the body.

Gabel breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tanner wants to clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gabel throws a quick inside leg kick.
Tanner scores with a punch to the head.

Tanner gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Tanner is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gabel is defending well for now.
Tanner tries a knee to the head but Gabel blocks it.
Gabel dodges an elbow strike from Tanner.
Tanner tries to land knees in the clinch but Gabel avoids the damage to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Tanner.
Gabel is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tanner scores with a knee to the head.
Gabel wants to break free but Tanner has control.
Tanner prevents Gabel from breaking the clinch.
Gabel is trying to break free.
Tanner lands a knee to the head.
Tanner misses with a knee to the head.
Gabel managing to block the knees to the body from Tanner.

Gabel breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tanner blocks a head kick by Gabel.
Gabel lands a nice looking body shot.
Gabel misses the body punch
and Tanner counters with a slapping leg kick.
Gabel throws a head kick that misses.
Tanner connects with a body shot.

Tanner clinches up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tanner with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Gabel breaks the clinch.
Tanner tries to clinch but Gabel moves out of range.
Gabel drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Tanner lands a head kick!
Gabel cracks the inside of Tanner's front leg.
Tanner avoids a kick to the body.
Tanner chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Gabel can pounce on him.
Tanner throws a hook to the side of Gabel's head but Gabel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gabel tries to score with a low kick but Tanner moves his leg out of the way.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Tanner keeps control of Gabel as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Gabel misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Tanner just misses with a elbow thrown towards Gabel's brow.
Tanner throws an elbow that misses.
Gabel wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Gabel is trying to push Tanner away but Tanner has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Tanner prevents Gabel from breaking the clinch.
Gabel is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Tanner prevents a body shot from Gabel.
Tanner keeps control of Gabel as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Gabel wants to stall.
Tanner throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Gabel lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Gabel tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tanner's elbow.
Tanner throws an elbow that misses.
Tanner putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Gabel in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Gabel takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tanner creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gabel's defenses.
Tanner pushes off an throws an elbow but Gabel leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Tanner tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Gabel is leaning against Tanner and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Gabel working hard to break the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Tanner lands a nice knee to the body.
Gabel is breathing heavily.
Gabel managing to block the knees to the body from Tanner.
Tanner managing to block the knees to the body from Gabel.
Tanner connects with a knee to the head.
Gabel avoids a wild elbow strike from Tanner.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tanner pushes off an throws an elbow but Gabel leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Gabel is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Gabel is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Tanner throws an elbow but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A head kick misses from Gabel.
Tanner blocks a low kick nicely.
Tanner dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gabel throws a nice outside leg kick.
Tanner scores with a jab to the body.
Tanner throws a head kick but Gabel moves out of range.
Tanner misses with a head kick.
Gabel's corner calls for a 1-2. Gabel obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nice cross by Gabel.

Tanner moves into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tanner misses with an elbow strike.
Gabel goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Gabel's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A head kick from Gabel lands but Tanner takes it in his stride.
Gabel shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Gabel throws a leg kick
and Tanner counters with a nice body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gabel takes one to the side of the head.
Gabel throws a chopping leg kick but Tanner manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Tanner misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gabel.
Gabel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tanner throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tanner fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tanner has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Gabel.
Tanner doesn't manage to clinch there - Gabel circles away.
Tanner is looking to clinch.
Tanner thumps Gabel with a low kick.
Tanner changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Tanner throws a combination that misses
and Gabel counters with a nice uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tanner connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Gabel's hands.
Tanner checks the leg kick nicely there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gabel takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Gabel throws a sloppy head kick

and Tanner counters with a head kick that drops Gabel to the mat! Gabel scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!
A nice inside leg kick there by Gabel. That's going to slow Tanner down.
Gabel throws a series of punches but Tanner moves out of range.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tanner wants to clinch.
Tanner is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gabel throws a head kick but Tanner moves out of range.
Tanner looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Gabel throws a low kick, looking for Tanner's leg but Tanner calmly moves out of range.
Tanner throws an overhand right that lands on Gabel's shoulder, as Gabel tries to avoid the shot.
Good shot there by Gabel.
Tom Gabel is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gabel throws a head kick that misses.
Gabel connects with a body shot that sends Tanner's belly button to the back.
Tanner looks for the body kick but Gabel saw that one coming.
Tanner throws a predictable looking body shot
and Gabel counters with a good low kick that Tanner was not able to check.
Tanner dips to his left and cracks Gabel with an uppercut!
Tanner takes a kick to the side of the head.
Tanner loads up on a big right hand but Gabel slips the punch.
Tanner throws a solid leg kick but Gabel takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Tanner.
Tanner lands with a kick to the ribs.
Tanner wants to clinch up but Gabel keeps it at a distance.
Tanner wants to clinch up but Gabel keeps it at a distance.
Gabel avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gabel lands a nice shot that snaps Tanner's head back.
Tanner tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tanner misses with a head kick.
Gabel misses with a leg kick.
Tanner is looking to clinch.
Good standup being displayed there by Gabel as he connects with a hook.

Tanner lands a big head kick that sends Gabel tumbling to the mat! Tanner takes a step backwards and waves Gabel back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Gabel is rocked!
Gabel throws a looping overhand right but Tanner ducks down to avoid it.
Oh Gabel is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Tanner instigates a clinch.
Gabel seems to have got his legs back now.
A nice right hand lands inside from Tanner.
Tanner misses with a knee strike.
Gabel pushes off an throws an elbow but Tanner leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Gabel's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gabel is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tanner tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Gabel counters with a stiff right hand.
Dick Tanner seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tanner tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gabel paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gabel tries a head kick but it misses.
Gabel throws an off balance right hand
and Tanner counters with a stiff right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dick Tanner showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Gabel's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gabel thows a leg kick but Tanner checks it
and Tanner counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Tanner is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Gabel rather than just go for the knockout.
Gabel misses with a double jab
and Tanner counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Tanner drives through and clinches with Gabel against the cage.
Tanner is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gabel is defending well for now.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Tanner 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.
Tanner tries a knee to the head but Gabel blocks it.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Tanner as Gabel tries to tie him up.
Tanner landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Tanner lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Tanner as Gabel tries to tie him up.
Tanner looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Dick Tanner seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gabel blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gabel is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tanner landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Tanner throws an elbow but misses.
Gabel can't break the clinch.
Gabel wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tanner creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Tanner comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Gabel is trying to maintain a safe position but Tanner gets an underhook and turns Gabel into the cage.
Tanner lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Gabel has had enough of the clinch but Tanner keeps him there for the moment.
Tanner tries to land knees in the clinch but Gabel avoids the damage to the body.
Tanner pushes off an throws an elbow but Gabel leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Gabel misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gabel misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gabel wants to break free but Tanner has control.
Gabel taking a breather.
Gabel avoids a wild elbow strike from Tanner.
Gabel has had enough of the clinch but Tanner keeps him there for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gabel leaning his opponent against the cage.
Gabel takes a knee to the side of the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Gabel is trying to force a seperation but Tanner has the dominant position.
Tanner using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
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!
Tanner lands a nice elbow.
Gabel wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tanner landing knees to the head.
Tanner gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Come on Gabel - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Tanner lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Tanner lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gabel is trying to push Tanner away but Tanner has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Gabel has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Nice elbow from Tanner.
Tanner landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Tanner lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Tanner misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gabel.
Gabel managing to block the knees to the body from Tanner.
Tanner using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gabel has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tanner lands a big knee! That's hurt Gabel! Oh, he's all over the place! Tanner lands another knee that sends Gabel to the floor and the referee steps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:39 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Dick Tanner!
Dick Tanner is the new light heavyweight champion!
Post fight, Dick Tanner stared into the camera and said 'Thank you for allowing me to fight for such a prestigious and might I say beautiful belt.'.