PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tommy Tapout (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arkady Rossovich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tapout comes into the arena with Runaway blaring out of the sound system. Rossovich has chosen By Your Side as his entrance music. 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?

Tapout
vs
Rossovich

173 cm
32
142 lbs
19 - 13 - 0

150 cm
25
145 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Great low kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

Fighters First Nutrition Amsterdam 160

Bloodlust Horde Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tommy Tapout!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Arkady Rossovich!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Paul Aken and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A good leg kick by Tapout.
Tapout lands a nice looking kick to the body. Rossovich takes a step back to recover.
Arkady Rossovich seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice jab there from Rossovich.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tapout. That's going to slow Rossovich down.
Rossovich paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Rossovich clinches up against the cage.
Rossovich swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rossovich lands a right hand.
Tapout has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Rossovich scores with a shot to the side of Tapout's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tapout jumps guard but Rossovich stands there with Tapout around his waist. Tapout gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Rossovich fails to land.
Tapout tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rossovich smiles and moves away.
Rossovich tries a head kick but it misses.
Rossovich chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tapout can pounce on him.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Rossovich has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Tapout fails with the takedown
and Rossovich counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tommy Tapout. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tapout tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Rossovich is able to avoid easily.
A combination from Rossovich does no damage.
Tapout misses with a head kick.
Rossovich lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tapout circles away quickly and effectively.
Tapout misses with a takedown attempt - Rossovich sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Tapout drops his hands momentarily and Rossovich takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A big left from Rossovich misses.
Rossovich scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tapout doesn't seem bothered though.
Tapout fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rossovich manages to avoid it.
Tapout takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Tapout fails with the takedown.
Rossovich tries to bum rush Tapout with a series of wild strikes but Tapout uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tapout fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rossovich.
No joy there for Rossovich, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tapout attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rossovich. That's going to slow Tapout down.
Tapout fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Rossovich is out of range.
Tapout throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
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!
Tapout shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rossovich as he avoids it easily.
Tapout tries to land a front kick but Rossovich steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Tapout throws a body punch but Rossovich moves out of range.
Tapout takes a kick to the side of the head.
Rossovich tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tapout swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tapout will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Tapout tries a low kick but Rossovich avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapout throws a sloppy head kick and Rossovich moves out of range easily.
Rossovich misses with a head kick.
Tapout tries to land a front kick but Rossovich steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Rossovich fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rossovich checks the leg kick nicely there.
Rossovich will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rossovich throws a low kick but Tapout avoids it.
Rossovich tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Arkady Rossovich is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rossovich lands with a nice body kick.
Tapout scores with a head kick.
Tapout checks a low kick from Rossovich.
Rossovich tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tapout swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rossovich throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tapout.
Rossovich throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tapout throws a leg kick that is checked
and Rossovich counters with a nice low kick that buckles Tapout's knee momentarily.
Rossovich rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tapout moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tapout throws a poor cross that misses
and Rossovich counters with a thumping low kick.
Rossovich rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tapout moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tapout throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tapout moves away from the strike by Rossovich.
Tapout pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rossovich moves out of range of the body kick from Tapout.
Rossovich misses with a leg kick

and Tapout counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Tapout.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Rossovich wants to stand up but Tapout is controlling him.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tapout is looking to pass into half guard but Rossovich pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Rossovich is in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tommy Tapout will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Rossovich tries to clinch but Tapout is having none of it.
Rossovich rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tapout moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tapout fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rossovich tries to work over Tapout's front leg with a kick but Tapout checks it.
Rossovich missing with a left hand there. Tapout was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tapout shoots in for a takedown but Rossovich shows good takedown defense.
Tapout throws a quick inside leg kick.
Tapout attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Tapout throws a nice outside leg kick.
Tapout checks a low kick from Rossovich.
Tapout misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rossovich blocks the body kick.
Rossovich misses with a double jab.
Tapout shoots for a takedown but Rossovich saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tommy Tapout. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rossovich tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Tapout manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rossovich blocks a head kick by Tapout.
Nice shot by Rossovich.
Tapout connects with a high kick.
Tapout cracks the inside of Rossovich's front leg.
Tapout dives in and grabs Rossovich's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rossovich pushes down on Tapout's head and hops out.
Tommy Tapout is winning the standup battle so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Rossovich moves into the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Rossovich.

It looks like Tommy Tapout has been cut.
Tapout fails to pull guard.
A short body shot lands from Rossovich as the two fighters clinch.
Tapout's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A head punch on the inside from Rossovich fails to land.
Tapout tries to pull guard but Rossovich forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tapout blocks an uppercut.
Tapout tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rossovich pushes Tapout back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tapout jumps guard but Rossovich stands there with Tapout around his waist. Tapout gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tapout tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rossovich throws a punch but it's blocked by Tapout.
Rossovich misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rossovich digs a right hand underneath Tapout's ribcage. Tapout let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Rossovich landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Rossovich lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Tapout avoids the elbow strike from Rossovich, against the cage.
Tapout tries to pull guard but Rossovich won't allow it.
Tapout is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Rossovich to keep the fight standing.
Rossovich gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Tapout.
A short right from Rossovich on the inside.
Rossovich misses with an elbow strike.
Rossovich lands a damaging elbow.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Rossovich just misses with a elbow thrown towards Tapout's brow.
Tapout is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Rossovich to keep the fight standing.
Rossovich lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapout jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rossovich walks away with a smile on his face. Tapout gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Tapout checks a leg kick.
Rossovich lands with a nice body punch.
Rossovich lands with a nice body punch.

Tapout shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Rossovich manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Rossovich shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Tapout eats them both and turns towards Rossovich to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Tapout throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tapout pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rossovich swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tapout throws a sloppy head kick and Rossovich moves out of range easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tapout thows a leg kick but Rossovich checks it
and Rossovich makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Tapout really felt that one!
Rossovich takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
A slapping leg kick lands for Rossovich.
Rossovich connects with a body shot that sends Tapout's belly button to the back.

Tapout tries to keep at a distance but Rossovich has taken the fight into the clinch.
Rossovich misses with a short punch on the inside.

Tapout pulls Rossovich into guard.

Tapout looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Rossovich has picked Tapout up and slammed him! Tapout can't keep hold of the triangle and Rossovich manages to pass to side control!
Tapout manages to work his way to half guard, despite Rossovich's best efforts.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Tapout with the active half guard here but Rossovich passes nicely into side control.
Tapout tries to improve position but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arkady Rossovich showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tommy Tapout's cut.
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!

Tapout on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Rossovich avoids a kick to the body.
Rossovich uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tapout.
Rossovich throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Rossovich throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rossovich lands a glancing blow to the side of Tapout's head.
Rossovich throws a chopping leg kick but Tapout manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Tapout misses with a leg kick.
Tapout with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rossovich counters with a two punch combo.
Tapout is looking to chop away at Rossovich's legs.
Rossovich scores with a leg kick.
Rossovich pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tapout lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Arkady Rossovich is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rossovich throws a leg kick but Tapout moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tapout takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Tapout misses with a leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Tapout.
Tapout just misses with a punch to the body.
Rossovich lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Tapout throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rossovich sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tapout keeps the fight on the outside.
Tapout lands a nice looking body kick.
Rossovich throws a half hearted mid kick.
Rossovich throws a shot to the body.
Rossovich throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Tapout connects with a solid leg kick.
Tapout connects with a looping right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rossovich misses with a hook.
Tapout tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rossovich defends well and Tapout ends up having to push Rossovich into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Rossovich's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tapout tries to pull guard but Rossovich holds him up against the cage and eventually Tapout drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tommy Tapout. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tapout avoids a wild elbow strike from Rossovich.
Rossovich digs a right hand into Tapout's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Tapout's gas tank.
Rossovich working aggressively here.
Rossovich misses with a body punch.
Rossovich softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rossovich misses with some punches.
Tapout fails to pull guard.
Rossovich swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rossovich fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tapout tries to pull guard but Rossovich forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Tapout is trying to pull guard but Rossovich has him pressed against the cage.
Rossovich misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tapout jumps guard but Rossovich turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tapout tries to pull guard but Rossovich holds him up against the cage and eventually Tapout drops back down to his feet.
Tapout tries to pull guard but Rossovich holds him up against the cage and eventually Tapout drops back down to his feet.
Tapout jumps guard but Rossovich turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Rossovich lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Tapout blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tapout is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Rossovich to keep the fight standing.
Rossovich lands a nice shot to the body.
Tapout jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rossovich walks away with a smile on his face. Tapout gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Rossovich throws a nice inside leg kick.
Rossovich tries to bum rush Tapout with a series of wild strikes but Tapout uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Rossovich rushes Tapout and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Tapout gets control of Rossovich's arms and successfully pulls guard. Tapout will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Tapout is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Tapout is pulling down on Rossovich's head. It's preventing any offense from Rossovich, at least for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tapout trying to control the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Tapout looking for a guillotine here but Rossovich defends easily.
Rossovich wants to get up but he can't break Tapout's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arkady Rossovich comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rossovich 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 28:29
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arkady Rossovich!
A very excited looking Arkady Rossovich made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.