PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Michal Tarnowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mustaffa Spliff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tarnowski comes into the arena with Hemp Gru - Sami swoi blaring out of the sound system. 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.

Tarnowski
vs
Spliff

179 cm
26
154 lbs
42 - 10 - 0

188 cm
36
185 lbs
45 - 53 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 42 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Michal Tarnowski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 45 - 53 - 0, fighting out of London, Mustaffa Spliff!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, David Schapiro and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spliff keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Spliff clinches up with Tarnowski and pushes him back against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Spliff as the two fighters clinch.

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

Tarnowski is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Spliff is aware though and is defending well.
Tarnowski looking for a sweep. Not yet Tarnowski, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Spliff wants to get up but he can't break Tarnowski's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Tarnowski wants to sweep here but Spliff controlling him for the moment.
Spliff tries to stand but Tarnowski is controlling from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarnowski wants to sweep but no luck.
Spliff wants to stand but Tarnowski has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tarnowski connects with a solid leg kick.
Tarnowski swats away the attempt to clinch by Spliff.

Tarnowski tries to keep at a distance but Spliff has taken the fight into the clinch.
Spliff misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spliff misses with the head strike.

Tarnowski escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tarnowski throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Tarnowski throws a leg kick that is checked
and Spliff counters with a nice kick to the body.
Spliff tries to clinch up but Tarnowski circles away and keeps his distance.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tarnowski. That's going to slow Spliff down.
Tarnowski throws a quick inside leg kick.

Spliff fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Tarnowski, pushing him back against the cage.

Spliff escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Spliff tries to clinch up.
Tarnowski attempts a counter takedown but Spliff avoids it well and moves away.
Tarnowski looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A big right from Tarnowski misses.

Spliff rushes Tarnowski and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tarnowski blocks an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spliff tries to work over Tarnowski's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tarnowski struggles to land a body shot inside as Spliff controls his hands.
Spliff effectively controlling the action here.
Tarnowski throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Spliffs head.

Tarnowski pulls guard effortlessly.
Tarnowski has a closed guard, preventing Spliff from standing up.

Tarnowski throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Tarnowski looking for a guillotine here but Spliff defends easily.
Tarnowski is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spliff trying to stand up but can't free himself from Tarnowski's guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Tarnowski looking to control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Spliff wants to clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Spliff is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
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 Michal Tarnowski will probably get the nod.
That's time! Tarnowski's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Spliff clinches with his opponent.
Spliff scores with a shot to the side of Tarnowski's head.
Tarnowski throws a head punch that misses.
Spliff tries to pull guard but Tarnowski won't allow it.
Spliff lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tarnowski backwards.
Spliff is looking to control Tarnowski's arms but Tarnowski gets an underhook and turns him. Now Spliff has his back to the cage.
Spliff blocking some punches.
Spliff lands a body shot in the clinch.

Tarnowski ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Tarnowski no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Spliff stopping the sweep attempt from Tarnowski.
Tarnowski has a closed guard, preventing Spliff from standing up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tarnowski is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Spliff trying to stand up but can't free himself from Tarnowski's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Tarnowski wants to sweep here but Spliff controlling him for the moment.
Spliff wants to get up but he can't break Tarnowski's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Spliff tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Tarnowski counters with a nice kick to the body.
Tarnowski tries to work over Spliff's front leg with a kick but Spliff checks it.
Spliff throws a fast counter high kick but Tarnowski manages to duck under it in time.
Tarnowski keeps the fight on the outside.
Tarnowski avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Tarnowski's corner calls for a 1-2. Tarnowski obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

Tarnowski gets tackled into the cage by Spliff. Spliff maintains the clinch.
Tarnowski comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Spliff lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Spliff swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Tarnowski has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Spliff uses from the top position.
Tarnowski is trying to control the position but Spliff postures up.
Spliff trying to stand up but can't free himself from Tarnowski's guard.
Spliff is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarnowski wants to sweep but no luck.
Spliff wants to stand but Tarnowski is controlling his posture from full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Tarnowski throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Spliff tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Tarnowski is in Spliff's guard.
Tarnowski trying to control the position from guard on top but Spliff is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Spliff wants to stand up but Tarnowski is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tarnowski loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tarnowski with a flurry of punches that miss.
Spliff wants to stand but Tarnowski is controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Spliff tries to clinch there but Tarnowski circles away.
Spliff moves in looking to clinch but Tarnowski pushes him off.
Spliff tries to clinch
and Tarnowski counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Spliff tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tarnowski paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tarnowski moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Tarnowski feints and then cracks Spliff's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Spliff down.
Spliff tries to clinch but Tarnowski moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michal Tarnowski dominated that second round.
That's time! Tarnowski's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Spliff looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Spliff tries to close the distance and clinch but Tarnowski swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tarnowski lands with a nice body punch.
Tarnowski avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Spliff darts in and clinches Tarnowski up against the cage.
Tarnowski is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Spliff can do to turn this around?
Spliff tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Spliff will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Tarnowski up against the cage.
Tarnowski lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tarnowski pulls guard.
Tarnowski has a closed guard, preventing Spliff from standing up.
Tarnowski wants to sweep here but Spliff controlling him for the moment.

Tarnowski looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Michal Tarnowski overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarnowski has a closed guard, preventing Spliff from standing up.

Tarnowski has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Spliff can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Tarnowski is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Tarnowski has a closed guard, preventing Spliff from standing up.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Spliff gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Spliff tries to clinch but Tarnowski moves out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Tarnowski on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Spliff uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tarnowski.

Spliff has taken the fight to the clinch.
Tarnowski lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Spliff lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Spliff leaning against his opponent.
Spliff throws a punch but it's blocked by Tarnowski.
Spliff swings wildly with an uppercut but Tarnowski uses good head movement to avoid it.
Spliff misses with a punch on the inside.
Spliff lands with a short shot to the head.
Tarnowski lands a hook to the side of the head.
Spliff misses with a punch on the inside.
Spliff softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Tarnowski's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Spliff fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarnowski throws a head kick that misses.
Crunch! Tarnowski slams his shin into Spliff's torso.
Mustaffa Spliff seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tarnowski throws a quick inside leg kick.
Tarnowski throws a quick inside leg kick.
Spliff bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mustaffa Spliff has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Spliff tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Tarnowski manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tarnowski lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Tarnowski will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Spliff tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Tarnowski manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tarnowski swings and misses with a shot to the body
letting Spliff counter with a right hand.
A good leg kick by Tarnowski.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Tarnowski. Spliff shrugs it off though.
Mustaffa Spliff is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Spliff takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Tarnowski lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Spliff defending well as Tarnowski loads up on a big left hand.
Spliff moves out of range as Tarnowski throws a body kick.
Tarnowski wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Michal Tarnowski is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Spliff has managed to clinch.
Tarnowski blocks an uppercut.
Spliff lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tarnowski misses with the head strike.
Tarnowski looking to stall.
Spliff lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tarnowski backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michal Tarnowski showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tarnowski, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 30:27
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michal Tarnowski!
Michal Tarnowski seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.