PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Babul Abubalib (ranked 8232 p4p, 0 weight class) and Valentin Taneyev (ranked 5417 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Abubalib
vs
Taneyev

200 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

186 cm
18
209 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Babul Abubalib!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Valentin Taneyev!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Chad Campbell and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Taneyev moves into range and clinches up with Abubalib.
Abubalib looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Abubalib tries to pull guard but Taneyev won't allow it.
A head punch on the inside from Taneyev fails to land.
Abubalib wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Taneyev misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Taneyev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Taneyev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Taneyev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Abubalib jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Taneyev walks away with a smile on his face. Abubalib gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
We've been told by Abubalib's head coaches at Dream Big Academy that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Taneyev clinches up with Abubalib and pushes him back against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Taneyev fails to land.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Taneyev lands with a short shot to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taneyev misses with the head strike.
Abubalib blocking some punches.
Taneyev is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Taneyev slows down the pace here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abubalib blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Taneyev.
Taneyev is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Taneyev tries a body shot but Abubalib blocks it.
Taneyev tries to throw a body punch but Abubalib avoids it by throwing Taneyev back against the cage.
Abubalib has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Taneyev.
Taneyev tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Taneyev misses with some punches.
Taneyev is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Abubalib pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Taneyev rushes Abubalib and presses him up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taneyev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Taneyev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Taneyev taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Abubalib is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Taneyev prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Babul Abubalib. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Abubalib tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Taneyev smiles and moves away.
Taneyev tries to clinch up.
Abubalib is looking for a counter combo.

Taneyev takes the fight into the clinch.
Abubalib blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Taneyev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Taneyev tries to throw a body punch but Abubalib avoids it by throwing Taneyev back against the cage.
The referee calls for Taneyev to work.
Taneyev looking to slow down the pace here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abubalib wants to stall.
Abubalib is working for takedown but Taneyev is calmly controlling the position for now.
Taneyev throws a head punch that misses.
Taneyev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Abubalib prevents a body shot from Taneyev.
Abubalib is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Taneyev pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Abubalib blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Taneyev tries to stall but Abubalib uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Abubalib is trying to stall.
Taneyev throws a head punch that misses.
Taneyev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Taneyev swings wildly with an uppercut but Abubalib uses good head movement to avoid it.
The referee calls for Taneyev to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taneyev content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Taneyev stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Taneyev tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Abubalib breaks the clinch.
Taneyev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Abubalib paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Abubalib is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Taneyev.

Taneyev moves into the clinch.
Abubalib blocks an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Abubalib.
Taneyev managing to block the knees to the body from Abubalib.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Abubalib blocks an uppercut.
Taneyev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Taneyev fails to land.
Abubalib wants to break free but Taneyev has control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valentin Taneyev dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Abubalib fails with the takedown.
Taneyev throws a head kick that half lands.
Abubalib circles away from the clinch attempt.

Taneyev takes the fight into the clinch.
Taneyev misses with some punches.
Taneyev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Taneyev struggles to land a body shot inside as Abubalib controls his hands.
Taneyev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taneyev trying to stall but Abubalib improves his position.
Taneyev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Taneyev has Abubalib pressed against the cage.
Taneyev can't find room to land a body shot as Abubalib controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taneyev throws a punch but it's blocked by Abubalib.
Taneyev misses with a punch on the inside.
Abubalib tries to pull guard but Taneyev holds him up against the cage and eventually Abubalib drops back down to his feet.
Taneyev holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Taneyev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Abubalib is trying to drag Taneyev to the mat but Taneyev just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Babul Abubalib. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Taneyev taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Abubalib is looking to control Taneyev's arms but Taneyev gets an underhook and turns him. Now Abubalib has his back to the cage.
Taneyev controlling the action here for a moment.
Abubalib blocks a body shot from Taneyev.

That's two 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.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Taneyev lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Taneyev stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Taneyev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Taneyev tries to work over Abubalib's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Taneyev slows down the pace here.
Abubalib blocks a body shot from Taneyev.
Taneyev wants to stall.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Valentin Taneyev.
Taneyev feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Abubalib's calf.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Abubalib.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Abubalib.
Abubalib blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Valentin Taneyev seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Taneyev misses with a punch on the inside.
Taneyev controlling the action here for a moment.
Taneyev has a couple of punches blocked by Abubalib.
Abubalib jumps guard but Taneyev stands there with Abubalib around his waist. Abubalib gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Taneyev working aggressively here.
Taneyev content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Taneyev throws a punch but it's blocked by Abubalib.
Taneyev stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Abubalib being controlled against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Abubalib's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Valentin Taneyev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Abubalib circles away from the clinch attempt.
Taneyev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Taneyev is looking to clinch but Abubalib is avoiding it.
Taneyev stuffs the takedown.
Abubalib shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Taneyev but Taneyev pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Taneyev clinches with his opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Abubalib blocks an uppercut.

Abubalib breaks the clinch.
Abubalib circles away from the clinch attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valentin Taneyev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Taneyev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Abubalib misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Taneyev shapes to counter with a head kick.

Taneyev closes the distance and pushes Abubalib back into the cage.
Taneyev looking to slow down the pace here.
A bit of stalling here from Taneyev.
Taneyev swings wildly with an uppercut but Abubalib uses good head movement to avoid it.
Taneyev taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Abubalib being controlled against the cage.
Taneyev tries to throw a body punch but Abubalib avoids it by throwing Taneyev back against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taneyev throws a head punch that misses.
Taneyev tries to throw a body punch but Abubalib avoids it by throwing Taneyev back against the cage.
Taneyev has Abubalib pushed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taneyev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Taneyev stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Valentin Taneyev.
Abubalib shoots in for a takedown but Taneyev shows good takedown defense.

Taneyev clinches.
Abubalib tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Taneyev just stands there and leans against the cage.
Abubalib prevents a body shot from Taneyev.
Abubalib can't break the clinch.
Taneyev is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Taneyev throws a punch but it's blocked by Abubalib.
Abubalib tries to pull guard but Taneyev forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Babul Abubalib. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Taneyev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Abubalib's elbow.
The referee is keeping an eye on Taneyev - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taneyev stalling.
Abubalib blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Taneyev displaying some good clinch control by pressing Abubalib up against the cage.
Abubalib trying to stall but Taneyev improves his position.
Abubalib blocks an uppercut.
Taneyev misses with the head strike.
Taneyev swings wildly with an uppercut but Abubalib uses good head movement to avoid it.
Taneyev misses with a hook from the clinch.

Abubalib breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Taneyev moves in looking to clinch but Abubalib pushes him off.
Taneyev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
As Taneyev tries to get set, Abubalib tries to push him back and clinch up but Taneyev manages to avoid the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abubalib swats away the attempt to clinch by Taneyev.
Taneyev throws a half hearted mid kick.
Abubalib tries to counter with a takedown but Taneyev is quick to defend against it.

Abubalib closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Taneyev misses with the head strike.
Valentin Taneyev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The referee is keeping an eye on Taneyev - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Taneyev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Abubalib drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Taneyev gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Abubalib tries to pull guard but Taneyev holds him up against the cage and eventually Abubalib drops back down to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taneyev has a couple of punches blocked by Abubalib.
Abubalib blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Taneyev working aggressively here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Taneyev.
Taneyev misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Babul Abubalib has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Abubalib fails to pull the fight into his guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Valentin Taneyev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Taneyev winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Valentin Taneyev!
A victorious Valentin Taneyev thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.