PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ethan Wright (ranked 6815 p4p, 538 weight class) and Maki Tantor (ranked 2624 p4p, 301 weight class). Maki Tantor has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Wright
vs
Tantor

178 cm
25
178 lbs
5 - 11 - 1

182 cm
21
180 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 11 - 1, fighting out of London, Ethan Wright!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Maki Tantor!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Aleksandr Martynov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wright fails with the takedown.
Tantor plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Wright takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Tantor has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Wright has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Wright there as he acknowledges the shot.
Tantor lands a head shot.
Tantor scores with a punch to the head.

Wright gets a takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tantor moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Wright with a flurry of punches that miss.
Wright chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wright won't allow Tantor to sweep him here.
Tantor is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Wright tries to roll over but Tantor keeps him under control.

Tantor stands up and beckons Wright to join him on the feet.
Wright takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Tantor misses with a combination

and Wright counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ground and pound from Wright.
Ground and pound from Wright.
Wright working the head and body with strikes.
Wright is keen to just control but Tantor is a slippery customer.
Tantor is pressing down on Wright's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wright missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tantor tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Wright working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Tantor's head.
Wright in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Wright distracts Tantor with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Wright throws a strike but Tantor rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Tantor decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Tantor scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tantor. That's going to slow Wright down.
Tantor lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Tantor takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tantor throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Wright's head.
Tantor lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Tantor connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nice takedown defense from Tantor. No joy for Wright on that attempt.
A good leg kick by Tantor.
Wright walks into a straight right hand from Tantor.
Tantor scores with a body shot.
Maki Tantor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wright will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ethan Wright. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tantor throws a body punch but Wright moves out of range.
Tantor avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tantor scores with a one two! Wright had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tantor lands a head kick. Wright smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Tantor, right into the meat.
Tantor scores with a hook to the body. Wright takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Wright looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Tantor lands with an overhand left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tantor lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Wright takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Wright is rocked!
Tantor is looking for an opening here. He's unloaded a big left hand that catches Wright flush on the jaw and sends him tumbling to the canvas! Wright is out cold! Tantor holds back from landing any unnecessary shots to his unconscious opponent, as the referee reacts slowly to the situation. A brutal knockout and then some excellent sportsmanship - this guy is my new favorite fighter!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:16 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Maki Tantor!