PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Derek Trucks (ranked 2789 p4p, 6187 weight class) and Vladimir Tarlac (ranked 0 p4p, 655 weight class). Trucks comes to the cage accompanied by Lost without you. Tarlac comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Nobody Knows- The Tony RIch Project kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Trucks
vs
Tarlac

183 cm
39
196
26 - 19 - 1

174 cm
43
195
25 - 20 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Determined

Neon Zombie

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 19 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Derek Trucks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vladimir Tarlac!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Vladimir Khabensky and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Trucks!
Trucks jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Tarlac, as that shot connected.

It looks like Derek Trucks has been cut.
Tarlac moves out of range of the strikes.
Trucks misses the shot to the body.
Trucks tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Tarlac is able to avoid easily.

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

Tarlac manages to break the clinch.

Tarlac pushes Trucks up against the cage in a clinch.
Tarlac lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Trucks backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Trucks manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Tarlac postures up.
Trucks looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tarlac is one step ahead there.
Tarlac controls from within his opponent's guard.
Tarlac trying to control but Trucks is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trucks wants to sweep but no luck.
Trucks working a defensive guard here.
Trucks trying to control the position here.

Trucks looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Trucks being controlled here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Trucks shoots in looking for a takedown. Tarlac tries to sprawl out of it but Trucks keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tarlac manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Trucks looking to score a takedown here. Tarlac is defending well but Trucks drives through and ends up in Tarlac's guard.
Trucks throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tarlac works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Trucks is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Trucks throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarlac is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Trucks throws a big elbow that misses.
Tarlac wants to sweep here but Trucks controlling him for the moment.
Trucks looking to sit in guard and control but Tarlac gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Trucks is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Trucks looking to control.
Tarlac must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trucks tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tarlac trying to control but Trucks is working from the bottom.
Tarlac preventing the sweep.
Tarlac's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Trucks managing to control the position.

Trucks working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tarlac doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tarlac manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Trucks is trying to keep Tarlac in close.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Derek Trucks dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Derek Trucks's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Some wild striking there from Tarlac.
Trucks lands a head shot.
Trucks changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tarlac tries to avoid it but Trucks manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tarlac to the ground. Tarlac escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Trucks dives in and grabs Tarlac's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tarlac pushes down on Trucks's head and hops out.
A punch combination from Tarlac misses.
A combination from Tarlac does no damage.
Tarlac throws a right and a left that Trucks avoids nicely.
Derek Trucks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Trucks rushes Tarlac and presses him up against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Tarlac has a couple of punches blocked by Trucks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tarlac misses with some punches.
Trucks jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Tarlac walks away with a smile on his face. Trucks gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Derek Trucks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Trucks misses with a takedown attempt - Tarlac sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A good leg kick by Trucks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trucks avoids a punch combination nicely.
Trucks quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Left hook, right uppercut from Trucks.
Trucks slips a jab and a cross from Tarlac.

Tarlac tries to keep at a distance but Trucks has taken the fight into the clinch.
Trucks working Tarlac over with knees to the body.
Tarlac misses with a hook from the clinch.

Trucks has clasped his hands together around Tarlac's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tarlac is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Derek Trucks overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Trucks throws an elbow but Tarlac slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tarlac is not content to let Trucks control the position.

Trucks wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Tarlac, who protects the arm well.
Tarlac regains half guard.
Trucks looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Trucks is working for a submission of some sort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tarlac is defending against the submission attempts here by Trucks.
Trucks not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Trucks winds up and cracks Tarlac with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Tarlac is looking for a sweep. Trucks is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tarlac on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Trucks thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Tarlac avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Trucks.
Trucks missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Trucks throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Trucks throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Trucks thows a huge punch but Tarlac dodges it nicely.
Trucks missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Trucks is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Tarlac doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Trucks.
Tarlac tries to get to full guard but Trucks has control of the leg.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Derek Trucks dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Derek Trucks's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Tarlac, as that shot connected.
Tarlac rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Trucks moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Trucks fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Trucks misses with a jab, cross combination.
Tarlac is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Tarlac misses with a series of wild punches.
Tarlac throws a right hand that Trucks ducks under and follows up with a left that Trucks also avoids with ease.

Trucks throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Tarlac was covering up waiting for the punch and Trucks finishes the takedown easily into guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Tarlac manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tarlac misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Trucks lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trucks lands a body shot in the clinch.
Tarlac is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Tarlac letting Trucks take a breather here.
Trucks tries to pull guard but Tarlac won't allow it.
Trucks fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Derek Trucks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tarlac working aggressively here.
Trucks is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Tarlac tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tarlac swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Trucks lands a right hand.

Trucks jumps into guard, dragging Tarlac to the mat.
Tarlac preventing the sweep.
Trucks has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Tarlac has passed into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trucks is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Tarlac off and has taken his back!
Trucks is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Tarlac up.

Trucks is persistently looking for the submission but Tarlac is defending it well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Trucks throwing strikes and Tarlac squirms under the pressure, ending up mounted.
Vladimir Tarlac has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Trucks punching from mount but Tarlac doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Trucks prevents Tarlac from getting the reversal.
Tarlac tries to lock up and control but Trucks gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trucks trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Trucks breaks from Tarlac's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Tarlac is squirming around, avoiding Trucks's attempts to control the action.
The referee warns Tarlac that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Tarlac takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tarlac takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Trucks wants to control the pace but Tarlac is squirming around nicely.
Tarlac holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Trucks tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

Trucks wants to finish this one by submission but Tarlac is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Trucks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trucks looking to ground and pound but Tarlac is blocking nicely.
Tarlac is working to get back to half guard.
Trucks throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Trucks thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Trucks misses with a head shot.
Trucks prevents Tarlac from getting the reversal.
Trucks has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Trucks lands a couple of good shots and Tarlac has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

And that's the end of the fight!
Derek Trucks showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Trucks, 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Derek Trucks!
An out of breath and clearly excited Derek Trucks thanked Neon Zombie for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).
Vladimir Tarlac spoke after the fight, saying 'until next time '.