PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Maksim Taranin (ranked 1194 p4p, 471 weight class) and Rickson Caceres (ranked 105 p4p, 39 weight class). Maksim Taranin has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Taranin
vs
Caceres

170 cm
21
152
5 - 2 - 0

180 cm
28
157
11 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Champion Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Maksim Taranin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rickson Caceres!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Vladimir Khabensky and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Taranin manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Caceres on his heels. He'll look to pass Caceres's guard now, I'm sure.
Taranin controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Taranin forces his way into half guard.
Caceres wants to improve his position but Taranin is controlling well.
Caceres felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

Taranin wants to work for an arm triangle but Caceres is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Taranin looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Caceres wants to improve his position but Taranin is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taranin is taking a breather. Caceres says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Taranin is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Caceres doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Taranin.

Taranin is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Taranin looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Taranin is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Caceres has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Caceres is looking for a sweep. Taranin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Caceres is trying to control but can't.
Caceres is looking to improve his position.
Taranin wants to take a breather but Caceres is having none of it.
Caceres won't allow Taranin to pass to mount.
Caceres regains full guard. Nicely done.
Caceres keeping moving, preventing Taranin from controlling successfully.
Caceres can't keep his opponent in guard - Taranin advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taranin seems to be looking for submissions.
Caceres is looking for a sweep. Taranin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Taranin is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Taranin is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Caceres is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Taranin's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Taranin's back!
You can see the frustration on Taranin's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Caceres looking to hold on to the position here but Taranin rolls and ends up regaining guard.

Taranin working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Caceres doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Caceres manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Caceres is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Taranin can't keep his opponent in guard - Caceres advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Caceres moves into full mount! Taranin won't be happy about that!
Taranin is looking to get to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Taranin tries to improve his position but instead Caceres has taken his back!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Taranin looking very determined here, making life difficult for Caceres.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Maksim Taranin dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Caceres shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Caceres is trying to control. Taranin wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Taranin wants to get back to full guard.
Taranin trying to control here.
Caceres sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Caceres is looking to advance position but Taranin won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Taranin looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Taranin is looking for a sweep. Caceres is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Caceres looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Caceres trying to control from half guard but Taranin is working away.
Taranin tries to get to full guard but Caceres has control of the leg.
Caceres performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Taranin looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Taranin feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Caceres escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Taranin gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Caceres looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Caceres looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Taranin looking to sit in guard and control but Caceres gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Taranin has his foot on Caceres's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Caceres works his way back into a safe position though.
Caceres looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taranin is looking for a triangle but Caceres pushes his legs off easily.
Caceres is pushing down on Taranin's leg trying to pass to half guard. Taranin is fighting to maintain full guard but Caceres has managed to sneak the leg through.

Taranin looking for submissions off his back.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Caceres in particular looking to stall.

Taranin looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Caceres is looking for a kimura here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Caceres takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Taranin is trying to get back to full guard.
Caceres slows the pace down in half guard.
Caceres is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Caceres controlling his opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rickson Caceres showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Caceres looking for a guillotine here but Taranin defends easily.
Taranin is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Taranin working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taranin preventing the sweep.
Caceres trying to control the position.
Caceres keeping full guard, as Taranin tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Taranin thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Taranin wants to pass the guard but Caceres is keeping the position.
Caceres keeping moving, preventing Taranin from controlling successfully.

Caceres is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Taranin wants to control from the top but Caceres keeps moving.
Caceres looking for a sweep. Not yet Caceres, not yet.

Taranin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Caceres has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Taranin has managed to get both his arms back between Caceres's legs - danger averted.
Rickson Caceres has got the better of the ground game so far.

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.
Taranin postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Taranin works over Caceres with some ground and pound from guard.
Taranin wants to control from the top but Caceres keeps moving.
Taranin is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Caceres is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Taranin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Caceres has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Taranin has managed to get both his arms back between Caceres's legs - danger averted.
Caceres keeping moving, preventing Taranin from controlling successfully.

Caceres is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Taranin defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taranin wants to pass the guard but Caceres is keeping the position.
Caceres keeping moving, preventing Taranin from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Taranin misses with a body shot

and Caceres counters with a single leg into guard. Taranin didn't expect that.
Caceres advances to half guard.
Caceres trying to pass the guard but Taranin defending well.
Taranin tries to roll over but Caceres keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taranin is working hard here to advance position.
Caceres trying to control from half guard but Taranin is working away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Taranin looking for submissions off his back.
Caceres seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Taranin does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Rickson Caceres just about did enough to take it.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Caceres drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Caceres wants to control but Taranin is keeping him busy.
Taranin sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Taranin is in trouble now - Caceres has advanced to mount!
Caceres controlling the pace for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Caceres's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Caceres trying to control but Taranin is having none of it.
Taranin tries to hold on but Caceres pushes him away.

Caceres is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Taranin to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Taranin shrugs it off.
Caceres avoids the attempt from Taranin to control.
Caceres controlling his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Taranin manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Taranin wants to get back to full guard but Caceres has passed into side control.
A lull in the action here as Caceres stalls from top position.
Taranin is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taranin sneaks back into half guard.
Caceres wants to lay and pray for a moment but Taranin keeps working.
Caceres seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Caceres wants to lay and pray for a moment but Taranin keeps working.
Caceres tries to pass to full mount but Taranin defends it.
Caceres stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Caceres wants to take a breather but Taranin is having none of it.

Caceres wants to work for an arm triangle but Taranin is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Caceres wants to control but Taranin is keeping him busy.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Caceres has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Taranin fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Caceres to the ground. Taranin is now in Caceres's guard.

Caceres has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Taranin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Taranin wants to control from the top but Caceres keeps moving.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rickson Caceres dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Caceres is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Taranin's half guard.
Taranin tries to roll over but Caceres keeps him under control.
Taranin is trying to maintain the position but Caceres is very close to passing his half guard.

Taranin looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Caceres trying to pass the guard but Taranin defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Taranin looking for a kimura from the bottom but Caceres passes into side control!
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Caceres trying to control the position but Taranin is working away.
Taranin is looking for a sweep.
Caceres wants to control but Taranin is keeping him busy.
Caceres has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Caceres trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Caceres content just to control the position here.
Taranin bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Caceres keeping moving, preventing Taranin from controlling successfully.
Caceres has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Caceres keeping moving, preventing Taranin from controlling successfully.

Caceres throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Taranin wants to control from the top but Caceres keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taranin is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Taranin wants to control from the top but Caceres keeps moving.

Caceres working for submissions but it's allowed Taranin to get to half guard.
Maksim Taranin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Taranin seems to be working for a kimura but Caceres defends the submission attempt.
Taranin seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Caceres does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Taranin is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Caceres doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Taranin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Caceres trying to control here.

Taranin is looking for a kimura but Caceres is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Taranin to get the leverage.
Taranin missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Taranin connects with a nice short shot to Caceres's temple.
Caceres trying to hold on to Taranin's head to control him but Taranin postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Caceres is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Taranin pulls his head out easily.
Caceres is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Taranin scores with a couple of nice shots.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rickson Caceres.
Well Caceres has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 46:49
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 47:49
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 47:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rickson Caceres! Rickson Caceres retains his featherweight title!
Rickson Caceres bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.