PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Maksim Taranin (ranked 1696 p4p, 2010 weight class) and Clive Hicks (ranked 67 p4p, 84 weight class). Maksim Taranin could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Clive Hicks's chin.

Taranin
vs
Hicks

170 cm
25
158
10 - 9 - 0

170 cm
24
170
3 - 1 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction

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Silverguard Outfitters 🛡

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Maksim Taranin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 1, fighting out of New York, Clive Hicks!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hicks throws a hook but Taranin avoids it easily.

Hicks clinches with his opponent.
Taranin has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Taranin pulls Hicks into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taranin is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Hicks is sitting in close to Taranin's body. Taranin has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Hicks is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Hicks is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Taranin.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:34 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Maksim Taranin!
During a confident post fight interview, Maksim Taranin thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.