PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Andrew Wilkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcus Tavares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wilkins kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Prodigy - Breathe. Andrew Wilkins has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Wilkins
vs
Tavares

182 cm
22
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
170 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Prefers standup

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Andrew Wilkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Marcus Tavares !
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Chris Edwards and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown by Wilkins or perhaps it was just good defense by Tavares which made him look bad.
Wilkins tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tavares sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Wilkins somewhat.
Wilkins shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tavares defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andrew Wilkins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wilkins wants to clinch up but Tavares keeps it at a distance.
A punch combination from Tavares misses.
Wilkins misses with a combination
and Tavares counters with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wilkins lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Wilkins throws a left and a right that both miss
and Tavares counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tavares throws a series of punches but Wilkins avoids them all with ease.
Andrew Wilkins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wilkins thows a left - swing and a miss!
Wilkins swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Tavares counters with a series of strikes. Wilkins will be more careful next time no doubt.
Wilkins misses with a double jab
and Tavares counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Wilkins showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tavares .
Wilkins takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Tavares closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Marcus Tavares is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tavares blocks a jab.
Tavares is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Wilkins throws a combination that misses

and Tavares counters by clinching up.
Tavares is trying to break the clinch but Wilkins is controlling him.
Tavares wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Wilkins has him pressed against the cage.
Wilkins pushes Tavares back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Tavares tries to circle away but Wilkins has him pinned against the cage.

Tavares pulls guard effortlessly.
Wilkins wants to get up but he can't break Tavares 's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Wilkins is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares wants to stand and escape but Wilkins is having none of it.
Wilkins is looking to stand up but Tavares won't let him.
Wilkins in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tavares wants to stand and escape but Wilkins is having none of it.
Wilkins wants to control from the top but Tavares keeps moving.
Wilkins throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Wilkins has his takedown stuffed
and Tavares counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Tavares closes the distance and pushes Wilkins back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares is trying to break the clinch but Wilkins is controlling him.
Tavares tries to break free but Wilkins pushes him back against the cage.
Tavares has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Wilkins avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Wilkins keeps control of Tavares as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tavares has Wilkins pressed against the cage, preventing Wilkins from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Wilkins working hard to break the clinch.
Tavares working hard to break the clinch.
Tavares has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Tavares manages to break the clinch.
Wilkins fails with the takedown
enabling Tavares to counter with a crisp jab.
Wilkins moves out of range of the body kick from Tavares .
Wilkins avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tavares keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Tavares throws a series of punches but Wilkins moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Wilkins is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Tavares .
Tavares is looking to chop away at Wilkins's legs.
Wilkins waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Tavares .
Tavares moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Tavares misses with the combination.
Wilkins with a poor takedown
and Tavares counters with a three punch combo that has Wilkins backing up. Wilkins nods at Tavares to acknowledge the strikes.
Wilkins misses with a combination
and Tavares counters with a stiff right hand.
Tavares swinging wilding here.
Tavares fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Tavares dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Tavares throws out a leg kick but Wilkins moves out of range and Tavares only half commits.
Tavares throws a nice looking combination but Wilkins bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Wilkins takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Tavares looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Wilkins clinches but Tavares breaks the clinch

and Tavares holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Wilkins escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tavares misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Wilkins misses with a takedown attempt

and Tavares counters by clinching up.
A nice left hand lands by Tavares .
Wilkins tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tavares smiles and moves away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wilkins misses with a double jab
and Tavares counters with a three punch combo that has Wilkins backing up. Wilkins nods at Tavares to acknowledge the strikes.
Wilkins falls off balance throwing a combination
and Tavares counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Tavares moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Wilkins avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tavares throws a nice looking combination but Wilkins bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Wilkins misses with a low kick.
Wilkins closes the distance looking to clinch
and Tavares counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Wilkins misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares misses with the combination.
Wilkins misses with a combination
and Tavares counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Wilkins gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Tavares counters with a nice body shot.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andrew Wilkins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tavares lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Tavares throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Wilkins on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Tavares throws a right and a left that both miss.
Marcus Tavares seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tavares scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Tavares attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

Tavares closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares is trying to break the clinch but Wilkins has him pressed against the cage.
Tavares has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Wilkins swings wildly with an uppercut but Tavares uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wilkins is trying to force a seperation but Tavares has the dominant position.
Tavares can't break the clinch.
Tavares looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Tavares breaks from the clinch.
Andrew Wilkins is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wilkins has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Tavares throws a right and a left that both miss.
Tavares scores with a three punch combo!
Tavares cracks a nice hook into Wilkins's ribs.
Tavares works over Wilkins's head and body with a nice combination.
Tavares looks to land a combination but Wilkins avoids it well.
Tavares lands a jab-cross combination.
Tavares throws a right hand that Wilkins ducks under and follows up with a left that Wilkins also avoids with ease.
Tavares lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Wilkins backs up against the cage.
Tavares comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Wilkins looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A leg kick checked by Wilkins.
Tavares lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Wilkins misses with a takedown
and Wilkins takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Tavares is working the combinations to good effect here.
Tavares throws a solid leg kick but Wilkins takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Tavares .
Tavares lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Tavares .
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tavares 's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Tavares duly obliges.
Wilkins swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Tavares counters with a stiff right hand.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Wilkins. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Tavares throws a series of punches but Wilkins moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Tavares showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Tavares has closed the distance and engaged Wilkins in a clinch.
Wilkins keeps control of Tavares as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Wilkins manages to break the clinch.
Wilkins misses with a double jab
and Tavares counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tavares has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Wilkins doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Tavares counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Wilkins tries to clinch up

and Tavares counters by clinching up.
Wilkins has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Wilkins is trying to force a seperation but Tavares has the dominant position.
Wilkins keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Tavares 's efforts to push away.
Tavares tries to circle away but Wilkins has him pinned against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tavares is trying to break free.
Wilkins tries a body shot but Tavares blocks it.
Wilkins has Tavares pressed against the cage, preventing Tavares from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tavares escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tavares lands a lovely overhand right.
A combination from Tavares does no damage.
Wilkins swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Tavares moves into the clinch.
Tavares tries to circle away but Wilkins has him pinned against the cage.
Tavares has had enough of the clinch but Wilkins keeps him there for the moment.
Tavares is trying to break the clinch but Wilkins is controlling him.
Tavares wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Tavares has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Wilkins has Tavares pressed against the cage, preventing Tavares from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Tavares wants to get back to striking at distance but Wilkins won't allow it.
Wilkins has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Tavares is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Tavares breaks from the clinch.
Tavares looks to land a combination. Wilkins sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
A nice combination there by Tavares .
Wilkins falls off balance throwing a combination
and Tavares counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares throws a combination. Wilkins tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Tavares swinging wilding here.
Wilkins takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Wilkins with a lazy takedown attempt
and Tavares counters with a straight right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andrew Wilkins. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Tavares moves into the clinch.
Tavares is looking to break free of the clinch but Wilkins has double underhooks.

Tavares 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Tavares clinches up against the cage.
Tavares is trying to break the clinch but Wilkins is controlling him.
Tavares is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Wilkins fails to pull guard.
Tavares wants to get back to striking at distance but Wilkins won't allow it.
Tavares has had enough of the clinch but Wilkins keeps him there for the moment.
Tavares scores with a shoulder strike.
Tavares is trying to force a seperation but Wilkins has the dominant position.
Tavares wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares tries to break the clinch but Wilkins is controlling the position.
Tavares lands a left hand that snaps the head of Wilkins backwards.

Wilkins breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wilkins has his takedown stuffed
and Tavares counters with a two punch combo.
Tavares displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
A combination from Tavares does no damage.
Tavares moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Tavares throws and low kick but Wilkins moves out of range easily.
Wilkins closes the distance looking to clinch
and Tavares counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wilkins throws a combination that misses
and Tavares counters with a three punch combo that has Wilkins backing up. Wilkins nods at Tavares to acknowledge the strikes.
Tavares moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Tavares lands a two punch combo.
Tavares 's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Tavares duly obliges.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tavares . That's going to slow Wilkins down.
Tavares throws a series of strikes that have Wilkins backpedaling.
Tavares lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Danga de danga de dang - Tavares scores with a four punch combination!
Wilkins with a poor takedown
and Tavares counters with a series of strikes. Wilkins will be more careful next time no doubt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tavares throws a one two combo.
Andrew Wilkins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Marcus Tavares is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Wilkins falls off balance throwing a combination
and Tavares counters with a nice uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcus Tavares comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tavares 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 25:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 25:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcus Tavares !