PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jim Taker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Spyde Radic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jim Taker has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Taker
vs
Radic

189 cm
24
187 lbs
3 - 7 - 0

190 cm
24
190 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 3 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jim Taker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Spyde Radic!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Alyssa Summers and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taker throws a hook but Radic blocks it.
Radic takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Taker shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Radic keeping moving, preventing Taker from controlling successfully.
Radic wants to sweep but no luck.
Radic looking to control.
Taker wants to control from the top but Radic keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jim Taker wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Taker misses with a low kick as Radic jumps back.
Taker tries to score a power double leg takedown but Radic sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Taker somewhat.
Taker misses with a leg kick.
Radic throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Taker's head.

It looks like Jim Taker has been cut.
Jim Taker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Radic tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Radic slips a straight right by Taker.
Taker takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

Radic gets a clinch.
A shot in the inside from Taker.

Taker gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Radic regains guard.
Taker has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Radic 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Radic is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Taker is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Radic looking for a guillotine here but Taker defends easily.

Radic looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Radic looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Radic working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Taker.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Taker avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Taker pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Radic is keeping the position for now.

Radic looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Taker working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Radic's head.

Radic had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Taker defends it easily.
Taker throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Radic works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Taker slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Taker stands up and beckons Radic to his feet.
Radic fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taker throws a low kick but it's checked well by Radic.
Radic has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Taker.
Taker chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Radic can pounce on him.
Nice defenses there by Radic.
Radic buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Taker thows a body kick. Radic tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Radic looks gassed!
Radic stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Radic wants it to stay on the feet.
Taker cracks Radic with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Radic is looking to clinch but Taker is avoiding it.
Taker keeps the fight on the outside.

Radic moves into the clinch.
Taker can't break the clinch.

Taker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Taker throws a jab when Radic was well out of range.
Taker throws a lazy body kick
and Radic counters with a nice low kick that buckles Taker's knee momentarily.
Taker gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Radic counters with a low kick, right behind Taker 's knee.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jim Taker. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Radic fails in his attempt to clinch.
Taker misses with a double jab.
Taker throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Radic counters with a nice kick to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Radic has closed the distance and engaged Taker in a clinch.
Radic lands an elbow inside.
Taker wants a takedown but no success here.
Radic creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Taker's defenses.
Taker can't get the takedown.
Radic lands a damaging elbow.
Radic lands an elbow inside.
Radic crunches a lovely knee into Taker's ribcage.
Radic lands a nice knee to the body.

Radic ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Radic no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Taker would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Radic has his foot on Taker's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Taker works his way back into a safe position though.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Radic striking off his back but it's not causing Taker any problems.
Taker trying to control the position from guard on top but Radic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Radic is looking for a triangle but Taker pushes his legs off easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Spyde Radic dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jim Taker's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Radic moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Radic lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

Radic gets a clinch.
Radic tries to land a knee to the head but Taker blocks with his arms.
Radic looking to stall.
Taker misses with a hook from the clinch.
Radic working Taker over with knees to the body.
Taker looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Radic landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Radic trying to land knees to the body.
Radic lands a body shot.
Radic is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Taker is defending well for now.
Taker takes a knee to the side of the body.
Radic scores with a knee to the head.

Radic lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Taker is staying active underneath Radic, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Taker is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Radic's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Radic's back!
Radic just trying to survive but Taker is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Taker keeps control of the position as Radic tries to break free.
Radic is taking damage to the body and head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Radic tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Radic keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Taker is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Taker landing strikes from the mount.
Radic is looking to get to half guard.
Taker landing shots from mount.
Taker is landing with some decent strikes but Radic is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Taker working Radic over with strikes here.
Radic is looking to get to half guard.
Taker unloading with bombs!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee warns Radic that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Radic sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Jim Taker overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Taker thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Radic wants to get back to full guard.
Taker seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Radic does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Taker tries to pass to full mount but Radic defends it.

Taker is working for a kimura but Radic is defending it quite comfortably.
Radic is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Radic looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ground and pound from Taker.

Radic actively working from the bottom here.
Taker tries to pass the half guard into mount. Radic knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Taker sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Radic defending well though.
Taker thows a huge punch but Radic dodges it nicely.

Radic pushes Taker off and gets back to his feet.
Spyde Radic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Taker doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Radic counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Radic.
Radic misses with a knee to the head.
Radic misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Taker.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taker is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Radic gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Taker drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jim Taker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Radic unloads a knee to the mid-section. Taker lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Taker is working for takedown but Radic is calmly controlling the position for now.
Radic gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Radic lands a knee to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Radic obliges.
Taker takes an elbow to the temple.
Radic is looking to control Taker's arms but Taker gets an underhook and turns him. Now Radic has his back to the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Radic.
Taker tries to break the clinch but Radic is controlling the position.
Radic gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Radic missing with knees to the body.
Taker wants a takedown.

Radic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Taker misses with a takedown attempt
and Radic counters with a big head kick but Taker shrugs it off.
A low kick from Taker misses

and Radic counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Radic.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Radic obliges.
Radic lands a knee to the body.
Taker working aggressively here.
Radic swings wildly with an uppercut but Taker uses good head movement to avoid it.

Taker has clasped his hands together around Radic's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Spyde Radic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jim Taker's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A head kick misses from Radic.
Radic misses with a body kick.
Taker thows a leg kick but Radic checks it

and Radic counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Radic.

Taker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Radic throws a head kick that misses.
Radic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A big left from Taker misses.

Radic has managed to clinch.
Radic stops a takedown attempt from Taker.

Radic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Radic buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Radic throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
The fight stays on the outside here - Radic looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Radic lands with a nice combination. Taker backs away looking to recover.
Radic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Taker misses with a straight right.
Jim Taker is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Taker throws an overhand right that lands on Radic's shoulder, as Radic tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Radic tries a head kick but it misses.
Taker tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Radic was well out of range. Poor timing from Taker.
Radic uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Taker.
Taker doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Radic counters by clinching up.
Radic is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Taker is defending well for now.
Taker is working for takedown but Radic is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jim Taker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Radic working Taker over with knees to the body.
Radic connects with a nasty looking knee right to Taker's face.
Taker has had enough of the clinch but Radic keeps him there for the moment.
Radic tries to land a knee to the head but Taker blocks with his arms.
Taker misses with some punches.
Radic gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Radic using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Taker has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Taker misses with a knee strike.
Taker throws a knee to the head but misses.
Taker throws a head punch that misses.
Radic lands an elbow inside.
Radic lands a damaging elbow.
Taker wants a takedown.
Radic lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Radic taking a breather.
Taker is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Radic pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Radic lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Taker drops down looking for an ankle pick but Radic pulls his leg out and moves away.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Radic.
Taker tries to land a body kick
and Radic counters with a good low kick that Taker was not able to check.

Radic rushes Taker and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Nice elbow from Radic.
Taker misses with a hook from the clinch.
Taker looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Spyde Radic seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Taker misses with the head strike.
Taker is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Radic lands a nice knee to the body.
Taker misses with some punches.
Radic with a knee to the head.
Radic misses with a knee strike.
Taker wants to break free but Radic has control.
Radic keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Taker's efforts to push away.
Radic unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Radic lands an elbow inside that Taker shrugs off.
Taker stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Taker has a couple of punches blocked by Radic.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taker wants a takedown but no success here.
Radic lands a body shot in the clinch.
Radic lands a knee to the head.
Taker is looking to break free of the clinch but Radic has double underhooks.
Radic crunches a lovely knee into Taker's ribcage.
Radic gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Taker.
Radic tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Radic landing knees to the body.
Radic trying to land knees to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Taker.
Taker is trying to force a seperation but Radic has the dominant position.
Radic tries to land knees in the clinch but Taker avoids the damage to the body.
Taker scores with a shoulder strike.
Radic lands an elbow inside that Taker shrugs off.
Radic landing knees to the head.
Radic is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Taker scores with a shot to the side of Radic's head.
Radic blocks an uppercut.
Radic lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Radic breaks the clinch.
Taker throws a good cross that connects.
Taker misses with a combination
and Radic counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Taker is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Jim Taker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Jim Taker's cut is getting worse.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taker misses with a combination
and Radic counters with a thumping low kick.
Radic throws a leg kick which misses Taker's front leg but catches the back leg as Taker tries to avoid it.

Taker shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Taker landing punches.
Radic can't escape the position.
Radic taking shots to the head.
A nice elbow there by Taker.
Taker is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Taker landing strikes from the mount and Radic is in trouble!
Taker looking to ground and pound but Radic is blocking nicely.
Radic regains half guard.

Radic actively working from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Spyde Radic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Radic winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Spyde Radic!