PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexi Taiga (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rian Madison (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Taiga might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Through Gardens Of Grief, At The Gates. Madison has chosen Smut Peddlers - If You're Gonna Be Dumb as his entrance music. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Taiga
vs
Madison

201 cm
28
266 lbs
18 - 7 - 1

212 cm
22
270 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, Alexi Taiga!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rian Madison!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Anthony Taglia and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Madison keeps the fight on the outside.
Madison circles away from the clinch attempt.
Taiga pivots, looking for a leg kick but Madison is out of range and Taiga settles back down.
Madison shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Taiga decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Madison's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taiga landing with the ground and pound.
Taiga slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Madison keeping moving, preventing Taiga from controlling successfully.
Taiga pushing down on Madison's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taiga seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

We're going to have a standup here because Alexi Taiga wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Taiga throws a head kick but Madison moves out of range.
Madison circles away from the clinch attempt

and Madison counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Taiga's guard now.
Taiga pulls Madison in close to prevent any damage.
Madison wants to pass the guard but Taiga is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Madison trying to control but Taiga is working from the bottom.
Madison wants to pass the guard but Taiga is keeping the position.
Madison throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Madison trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Taiga manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Taiga would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Madison is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Taiga controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Alexi Taiga.
Taiga wants to clinch up but Madison keeps it at a distance.
Madison with a lazy takedown attempt

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
so Taiga counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Taiga might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Taiga trying to control but Madison is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexi Taiga dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Taiga clinches with his opponent.
Madison is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Taiga pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Taiga just leaning against Madison, taking a breather.
Taiga lands an elbow inside that Madison shrugs off.

It looks like Rian Madison has been cut.
A nice right hand lands inside from Taiga.
Taiga lands an elbow inside that Madison shrugs off.
Taiga lands a knee to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Taiga.

That has opened up Rian Madison's cut even more.
Taiga lands with a right to the head.

The cut above Rian Madison's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Taiga scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A short uppercut from Taiga.
Taiga lands a damaging elbow.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Rian Madison's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:50 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Alexi Taiga!
Alexi Taiga retains his heavyweight title!