PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jon Tavaras (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Storm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Storm has chosen Thunder Strike - ACDC as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Tavaras
vs
Storm

167 cm
25
187 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

180 cm
23
195 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
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 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jon Tavaras!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, John Storm!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Valeri Chadov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Storm connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Tavaras shoots and misses
and Storm counters with a three punch combo that has Tavaras backing up. Tavaras nods at Storm to acknowledge the strikes.
Tavaras shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Storm counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Tavaras!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tavaras is desperately trying to improve his position but Storm has a good base and remains in mount.
Storm sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
You get the feeling that Tavaras really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Tavaras regains half guard.

Tavaras looking for submissions off his back.
Tavaras is trying to stand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavaras is looking for a sweep. Storm is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Storm not doing much here.

Tavaras is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Storm pulls his head out easily.
Tavaras is looking to improve his position.
Tavaras is pressing down on Storm's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Tavaras throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Storm escapes and throws Tavaras's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Tavaras tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Tavaras is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavaras tries to escape the position.
Tavaras is trying to remain composed but Storm is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tavaras wants to get back to his feet.
Tavaras tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Storm prevents Tavaras from getting the reversal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavaras is squirming around, avoiding Storm's attempts to control the action.
Tavaras is looking to get to half guard.
Tavaras is working hard here to advance position.
Storm takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Tavaras is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Storm controlling the pace for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Tavaras is desperately trying to improve his position but Storm has a good base and remains in mount.
You get the feeling that Tavaras really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Tavaras really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Tavaras might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Storm sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Tavaras really wants to buck Storm off and get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Storm scores with a three punch combo!
A swing and a miss from Storm.
The crowd cheers as Storm lands an impressive looking overhand right. Tavaras doesn't seem phased though.

Storm shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Tavaras's guard.

Tavaras looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Tavaras has his foot on Storm's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Storm works his way back into a safe position though.
Storm controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Tavaras looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Storm passes into side control.
Tavaras is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Storm is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Storm tries to control but Tavaras wriggling away.
Storm controlling the pace for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavaras gets back to half guard.
Tavaras is trying to stand up here but Storm is controlling him well.
Storm slows the pace down in half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

OK we're going to have a standup here. John Storm hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Tavaras shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Storm counter with a right hand.
Storm lands a nice hook to Tavaras's body. Tavaras takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Storm connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Tavaras's hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Storm lands a jab.
Tavaras doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Tavaras takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Tavaras misses with a takedown attempt
and Storm counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jon Tavaras. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tavaras moves forwards but Storm connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Storm looks to land a combination. Tavaras sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Tavaras. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Storm feints and then cracks Tavaras's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Tavaras down.
Storm throws a right and a left that both miss.

Storm looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Tavaras!
Storm controlling from the full mount.
Tavaras can't escape the position.
Storm controlling the pace for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavaras is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Tavaras regains half guard.
Still in half guard, Storm seems content to control.
Tavaras is trying to get back to full guard.

Tavaras actively working from the bottom here.
Storm is keen to just control but Tavaras is a slippery customer.

That's four 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.
Nice strikes from Storm there.

Tavaras looking for submissions off his back.

Storm decides to stand up.
Tavaras with a lazy takedown attempt
and Storm connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nice cross by Storm.

Tavaras closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Storm is looking to improve his position.

Tavaras is looking for a kimura but Storm is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Tavaras to get the leverage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Tavaras is looking for submissions but instead, Storm has regained full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Storm showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Tavaras takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Tavaras has his takedown stuffed
and Storm makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Storm cracks Tavaras with a good jab.
Tavaras gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Storm.

Storm changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Tavaras looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Storm lands an elbow.
Tavaras tries to buck Storm off but Storm is having none of it.
Tavaras is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Tavaras bucks up and tries to throw Storm off but instead Storm has got his back!
Storm is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tavaras controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Storm lands with a hammerfist to the side of Tavaras's head.
Storm lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Storm controlling well, preventing Tavaras from escaping the position.
Tavaras rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Tavaras wants to get back to full guard but Storm has mounted him!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavaras keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Storm sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Tavaras is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Storm tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavaras is working to get back to half guard.
Storm tries to control but Tavaras wriggling away.
Storm controlling from mount.
John Storm has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tavaras is in all sorts of trouble here.
John Storm is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tavaras regains half guard.

Tavaras looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four 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.
Storm not doing much here.

Tavaras has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Storm escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Storm!
Tavaras is trying to buck Storm off.
The referee asks Storm politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Storm prefers to stall for the moment though.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Storm comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Storm 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Storm!