PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Duilio Tagliabue (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daniel Jovanovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tagliabue's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Cage the Elephant - Ain't No Rest for the Wicked. Jovanovski comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Anastasija - Pass Over kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! The key to victory for Duilio Tagliabue has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Tagliabue
vs
Jovanovski

173 cm
22
170 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

168 cm
26
160 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Duilio Tagliabue!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Daniel Jovanovski!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Chad Campbell and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tagliabue misses with a head kick.
Jovanovski tries to clinch but Tagliabue moves out of range.
Tagliabue sizes up Jovanovski with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Jovanovski tries a low kick but Tagliabue avoids it.
Jovanovski stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tagliabue.
Tagliabue is looking to slow Jovanovski down with leg kicks.
Tagliabue finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Tagliabue tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Jovanovski is able to avoid easily.

Jovanovski scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Jovanovski seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Tagliabue does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Jovanovski thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tagliabue's head.
Jovanovski wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tagliabue keeps working.
Tagliabue knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Jovanovski on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tagliabue blocking the ground and pound attempt from Jovanovski.
Jovanovski trying to control from half guard but Tagliabue is working away.
Tagliabue on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Tagliabue tries to get out of the position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Daniel Jovanovski wasn't active enough on the ground.
Tagliabue dodges the punch combination from Jovanovski.
Jovanovski slips under a jab.
Tagliabue throws a wild body kick that Jovanovski sees coming a mile off.
Duilio Tagliabue seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck for Jovanovski with that takedown attempt.
Tagliabue connects with a good right hand that stumbles Jovanovski. Jovanovski circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Jovanovski is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tagliabue sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Jovanovski takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tagliabue thuds his shin into the meat of Jovanovski's side.
Tagliabue keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Duilio Tagliabue has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniel Jovanovski.
Tagliabue fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Jovanovski manages to avoid it.
Tagliabue throws a head kick but Jovanovski moves out of range.
Tagliabue cracks Jovanovski with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Jovanovski takes one on the button.
Tagliabue changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jovanovski tries to avoid it but Tagliabue manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jovanovski to the ground. Jovanovski escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Jovanovski tries to clinch but Tagliabue is having none of it.
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!
Tagliabue moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Tagliabue circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jovanovski checks a low kick from Tagliabue.
Jovanovski fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Tagliabue is out of range.
Tagliabue connects with a leg kick. Jovanovski looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jovanovski takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Jovanovski has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Tagliabue.
Tagliabue walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Jovanovski checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Tagliabue walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Jovanovski checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Tagliabue wants to slow Jovanovski down by chopping away at his legs.
Tagliabue slaps away a takedown attempt from Jovanovski, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Tagliabue feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Jovanovski's calf.
Jovanovski fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Jovanovski slips a jab and a cross from Tagliabue.
Jovanovski tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Tagliabue counters with a nice leg kick.
Tagliabue lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tagliabue fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Jovanovski checks it well.

Tagliabue pushes Jovanovski up against the cage in a clinch.
Tagliabue stalling in the clinch but Jovanovski improves position.
Jovanovski struggles to land a body shot inside as Tagliabue controls his hands.
Jovanovski is working for takedown but Tagliabue is calmly controlling the position for now.
Tagliabue gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Jovanovski.
Jovanovski blocks an uppercut.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jovanovski trying to control the position but instead, Tagliabue has worked for underhooks and has pushed Jovanovski into the cage.

Tagliabue is fighting off a takedown attempt but Jovanovski is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Tagliabue to the mat. Tagliabue regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jovanovski throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tagliabue works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Jovanovski thows a big elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Duilio Tagliabue will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Tagliabue clinches with his opponent.
Jovanovski can't get the takedown.
Tagliabue swings wildly with an uppercut but Jovanovski uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jovanovski's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Tagliabue lands a shoulder strike.
Tagliabue is trying to stall.

Tagliabue gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Jovanovski regains guard.
Jovanovski has his hands on Tagliabue's head, controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Duilio Tagliabue wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Tagliabue works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Tagliabue is looking to score with low kicks.
Jovanovski tries to clinch there but Tagliabue circles away.
Tagliabue thows a leg kick but Jovanovski checks it

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

Jovanovski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jovanovski checks a low kick from Tagliabue.
Jovanovski gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Tagliabue tried to score with a low kick but Jovanovski checks it.
Tagliabue throws a low kick but Jovanovski avoids it.
Jovanovski takes one to the side of the head.
Tagliabue blocks a head kick by Jovanovski.
Tagliabue closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jovanovski clinches up with Tagliabue and pushes him back against the cage.
Tagliabue misses with some punches.
Jovanovski throws a head punch that misses.

Jovanovski gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jovanovski looking to pass the guard.
Jovanovski throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tagliabue works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Jovanovski missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Jovanovski with a nice head shot there.
Jovanovski pushing down on Tagliabue's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice strikes from Jovanovski there.
Jovanovski misses with a head shot. Tagliabue uses the momentum to regain guard.
Tagliabue keeping moving, preventing Jovanovski from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jovanovski accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Jovanovski trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Jovanovski throws and elbow that misses. Tagliabue uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Jovanovski's guard. Nice move by Tagliabue!
Jovanovski bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Tagliabue's guard.
Jovanovski has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jovanovski slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Jovanovski throws a strike aimed at the side of Tagliabue's head but Tagliabue avoids it well.

Jovanovski tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Jovanovski wants to control but Tagliabue is keeping him busy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Jovanovski 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!

Jovanovski tries to clinch but Tagliabue moves out of range.
Jovanovski shoots in but Tagliabue avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Jovanovski on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Jovanovski leaves Tagliabue with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Tagliabue gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Jovanovski lands a left hand.
Jovanovski has Tagliabue pushed against the cage.
Tagliabue's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Jovanovski throws a head punch that misses.
A left hand lands to the body for Jovanovski.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tagliabue trying to control the position but instead, Jovanovski has worked for underhooks and has pushed Tagliabue into the cage.
Jovanovski's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Tagliabue tries a body shot but Jovanovski blocks it.
Jovanovski drops down looking for an ankle pick but Tagliabue pulls his leg out and moves away.
Tagliabue throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Tagliabue wants to slow Jovanovski down by chopping away at his legs.
Tagliabue throws a low kick, looking for Jovanovski's leg but Jovanovski calmly moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Tagliabue. No joy for Jovanovski on that attempt.
Duilio Tagliabue has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniel Jovanovski.
Jovanovski is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice body kick from Tagliabue.
Tagliabue lands a leg kick that knocks Jovanovski off balance momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tagliabue moves into range and clinches up with Jovanovski.
A bit of stalling here from Tagliabue.
Tagliabue doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tagliabue tries to work over Jovanovski's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Jovanovski is trying to drag Tagliabue to the mat but Tagliabue just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Tagliabue prevents a body shot from Jovanovski.
A short body shot lands from Jovanovski as the two fighters clinch.
Tagliabue misses with a hook to the ribs.
Jovanovski drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tagliabue gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Tagliabue misses with an elbow strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tagliabue.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
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!
Jovanovski is trying to force a seperation but Tagliabue has the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jovanovski throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Tagliabue fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Jovanovski is trying to drag Tagliabue to the mat but Tagliabue just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Tagliabue working aggressively here.
Tagliabue is trying to stall.
Jovanovski wants a takedown but no success here.
Tagliabue taking a breather.
Jovanovski has Tagliabue pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Tagliabue manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Jovanovski is trying to trip Tagliabue. He has hold of a leg but Tagliabue is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Jovanovski persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Jovanovski wants to control from the top but Tagliabue keeps moving.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tagliabue seems keen to control Jovanovski's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jovanovski trying to control the position from guard on top but Tagliabue is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Daniel Jovanovski hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Tagliabue throws a leg kick but Jovanovski checks it.

Jovanovski shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Tagliabue napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jovanovski in side control, throwing shots but Tagliabue defends.

Jovanovski looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Tagliabue defending against the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Daniel Jovanovski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Jovanovski has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Daniel Jovanovski!