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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Yang Tao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergiy Sklyar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tao comes into the arena with Carl Douglas - Kung Fu Fighting blaring out of the sound system. Sklyar has chosen Scarface - No Tears as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?
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| 175 cm
33
170 lbs
30 - 10 - 0 |
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160 cm
31
140 lbs
32 - 8 - 1 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
30 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Yang Tao!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
32 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Sergiy Sklyar!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Jack Bonds.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tao darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Tao has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Sklyar digs a good body shot into Tao's ribs.
Sklyar lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Tao avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Sklyar crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Tao - the referee stops the clock and Sklyar gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Tao. Sklyar manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Sklyar closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Tao to the mat! Tao manages to get full guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Sklyar being controlled here momentarily.
Sklyar stands up over Tao, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Tao pushes Sklyar off and scrambles back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Sklyar checks a leg kick.
Tao throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Tao lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Sklyar has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Sklyar and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Sklyar lands with a good body shot.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Tao. Beautiful body shot.
Sklyar looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Sklyar wants to control from the top but Tao keeps moving.
Sklyar throws an elbow that misses. Tao uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sklyar's guard. Nice move by Tao!
Sklyar pulls Tao in to control the position.
Sklyar has a closed guard, preventing Tao from standing up.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sklyar controlling the position.
Sergiy Sklyar has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Tao uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sklyar.
Sklyar lunges at Tao with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Tao's hand.
Sklyar will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tao throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Sklyar throws a leg kick which misses Tao's front leg but catches the back leg as Tao tries to avoid it.
Tao misses with a body kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tao ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sklyar moves away.
Tao uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sklyar.
Tao takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Tao throws the kick towards the body but Sklyar avoids it.
Sklyar throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tao's waist but Tao gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sklyar off to one side.
Tao throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Tao throws a sloppy body shot
and Sklyar counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Sklyar.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sklyar accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sklyar trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sklyar has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Tao is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Tao utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sklyar is looking to work some ground and pound but Tao has wrist control.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sklyar postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sklyar trying to control but Tao is working from the bottom.
Tao working a defensive guard here.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Sklyar passes Tao's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Sklyar missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Tao won't allow Sklyar to pass to mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tao is not content to let Sklyar control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Sergiy Sklyar dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Sklyar uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tao.
Sklyar on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tao. Tao obviously looking to wear him down.
Tao ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sklyar moves away.
Tao defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sklyar.
Good shot there by Tao.
Sklyar lands a leg kick that knocks Tao off balance momentarily.
Sklyar fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Sklyar misses with a wild body shot.
Sklyar misses the shot to the body.
Sklyar has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Tao.
Sklyar has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Tao lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Sklyar scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tao doesn't seem bothered though.
Tao lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tao throws the left hand but Sklyar avoids the punch easily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Tao throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tao throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Tao explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Tao lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Sklyar with a jab.
Tao motions for Sklyar to come forward. Tao throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tao tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sklyar manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sergiy Sklyar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sklyar scores with a jab. Tao acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Sklyar fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sklyar misses with an uppercut.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sklyar.
Yang Tao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergiy Sklyar.
A thudding body kick lands there by Tao!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sklyar slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Yang Tao is winning the standup battle so far.
A chopping leg kick lands by Tao.
Sklyar throws a shot from downtown. Tao moves away and avoids it.
Tao attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Tao tries to clinch up but Sklyar circles away and keeps his distance.
Tao is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Tao looks to land a right hand but Sklyar moved out of range.
Yang Tao is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sklyar bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sklyar swings away with a body shot that misses
and Tao finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Sklyar fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Tao throws a quick inside leg kick.
Sklyar takes a swing at Tao's ribcage but misses.
Sklyar is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tao sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Tao ducks under a wild hook from Sklyar.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sklyar misses with a hook. Tao ducked under it nicely.
Sklyar fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Sklyar moves away from the strike by Tao.
Sklyar thumps Tao with a low kick.
Tao checks the leg kick nicely there.
Sklyar looks to throw the jab but Tao is out of range.
Tao misses with a low kick.
Sklyar uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tao.
Tao showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sklyar.
An inside leg kick lands from Tao.
Tao throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Tao throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sklyar lands with a hook. Tao tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A left lands for Tao.
Tao ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A jab lands there for Sklyar.
Sklyar slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Sklyar tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tao throws a looping overhand right but Sklyar ducks down to avoid it.
Tao swings for the body but Sklyar moves out of range.
Sklyar lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A leg kick checked by Tao.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
An inside leg kick lands from Tao.
A jab from Sklyar misses.
Sklyar connects with a single shot there.
Sklyar shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tao as he jumps to the side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Yang Tao dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Sklyar shoots for a double leg takedown but Tao sprawls well. He's pushed Sklyar's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sklyar thumps Tao with a low kick.
Sklyar scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Sklyar swings for the body but Tao moves out of range.
Sklyar swinging wildly here.
Tao throws a solid leg kick but Sklyar takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Tao.
A jab from Sklyar misses.
Sklyar checks a low kick from Tao.
Tao does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A nice leg kick lands there from Tao.
Tao tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tao paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Tao scores with a shot to the body.
Sklyar throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Sklyar with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Tao to score with a decent uppercut.
Tao steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sklyar.
Tao slips a jab and a cross from Sklyar.
Sklyar connects with a nice looking jab.
Sklyar attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Tao checks a leg kick.
Sklyar's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A nice leg kick lands there from Tao.
Sklyar blocks a leg kick.
Sklyar looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tao is fending him off so far but Sklyar persists. Nope, Tao circles away and we're back to standing.
Tao misses with a body kick.
Sklyar takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Sklyar misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sklyar has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Tao regains guard immediately.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tao working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sklyar.
Sklyar loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sklyar keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Tao's head.
Sklyar trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Tao looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sklyar working some strikes from top position.
Tao is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Tao utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sklyar postures up in Tao's guard and throws a big left but Tao blocks it.
Tao avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tao avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sklyar throws a strike but Tao rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Sklyar is pulling down on Tao's head. It's preventing any offense from Tao, at least for the moment.
Tao wants to stand and escape but instead Sklyar has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sklyar throws an elbow that misses. Tao uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sklyar's guard. Nice move by Tao!
Sklyar not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sklyar looking for a sweep. Not yet Sklyar, not yet.
Sklyar is trying to control the position from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sklyar has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Sergiy Sklyar really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Tao throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Tao stuffs the takedown.
Nice body kick from Tao.
Tao moves into range and clinches up with Sklyar.
Sklyar stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Tao lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Tao swings wildly with an uppercut but Sklyar uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tao working aggressively here.
A head punch on the inside from Sklyar fails to land.
Tao can't find room to land a body shot as Sklyar controls the action.
Tao gets underhooks to prevent Sklyar's takedown attempt.
Sklyar has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Tao.
Tao stalling in the clinch but Sklyar improves position.
A body shot lands from Tao.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sklyar misses with the head strike.
A short uppercut from Tao.
Sklyar breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sklyar stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tao.
Tao closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Sklyar throws a body punch but Tao moves out of range.
Tao walks into a left hand.
Tao will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Tao throws a right and a left that both miss.
A big left from Sklyar misses.
Sklyar lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Sklyar fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Tao checks it well.
Tao delivers a nice body kick.
Tao looks to land a left hand but Sklyar moved out of range nicely.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sklyar looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Sklyar uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tao.
Sklyar digs a good hook to Tao's body.
Sklyar cracks Tao with an open hand slap.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A jab lands there for Tao.
Sklyar is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tao sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Yang Tao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergiy Sklyar.
Tao tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sklyar was well out of range. Poor timing from Tao.
Sklyar blocks a leg kick.
Tao feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sklyar's calf.
Tao throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Tao moves out of range as Sklyar throws a body kick.
Tao misses with a low kick.
Tao takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tao throws a leg kick
and Sklyar decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Tao's guard.
Sklyar working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sklyar slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Tao is looking to get back to his feet here but Sklyar is keeping cool and he's managed to take Tao's back.
Tao holding both Sklyar 's hands and preventing any damage.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Sklyar.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sklyar throwing sloppy strikes.
Tao manages to get to his feet, escaping the difficult position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sklyar chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tao can pounce on him.
Sklyar misses with a looping left.
Sklyar lands with a nice body kick.
Sklyar lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sklyar looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tao is fending him off so far but Sklyar persists. Nope, Tao circles away and we're back to standing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tao lands with a nice body punch.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Tao, right into the meat.
Tao scores with a kick to the midsection.
A slow jab from Tao misses its intended target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close fourth round but I would say that Yang Tao will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
Sklyar throws a jab when Tao was well out of range.
Sklyar checks the leg kick.
Sklyar lands a leg kick that knocks Tao off balance momentarily.
Sklyar tried to score with a low kick but Tao checks it.
Sklyar scores with a crisp jab that stopped Tao in his tracks.
Sklyar will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sklyar throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tao sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sklyar rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tao moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tao goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Tao stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Tao wants it to stay on the feet.
The fighters circling - Tao throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sklyar checks the leg kick nicely there.
Sklyar throws a jab but it's blocked by Tao.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sklyar thows a leg kick but Tao checks it
and Tao counters with a low kick, right behind Sklyar 's knee.
Sklyar throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Sklyar closes the distance and clinches up with Tao, looking for a takedown. Sklyar pushes Tao against the cage but Tao circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Yang Tao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergiy Sklyar.
Sklyar avoids the body shot from Tao.
Tao scoring well with a low kick there.
Sklyar misses the jab.
Tao fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sklyar has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Sklyar lands a body shot.
Tao lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sklyar shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tao as he avoids it easily.
Sklyar is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Tao cracks Sklyar with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Tao feints and then cracks Sklyar's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Sklyar down.
Sklyar shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tao as he avoids it easily.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Tao.
Sklyar throws a leg kick that is checked
and Tao counters with a thumping low kick.
Tao misses with an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tao fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Sklyar is out of range.
Sklyar throws a shot to the body.
Tao throws a wild body kick that Sklyar sees coming a mile off.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Tao - that will leave a mark!
Sklyar cracks Tao with a right hand to the side of the head.
Tao lands a leg kick that knocks Sklyar off balance momentarily.
Tao finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Sklyar connects with a good right hand that stumbles Tao. Tao circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Tao takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tao throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Tao lands with a thumping leg kick.
Tao looks for the body kick but Sklyar saw that one coming.
Tao takes one to the chin there.
Good shot there by Tao.
A chopping leg kick lands by Sklyar.
Tao misses with a body kick.
A jab lands there for Tao.
Sklyar shoots for a takedown but Tao saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sklyar dives in for a single leg takedown but Tao sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Sklyar blocks an uppercut.
Tao lands with a right to the head.
Sklyar lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Tao.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sklyar misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tao's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sklyar fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters circling a little - Tao finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Tao uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sklyar.
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!
Sklyar shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tao as he avoids it easily.
Tao lands a nice looking body kick.
Tao looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Nice cross by Sklyar.
Sklyar connects with a body shot that sends Tao's belly button to the back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fighters circling - Sklyar throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sklyar shoots in looking for a takedown but Tao manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sklyar's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Tao blocks a low kick nicely.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Yang Tao.
I think Tao has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 48:47
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 48:47
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 48:47
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yang Tao!
Yang Tao is the new welterweight champion!
A very excited looking Yang Tao made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
100% |
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