PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Peter Taphorn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Kunitskiy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Peter Taphorn has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Taphorn
vs
Kunitskiy

170 cm
28
153 lbs
21 - 8 - 1

173 cm
27
146 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Dangerous knees
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Reaper Combatwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 8 - 1, fighting out of New York, Peter Taphorn!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Vladimir Kunitskiy!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Dillan Fox and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kunitskiy throws a sloppy head kick and Taphorn moves out of range easily.
Kunitskiy moves out of range of the body kick from Taphorn.
Taphorn throws a leg kick but Kunitskiy moved away.
Taphorn chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kunitskiy can pounce on him.
Kunitskiy throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kunitskiy lands a nice shot to the body.
Taphorn bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kunitskiy's head.
Taphorn fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kunitskiy manages to avoid it.
Taphorn looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Taphorn misses with a low kick.
Kunitskiy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Taphorn moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Taphorn moves into range and clinches up with Kunitskiy.
Taphorn goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A nice right hand lands inside from Taphorn.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Kunitskiy has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Kunitskiy misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Taphorn.
Taphorn blocking some punches.
Taphorn misses with a punch to the body.
Kunitskiy tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kunitskiy throws a head punch that misses.
Kunitskiy misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Taphorn.
Kunitskiy lands a good knee to the midsection. Taphorn won't want to take too many of those.
Taphorn blocks a punch to the side of the head.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kunitskiy just misses with a elbow thrown towards Taphorn's brow.
Kunitskiy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Taphorn misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kunitskiy.
Taphorn tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Taphorn avoids a wild elbow strike from Kunitskiy.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A short right from Taphorn on the inside.
Taphorn trying to land knees to the body.

Taphorn escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vladimir Kunitskiy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Taphorn, right into the meat.
Kunitskiy lands with a kick to the temple. Taphorn shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
A solid leg kick lands there for Kunitskiy.
Kunitskiy scores with a head kick. Taphorn tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kunitskiy lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Taphorn takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kunitskiy tries to work over Taphorn's front leg with a kick but Taphorn checks it.
Kunitskiy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Taphorn has managed to clinch.
Taphorn throws a head punch that misses.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kunitskiy as Taphorn tries to tie him up.
Taphorn tries to pull guard but Kunitskiy won't allow it.
Taphorn lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kunitskiy backwards.
Kunitskiy swings wildly with an uppercut but Taphorn uses good head movement to avoid it.
Taphorn can't find room to land a body shot as Kunitskiy controls the action.
Taphorn lands an uppercut.

Kunitskiy has hold of one of Taphorn's legs. Taphorn is fighting the takedown attempt but Kunitskiy gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Kunitskiy tries to free his leg and advance position but Taphorn is retaining full guard.
Kunitskiy with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taphorn is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kunitskiy pushes down on Taphorn's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Taphorn wants to get back to full guard.
Kunitskiy not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Taphorn is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kunitskiy pulls his head out easily.

Taphorn looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kunitskiy takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Kunitskiy works his way into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn is trying to control Kunitskiy's posture but Kunitskiy avoids it.
Kunitskiy scoring with punches and elbows.
You can see the frustration on Taphorn's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kunitskiy working the ground and pound.
Kunitskiy controlling from side mount.
Kunitskiy postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Kunitskiy dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Taphorn misses the shot to the body.
Vladimir Kunitskiy seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kunitskiy blocks a low kick nicely.

Kunitskiy looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Taphorn desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Kunitskiy looks to land a strike but Taphorn avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Kunitskiy pushing down on Taphorn's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Taphorn is looking to control Kunitskiy's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Taphorn avoid being mounted?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kunitskiy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kunitskiy trying to pass the guard but Taphorn defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Taphorn tries to get to full guard but Kunitskiy has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taphorn trying to hold on to Kunitskiy's head to control him but Kunitskiy postures up.

Kunitskiy is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Taphorn defends it well.
Taphorn has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kunitskiy is working away from the top position though.
Kunitskiy thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Vladimir Kunitskiy has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kunitskiy not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Taphorn keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Taphorn.
Kunitskiy throws a leg kick that misses.
Kunitskiy scores with a hook to the body. Taphorn takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A solid leg kick lands there for Taphorn.
Kunitskiy lands with a good body shot.
Taphorn swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kunitskiy counters with a low kick, right behind Taphorn 's knee.
Taphorn throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kunitskiy connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Taphorn blocks a head kick by Kunitskiy.
Taphorn half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Taphorn keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kunitskiy dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Taphorn. That did some damage!
Taphorn lands a glancing blow to the side of Kunitskiy's head.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Taphorn checks a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kunitskiy jabs Taphorn to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A solid leg kick lands there for Taphorn.
Kunitskiy lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kunitskiy connects with an inside leg kick.
Taphorn blocks a head kick by Kunitskiy.

Taphorn gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kunitskiy misses with an elbow over the top.
Kunitskiy lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kunitskiy prevents a body shot from Taphorn.
Kunitskiy tries to work over Taphorn's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kunitskiy lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Taphorn backwards.
Kunitskiy lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Taphorn backwards.
Taphorn trying to control the position but instead, Kunitskiy has worked for underhooks and has pushed Taphorn into the cage.
Peter Taphorn has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kunitskiy misses with a body punch.
Taphorn tries to pull guard but Kunitskiy forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kunitskiy backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Taphorn lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Taphorn can't find room to land a body shot as Kunitskiy controls the action.
Taphorn prevents a body shot from Kunitskiy.

Kunitskiy lands a takedown into guard.

Kunitskiy avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kunitskiy trying to move into half guard but instead Taphorn has managed to sweep!

Taphorn trying to control but Kunitskiy is working from the bottom.
Kunitskiy looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Kunitskiy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kunitskiy throws a low kick but it's checked well by Taphorn.
Taphorn looks to land a right hand but Kunitskiy moved out of range.
Kunitskiy throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Kunitskiy walks into a stiff left hand from Taphorn.
Taphorn throws a big shot that misses.

Kunitskiy shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Taphorn's guard.
Kunitskiy trying to control but Taphorn is working from the bottom.
Kunitskiy in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kunitskiy trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Taphorn had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kunitskiy defends it easily.
Kunitskiy advances to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kunitskiy wants to control but Taphorn is keeping him busy.
Kunitskiy missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kunitskiy thows a huge punch but Taphorn dodges it nicely.
Taphorn blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kunitskiy.
Nice strikes from Kunitskiy there.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kunitskiy lands a nice short elbow.

Taphorn looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kunitskiy is trying to control the action in half guard but Taphorn is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Taphorn is trying is best to control the position here.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Taphorn is looking to control Kunitskiy's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Taphorn avoid being mounted?

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kunitskiy chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kunitskiy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kunitskiy throws a body shot but no joy.
Kunitskiy's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Taphorn connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kunitskiy scrambles back to his feet.

Kunitskiy looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Taphorn escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kunitskiy gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Taphorn is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kunitskiy is aware though and is defending well.
Kunitskiy lands a couple of elbows.
Kunitskiy working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taphorn working for a triangle but Kunitskiy defends it easily.

Taphorn is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kunitskiy defends well.
Taphorn keeping moving, preventing Kunitskiy from controlling successfully.
Kunitskiy might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Taphorn haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Taphorn keeping full guard, as Kunitskiy tries to pass.
Kunitskiy 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kunitskiy makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Taphorn looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Taphorn escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kunitskiy gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kunitskiy advances position into side control!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Taphorn is trying to escape the position but Kunitskiy is controlling the position.
Taphorn regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Kunitskiy really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kunitskiy throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Taphorn throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kunitskiy swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Taphorn fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kunitskiy checks it well.
Kunitskiy looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Taphorn checks a leg kick.
Taphorn avoids the body shot from Kunitskiy.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kunitskiy.
Kunitskiy 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.
Kunitskiy lands with a shot to the body.
Taphorn takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Taphorn closes the distance and clinches.
Taphorn working hard to break the clinch.
Kunitskiy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Taphorn tries to throw a body punch but Kunitskiy avoids it by throwing Taphorn back against the cage.
Taphorn doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Taphorn blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kunitskiy lands a right hand.
Taphorn blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kunitskiy tries to throw a body punch but Taphorn avoids it by throwing Kunitskiy back against the cage.
Taphorn blocks the elbow strike.
Kunitskiy prevents a body shot from Taphorn.

Kunitskiy gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Kunitskiy is thwarting Taphorn's attempts to control the position.
Taphorn gets full guard.
Kunitskiy throws a big right hand that misses.
Taphorn trying to keep a closed guard but Kunitskiy is proving a slippery customer.
Kunitskiy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Taphorn swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Taphorn is looking for a triangle but Kunitskiy pushes his legs off easily.
Kunitskiy postures up in Taphorn's guard and throws a big left but Taphorn blocks it.
Taphorn is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Taphorn has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kunitskiy can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kunitskiy is looking to work some ground and pound but Taphorn has wrist control.
Taphorn has his hands on Kunitskiy's head, controlling the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kunitskiy listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn cracks Kunitskiy with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Kunitskiy lands with a kick to the temple. Taphorn shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kunitskiy lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Taphorn scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kunitskiy throws a body punch but Taphorn moves out of range.
A big left from Kunitskiy misses.

Kunitskiy shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kunitskiy showed some decent athleticism there.

Taphorn looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kunitskiy throwing shots but Taphorn is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Taphorn is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kunitskiy pulls his head out easily.
Kunitskiy wants to lay and pray for a moment but Taphorn keeps working.
Taphorn wants to improve his position but Kunitskiy is controlling well.
Taphorn trying to control here.
Kunitskiy is keen to just control but Taphorn is a slippery customer.
Taphorn wants to get back to full guard.

Taphorn is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kunitskiy pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Kunitskiy dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Taphorn looks for the body kick but Kunitskiy saw that one coming.
Kunitskiy feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Taphorns jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kunitskiy thuds a left hand into Taphorn's body.
Kunitskiy slips a jab and a cross from Taphorn.
Taphorn shoots in looking for a takedown. Kunitskiy tries to sprawl out of it but Taphorn keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kunitskiy manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Taphorn rushes Kunitskiy and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taphorn prevents a body shot from Kunitskiy.
Kunitskiy landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kunitskiy makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Taphorn tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Taphorn is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Taphorn tries to work over Kunitskiy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Taphorn is looking to control Kunitskiy's arms but Kunitskiy gets an underhook and turns him. Now Taphorn has his back to the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kunitskiy blocks an uppercut.
Taphorn lands with a short shot to the head.
Kunitskiy misses with a knee to the head.
Kunitskiy struggles to land a body shot inside as Taphorn controls his hands.
Taphorn throws a punch but it's blocked by Kunitskiy.
Taphorn is trying to pull guard but Kunitskiy has him pressed against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kunitskiy creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Kunitskiy wants the takedown. Taphorn is fighting it off but Kunitskiy persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Taphorn's guard against the cage.

Taphorn working for submissions but it's allowed Kunitskiy to get to half guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Kunitskiy lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Kunitskiy thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Peter Taphorn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Taphorn looking for submissions off his back.
Taphorn is trying to get back to full guard.
Kunitskiy passes to full mount!
Taphorn is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Kunitskiy lands a nice shot to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kunitskiy lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Taphorn hang on?
Taphorn is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kunitskiy scoring with strikes but Taphorn is staying in there.
Kunitskiy prevents Taphorn from getting the reversal.
Kunitskiy working the ground and pound effectively.
Taphorn tries to hold on but Kunitskiy pushes him away.
Taphorn is looking to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taphorn tries to hold on but Kunitskiy pushes him away.
Taphorn is in a horrible position here. Kunitskiy smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Kunitskiy with shots to the head and body - Taphorn looks very uncomfortable down there.
Kunitskiy landing punches.
Kunitskiy lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Taphorn can't escape the position.
Taphorn manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Taphorn is refusing to be controlled, as Kunitskiy sits in half guard.

Taphorn looking for submissions off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vladimir Kunitskiy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kunitskiy 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Peck scores the fight 45:50
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 45:50
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vladimir Kunitskiy!
Vladimir Kunitskiy is the new featherweight champion!
A victorious Vladimir Kunitskiy thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.