PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Tavares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ghoul Ghotha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Tavares
vs
Ghotha

190 cm
35
240 lbs
21 - 9 - 0

207 cm
46
272 lbs
46 - 44 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Spartan Nutrition
Mohito Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Tavares!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 46 - 44 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ghoul Ghotha!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Alexandre Firmino and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ghotha bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
And Ghotha tries to counter it with a takedown but Tavares pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Ghotha with a poor takedown
and Tavares counters with a three punch combo that has Ghotha backing up. Ghotha nods at Tavares to acknowledge the strikes.
A big left from Tavares misses.
Ghotha shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tavares as he jumps to the side.
Tavares throws a head kick that misses.
Tavares throws a looping overhand right but Ghotha ducks down to avoid it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tavares looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tavares fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ghotha has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Tavares moves into the clinch successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares presses Ghotha against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Tavares tries a body shot but Ghotha blocks it.
Tavares is pressed up against the cage. Ghotha has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Tavares down to the mat. Tavares avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Thiago Tavares has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ghoul Ghotha.
Tavares throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ghotha.
We've been told by Tavares's head coaches at Brazilian Elite Team that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Tavares, right into the meat.
Tavares shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Tavares moves into the clinch.
Ghotha blocks a body shot from Tavares.
Ghotha takes a shot to the head.
Tavares scores with a hook to the body.
Tavares lands a hook that snaps the head of Ghotha backwards.
Tavares works on Ghotha's body with a couple of short punches.
Tavares stops a takedown attempt from Ghotha.
Tavares lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ghotha tries for a takedown. No joy.
Tavares'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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha being controlled against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Tavares scores with a nice short uppercut.
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!
Tavares lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Tavares tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ghotha's elbow.
Tavares lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Tavares lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ghotha backwards.
Ghotha looking for a takedown.
Good body shot from Tavares.
Ghotha has had enough of the clinch but Tavares keeps him there for the moment.
A right hand to the body from Tavares.
Ghotha looks winded!

Ghotha manages to break the clinch.
Ghotha takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Tavares has closed the distance and engaged Ghotha in a clinch.
A short right from Tavares.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares scores with a hook to the body.
Tavares has Ghotha pressed against the cage.
A short left from Tavares.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Tavares.
Tavares scores with a shoulder strike.
Tavares is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Ghotha is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Tavares pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Tavares makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ghotha takes a shot to the head.
Nice body punch from Tavares.
Tavares stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Tavares gets through Ghotha's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Tavares works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Ghotha's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ghotha tries for a takedown but Tavares manages to get underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavares working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tavares lands a body punch in the clinch.
Tavares lands a body punch in the clinch.
Tavares lands a hook that snaps the head of Ghotha backwards.
Tavares lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Tavares lands a hook that snaps the head of Ghotha backwards.
Ghotha goes for a takedown attempt but Tavares pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Tavares moves in looking to clinch but Ghotha pushes him off.
Ghotha tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Tavares thumps Ghotha with a low kick.

Tavares lands a big right hand that sends Ghotha crashing to the mat! Tavares stays standing though and waves Ghotha back to his feet!

Ghotha is rocked!
Tavares pounces like a tiger and cracks Ghotha with a vicious hook! Ghotha is down but not out! Tavares follows up with more strikes forcing the ref to jump in and stop it!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Thiago Tavares!
Our winner, Thiago Tavares, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.