PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Tavares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arvydas Sabonis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sabonis comes into a darkened arena with his song building. James Brown - Superbad kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Thiago Tavares could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Arvydas Sabonis's chin.

Tavares
vs
Sabonis

190 cm
38
240 lbs
28 - 11 - 0

210 cm
39
289 lbs
43 - 25 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

Sin City Allstars
Mohito Fightwear

****160Q Energy for $150****
MayheM sportswear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Tavares!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 43 - 25 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Arvydas Sabonis!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Alexandre Firmino and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tavares fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sabonis.
Tavares looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Sabonis will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sabonis wants to land a leg kick but Tavares is out of range.
Sabonis throws a head kick that misses.
Tavares misses with a leg kick
and Sabonis cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A good leg kick by Tavares.
Sabonis feints and then cracks Tavares's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Tavares down.
Tavares throws the kick towards the body but Sabonis avoids it.
Sabonis works the jab nicely.
Sabonis misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Tavares counters with a head kick.
Sabonis looks for the body kick but Tavares saw that one coming.
Sabonis throws a head kick but Tavares moves out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sabonis misses with a head kick.
Tavares misses with an uppercut. Sabonis saw that one coming.
Tavares jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sabonis dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Tavares. That did some damage!
Tavares is looking to land body kicks.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Sabonis 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 Tavares has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Tavares and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
It seemed like Sabonis was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tavares misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tavares throws a sloppy head kick and Sabonis moves out of range easily.
A nice side step and Sabonis releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Sabonis attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Tavares looks to score with a jab to the body but Sabonis is just out of range.
Sabonis has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Sabonis throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sabonis on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Tavares walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Sabonis with a jab.
Sabonis lands with a kick to the ribs.
Tavares throws a head kick but Sabonis moves out of range.
Tavares tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sabonis looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Tavares throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Sabonis scores with a jab to the jaw.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sabonis avoids the head kick by Tavares.
Tavares throws a big shot that misses.
Sabonis tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Tavares is able to avoid easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Sabonis there.
Sabonis lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Sabonis lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Sabonis moves out of range of the leg kick from Tavares.
Sabonis checks a leg kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Sabonis blocks the leg kick.
Tavares looks for the body kick but Sabonis saw that one coming.
Sabonis throws a head kick that misses.
Sabonis looks to score with a jab to the body but Tavares is just out of range.
A punch combination from Sabonis misses.
Sabonis blocks a head kick by Tavares.
Tavares on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Sabonis. Sabonis obviously looking to wear him down.
Sabonis wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Sabonis lets loose with a powerful body kick. Tavares will feel that in the morning.
Sabonis with a jab.
Sabonis checks a low kick from Tavares.
Sabonis stuns Tavares with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sabonis throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Sabonis.
Tavares throws a leg kick
and Sabonis counters with a nice uppercut.
Tavares throws a big shot that misses.
Tavares closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Tavares looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Sabonis fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tavares manages to avoid it.
Tavares throws a leg kick but Sabonis moved away.
Arvydas Sabonis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sabonis takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Sabonis connects with a crisp jab.
Tavares throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tavares pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Sabonis moves into the clinch successfully.
A head punch on the inside from Sabonis fails to land.
Tavares misses with some punches.
Sabonis has a couple of punches blocked by Tavares.
Sabonis has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Sabonis tries to work over Tavares's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sabonis makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!

Sabonis breaks the clinch.
Tavares misses with a body kick.
Sabonis throws the kick towards the body but Tavares avoids it.
Tavares takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Tavares keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sabonis is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Tavares had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Sabonis lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Sabonis dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Tavares. That did some damage!
Sabonis throws a lazy uppercut
and Tavares counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Tavares on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Sabonis. Sabonis obviously looking to wear him down.
Tavares looks to land a body kick but Sabonis moved away.
Sabonis lunges at Tavares with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Tavares's hand.
Sabonis with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sabonis throws a head kick but Tavares moves out of range.
Tavares throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Sabonis tries to land a front kick but Tavares steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Tavares looks to land a body kick but Sabonis moved away.
Sabonis looks like he wants to counter punch here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arvydas Sabonis dominated that 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.

Sabonis throws a front kick aimed at Tavares's knee but Tavares avoids it well.
Tavares fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Sabonis checks it well.
Sabonis was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Sabonis throws a push kick but Tavares slaps the foot to one side.
Sabonis throws a sloppy head kick
and Tavares counters with a nice body shot.
Tavares connects with a leg kick. Sabonis looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Sabonis loads up on a big right hand but Tavares slips the punch.
Tavares half committed to a counter leg kick.
Arvydas Sabonis seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Tavares - that will leave a mark!
Tavares misses with a kick to the body.
Tavares avoids the body shot from Sabonis.
Tavares lands a nice looking body kick.
Sabonis has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Tavares.
Sabonis blocks a head kick by Tavares.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tavares tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sabonis takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Sabonis throws a lazy head kick
and Tavares counters with a straight right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sabonis throws a shot from downtown. Tavares moves away and avoids it.
Tavares throws a shot from downtown. Sabonis moves away and avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavares plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Tavares misses with a head kick.
Tavares fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Sabonis missing with a left hand there. Tavares was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tavares throws a hook but Sabonis blocks it.
Some bone on bone action there as Tavares checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Sabonis checks the leg kick.
Tavares ducks right into an uppercut from Sabonis.
Tavares tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sabonis thinks about the counter body kick.
Tavares throws a push kick but Sabonis slaps the foot to one side.
Tavares checks a leg kick.
Tavares thinks about countering with a body kick.
Sabonis uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tavares.
Sabonis throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A punch combination from Tavares misses.
Tavares throws the kick towards the body but Sabonis avoids it.
Tavares connects with the punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sabonis fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sabonis feints and then cracks Tavares's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Tavares down.
Sabonis fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sabonis thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sabonis lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Tavares ducks under a wild hook from Sabonis.
Tavares was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Sabonis throws the kick towards the body but Tavares avoids it.
Tavares throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tavares motions for Sabonis to come forward. Tavares throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tavares throws a sloppy head kick and Sabonis moves out of range easily.
Tavares throws a left and a right that both miss
and Sabonis counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tavares misses with a looping left.
Tavares checks a leg kick.
Tavares throws a sloppy head kick and Sabonis moves out of range easily.
Sabonis throws out a powerful jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sabonis scores with a decent looking hook.
Sabonis throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sabonis lands a nice looking body shot.
Tavares throws a body kick that misses.
Sabonis throws a nice outside leg kick.
Tavares throws a leg kick but Sabonis sees it coming and moves out of range.
Sabonis lands a leg kick that knocks Tavares off balance momentarily.
Sabonis looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Tavares looks to land a body kick but Sabonis moved away.
Sabonis tries to clinch up.
It looked like Tavares wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Sabonis throws a wild body kick that Tavares sees coming a mile off.
Sabonis paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Sabonis keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Tavares misses with a looping right.
Tavares gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Sabonis lands a leg kick that knocks Tavares off balance momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Tavares misses
and Sabonis counters with a leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tavares lands with a thumping leg kick.
Tavares slips a jab from Sabonis.
Sabonis's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Sabonis misses with a low kick.
Tavares scores with a jab. Sabonis acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Sabonis looks to land a body kick but Tavares moved away.
Tavares ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Sabonis throws a body punch but Tavares moves out of range.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sabonis.
Sabonis lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tavares circles away quickly and effectively.
Sabonis on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tavares. Tavares obviously looking to wear him down.
Sabonis blocks a head kick by Tavares.
Sabonis slips under a jab.
Sabonis tries a head kick but it misses.
As Sabonis backs away, Tavares returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Sabonis throws a half hearted mid kick.
Sabonis sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Thiago Tavares will probably get the nod.
That's time! Tavares's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nice defenses there by Tavares.
Tavares is looking to counter punch.
Sabonis throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Tavares fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sabonis has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Tavares misses with a low kick.
Tavares takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Sabonis steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tavares.
Tavares displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sabonis throws out the jab.
Tavares blocks a low kick nicely.
Sabonis wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Tavares lands a lovely overhand right.
Sabonis throws a leg kick
and Tavares counters with a good low kick that Sabonis was not able to check.
Sabonis is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slow jab from Sabonis misses its intended target.
Sabonis throws a sloppy head kick and Tavares moves out of range easily.
A head kick misses from Tavares.
Tavares buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Tavares lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sabonis pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Tavares misses with a hook. Sabonis ducked under it nicely.
Tavares lands a jab to the head.
Tavares looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Sabonis misses with an uppercut.
Sabonis throws a head kick that Tavares semi-blocks.
Tavares throws out a loose jab but Sabonis uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tavares misses with a body shot.
That kick from Tavares tenderised Sabonis's leg. Sabonis is trying to keep his angry face on.
Tavares connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Tavares rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sabonis moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sabonis looks to land a left hand but Tavares moved out of range nicely.
Tavares motions for Sabonis to come forward. Tavares throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sabonis ducks right into an uppercut from Tavares.
Tavares ducks under a wild hook from Sabonis.
Sabonis looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Sabonis moves out of range of the body kick from Tavares.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sabonis moves out of range as Tavares strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tavares pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tavares cracks the inside of Sabonis's front leg.
Sabonis connects with a leg kick. Tavares looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Sabonis scores with a head kick.
An inside leg kick from Tavares misses.
Tavares attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Tavares is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sabonis.
Sabonis throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tavares sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tavares is looking to counter punch.
Tavares thuds his right hand into Sabonis's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tavares. That's going to slow Sabonis down.
A head kick from Sabonis lands but Tavares takes it in his stride.
Tavares throws a head kick that misses.
Sabonis throws a jab when Tavares was well out of range.
Tavares is looking to chop away at Sabonis's legs.
A nice side step and Sabonis releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sabonis. Tavares does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sabonis checks a low kick from Tavares.
Tavares needs to keep his hands up - Sabonis had a free shot at his head there.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Tavares. Sabonis shrugs it off though.
Sabonis takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Tavares throws a sloppy head kick
and Sabonis counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tavares pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tavares throws a head kick that misses.
Sabonis throws the left hand but Tavares avoids the punch easily.
Tavares works over Sabonis's head and body with a nice combination.
You can see that Sabonis has visibly slowed down as a result of the leg kicks
Tavares misses with a wild body shot.
Sabonis moves out of range as Tavares throws a body kick.
Sabonis moves out of range of the leg kick from Tavares.
Tavares lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sabonis swings for the body but Tavares moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sabonis moves into the clinch.
Tavares cracks Sabonis with a nice body shot.
Sabonis lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Tavares wants to break the clinch but can't.

Tavares manages to break the clinch.
Nice body kick from Sabonis.
Sabonis throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Tavares dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tavares lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Tavares tries to land a leg kick but Sabonis saw it coming and moves away.
Tavares throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Sabonis throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Sabonis scores with a sloppy right hand. Tavares should have avoided that one.
Tavares bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tavares throws a good cross that connects.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Tavares clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Tavares is looking to slow Sabonis down with leg kicks.
Sabonis tried to score with a low kick but Tavares checks it.
Sabonis dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Tavares. That did some damage!
Tavares keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sabonis.
Tavares throws a sloppy head kick and Sabonis moves out of range easily.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Sabonis.
Tavares blocks a head kick by Sabonis.
Tavares just misses with a punch to the body.
Sabonis has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Tavares.
A leg kick checked by Sabonis.
Sabonis throws a leg kick that misses.
Tavares looks for the body kick but Sabonis saw that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sabonis lands a body shot.
A big left from Sabonis misses.
Sabonis keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tavares.
Sabonis throws a front kick aimed at Tavares's knee but Tavares avoids it well.
Sabonis throws a jab but it's blocked by Tavares.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sabonis misses with a wild body shot.
Sabonis throws a front kick aimed at Tavares's knee but Tavares avoids it well.
Tavares lands with a nice body punch.
Tavares slips a straight right by Sabonis.
Tavares jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Sabonis tries to land a leg kick but Tavares saw it coming and moves away.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Tavares - that will leave a mark!
Sabonis is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Tavares throws a right hand that Sabonis ducks under and follows up with a left that Sabonis also avoids with ease.
Tavares avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tavares throws a big counter combination but Sabonis scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

Sabonis takes the fight into the clinch.
Tavares lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Sabonis.
A right hand to the body from Tavares.

Tavares breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sabonis on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Tavares misses with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares is looking to slow Sabonis down with leg kicks.
Sabonis takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tavares pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tavares chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Sabonis misses with a straight right.
Tavares avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tavares misses with a straight left.
Tavares takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Sabonis misses the body punch
and Tavares counters with a nice uppercut.
Tavares throws a body shot but no joy.
Tavares lands a really nice looking cross but Sabonis seems unphased.
Tavares lands with a nice body kick.
Sabonis takes a kick to the side of the head.
Sabonis throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Tavares throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sabonis takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Tavares throws a nice outside leg kick.
Sabonis throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Sabonis throws a leg kick that misses.
Tavares paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Tavares throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Tavares tries a head kick but it misses.
Tavares listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Sabonis lands a jab.
Tavares throws a low kick but Sabonis moves out of range easily.
Sabonis let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Sabonis rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tavares moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tavares keeps Sabonis at a distance using the push kick.
Sabonis takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tavares misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sabonis.
Sabonis looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sabonis moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Sabonis wants to slow Tavares down by chopping away at his legs.
A head kick misses from Sabonis.
Tavares thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Sabonis if he has to take too many more of those.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Tavares - that will leave a mark!
Tavares throws a good cross that connects.
Tavares checks a leg kick nicely.
Tavares half committed to a counter leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tavares.
Nice straight punches there by Tavares. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Tavares.
Tavares scores with a spinning back kick!
Tavares 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.
Tavares throws a body kick that misses.
Tavares throws a head kick but Sabonis moves out of range.
Tavares chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Tavares slips a jab from Sabonis.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Tavares had his way with Arvydas Sabonis in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Sabonis clinches with his opponent.
Sabonis doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tavares pushes Sabonis back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tavares is trying to break the clinch but Sabonis is controlling him.
Tavares goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Tavares escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sabonis moves out of range of the leg kick from Tavares.
Sabonis throws a body shot but no joy.
Tavares showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sabonis.
Tavares swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sabonis misses with an attempted mid kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sabonis scores with a spinning back kick!
Tavares misses with a straight right.
Sabonis looks to land a right hand but Tavares moved out of range.
Sabonis just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromTavares.
Sabonis swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A leg kick checked by Tavares.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Sabonis throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sabonis has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Tavares.
Sabonis takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Tavares throws a low kick but it's checked well by Sabonis.
Tavares connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Sabonis bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sabonis swinging wildly here.
Tavares misses with a wild body shot.
Sabonis uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tavares.
Sabonis swings for the body but Tavares moves out of range.
Sabonis throws a leg kick but Tavares moved away.
A head kick misses from Sabonis.
Sabonis gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Tavares misses with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares motions for Sabonis to come forward. Tavares throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tavares scoring well with a low kick there.
Sabonis fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Sabonis takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tavares connects with a solid leg kick.
Tavares feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Saboniss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Sabonis throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tavares sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tavares keeps Sabonis at a distance using the push kick.
Tavares tries a head kick but it misses.
Tavares moves out of range of the body kick from Sabonis.
Tavares misses with an attempted mid kick.
Sabonis throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sabonis lands a jab to the nose.
Sabonis throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tavares fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sabonis.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sabonis throws a lazy right hand but Tavares sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tavares avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Tavares misses with an uppercut. Sabonis saw that one coming.
Sabonis appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Sabonis throws a leg kick
and Tavares counters with an outside leg kick.
Tavares fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Sabonis checks it well.
Tavares feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sabonis's calf.
Sabonis sizes up Tavares with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Arvydas Sabonis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
An inside leg kick from Sabonis misses.
Tavares is looking to counter punch.
Sabonis ducks under a wild hook from Tavares.
Sabonis pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A head kick misses from Tavares.
Tavares takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sabonis throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tavares tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sabonis has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Tavares.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sabonis throws a head kick but Tavares moves out of range.
Sabonis throws a head kick that misses
and Tavares connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sabonis is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Sabonis walks into a straight right hand from Tavares.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tavares scores with a nice body kick.
Tavares connects with a leg kick. Sabonis looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Sabonis throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tavares looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Tavares throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tavares throws a lazy head kick
and Sabonis counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Tavares misses with a right hand
and Sabonis counters with a two punch combo.
Tavares moves away from the strike by Sabonis.
A head kick misses from Sabonis.
Sabonis swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Tavares counters with a leg kick.
Tavares scores with a nice strike.
Tavares lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sabonis at a distance.
Tavares throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thiago Tavares showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Tavares 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 49:46
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 49:46
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thiago Tavares!
Thiago Tavares retains his super heavyweight title!
A relieved looking Thiago Tavares thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.