PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Tarasov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ma A Nonu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nonu has chosen The Haka as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Tarasov
vs
A Nonu

184 cm
21
215 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

183 cm
26
196 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Tarasov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ma A Nonu!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Viktor Lagutenko and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tarasov throws a shot to the body.
Tarasov throws a body punch but Nonu moves out of range.
Tarasov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tarasov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Nonu counter with a right hand.
We've been hearing reports that Tarasov has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Tarasov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Nonu cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nonu throws a lazy right hand but Tarasov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tarasov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nonu's coach down at THE ASYLUM was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Nonu's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Tarasov misses with a looping left.
Nonu throws out a counter right but Tarasov avoids it with no problem.
Tarasov swings for the body but Nonu moves out of range.
Nonu swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nonu blocks a jab.
A little jabbing left from Nonu on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Tarasov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nonu manages to avoid it.
Nonu throws out a counter right but Tarasov avoids it with no problem.
Tarasov swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarasov misses with a series of wild punches.
Tarasov misses with a jab, cross combination.
A little jabbing left from Nonu on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Tarasov shoots and misses
enabling Nonu to counter with a crisp jab.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Tarasov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nonu waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tarasov.
Tarasov misses with a straight right.
Tarasov jabs Nonu right on the nose. Nonu blinks but takes it well.
Tarasov shoots in looking for a takedown but Nonu manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Tarasov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Tarasov misses with an uppercut. Nonu saw that one coming.
Tarasov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nonu swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Tarasov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nonu throws a hook but Tarasov blocks it.
Nonu throws a hook to the side of Tarasov's head but Tarasov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nonu misses with a straight left.

Tarasov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Tarasov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Tarasov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Tarasov prevents Nonu from improving his position.
Tarasov sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Nonu is trying to escape back to his feet but Tarasov uses the scramble to pass into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tarasov has hold of Nonu's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Nonu seems comfortable defending it but Tarasov has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Nonu is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Nonu is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Tarasov couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:08 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Ivan Tarasov!
After the big win, Ivan Tarasov made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Mohito Fightwear and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.
In defeat, Ma A Nonu stepped up to the mic, saying 'Tēnei te tangata pūhuruhuru Nāna i tiki mai whakawhiti te rā'.