PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Reed Basaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David Tua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Reed Basaev could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to David Tua 's chin.

Basaev
vs
Tua

200 cm
24
234 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

178 cm
21
235 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Reed Basaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, David Tua !
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Paulsen Ambrosius and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tua misses the jab.
Basaev just misses with a punch to the body.
Tua 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.
Basaev closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

It looks like Reed Basaev has been cut.
Basaev scores with a body shot.
Basaev blocks a jab.
Basaev throws a looping overhand right but Tua ducks down to avoid it.
Basaev just misses with a punch to the body.
A left lands for Basaev.
Basaev connects with a body shot that sends Tua 's belly button to the back.
Tua blocks a head kick by Basaev.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tua dodges the punch combination from Basaev.
Basaev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Basaev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Basaev pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Basaev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Basaev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tua .
Basaev lands with a kick to the temple. Tua shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Basaev looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Tua misses with a looping left.
Basaev throws a quick counter kick to the body but Tua avoids it.
A jab from Basaev misses.
Nice straight punches there by Tua . You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Tua .
Tua throws an off balance right hand
and Basaev makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Tua really felt that one!
Tua fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Tua moves forwards but Basaev connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Basaev avoids the body shot from Tua .
Basaev jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Basaev works over Tua 's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like David Tua has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Basaev misses with a body shot.
Tua shapes to counter with a head kick.
Reed Basaev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tua takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Basaev.
Basaev jabs Tua right on the nose. Tua blinks but takes it well.
Basaev throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Basaev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tua .
Tua throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tua just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromBasaev.
Tua misses with a head kick.
Basaev digs a good body shot into Tua 's ribs.
Basaev thuds his right hand into Tua 's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Basaev keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Basaev throws a lazy uppercut
and Tua connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Basaev moves out of range as Tua strikes.
Basaev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tua throws a body punch but Basaev moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Basaev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Basaev lands a head kick. Tua smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Tua lands a leg kick that knocks Basaev off balance momentarily.
Basaev throws a sloppy body shot
and Tua counters with a straight right hand.
Tua waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Basaev.
Basaev is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Basaev misses the shot to the body.
A decent looking cross lands there for Basaev.
A punch combination from Basaev misses.
Basaev rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tua moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
No joy there for Tua , who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Basaev misses with a body kick.
Tua is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Basaev throws the left hand but Tua avoids the punch easily.
Basaev misses with a right hand
and Tua counters with a series of strikes. Basaev will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tua misses with a hook
and Basaev counters with a big head kick but Tua shrugs it off.
Basaev pushes Tua away with a front kick.
Tua misses with an uppercut
and Basaev makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Nice body kick from Basaev.
Basaev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tua was well out of range. Poor timing from Basaev.
Basaev lands a jab.
Basaev is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Tua walks forward, straight into a front kick from Basaev.
Tua misses with a lunging right hand
and Basaev counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tua rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Basaev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tua lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Basaev at a distance.

Basaev lands a big head kick that sends Tua tumbling to the mat! Basaev takes a step backwards and waves Tua back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Tua is rocked!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reed Basaev dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Basaev just misses with a punch to the body.
Tua slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Basaev rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Tua cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Tua might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Basaev has got the better of the exchanges.
Tua is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Basaev.
Basaev will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Tua throws a series of punches but Basaev moves out of range.
A low kick from Tua misses
and Basaev counters with a two punch combo.
Basaev keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Basaev swings widly with a right hand
and Basaev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Reed Basaev is winning the standup battle so far.
A lazy left from Basaev finds it's target.
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!
Tua moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Tua waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Basaev.
Tua scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Basaev doesn't seem bothered though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tua blocks the body kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Tua ! But no joy.
A head kick misses from Tua .
Tua tries a head kick but it misses.
Tua misses with an uppercut. Basaev saw that one coming.
Basaev throws a body shot but no joy.
Basaev takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Basaev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Basaev pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Basaev throws a push kick but Tua slaps the foot to one side.
Tua throws a big counter head kick but Basaev avoids it with no problem.
Tua misses with a head kick.
Tua misses with a jab, cross combination.
Basaev was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Tua throws a body shot but no joy.
A head kick misses from Tua .
An attempted straight right counter from Basaev misses the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Basaev misses with a shot to the body
and Tua counters with a series of strikes. Basaev will be more careful next time no doubt.
Basaev scores with a spinning back kick!
Basaev tries to close the distance and clinch but Tua swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tua throws a poor cross that misses
and Basaev counters with a left to the body.
A slow jab from Basaev misses its intended target.
Tua throws a looping overhand right but Basaev ducks down to avoid it.
Basaev 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.
Basaev connects with a nice looking jab.
Tua uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Basaev.
Tua steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Basaev.
A solid body kick from Basaev.
Basaev misses with a lunging right hand
and Basaev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Reed Basaev's cut is getting worse.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Basaev moves into range and connects with a jab.
Basaev throws out a leg kick but Tua moves out of range and Basaev only half commits.
Tua avoids the head kick by Basaev.
Tua misses with a left hand
and Basaev counters with a nice uppercut.
Basaev has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Tua finds it's way round the side to connect with Basaev's head.
Basaev with a jab.
Basaev blocks the body kick.
Basaev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tua can do to turn this around?
Basaev ducks right into an uppercut from Tua .
Basaev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
It seemed like Tua was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tua throws a low kick, looking for Basaev's leg but Basaev calmly moves out of range.
Tua uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Basaev.
Basaev throws out a loose jab but Tua uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tua misses with an uppercut.
It looked like Basaev wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Tua keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tua displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Basaev throws out the jab.
Tua misses with a hook. Basaev ducked under it nicely.
Nice body punch from Basaev.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tua misses with a hook. Basaev ducked under it nicely.
Basaev throwing a counter right hand but Tua manages to avoid it.
Tua gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Basaev moves out of range of the strikes.
Basaev appears to be looking for a big counter.
Basaev throws the left hand but Tua avoids the punch easily.
Basaev looks to land a combination. Tua sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Tua tries a low kick but Basaev avoids it.
Tua pulls out of a head kick attempt.
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 Reed Basaev will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Basaev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tua misses with a looping right.
Tua blocks a head kick by Basaev.
Basaev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A slow jab from Basaev misses its intended target.
Tua jabs Basaev right on the nose. Basaev blinks but takes it well.
Tua misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Basaev is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Basaev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
It seemed like Tua was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Basaev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tua throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A big left from Basaev misses.
Tua throws a jab but it's blocked by Basaev.
Basaev connects with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Basaev lands with an uppercut that bounces Tua off the cage and back into range.
Basaev just misses with a punch to the body.
Basaev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Basaev lands a two punch combo.
Tua connects with a looping right hand.
Basaev throws a body shot but no joy.
Basaev moves out of range as Tua strikes.
Basaev takes a swing at Tua 's ribcage but misses.
Tua fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Basaev has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Basaev slips a straight right by Tua .
Basaev throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Basaev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Basaev shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Tua eats them both and turns towards Basaev to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tua takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Basaev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice straight punches there by Tua . You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Tua .

Reed Basaev's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Tua dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tua misses with a body shot.
Basaev fails to land with a series of punches.
Basaev looking to land some kicks to the body here.
It seemed like Tua was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tua throws a looping overhand right but Basaev ducks down to avoid it.
Basaev with a jab.
Basaev throws a head kick that misses.
Basaev thuds a left hand into Tua 's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice cross by Basaev.
Basaev throws a body punch but Tua moves out of range.
Basaev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tua .
Basaev goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A right-left combo lands from Basaev.
Tua is still on wobbly legs! Can Basaev finish him?
Basaev takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Tua seems to have recovered his senses.
Tua 's corner calls for a 1-2. Tua obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Tua tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tua blocks a head kick by Basaev.
Basaev throws a right and a left that Tua avoids nicely.
Sloppy strikes from Basaev. Those never looked like landing.
Reed Basaev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tua misses with a hook
and Basaev connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Good standup being displayed there by Tua as he connects with a hook.

Jeez, Reed Basaev's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Tua looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Tua takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Basaev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tua .
Basaev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tua .
Basaev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tua .
Basaev swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Basaev drops his hands momentarily and Tua takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Reed Basaev's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:47 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). David Tua !
A victorious David Tua thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.