PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Karol Tarczynski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vadim Nazarov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nazarov is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: "Fade to Black" by Metallica. 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.

Tarczynski
vs
Nazarov

186 cm
37
185 lbs
33 - 13 - 1

187 cm
36
195 lbs
31 - 16 - 4

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 33 - 13 - 1, fighting out of London, Karol Tarczynski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 16 - 4, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vadim Nazarov!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Richard Clark and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nazarov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tarczynski's waist but Tarczynski gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Nazarov off to one side.
Tarczynski is looking to counter with head kicks.
The fighters circling - Nazarov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nazarov stuns Tarczynski with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nazarov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nazarov throws a predictable looking body shot
and Tarczynski counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tarczynski slips a straight right by Nazarov.
Tarczynski jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tarczynski defending well as Nazarov loads up on a big left hand.
Nazarov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Tarczynski has time to react.
Nazarov's coach down at Den of Tears (22 coaches) was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Nazarov's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nazarov misses with an uppercut. Tarczynski saw that one coming.
Tarczynski looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Tarczynski looks to land a right hand but Nazarov moved out of range.
A little jabbing left from Nazarov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Tarczynski waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nazarov.
Nice body punch from Nazarov.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tarczynski.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nazarov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Tarczynski misses with a body shot.
A countering left hand to the body from Nazarov misses.
A jab from Nazarov misses.
Nazarov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Tarczynski stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nazarov moves out of range of the body kick.
Tarczynski missing with a left hand there. Nazarov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tarczynski looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Tarczynski is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nazarov.
Tarczynski avoids the body shot from Nazarov.
Nazarov keeps the fight on the outside.
Nazarov lunges at Tarczynski with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Tarczynski's hand.

It looks like Karol Tarczynski has been cut.
Nazarov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Tarczynski momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tarczynski bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nazarov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Tarczynski's head backwards.
Nazarov throws a predictable looking body shot
and Tarczynski connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tarczynski attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Tarczynski connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Nazarov's hands.
Tarczynski throws a head kick but Nazarov moves out of range.
Nazarov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Nazarov throws a jab when Tarczynski was well out of range.
Tarczynski swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Tarczynski throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nazarov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tarczynski works Nazarov's body with a nice hook.
A left lands for Nazarov.
Nazarov's corner calls for a 1-2. Nazarov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nazarov is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Tarczynski had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Nazarov takes a swing at Tarczynski's ribcage but misses.
Nazarov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tarczynski.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarczynski stuns Nazarov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Tarczynski displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nazarov throws out the jab.
Tarczynski misses with a hook.
Nazarov throws a lazy uppercut
and Tarczynski makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Nazarov really felt that one!
Tarczynski uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nazarov.
A punch lands to the side of Tarczynski 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Nazarov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Tarczynski jabs Nazarov right on the nose. Nazarov blinks but takes it well.
Nazarov throws a hook but Tarczynski avoids it easily.
Tarczynski tries to counter by clinching up but Nazarov breaks away and moves out of range.
Tarczynski ducks under a wild hook from Nazarov.
Tarczynski lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Nazarov throws a body punch but Tarczynski moves out of range.
Tarczynski was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Nazarov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tarczynski sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nazarov somewhat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tarczynski gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Tarczynski takes a jab right on the kisser.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tarczynski staying out of range there.
Tarczynski cracks Nazarov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Nazarov cracks Tarczynski with a right hand to the side of the head.
Nazarov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Tarczynski blocks a jab.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Tarczynski, right into the meat.
Vadim Nazarov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A big right from Tarczynski misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vadim Nazarov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Karol Tarczynski's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nazarov throws out a loose jab but Tarczynski uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nazarov cracks a nice hook into Tarczynski's ribs.
Nazarov throws a body shot but no joy.
Vadim Nazarov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nazarov. Tarczynski does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tarczynski fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Nazarov.
Tarczynski slips a straight right by Nazarov.
Nazarov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Nazarov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Nazarov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tarczynski doesn't seem bothered though.
Nazarov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nazarov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A big right from Nazarov misses.
Tarczynski lands a glancing blow to the side of Nazarov's head.
Nazarov throws a good cross that connects.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nazarov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nazarov throws a shot from downtown. Tarczynski moves away and avoids it.
Tarczynski tried to counter with a leg kick but Nazarov avoided it.
Tarczynski tries a low kick but Nazarov avoids it.
A swing and a miss from Tarczynski.
Karol Tarczynski is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nazarov jabs at Tarczynski's body.
A cross from Nazarov lands.
Tarczynski takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Nazarov blocks a jab.
A big right from Tarczynski misses.
Nazarov jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Nazarov misses with a body shot.
Tarczynski is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Nazarov.
Nice jab there from Nazarov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nazarov lands the left hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tarczynski looks to land a right hand but Nazarov moved out of range.
Nazarov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A left and a right from Tarczynski both land. Nice combination.
Nazarov connects with a body shot that sends Tarczynski's belly button to the back.
Nazarov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tarczynski throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nazarov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A slow jab from Nazarov misses its intended target.
Tarczynski takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Nazarov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Tarczynski looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Nazarov misses with a looping left.
Tarczynski looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Nice cross by Nazarov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov lands with a hook. Tarczynski tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Nazarov misses with a hook.
Tarczynski blocks a jab.
Nazarov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Tarczynski takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nazarov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Tarczynski swings widly with a right hand
and Nazarov counters with a straight right hand.
Tarczynski scores with a jab. Nazarov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Nazarov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Tarczynski's half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nazarov throwing shots but Tarczynski is blocking nicely.
Tarczynski is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tarczynski is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Nazarov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Nazarov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nazarov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tarczynski keeps working.
Nazarov tries to pass to full mount but Tarczynski defends it.
Tarczynski wants to get back to full guard.
Tarczynski is pressing down on Nazarov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Nazarov throws a big elbow that misses.
Tarczynski working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nazarov.
Tarczynski avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vadim Nazarov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Karol Tarczynski's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Nazarov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Tarczynski counters with a nice body shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for Tarczynski.
The fighters circle momentarily. Tarczynski darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Tarczynski pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A big left from Nazarov misses.
Nazarov checks a leg kick nicely.
It seemed like Nazarov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Nazarov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Tarczynski.

Nazarov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Tarczynski manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nazarov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nazarov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tarczynski trying to control the position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nazarov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nazarov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Nazarov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nazarov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nazarov trying to control the position from guard on top but Tarczynski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nazarov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Nazarov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Tarczynski utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nazarov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Nazarov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Nazarov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Karol Tarczynski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tarczynski just misses with a punch to the body.
Nazarov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tarczynski throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Nazarov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nazarov looks to score with a jab to the body but Tarczynski is just out of range.
Tarczynski throws a hook but Nazarov blocks it.
Tarczynski throws a big shot that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarczynski looks to land a left hand but Nazarov moved out of range nicely.
Nazarov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Tarczynski throws a body punch but Nazarov moves out of range.
Tarczynski throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Nazarov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Tarczynski throws a big shot that misses.
Nazarov throws a hook but Tarczynski avoids it easily.
Tarczynski appears to be looking for a big counter.
Nazarov swinging wildly here.
Tarczynski takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Nazarov ducks right into an uppercut from Tarczynski.
Nazarov moves out of range as Tarczynski throws a body kick.
Tarczynski misses with a straight right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nazarov throws the left hand but Tarczynski avoids the punch easily.
Tarczynski uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nazarov.
Tarczynski keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nazarov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Tarczynski bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nazarov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tarczynski throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Tarczynski misses with a wild body shot.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A head kick misses from Tarczynski.
Tarczynski throws out a loose jab but Nazarov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tarczynski walks into a stiff left hand from Nazarov.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Karol Tarczynski.
Well Nazarov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29

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