PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Tarasov (ranked 2669 p4p, 362 weight class) and Thomas Boothe (ranked 10208 p4p, 846 weight class). Thomas Boothe has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Ivan Tarasov's chin.

Tarasov
vs
Boothe

184 cm
27
215 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

190 cm
49
207 lbs
50 - 31 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 16 - 9 - 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 50 - 31 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thomas Boothe!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Daniel Cesar and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tarasov shoots in and bounces Boothe off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Boothe is trying to control the position but Tarasov postures up.
Tarasov tries to free his leg and advance position but Boothe is retaining full guard.
Boothe pulls Tarasov in close to his closed guard and prevents Tarasov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Tarasov wants to pass the guard but Boothe is keeping the position.
Boothe really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Tarasov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Boothe wants to sweep but no luck.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boothe keeping moving, preventing Tarasov from controlling successfully.
Tarasov preventing the sweep.
Boothe avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tarasov is pushing down on Boothe's leg trying to pass to half guard. Boothe is fighting to maintain full guard but Tarasov has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarasov wants to control but Boothe is keeping him busy.

Tarasov is looking for a kimura here.

Tarasov is trying to work for a kimura but Boothe is defending well.

Tarasov is trying to work for a kimura but Boothe is defending well.
Tarasov prevents Boothe from improving his position.

Tarasov is looking for a kimura but Boothe is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Tarasov to get the leverage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tarasov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Boothe is doing well to control the position and prevent Tarasov from advancing to side control.

Tarasov seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Boothe is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Ivan Tarasov!
A pretty intense looking Ivan Tarasov took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.