PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Tabatabai (ranked 8237 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shaco The Joker (ranked 3126 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Tabatabai
vs
The Joker

195 cm
25
260 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

196 cm
25
264 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Tabatabai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Shaco The Joker!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Steve Montenegro and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The Joker has Tabatabai up against the cage in a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for The Joker.
The Joker lands with a short shot to the head.
The Joker lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Tabatabai digs a right hand into The Joker's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on The Joker's gas tank.
The Joker takes a shot to the head.
Tabatabai blocking some punches.
The Joker tries to stall but Tabatabai uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Tabatabai tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short left from The Joker.
The Joker scores with a hook to the body.
The Joker misses with an elbow over the top.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for The Joker.
The Joker swings wildly with an uppercut but Tabatabai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tabatabai swings wildly with an uppercut but The Joker uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tabatabai working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The Joker looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The Joker misses with a short punch on the inside.

The Joker successfully pulls guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Joker wants to stand and escape but Tabatabai is having none of it.
The Joker striking off his back but it's not causing Tabatabai any problems.
The Joker is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tabatabai is controlling him.
The Joker striking off his back but it's not causing Tabatabai any problems.
Tabatabai in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The Joker doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Tabatabai sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
The Joker lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Tabatabai swats away the attempt to clinch by The Joker.

The Joker pushes Tabatabai up against the cage in a clinch.
The Joker throws a punch but it's blocked by Tabatabai.
The Joker scores with a shot to the side of Tabatabai's head.
The Joker misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from The Joker fails to land.
Tabatabai blocking some punches.
Tabatabai scores with a hook to the body.
Tabatabai blocks an uppercut.
Tabatabai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with The Joker's elbow.
The Joker scores with a shot to the side of Tabatabai's head.
The Joker scores with a shot to the side of Tabatabai's head.
Tabatabai tries a body shot but The Joker blocks it.
Tabatabai fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The Joker lands an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Joker lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Tabatabai lands a left hand.
A short right from Tabatabai on the inside.
The Joker's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
A head punch on the inside from The Joker fails to land.
The Joker scores with a nice hook to the head.
A hook to the body from The Joker.
Tabatabai can't find room to land a body shot as The Joker controls the action.
The Joker lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tabatabai tries to throw a body punch but The Joker avoids it by throwing Tabatabai back against the cage.
The Joker throws an elbow but it misses.
The Joker jumps guard but Tabatabai turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Tabatabai lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
The Joker fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The Joker throws a punch but it's blocked by Tabatabai.
The Joker misses with some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tabatabai tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tabatabai lands a right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice right hand lands inside from The Joker.
A right hand to the body from Tabatabai.

The Joker successfully pulls guard.
The Joker wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Tabatabai manages to pass to side control.
Tabatabai trying to control the pace.
The Joker is trying to stand back up but Tabatabai is controlling him
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shaco The Joker dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

The Joker walks into a left hand.
Tabatabai misses with a body shot.

Tabatabai instigates a clinch.

The Joker's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tabatabai needs to keep his hands up - The Joker had a free shot at his head there.
Tabatabai moves in looking to clinch but The Joker pushes him off.
Tabatabai throws a good cross that connects.
Tabatabai throws a right and a left that The Joker avoids nicely.
The Joker cracks Tabatabai with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
The Joker doesn't manage to clinch there - Tabatabai circles away.
Tabatabai avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The Joker cracks Tabatabai with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
The Joker avoids the body shot from Tabatabai.
Tabatabai sets himself, and The Joker steps forward looking for the clinch! Tabatabai avoids it this time.

The Joker darts in and clinches Tabatabai up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The Joker has a couple of punches blocked by Tabatabai.
Tabatabai takes a shot to the head.
The Joker tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tabatabai lands a right hand.
Tabatabai misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tabatabai looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Joker scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Tabatabai tries to throw a body punch but The Joker avoids it by throwing Tabatabai back against the cage.
Tabatabai misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from The Joker on the inside.
The Joker working aggressively here.
Tabatabai has a couple of punches blocked by The Joker.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tabatabai.
The Joker has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tabatabai tries to throw a body punch but The Joker avoids it by throwing Tabatabai back against the cage.
Tabatabai lands with a right to the head.
The Joker misses with a punch on the inside.
Tabatabai misses with a short punch on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Tabatabai.
The Joker jumps guard but Tabatabai stands there with The Joker around his waist. The Joker gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
The Joker misses with some punches.
Tabatabai blocking some punches.
The Joker prevents a body shot from Tabatabai.
The Joker fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Joker pressing his opponent against the cage.
Tabatabai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tabatabai fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The Joker swings wildly with an uppercut but Tabatabai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shaco The Joker seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Tabatabai lands a hook that snaps the head of The Joker backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tabatabai tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Tabatabai lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of The Joker backwards.
The Joker lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tabatabai backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for The Joker.
The Joker working aggressively here.
Tabatabai blocks an uppercut.
The Joker throws a head punch that misses.
The Joker blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tabatabai blocks an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tabatabai.
Tabatabai lands with a short shot to the head.
The Joker lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The Joker blocking some punches.
The Joker throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tabatabais head.
Tabatabai scores with a shot to the side of The Joker's head.
The Joker tries to pull guard but Tabatabai won't allow it.
The Joker misses with some punches.
The Joker fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The Joker lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Tabatabai tries to work over The Joker's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
The Joker goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The Joker prevents a body shot from Tabatabai.
Tabatabai swings wildly with an uppercut but The Joker uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tabatabai tries to work over The Joker's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tabatabai softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for The Joker.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Joker jumps guard but Tabatabai stands there with The Joker around his waist. The Joker gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
John Tabatabai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shaco The Joker.
A left hand lands to the body for Tabatabai.
The Joker is breathing heavily.
Tabatabai lands with a right to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A short right from Tabatabai on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by The Joker.
Tabatabai prevents a body shot from The Joker.
Tabatabai blocks an elbow strike.
A short right from Tabatabai on the inside.
Tabatabai works on The Joker's body with a couple of short punches.
The Joker's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Tabatabai lands a shot to the body.
Tabatabai lands a right hand.
Tabatabai is leaning against The Joker and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Tabatabai struggles to land a body shot inside as The Joker controls his hands.
Tabatabai misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tabatabai working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The Joker's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Tabatabai dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Tabatabai has closed the distance and engaged The Joker in a clinch.
The Joker jumps guard but Tabatabai turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Tabatabai swings wildly with an uppercut but The Joker uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tabatabai lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down The Joker.
Tabatabai goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Tabatabai fails to land.
Tabatabai lands a body punch.
A shot in the inside from Tabatabai.
A short body shot lands from Tabatabai as the two fighters clinch.
Tabatabai misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tabatabai working aggressively here.
The Joker blocking some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tabatabai lands a shoulder strike.
A shot in the inside from Tabatabai.
The Joker takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tabatabai blocks an uppercut.
Tabatabai misses with a punch to the body.
Tabatabai lands a nice shot to the body.
Tabatabai lands a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Tabatabai creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Tabatabai lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tabatabai working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A short right from Tabatabai.
Tabatabai digs a right hand into The Joker's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on The Joker's gas tank.
Tabatabai stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Tabatabai scores with a nice hook to the head.
A body shot lands from Tabatabai.
Tabatabai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with The Joker's elbow.
Tabatabai presses The Joker against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Tabatabai lands a body punch.
Tabatabai misses with a punch on the inside.
Tabatabai softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The Joker swings wildly with an uppercut but Tabatabai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tabatabai misses with some punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tabatabai lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Tabatabai creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

The Joker is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Joker takes a shot to the head.
The Joker is still on wobbly legs! Can Tabatabai finish him?
Tabatabai fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tabatabai lands an uppercut in the clinch that drops The Joker to his knees! Tabatabai keeps firing more shots against his stricken opponent and the referee jumps in to save him!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:14 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). John Tabatabai!
An out of breath John Tabatabai thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.