PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Marin Ivanov (ranked 2875 p4p, 365 weight class) and Mike Tantalau (ranked 1846 p4p, 247 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ivanov
vs
Tantalau

180 cm
22
173 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

183 cm
27
180 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

UnderGround Supplements

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marin Ivanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mike Tantalau!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Colin Fray and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tantalau is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ivanov.

Tantalau scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Ivanov wants to get back to his feet.
Ivanov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Tantalau.
Ivanov looks like he's trying to stand up.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Tantalau working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Ivanov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ivanov tries to get out of the position.
Tantalau seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ivanov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ivanov tries to kick Tantalau off but Tantalau keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Ivanov won't allow Tantalau to pass to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tantalau passes to full mount!
Tantalau with good strikes from the mount here!
Tantalau pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Ivanov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Tantalau on the ground.
Ivanov wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tantalau breaks from Ivanov's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Ivanov is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Tantalau has taken his back!
Ivanov is trying to stand back up.
Tantalau has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Tantalau is working for a rear naked choke. Ivanov is not defending it well and Tantalau has tightened it up quickly! This could be all over! Ivanov refuses to tap and goes to sleep, forcing the referee to intervene. A little trickle of blood came out of Ivanov's nose as his head slumped to the floor. That is naaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:44 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Mike Tantalau!
During a confident post fight interview, Mike Tantalau thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.