PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rasul Dolaev (ranked 24806 p4p, 0 weight class) and Motu Te Tai (ranked 2866 p4p, 0 weight class). Rasul Dolaev had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Dolaev
vs
Te Tai

178 cm
25
158 lbs
5 - 11 - 1

178 cm
26
158 lbs
8 - 8 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 11 - 1, fighting out of New York, Rasul Dolaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 1, fighting out of New York, Motu Te Tai!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Jorge Garcia and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dolaev drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Te Tai can do anything to dispel that myth.
Te Tai is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Dolaev is controlling him.

Te Tai kicks Dolaev off and gets to his feet.

Dolaev shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Te Tai is trying to defend but Dolaev finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Te Tai manages to escape and get back to his feet!
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!
Dolaev has a takedown stuffed.

Dolaev tries to keep at a distance but Te Tai has taken the fight into the clinch.

Te Tai breaks from the clinch.
Te Tai tries to clinch but Dolaev is having none of it.
Dolaev is looking to counter with a body kick.
Motu Te Tai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Te Tai closes the distance and pushes Dolaev back into the cage.

Te Tai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Te Tai pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dolaev throwing a counter right hand but Te Tai manages to avoid it.

Te Tai clinches up with Dolaev and pushes him back against the cage.

Te Tai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Te Tai has closed the distance and engaged Dolaev in a clinch.

Te Tai breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Te Tai pushes Dolaev up against the cage in a clinch.

Te Tai breaks the clinch.
Dolaev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Te Tai misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Te Tai tries to sprawl but Dolaev drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Te Tai kicks off Dolaev and gets to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Te Tai lands a high kick!

Te Tai tries to sprawl but Dolaev drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Te Tai kicks Dolaev off and gets back to his feet.
Dolaev takes a kick to the side of the head.
Te Tai throws a head kick that misses.
Te Tai keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rasul Dolaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Te Tai gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Te Tai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Te Tai rushes Dolaev and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Te Tai breaks from the clinch.

Dolaev tries to keep at a distance but Te Tai has taken the fight into the clinch.

Te Tai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Te Tai throws a head kick but Dolaev moves out of range.

Te Tai fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Dolaev, pushing him back against the cage.

Te Tai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Dolaev shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Te Tai is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Dolaev presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Dolaev misses with a knee to the head.
Dolaev is trying to maintain a safe position but Te Tai gets an underhook and turns Dolaev into the cage.
Dolaev looking for a takedown.
Dolaev manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Te Tai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Te Tai has taken the fight to the clinch.

Te Tai's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Dolaev keeps the fight on the outside.
Te Tai throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Motu Te Tai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Te Tai fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dolaev feinted with a counter takedown.

Dolaev gets a clinch.

Te Tai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Te Tai goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Dolaev.
Te Tai seems a little lost for a moment, as Dolaev dominates the positioning.
Te Tai is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Dolaev has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Dolaev landing a few strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Te Tai pushes Dolaev away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Dolaev gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Te Tai is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Te Tai looks winded!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dolaev is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Te Tai's shoulder. That is not cool.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Dolaev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Te Tai manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Dolaev keeps the fight on the outside.
Dolaev tries to counter with a takedown but Te Tai is quick to defend against it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Motu Te Tai dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Dolaev gets a double leg takedown into Te Tai's guard.
Dolaev prevents Te Tai from getting back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Te Tai manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Te Tai fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Te Tai fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Dolaev, pushing him back against the cage.
Dolaev jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Te Tai walks away with a smile on his face. Dolaev gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Motu Te Tai seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Te Tai tries to clinch but Dolaev is having none of it.
Dolaev fails to land the takedown.
Te Tai scores with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Te Tai stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rasul Dolaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Te Tai tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Te Tai rushes Dolaev and presses him up against the cage.

Te Tai manages to break the clinch.
A head kick misses from Te Tai.
Te Tai tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Te Tai throws a nice head kick!
Te Tai is breathing heavily.
Te Tai moves to clinch but Dolaev breaks away
and Dolaev counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Te Tai tries to close the distance and clinch but Dolaev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Dolaev dives in for a single leg takedown but Te Tai sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Te Tai has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Te Tai throws a looping overhand right but Dolaev ducks down to avoid it.

Te Tai gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Te Tai breaks from the clinch.
Te Tai fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Te Tai throws a head kick that misses.
Dolaev throws a big counter combination but Te Tai scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Te Tai throws a head kick but Dolaev moves out of range.
Dolaev tries to counter by clinching up but Te Tai breaks away and moves out of range.

Dolaev closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Te Tai quickly recovers to half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dolaev keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Te Tai is trying to stand.
Dolaev is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Dolaev perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Dolaev seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Te Tai for as long as he can get away with.

Te Tai has one foot on Dolaev's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dolaev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Te Tai as he avoids it easily.

Dolaev tries to keep at a distance but Te Tai has taken the fight into the clinch.

Dolaev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Dolaev blocks a head kick by Te Tai.
Dolaev has a takedown stuffed.
Te Tai lands a head kick!
Te Tai blocks the body kick.
Te Tai tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dolaev paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Dolaev drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Te Tai throws Dolaev to one side and escapes!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Te Tai tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Te Tai tries to clinch there but Dolaev circles away.
Te Tai tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Dolaev counters with a one-two to the body.
Te Tai tries to clinch up but Dolaev circles away and keeps his distance.
Dolaev circles away from the clinch attempt.
Te Tai lands with an overhand left.

Te Tai clinches with his opponent.

Te Tai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Te Tai connects with a high kick.
Te Tai throws a head kick that misses.
Te Tai on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Dolaev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Te Tai sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dolaev somewhat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Motu Te Tai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Nice sprawl there from Te Tai as Dolaev shoots in.

Te Tai instigates a clinch.

Te Tai's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Te Tai throws a head kick that Dolaev semi-blocks.

Te Tai clinches with his opponent.

Te Tai breaks from the clinch.
Te Tai tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Dolaev counters with a three punch combo that has Te Tai backing up. Te Tai nods at Dolaev to acknowledge the strikes.
Dolaev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Te Tai sprawls well. Te Tai wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Dolaev gets slowly back to his feet.
Te Tai lands a head shot.

Dolaev is rocked!

Te Tai gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Te Tai manages to break the clinch.
Te Tai throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Te Tai throws a head kick but Dolaev moves out of range.
Te Tai takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dolaev dives in and scores a takedown into Te Tai's guard.
Dolaev has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Te Tai has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Dolaev is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

Dolaev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Dolaev gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Te Tai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dolaev circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rasul Dolaev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Te Tai tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Te Tai clinches up with Dolaev and pushes him back against the cage.

Te Tai pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Te Tai moves in looking to clinch but Dolaev pushes him off.
Te Tai misses with a head kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dolaev dives in and grabs Te Tai's left leg, looking for a takedown. Te Tai pushes down on Dolaev's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rasul Dolaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Te Tai lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Te Tai doesn't manage to clinch there - Dolaev circles away.
Dolaev wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dolaev tries to clinch there but Te Tai circles away.
Dolaev tries to clinch but Te Tai is having none of it.
Te Tai is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Te Tai goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Dolaev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dolaev moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromTe Tai.

Dolaev looking to score a takedown here. Te Tai is defending well but Dolaev drives through and ends up in Te Tai's guard.

Te Tai uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Te Tai rushes Dolaev and presses him up against the cage.

Te Tai breaks the clinch.
Te Tai misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dolaev lands with a nice combination. Te Tai backs away looking to recover.
Dolaev avoids the head kick by Te Tai.
Te Tai tries a head kick but it misses.
Te Tai throws a head kick but Dolaev moves out of range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Dolaev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Te Tai lands a head kick. Dolaev smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Te Tai rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Dolaev counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Dolaev keeps control of Te Tai as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Te Tai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dolaev lands with a nice combination. Te Tai backs away looking to recover.
Te Tai throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Dolaev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A head kick misses from Te Tai.
Dolaev blocks a head kick by Te Tai.
Te Tai throws a lazy head kick
letting Dolaev counter with a right hand.
Dolaev throws a wild body kick that Te Tai sees coming a mile off.

Te Tai clinches with his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Te Tai breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Te Tai rushes Dolaev and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dolaev drops down looking for an ankle pick but Te Tai pulls his leg out and moves away.
Dolaev avoids the head kick by Te Tai.
Dolaev throws a head kick but Te Tai moves out of range.
Te Tai looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.

Te Tai forces Dolaev back against the cage and clinches.

Te Tai pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dolaev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dolaev tries to clinch up.
Dolaev fails in his attempt to clinch.

Te Tai moves into range and clinches up with Dolaev.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Te Tai manages to break the clinch.
Dolaev goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Rasul Dolaev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Motu Te Tai is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Te Tai lands a head kick!

Te Tai has closed the distance and engaged Dolaev in a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Motu Te Tai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Te Tai 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Motu Te Tai!