PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Korney Tarasov (ranked 5211 p4p, 0 weight class) and Krystian Szmyd (ranked 2990 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Tarasov
vs
Szmyd

170 cm
21
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

181 cm
23
154 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Korney Tarasov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Krystian Szmyd!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Alan Glass and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tarasov fails with a takedown attempt.
Szmyd shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tarasov as he jumps to the side.
Szmyd looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Szmyd misses with a takedown attempt - Tarasov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Korney Tarasov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Krystian Szmyd.
Szmyd with a lazy takedown attempt
and Tarasov counters with a left and a right that stings Szmyd.
Szmyd misses with a takedown attempt
and Tarasov counters with a one-two to the body.

Szmyd closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Tarasov's guard.
Tarasov is trying to keep Szmyd in close.
Tarasov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Szmyd on the ground.
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!
Tarasov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Szmyd controls the pace.
Szmyd trying to control but Tarasov is working from the bottom.

Szmyd drops back looking for a leg! Tarasov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Tarasov manages to kick Szmyd off! Szmyd jumps back into Tarasov's guard.
Szmyd trying to control the position from guard on top but Tarasov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Szmyd controlling from the top position.

Szmyd drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Tarasov manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Szmyd has Tarasov in his guard.

Szmyd had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tarasov defends it easily.

Szmyd has his foot on Tarasov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Tarasov works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Szmyd has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tarasov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Szmyd looking for a guillotine here but Tarasov defends easily.

Szmyd is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Tarasov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Szmyd looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Szmyd working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tarasov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tarasov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarasov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Szmyd looking for a guillotine here but Tarasov defends easily.

Szmyd is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Szmyd throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Szmyd working for a triangle but Tarasov defends it easily.
Tarasov landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Szmyd has his foot on Tarasov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Tarasov works his way back into a safe position though.

Szmyd is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Szmyd looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Szmyd is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Tarasov chips away with some ground and pound.
Szmyd keeping moving, preventing Tarasov from controlling successfully.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tarasov is looking to stand up but Szmyd won't let him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Korney Tarasov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Tarasov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Tarasov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Tarasov wants it to stay on the feet.
A thudding body kick lands there by Tarasov!
Tarasov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Szmyd.
Nice takedown defense from Szmyd. No joy for Tarasov on that attempt.
Tarasov fails with a takedown attempt.
Szmyd shoots in for a double leg but Tarasov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Korney Tarasov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Krystian Szmyd.
Tarasov darts in looking for a takedown but Szmyd gets double underhooks and turns Tarasov into the cage.
Szmyd with a poor takedown
and Tarasov counters with a nice kick to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Szmyd fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Szmyd is defended easily by Tarasov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Szmyd.
Tarasov leaves Szmyd with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Szmyd is breathing heavily.
Tarasov goes for a double leg but Szmyd avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Szmyd continues to drive forward.
Tarasov slaps away a takedown attempt from Szmyd, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Tarasov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Tarasov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Szmyd sprawls well initially but Tarasov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Szmyd gets full guard.

Szmyd is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Tarasov wants to stand but Szmyd is controlling his posture from full guard.
Szmyd keeping moving, preventing Tarasov from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tarasov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Szmyd has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tarasov has managed to get both his arms back between Szmyd's legs - danger averted.
Szmyd is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Korney Tarasov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Szmyd controlling the action here.

Szmyd is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Tarasov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Szmyd.
Tarasov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Szmyd wants to work for an arm triangle but Tarasov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Szmyd is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tarasov defends it well.

Tarasov is defending against the submission attempts here by Szmyd.

Szmyd is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Tarasov has managed to free his arm - good work.
Szmyd is keen to just control but Tarasov is a slippery customer.

Szmyd is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Tarasov is refusing to be controlled, as Szmyd sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Szmyd is looking for a kimura but Tarasov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Szmyd to get the leverage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Szmyd passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Tarasov!

Szmyd goes for an armbar but Tarasov turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Tarasov.
Szmyd tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Tarasov gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Szmyd shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tarasov defends it nicely.
Szmyd shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Tarasov counters with a nice body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Korney Tarasov dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Szmyd takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Szmyd tries for a takedown but Tarasov circles away easily
and Tarasov counters with a left and a right that stings Szmyd.

Szmyd darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Szmyd wants to work for an arm triangle but Tarasov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Szmyd is looking for a kimura here.
Tarasov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Szmyd can do to turn this around?

Tarasov is defending against the submission attempts here by Szmyd.
Szmyd takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Szmyd is keen to just control but Tarasov is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarasov is trying to maintain the position but Szmyd is very close to passing his half guard.
Szmyd is looking to take a break and control but Tarasov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Szmyd is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Szmyd wants to pass the guard but Tarasov is defending well.
Szmyd wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tarasov keeps working.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Szmyd in particular looking to stall.

Szmyd is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Tarasov flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Tarasov is looking to improve his position.
Tarasov is trying to stand back up but Szmyd is controlling him
Szmyd is controlling the pace.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Tarasov is looking to clinch but Szmyd is avoiding it.
Tarasov stuffs the takedown.

Szmyd rushes Tarasov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Tarasov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Szmyd to keep the fight standing.
Szmyd drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tarasov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Korney Tarasov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Krystian Szmyd.
Szmyd looking for a takedown.
Tarasov gets underhooks to prevent Szmyd's takedown attempt.
Szmyd is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Szmyd wants a takedown.
Tarasov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Szmyd pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Szmyd tries for a takedown but Tarasov manages to get underhooks.
Tarasov is looking to take this one to the mat.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Szmyd drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tarasov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Tarasov tries to pull guard but Szmyd holds him up against the cage and eventually Tarasov drops back down to his feet.
Tarasov tries to pull guard but Szmyd won't allow it.

Tarasov jumps guard and drags Szmyd to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Szmyd throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tarasov keeping moving, preventing Szmyd from controlling successfully.

Szmyd drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Szmyd jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Szmyd thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tarasov keeping moving, preventing Szmyd from controlling successfully.
Tarasov will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Szmyd is pushing down on Tarasov's leg trying to pass to half guard. Tarasov is fighting to maintain full guard but Szmyd has managed to sneak the leg through.

Szmyd is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Tarasov has managed to free his arm - good work.

Szmyd is working for a kimura but Tarasov is defending it quite comfortably.

Szmyd is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Tarasov is just riding it out for now. Szmyd eventually gives up the hold.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Krystian Szmyd.
I think Tarasov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight for Korney Tarasov!
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight for Korney Tarasov!
Judge George Francis scores the fight for Korney Tarasov!

Korney Tarasov wins by unanimous decision!