PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Matt Tarrent (ranked 24619 p4p, 4731 weight class) and Otto Von Habsburg (ranked 293 p4p, 220 weight class). Otto Von Habsburg will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Tarrent
vs
Von Habsburg

175 cm
26
136
0 - 3 - 0

169 cm
25
135
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

SpeeDee BBQ
The Legend Shop

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Matt Tarrent!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Otto Von Habsburg!
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, Donatello Bradman and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circling - Von Habsburg throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Von Habsburg fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Tarrent, pushing him back against the cage.
Von Habsburg throws a head punch that misses.
Von Habsburg pushes Tarrent back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Von Habsburg scores with a nice hook to the head.

Tarrent escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Von Habsburg closes the distance and clinches.
Von Habsburg misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Von Habsburg on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Von Habsburg misses with some punches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Von Habsburg.
Von Habsburg stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Von Habsburg lands an uppercut.
Von Habsburg lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tarrent backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tarrent has had enough of the clinch but Von Habsburg keeps him there for the moment.
Von Habsburg lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tarrent backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Von Habsburg.
Tarrent wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Von Habsburg.
Von Habsburg scores with a shot to the side of Tarrent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarrent tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Von Habsburg lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tarrent backwards.
Von Habsburg lands a body punch in the clinch.
Von Habsburg lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tarrent jumps guard but Von Habsburg stands there with Tarrent around his waist. Tarrent gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Von Habsburg misses with some punches.
We've been hearing reports that Tarrent has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Tarrent takes a shot to the head.
Von Habsburg avoiding damage as Tarrent throws knees to the body.
Von Habsburg throws a punch but it's blocked by Tarrent.
Von Habsburg lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tarrent backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Von Habsburg fails to land.
Von Habsburg lands with a short shot to the head.
Von Habsburg scores with a shot to the side of Tarrent's head.
Von Habsburg scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Von Habsburg has a couple of punches blocked by Tarrent.
Von Habsburg misses with a hook from the clinch.
Von Habsburg gets through Tarrent's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Von Habsburg pushes Tarrent back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tarrent takes a shot to the head.
Tarrent blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Von Habsburg scores with a shoulder strike.
Von Habsburg lands a shoulder strike.
Tarrent blocks an uppercut.
Tarrent is working for takedown but Von Habsburg is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Tarrent. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice right hand lands inside from Von Habsburg.
Tarrent's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Von Habsburg.
Von Habsburg lands a shoulder strike.
Von Habsburg scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Tarrent takes a shot to the head.
Von Habsburg lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Tarrent tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Von Habsburg smiles and moves away.
Von Habsburg slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Tarrent really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Von Habsburg has Tarrent up against the cage in a clinch.
Tarrent looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Von Habsburg digs a right hand underneath Tarrent's ribcage. Tarrent let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Tarrent is breathing heavily.
Von Habsburg lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Von Habsburg scores with a shoulder strike.
Von Habsburg lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Von Habsburg lands a left hand.
Tarrent is trying to break the clinch but Von Habsburg has him pressed against the cage.
Tarrent working aggressively here.
Von Habsburg misses with a hook from the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Von Habsburg.
Von Habsburg swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tarrent blocks an uppercut.
Von Habsburg throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tarrents head.
Von Habsburg prevents Tarrent from breaking the clinch.
Tarrent blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Von Habsburg lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Von Habsburg gets through Tarrent's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Von Habsburg working aggressively here.
Von Habsburg gets through Tarrent's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Von Habsburg lands a nice uppercut.
Von Habsburg lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Von Habsburg scores with a nice hook to the head.
Von Habsburg lands a body shot in the clinch.
Von Habsburg scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Von Habsburg lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Tarrent is trying to push Von Habsburg away but Von Habsburg has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Von Habsburg lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tarrent backwards.
Von Habsburg working some nice short punches in the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Von Habsburg throws a head punch that misses.
Von Habsburg prevents Tarrent from breaking the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Von Habsburg fails to land.
A short right from Von Habsburg on the inside.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Otto Von Habsburg dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Tarrent misses with a head kick.

Von Habsburg moves into the clinch.
Von Habsburg blocks an uppercut.
Otto Von Habsburg seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tarrent.

Tarrent drags the fight down to the ground.
Tarrent managing to control the position.
Von Habsburg wants to get up but he can't break Tarrent's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Tarrent has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Von Habsburg won't allow Tarrent to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Von Habsburg tries to stand but Tarrent is controlling from the bottom.
Tarrent lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Tarrent drops back, looking for a kneebar! Von Habsburg looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Von Habsburg looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Von Habsburg!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Von Habsburg wants to stand but Tarrent has his arm trapped.
Tarrent is trying to improve his position.
Von Habsburg wants to stand but Tarrent is controlling his arm.
Von Habsburg has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tarrent is looking to reverse the position.
Tarrent is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Von Habsburg wants to stand but Tarrent is controlling his arm.
Tarrent struggling a bit here.
Von Habsburg wants to stand but Tarrent has his arm trapped.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Von Habsburg is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Tarrent is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Von Habsburg really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Tarrent. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Von Habsburg wants to stand up but Tarrent is controlling the position.
Tarrent is looking to improve his position.

Tarrent kicks off Von Habsburg and gets to his feet.
Von Habsburg smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Von Habsburg blocks a head kick by Tarrent.
Otto Von Habsburg is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Tarrent dives in and scores a takedown into Von Habsburg's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tarrent throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Von Habsburg keeping moving, preventing Tarrent from controlling successfully.
Tarrent stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Von Habsburg swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tarrent preventing the sweep.
Tarrent with a flurry of punches that miss.
Von Habsburg keeping full guard, as Tarrent tries to pass.
Von Habsburg is trying to control the position but Tarrent postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Nice cross by Von Habsburg.
Von Habsburg misses with a hook.
Von Habsburg misses with a kick to the body.
Von Habsburg scores with a jab to the jaw.
Von Habsburg lands a nice shot that snaps Tarrent's head back.
Von Habsburg misses with a leg kick

and Tarrent counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Tarrent.
Von Habsburg lands with a short shot to the head.
Von Habsburg scores with a shot to the side of Tarrent's head.
Tarrent fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Tarrent blocks an uppercut.
Von Habsburg lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Von Habsburg lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Tarrent can't get the takedown.
Von Habsburg lands a left hand.
Von Habsburg lands a left hand.
Von Habsburg has a couple of punches blocked by Tarrent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Otto Von Habsburg showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Von Habsburg clinches with his opponent.
Von Habsburg lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Von Habsburg lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Tarrent has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Von Habsburg is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Von Habsburg lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tarrent backwards.
Tarrent swings wildly with an uppercut but Von Habsburg uses good head movement to avoid it.
A body shot lands from Von Habsburg.
Von Habsburg lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Tarrent.
Tarrent tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Von Habsburg avoids it.
Von Habsburg softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Von Habsburg misses with some punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Von Habsburg lands with a left to the head.
A short left from Von Habsburg.
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!
Von Habsburg lands with a light punch inside.
Von Habsburg lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Tarrent tries to pull guard but Von Habsburg won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Von Habsburg lands with a right to the head.
Von Habsburg lands a hook that snaps the head of Tarrent backwards.
A right hook to the body lands for Von Habsburg.
A right hand to the body from Von Habsburg.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Von Habsburg creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Von Habsburg lands an uppercut.
A short right from Von Habsburg on the inside.
Tarrent's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Von Habsburg lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tarrent backwards.

Tarrent is rocked!
Von Habsburg softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Oh Tarrent is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Von Habsburg lands an uppercut.
Von Habsburg scores with a shot to the side of Tarrent's head.
A nice left hand lands by Von Habsburg.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Von Habsburg.
Von Habsburg throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tarrents head.
A hook to the body from Von Habsburg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Von Habsburg.
Von Habsburg lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Von Habsburg lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Von Habsburg scores with a shot to the side of Tarrent's head.
Von Habsburg scores with a shoulder strike.
Von Habsburg lands a shot to the body.
Von Habsburg lands a hook that snaps the head of Tarrent backwards.
Von Habsburg makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Von Habsburg scores with a nice hook to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Von Habsburg.
A nice right hand lands inside from Von Habsburg.
Von Habsburg throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tarrents head.
Von Habsburg lands an uppercut in the clinch that drops Tarrent to his knees! Von Habsburg keeps firing more shots against his stricken opponent and the referee jumps in to save him!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Otto Von Habsburg!
Matt Tarrent spoke after the fight, saying 'My opponent was the better man tonight, respect to Him, i'm going to learn from this'.