PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Azor Ahai (ranked 395 p4p, 1275 weight class) and Saúl Tacoronte (ranked 60 p4p, 196 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Ahai
vs
Tacoronte

188 cm
37
210
26 - 16 - 2

190 cm
43
208
28 - 19 - 3

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 16 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Azor Ahai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 19 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Saúl Tacoronte!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Paul Tew and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tacoronte listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ahai throws a hook to the side of Tacoronte's head but Tacoronte sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
It seemed like Tacoronte was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Ahai throws a body shot but no joy.
Ahai looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ahai misses with an uppercut
and Tacoronte connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A leg kick checked by Tacoronte.
Ahai uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tacoronte.
Ahai has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Tacoronte.
Tacoronte throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ahai counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Tacoronte fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ahai manages to avoid it.
Ahai throws a leg kick but Tacoronte sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Tacoronte throws the left hand but Ahai avoids the punch easily.
A little feinted left hand from Ahai on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ahai throws a nice inside leg kick.
Tacoronte rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Ahai counter with a right hand.
Ahai throws a body shot but no joy.
Ahai ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tacoronte swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Ahai.
We've been informed that Tacoronte has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ahai gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Tacoronte walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ahai checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahai moves out of range of the body kick from Tacoronte.
Tacoronte tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ahai was well out of range. Poor timing from Tacoronte.
A big right from Tacoronte misses.

Ahai forces Tacoronte back against the cage and clinches.
Ahai lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Tacoronte or not.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tacoronte.
Tacoronte fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tacoronte fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ahai stalling the fight.
Still in the clinch, Ahai scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ahai tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tacoronte pushes Ahai back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Tacoronte lands a shoulder strike.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ahai.
Tacoronte fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tacoronte lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ahai backwards.
Tacoronte throws a head punch that misses.
Tacoronte tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch on the inside from Tacoronte fails to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Tacoronte content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Ahai lands with a right to the head.
Ahai has Tacoronte pressed against the cage.
Tacoronte swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A nice left hand lands by Ahai.
Stalling in the clinch from Ahai.

Tacoronte manages to break the clinch.
Tacoronte with a nice cross.
Ahai throws a leg kick that misses.
Ahai misses with a shot to the body
and Tacoronte counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tacoronte throws a quick inside leg kick.
Tacoronte on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Tacoronte throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ahai counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A nice leg kick from Ahai, right into the meat of the thigh.
Tacoronte checks a leg kick nicely.
Tacoronte throws a body punch but Ahai moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahai looks to score with a jab to the body but Tacoronte is just out of range.
Ahai displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tacoronte throws out the jab.
Tacoronte punishes Ahai's body with a nice straight punch.
Ahai throws a leg kick but Tacoronte checks it.
A punch lands to the side of Ahai 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Tacoronte sizes up Ahai with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Tacoronte throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ahai throwing a counter right hand but Tacoronte manages to avoid it.
Ahai scores with a jab to the jaw.
Tacoronte throws an off balance right hand
and Ahai makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Tacoronte lands with a hook. Ahai tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Tacoronte takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Ahai doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tacoronte fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ahai tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ahai looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tacoronte looks to score with a jab to the body but Ahai is just out of range.
A thudding body kick lands there by Tacoronte!
Ahai throws a jab when Tacoronte was well out of range.
Ahai throws a half hearted mid kick.
Tacoronte throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ahai stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A lazy body kick from Ahai
enabling Tacoronte to counter with a crisp jab.
Ahai staying out of range there.
Tacoronte throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ahai misses the jab.
Tacoronte dips to his left and cracks Ahai with an uppercut!
Tacoronte throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
An attempted straight right counter from Ahai misses the target.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ahai pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tacoronte lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Tacoronte bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Saúl Tacoronte dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Tacoronte misses with a body shot.
Ahai lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ahai throws a leg kick
and Tacoronte connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tacoronte throws a sloppy head kick and Ahai moves out of range easily.
Ahai feinted there with a counter leg kick.
A low kick lands for Ahai.
Tacoronte avoids the body shot from Ahai.
Ahai on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Ahai doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Ahai scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Tacoronte misses with a wild body shot.
Ahai throws a low kick but Tacoronte avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tacoronte looks to throw the jab but Ahai is out of range.
Tacoronte moves into range and connects with a jab.
Tacoronte slips a jab from Ahai.
Tacoronte connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
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!
Ahai is looking to score with low kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A cross from Tacoronte lands.
A jab from Ahai misses.
Tacoronte looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Tacoronte misses with a left hand
enabling Ahai to counter with a crisp jab.
Tacoronte takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Tacoronte avoids the body shot from Ahai.
Tacoronte throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ahai swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Tacoronte takes one on the button.
Ahai loads up on a big right hand but Tacoronte slips the punch.
Tacoronte cracks Ahai with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Ahai throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Tacoronte counters with a left to the body.
Tacoronte misses with a hook
and Ahai counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Some wild striking there from Tacoronte.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ahai fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Tacoronte has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ahai walks forward, straight into a front kick from Tacoronte.
Tacoronte swings for the body but Ahai moves out of range.
Tacoronte throws a body punch but Ahai moves out of range.
Tacoronte connects with a good right hand that stumbles Ahai. Ahai circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Ahai swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Ahai closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Saúl Tacoronte seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice shot by Tacoronte.
Tacoronte fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Tacoronte moves out of range as Ahai strikes.
Tacoronte moves out of range as Ahai throws a body kick.
Ahai wants to clinch up but Tacoronte keeps it at a distance.
Tacoronte stuns Ahai with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Ahai looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Tacoronte misses with an uppercut
and Ahai counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Tacoronte thinking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tacoronte slips a straight right by Ahai.
Tacoronte swings away with a body shot that misses
and Ahai counters with a nice uppercut.
Tacoronte looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Tacoronte misses with a low kick.
Ahai half committed to a counter leg kick.
Tacoronte stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Tacoronte throws a leg kick but Ahai checks it.
Ahai throws a leg kick but Tacoronte checks it.
Ahai is looking to clinch.
Tacoronte throws out a loose jab but Ahai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tacoronte throws out a leg kick but Ahai moves out of range and Tacoronte only half commits.
Tacoronte walks into a stiff left hand from Ahai.
Tacoronte misses with a hook.
Ahai walks into a stiff left hand from Tacoronte.
Tacoronte throws a leg kick which misses Ahai's front leg but catches the back leg as Ahai tries to avoid it.
Ahai blocks a low kick nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tacoronte throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Tacoronte takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ahai connects with a leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tacoronte dips to his left and cracks Ahai with an uppercut!
Ahai misses with a wild body shot.
Tacoronte jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Tacoronte needs to keep his hands up - Ahai had a free shot at his head there.
Tacoronte loads up on a big right hand but Ahai slips the punch.
Ahai throws a leg kick but Tacoronte sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ahai's jab looks to have found its range, popping Tacoronte under the eye.
Ahai connects with a solid leg kick.
Tacoronte connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Ahai momentarily.
Ahai throws a body punch but Tacoronte moves out of range.
Tacoronte misses with a body shot
and Ahai counters with a nice body kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ahai lands a nice shot to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Saúl Tacoronte will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Ahai is looking to clinch.
The fighters circling - Ahai throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ahai paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Saúl Tacoronte seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ahai looks to throw the jab but Tacoronte is out of range.
Tacoronte misses with a hook. Ahai ducked under it nicely.
Tacoronte takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Ahai jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ahai throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tacoronte.
Ahai lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

Ahai clinches up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tacoronte gets through Ahai's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Tacoronte has a couple of punches blocked by Ahai.
Tacoronte lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Ahai blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ahai.
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!
Tacoronte lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ahai backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tacoronte throws a head punch that misses.
Tacoronte has a couple of punches blocked by Ahai.
Ahai lands a hook that snaps the head of Tacoronte backwards.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Tacoronte tries a body shot but Ahai blocks it.
Ahai dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Ahai takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ahai.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ahai.
Saúl Tacoronte seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Tacoronte swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ahai misses with the head strike.
Ahai has a couple of punches blocked by Tacoronte.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tacoronte.
A head punch on the inside from Ahai fails to land.
Tacoronte misses with the head strike.
Ahai is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Azor Ahai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahai taking a breather.
Tacoronte lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ahai is working Tacoronte over against the cage.
Tacoronte throws a punch but it's blocked by Ahai.
Ahai swings wildly with an uppercut but Tacoronte uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tacoronte.
Tacoronte blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right from Ahai on the inside.
Ahai struggles to land a body shot inside as Tacoronte controls his hands.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head punch on the inside from Ahai fails to land.
Tacoronte prevents a body shot from Ahai.
Tacoronte scores with a shoulder strike.
Ahai can't find room to land a body shot as Tacoronte controls the action.
Ahai is trying to stall.
Ahai lands with a light punch inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ahai blocks a body shot from Tacoronte.
Tacoronte lands with a light punch inside.
Tacoronte swings wildly with an uppercut but Ahai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tacoronte misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ahai.
Ahai lands with a right to the head.
Ahai working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tacoronte tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ahai manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Tacoronte misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ahai slows down the pace here.
Tacoronte is trying to force a seperation but Ahai has the dominant position.
Ahai lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ahai tries to throw a body punch but Tacoronte avoids it by throwing Ahai back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tacoronte tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tacoronte is leaning against Ahai and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Ahai misses with a punch on the inside.
Tacoronte takes a shot to the head.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Tacoronte doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Tacoronte breaks from the clinch.
Tacoronte throws a jab when Ahai was well out of range.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Tacoronte, as that shot connected.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ahai misses the jab.
Tacoronte lands with a hook. Ahai tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Donk. Tacoronte catches Ahai right on the button with a cross.
Ahai lands a lovely overhand right.
Tacoronte fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Tacoronte looks to score with a jab to the body but Ahai is just out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Azor Ahai.
I think Tacoronte has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Saúl Tacoronte!
An out of breath Saúl Tacoronte thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.