PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Boby Marreta (ranked 5094 p4p, 5139 weight class) and Iosef Tarasov (ranked 575 p4p, 576 weight class). Iosef Tarasov is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Marreta
vs
Tarasov

200 cm
20
220
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
20
215
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Great low kicks
KO power

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Boby Marreta!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Iosef Tarasov!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Roosa Järviläinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marreta tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tarasov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Marreta somewhat.
Tarasov feints the counter takedown.
Tarasov keeps the fight on the outside.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Marreta.
Tarasov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Marreta shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Boby Marreta. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marreta shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A cross from Marreta lands.
Marreta is looking to clinch.
Tarasov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarasov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Marreta.
Tarasov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Marreta closes the distance and clinches up with Tarasov, looking for a takedown. Marreta pushes Tarasov against the cage but Tarasov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Tarasov with the counter takedown but Marreta avoids it easily.
Marreta is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tarasov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Marreta shoots in but no luck this time.
Tarasov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Marreta tries to clinch up but Tarasov circles away and keeps his distance.
Tarasov with the counter takedown but Marreta avoids it easily.
Marreta throws a lazy body kick

and Tarasov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Tarasov is taking a breather. Marreta says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tarasov stops Marreta from getting back to his feet.
Tarasov stalling.
It looks like Tarasov might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Marreta has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Tarasov is working away from the top position though.
Tarasov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Tarasov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marreta missing with punches from the bottom.
Tarasov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Tarasov is continuing to stall.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Marreta misses with a takedown attempt

and Tarasov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Tarasov looking to pass the guard.
Tarasov sitting in guard here, content to control.
Marreta will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Let's hope that Tarasov has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marreta controlling Tarasov's posture.
Tarasov controls from within his opponent's guard.
Tarasov pushing down on Marreta's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Tarasov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Tarasov's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Marreta trying to hold on to Tarasov's head to control him but Tarasov postures up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Iosef Tarasov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Marreta goes for a double leg but Tarasov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Tarasov continues to drive forward.
Tarasov feints the counter takedown.
Marreta wants to stall.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Marreta breaks from the clinch.
Marreta shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tarasov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Tarasov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Tarasov wants it to stay on the feet.
Tarasov feints the counter takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Boby Marreta. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Marreta tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Tarasov counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Marreta!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Tarasov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tarasov working away.
Tarasov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Marreta is letting Tarasov control him for a moment.
Marreta is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Tarasov off and has taken his back!

Marreta is looking for the choke from the back position but Tarasov is controlling his hands well.

Marreta looking to break Tarasov's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Tarasov remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Marreta will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Marreta controlling well, preventing Tarasov from escaping the position.
Marreta misses with an elbow to the head.
Tarasov trying to control the action but Marreta just sinks the hooks in.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tarasov can't escape the position.
Marreta doesn't have the hooks in and Tarasov manages to turn into his guard.
Marreta will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marreta being controlled here, momentarily.
Marreta wants to sweep here but Tarasov controlling him for the moment.
Tarasov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Tarasov pushing down on Marreta's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The adventures of Tarasov the control monster continue. Boring.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marreta has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Tarasov is working away from the top position though.
Marreta is looking for a sweep. Tarasov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tarasov passes to full mount!
Tarasov content just to control the position here.
More stalling from Tarasov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yet more stalling tactics from Tarasov.
Marreta stops Tarasov from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Tarasov content just to control the position here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Iosef Tarasov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Marreta's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Marreta shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Tarasov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Marreta trying to control but Tarasov is working from the bottom.
Tarasov has control of Marreta's left arm, preventing Marreta from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tarasov with more of the same as he continues to hold on.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Marreta is looking to clinch.
Marreta looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
And Tarasov tries to counter it with a takedown but Marreta pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Tarasov stuffs the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Marreta throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Tarasov's head.
Marreta shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tarasov sprawls well. Tarasov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Marreta gets slowly back to his feet.
Tarasov feints the counter takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Boby Marreta. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tarasov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nice sprawl there from Tarasov as Marreta shoots in.
Tarasov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marreta throws a lazy head kick

and Tarasov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Marreta's guard.
Tarasov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Marreta on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Marreta tries to get out of the position.
Tarasov tries to free his leg and advance position but Marreta is retaining full guard.
Marreta being controlled here, momentarily.

Marreta escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tarasov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tarasov forces his way into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tarasov content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Tarasov moves nicely into side control.
Marreta is looking for a sweep.
Marreta seems a little lost for a moment, as Tarasov dominates the positioning.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Iosef Tarasov just about did enough to take it.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Marreta changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tarasov tries to avoid it but Marreta manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tarasov to the ground. Tarasov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Iosef Tarasov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Marreta has a takedown stuffed.
Tarasov with the counter takedown but Marreta avoids it easily.
Marreta wants to clinch.
Tarasov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marreta tries for a takedown but Tarasov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Tarasov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Marreta defends it well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Boby Marreta. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Marreta throws a sloppy head kick and Tarasov moves out of range easily.
Tarasov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marreta thows a leg kick but Tarasov checks it

and Tarasov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Tarasov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Marreta won't allow Tarasov to pass to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marreta slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Tarasov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Tarasov slips nicely into half guard.
Tarasov is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarasov wants to pass to mount but Marreta is defending the position.
Tarasov slows the pace down in half guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Tarasov stuffs the takedown.
Marreta fails with the takedown

and Tarasov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Marreta's guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tarasov controls from within his opponent's guard.
Tarasov postures up.
Tarasov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tarasov prevents Marreta from getting back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Iosef Tarasov dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Marreta throws the kick towards the body but Tarasov avoids it.
Tarasov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Marreta is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tarasov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Marreta shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tarasov but Tarasov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Tarasov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Marreta defends it well.
Marreta jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Marreta misses with a two punch combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marreta throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Tarasov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Marreta can't keep his opponent in guard - Tarasov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Tarasov is taking a breather. Marreta says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marreta tries to kick Tarasov off but Tarasov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Tarasov controlling the action here.
Tarasov wants to free his trapped foot but Marreta is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Iosef Tarasov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Marreta trying to hold on to Tarasov's head to control him but Tarasov postures up.
Tarasov content to control rather than advance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Boby Marreta is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Marreta fails in his attempt to clinch.
Marreta tries to clinch there but Tarasov circles away.
Marreta fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarasov slaps away a takedown attempt from Marreta, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Tarasov feints the counter takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Boby Marreta. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Marreta is looking to clinch.
Marreta moves in looking to clinch but Tarasov pushes him off.
Tarasov with the counter takedown but Marreta avoids it easily.
Marreta fails with a takedown attempt.
Tarasov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Marreta wants to clinch up but Tarasov keeps it at a distance.
Marreta tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tarasov feints the counter takedown.

That's four 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.
Marreta fails with a takedown attempt.
Tarasov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Marreta throws a body kick that misses

and Tarasov counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Tarasov slows the pace down in half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Marreta has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Tarasov is working away from the top position though.
Tarasov is figuring out what he wants to do next.

And that's the end of the fight!
Iosef Tarasov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tarasov 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 45:50
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 46:49
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Iosef Tarasov!
Iosef Tarasov is the new light heavyweight champion!