PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Roy Tavarin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marc Wholeman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wholeman has chosen Biggest and the best - Clawfinger as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Tavarin
vs
Wholeman

170 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Roy Tavarin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Marc Wholeman!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Skip Squint and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wholeman fails to land the takedown.
Tavarin swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Tavarin gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Wholeman working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

It looks like Roy Tavarin has been cut.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Wholeman accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Wholeman lands a couple of elbows.
Tavarin is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Wholeman is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tavarin trying to control the position.

Wholeman drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Tavarin dives on top into guard.
Tavarin trying to control the position from guard on top but Wholeman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tavarin really is a fat lump.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavarin stays in close to Wholeman's body and controls the position.
Wholeman has momentary wrist control but Tavarin slips an elbow through the middle.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Wholeman looking for a sweep. Not yet Wholeman, not yet.
Tavarin trying to control but Wholeman is working from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Wholeman misses with a takedown attempt - Tavarin sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Wholeman fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tavarin avoids it really well and circles away.
Roy Tavarin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marc Wholeman.
Wholeman looks gassed!
Wholeman tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tavarin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Wholeman somewhat.

Wholeman closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavarin tries to score a body lock takedown but Wholeman shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Wholeman gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Tavarin is not content to let Wholeman control the position.

Tavarin looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Wholeman content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Wholeman is working for a submission of some sort.
Wholeman blocks the strikes from Tavarin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavarin is looking to get back to full guard here but Wholeman has managed to pass to side control instead.

Wholeman goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Tavarin is on top in guard.
Wholeman keeping moving, preventing Tavarin from controlling successfully.
Tavarin is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Tavarin trying to control the position from guard on top but Wholeman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wholeman looking for a sweep. Not yet Wholeman, not yet.

That's four 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.
Tavarin postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Wholeman trying to control the position.

Tavarin drops back looking for a leg! Wholeman is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Wholeman manages to kick Tavarin off! Tavarin jumps back into Wholeman's guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Wholeman shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Tavarin's guard.
Wholeman working some strikes from top position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Wholeman accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Wholeman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Tavarin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Tavarin controls Wholeman momentarily but Wholeman frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marc Wholeman dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Roy Tavarin's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Wholeman thows a body shot but no joy.
Tavarin slaps away a takedown attempt from Wholeman, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Tavarin has a takedown stuffed.
Tavarin tries to clinch up but Wholeman circles away and keeps his distance.
Wholeman with a lazy takedown attempt
and Tavarin counters with a body kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Tavarin fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Wholeman, pushing him back against the cage.

Tavarin has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Wholeman clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Tavarin punishes Wholeman with strikes from the back mount.
Wholeman manages to reverse the position and now he's in Tavarin's guard. Nice work there by Wholeman.
Wholeman in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Wholeman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tavarin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Wholeman passes Tavarin's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavarin gets full guard.
Wholeman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tavarin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tavarin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Wholeman trying to control but Tavarin is working from the bottom.
Tavarin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Wholeman wants to stand but Tavarin has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Wholeman is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

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.
Wholeman with a flurry of punches that miss.
Wholeman loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Tavarin bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Tavarin is looking to take a break and control but Wholeman is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Wholeman manages to work his way to half guard, despite Tavarin's best efforts.
Wholeman is looking for a sweep. Tavarin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tavarin passes to side control.
Wholeman is trying to get back to half guard.
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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavarin working away.
Tavarin wants to control for a moment but Wholeman uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.

Wholeman is working for a submission of some sort.
Tavarin gets back to full guard.
Wholeman trying to control but Tavarin is working from the bottom.

Wholeman drops back looking for a leg! Tavarin is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Tavarin manages to kick Wholeman off! Wholeman jumps back into Tavarin's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Tavarin controls Wholeman momentarily but Wholeman frees himself.
Wholeman trying to control the position from guard on top but Tavarin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tavarin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Wholeman is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Tavarin pulls Wholeman in close to prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roy Tavarin dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Roy Tavarin's cut.
That's time! Tavarin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Wholeman shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Wholeman was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Wholeman goes for an armbar but Tavarin turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Tavarin.
Tavarin looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Tavarin trying to control the position from guard on top but Wholeman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wholeman looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Wholeman keeping moving, preventing Tavarin from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wholeman working a defensive guard here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tavarin stops Wholeman from standing up.
Wholeman wants to improve his position but instead Tavarin has moved into half guard.
Wholeman is refusing to be controlled, as Tavarin sits in half guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Tavarin shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Wholeman napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Tavarin trying to control the position but Wholeman is working away.

Tavarin tries for a kimura but Wholeman is defending well.
Wholeman sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavarin seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Wholeman does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Wholeman regains full guard. Nicely done.
Wholeman keeping full guard, as Tavarin tries to pass.
Wholeman keeping moving, preventing Tavarin from controlling successfully.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavarin trying to control the position from guard on top but Wholeman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tavarin preventing the sweep.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Wholeman is on top in guard.

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

Wholeman drops back, looking for a kneebar! Tavarin looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Tavarin looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Tavarin!
Wholeman can't do much from the bottom here.

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.
Wholeman wants to get back to his feet.
Wholeman stops Tavarin from passing to mount.

Tavarin wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Wholeman, who protects the arm well.
Wholeman is trying to control Tavarin's posture but Tavarin avoids it.
Wholeman regains half guard.
Wholeman is looking for a sweep. Tavarin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Marc Wholeman.
I think Wholeman 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marc Wholeman!