PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Luke Tankard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paulo Koshcheck (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Koshcheck has chosen To Be Loved-Papa Roach as his entrance music. Paulo Koshcheck will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Tankard
vs
Koshcheck

177 cm
25
180 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

200 cm
21
177 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Firebird Designs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Luke Tankard!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Paulo Koshcheck!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tankard scores with a crisp jab that stopped Koshcheck in his tracks.

It looks like Paulo Koshcheck has been cut.
Koshcheck avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Koshcheck moves out of range as Tankard strikes.
Tankard shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Koshcheck as he avoids it easily.
Tankard tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tankard swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tankard changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Koshcheck tries to avoid it but Tankard manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Koshcheck to the ground. Koshcheck escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Koshcheck moves away from the strike by Tankard.
Tankard looks to land a left hand but Koshcheck moved out of range nicely.
Tankard connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Koshcheck shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tankard but Tankard pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Koshcheck blocks a leg kick.
Tankard shoots in looking for a takedown. Koshcheck tries to sprawl out of it but Tankard keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Koshcheck manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luke Tankard. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tankard misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tankard throws a hook to the side of Koshcheck's head but Koshcheck sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A telegraphed right hand from Tankard misses the target.
A telegraphed right hand from Tankard misses the target.
A head kick misses from Tankard.
Koshcheck is looking to clinch but Tankard is avoiding it.
Tankard will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tankard buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Tankard throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two 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.
Tankard looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Koshcheck shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Tankard napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tankard wants to control but Koshcheck postures up.

Koshcheck decides to stand up, so the ref orders Tankard to his feet.
Koshcheck ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Tankard misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tankard looks to throw the jab but Koshcheck is out of range.
Tankard looks to land a combination but Koshcheck avoids it well.
Tankard throws a body punch but Koshcheck moves out of range.
Tankard loads up on a big right hand but Koshcheck slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koshcheck attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Tankard thows a leg kick but Koshcheck checks it

and Koshcheck counters by moving into the clinch.
Koshcheck is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Tankard gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Koshcheck has Tankard pressed against the cage.
Tankard tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tankard misses with a punch on the inside.
Tankard tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Koshcheck's elbow.
Tankard working hard to break the clinch.
Koshcheck is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Tankard goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tankard stops a takedown attempt from Koshcheck.
Tankard is trying to force a seperation but Koshcheck has the dominant position.
Good body shot from Tankard.

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.
Tankard misses with a hook to the ribs.
Koshcheck prevents a body shot from Tankard.
Tankard lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Koshcheck misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tankard.
Tankard tries to break the clinch but Koshcheck is controlling the position.
Koshcheck is trying to drag Tankard to the mat but Tankard just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Tankard lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Koshcheck or not.
Tankard struggles to land a body shot inside as Koshcheck controls his hands.
Koshcheck is looking to control Tankard's arms but Tankard gets an underhook and turns him. Now Koshcheck has his back to the cage.
Good body shot from Tankard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Tankard dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Paulo Koshcheck's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Koshcheck slips a straight right by Tankard.
Tankard shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Koshcheck defends it nicely.
Tankard misses with a hook. Koshcheck ducked under it nicely.
Tankard uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Tankard connects with a right hand. Koshcheck shakes it off.
Tankard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Koshcheck slips under a jab from Tankard.
Koshcheck tries to close the distance and clinch but Tankard swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Koshcheck misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tankard attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tankard throws the left hand but Koshcheck avoids the punch easily.
Koshcheck keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tankard.
Tankard looks to score with a jab to the body but Koshcheck is just out of range.
Tankard thows a leg kick but Koshcheck checks it

and Koshcheck counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Koshcheck.
Tankard tries a body shot but Koshcheck blocks it.
Tankard has a couple of punches blocked by Koshcheck.
Tankard works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Tankard misses with the head strike.
Tankard doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Koshcheck will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Tankard up against the cage.
Koshcheck taking a breather.

That's two 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.
Tankard letting Koshcheck take a breather here.
Koshcheck looking to slow down the pace here.
Tankard wants to get back to striking at distance but Koshcheck won't allow it.
Tankard misses with a short punch on the inside.
Tankard swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tankard tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tankard throws a punch but it's blocked by Koshcheck.

Tankard breaks the clinch.
Tankard misses with a straight right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tankard has his takedown stuffed
and Koshcheck counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Tankard looks to throw a body kick
and Koshcheck counters with a leg kick.
A head kick misses from Koshcheck.
Tankard throws a leg kick
and Koshcheck makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Tankard works over Koshcheck's head and body with a nice combination.
Tankard has his takedown stuffed
and Koshcheck counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Tankard is lucky that one didn't land flush.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luke Tankard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tankard misses with a leg kick

and Koshcheck counters with a nice double leg into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tankard is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Koshcheck wants to get up but he can't break Tankard's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koshcheck postures up.
Koshcheck wants to get up but he can't break Tankard's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Koshcheck stopping the sweep attempt from Tankard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Luke Tankard will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Paulo Koshcheck's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A nice inside leg kick there by Tankard. That's going to slow Koshcheck down.
Tankard lands with an uppercut that bounces Koshcheck off the cage and back into rage.
Tankard throws a looping overhand right but Koshcheck ducks down to avoid it.
Tankard misses with a kick to the body
and Koshcheck counters with a nice leg kick.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Tankard.

Tankard wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Koshcheck, who protects the arm well.
Tankard creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tankard with the ground and pound but Koshcheck regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Tankard thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Koshcheck's head.
Koshcheck blocking the ground and pound attempt from Tankard.
Tankard with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Koshcheck is not content to let Tankard control the position.
Tankard throwing shots but Koshcheck is blocking nicely.

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.
Tankard trying to control the pace.
Tankard passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Koshcheck!
Tankard throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Tankard thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Koshcheck is working to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koshcheck blocking the ground and pound.
Tankard fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Koshcheck sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Tankard not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Tankard controlling the action here.
Tankard throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tankard wants to control but Koshcheck is keeping him busy.
Koshcheck is trying to stand up here but Tankard is controlling him well.
Tankard content to control rather than advance.
Tankard thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Koshcheck wants to improve his position but Tankard is controlling well.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Koshcheck steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tankard.
Tankard feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Koshcheck's calf.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Tankard clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Paulo Koshcheck's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tankard tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tankard throws a hook but Koshcheck blocks it.
Koshcheck uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tankard.
Tankard throws a leg kick

and Koshcheck counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Koshcheck has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Tankard is proving hard to escape from.
Tankard is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Tankard has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Tankard is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Koshcheck is aware though and is defending well.
Tankard might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tankard looking for a sweep. Not yet Tankard, not yet.
Tankard looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Koshcheck puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Tankard trying to control but Koshcheck postures up.
Tankard manages to get to full guard.
Koshcheck is looking to stand up but Tankard won't let him.

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.
Tankard looking for a sweep. Not yet Tankard, not yet.
Tankard is trying to hold Koshcheck in close to prevent damage but Koshcheck has managed to pass into half guard.
Tankard is looking to improve his position.

Koshcheck postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Tankard to stand up.
Tankard misses with a combination

and Koshcheck counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tankard tries to get to full guard but Koshcheck has control of the leg.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Tankard is pressing down on Koshcheck's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Tankard trying to control the position.
Koshcheck wants to stand but Tankard has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Koshcheck stands up and waves to Tankard to follow him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Koshcheck pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tankard throws a body punch but Koshcheck moves out of range.

Koshcheck scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Tankard manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Paulo Koshcheck has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tankard tries to kick Koshcheck off but Koshcheck keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Tankard wants to get back to full guard.
Koshcheck is thwarting Tankard's attempts to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paulo Koshcheck dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Paulo Koshcheck's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Koshcheck slips a straight right by Tankard.
Koshcheck throws a head kick but Tankard moves out of range.
Tankard thows a body shot but no joy.
Koshcheck leaves Tankard with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Tankard misses with a hook to the body

and Koshcheck holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Tankard is pressed up against the cage. Koshcheck has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Tankard down to the mat. Tankard avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koshcheck has his takedown stuffed
and Tankard counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Tankard shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Koshcheck as he jumps to the side.
Tankard avoids the head kick by Koshcheck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tankard misses with a leg kick
and Koshcheck counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Koshcheck slips under a jab from Tankard.
Tankard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Koshcheck manages to avoid it.
A clash of legs there as Koshcheck blocks the low kick.
Tankard feints and then cracks Koshcheck's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Koshcheck down.
Koshcheck uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tankard.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Koshcheck.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tankard. That's going to slow Koshcheck down.
Koshcheck checks the leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Tankard misses.
Tankard looks to score with a jab to the body but Koshcheck is just out of range.
Tankard misses with a low kick as Koshcheck jumps back.
Tankard throws a sloppy body shot

and Koshcheck counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Koshcheck.
Koshcheck wants to stand but Tankard has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Tankard wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Koshcheck tries to stand but Tankard is controlling from the bottom.

Koshcheck decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Tankard misses
and Koshcheck counters with a head kick. That will keep Tankard thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Koshcheck throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tankard's waist but Tankard gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Koshcheck off to one side.
Luke Tankard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paulo Koshcheck.
Koshcheck misses with a leg kick
and Tankard counters with a nice leg kick.
Paulo Koshcheck has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Koshcheck is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Tankard misses with an uppercut. Koshcheck saw that one coming.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Tankard lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Koshcheck has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Koshcheck and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Tankard shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Koshcheck counters with a nice double leg into side control. Tankard won't be happy with that.
Tankard is looking to reverse the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koshcheck wants to stand but Tankard has his arm trapped.
Tankard is trying to improve his position.
Luke Tankard is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Koshcheck wants to stand but Tankard is controlling his arm.
Tankard is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Koshcheck is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Tankard tries to reverse the position but Koshcheck maintains control.
Tankard tries to lock up and control but Koshcheck gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Tankard is trying to escape the mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paulo Koshcheck comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tankard 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 48:47
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 48:47
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luke Tankard!
Luke Tankard retains his welterweight title!