PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ariobaldo Tavarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Cream (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Tavarez
vs
Cream

181 cm
19
200 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

200 cm
20
190 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ariobaldo Tavarez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mike Cream!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Emerson Jorge and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cream shoots in for a takedown but Tavarez shows good takedown defense.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Cream has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Tavarez leaning against his opponent.
Cream managing to block the knees to the body from Tavarez.

Cream pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Cream gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Cream misses with a punch to the body.
Tavarez leaning his opponent against the cage.
Tavarez with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Tavarez on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tavarez looking to throw knees to the head but Cream is blocking nicely.
Tavarez throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cream blocks it with crossed arms.
Knees in the clinch landing for Tavarez.
Tavarez managing to block the knees to the body from Cream.
Knees to the body from Tavarez.
Tavarez tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Cream works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cream looking to pass the guard.
Cream missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cream missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cream looking to sit in guard and control but Tavarez gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tavarez won't allow Cream to sweep him here.
Tavarez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cream swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tavarez is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

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.
Tavarez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Tavarez might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Tavarez stopping the sweep attempt from Cream.
Cream manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Tavarez manages to get himself to full guard.

Tavarez pushes Cream off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cream moves into the clinch.
Cream pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Tavarez tries to land knees in the clinch but Cream avoids the damage to the body.
Cream has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Tavarez is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Tavarez missing with knees to the body.
Cream is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Cream trying to land knees to the body.
Tavarez looking to throw knees to the head but Cream is blocking nicely.
Tavarez keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cream's efforts to push away.
Tavarez keeps control of Cream as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Cream tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tavarez avoids it.
Cream throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Tavarez throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cream blocks it with crossed arms.
Tavarez is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Tavarez seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Tavarez with a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Tavarez lands a good knee to the midsection. Cream won't want to take too many of those.
Tavarez keeps control of Cream as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Tavarez using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cream has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Cream fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Ariobaldo Tavarez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Cream.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Tavarez tries to land knees in the clinch but Cream avoids the damage to the body.
Tavarez unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cream lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Cream looks gassed!
Tavarez keeps control of Cream as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tavarez avoiding damage.
Cream misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tavarez.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A knee to the head by Tavarez.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cream has had enough of the clinch but Tavarez keeps him there for the moment.
Cream tries to circle away but Tavarez has him pinned against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Tavarez obliges.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ariobaldo Tavarez dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Tavarez has managed to clinch.
Tavarez utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Tavarez landing knees to the head.
Cream tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Tavarez just stands there and leans against the cage.
Tavarez is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Tavarez with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Tavarez stalling.
Cream takes a knee right on the jaw!
Tavarez using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Tavarez.
Cream has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Tavarez tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tavarez misses with a knee to the head.
Tavarez landing knees to the body.
Tavarez tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tavarez effectively controlling the action here.
Cream has had enough of the clinch but Tavarez keeps him there for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Tavarez.
Ariobaldo Tavarez has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Cream tries to break the clinch but Tavarez is controlling the position.
Tavarez tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Cream can't break the clinch.
Tavarez unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cream lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Tavarez scores a nice knee to the body.
Tavarez with an attempt at a knee that misses.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Tavarez with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Tavarez obliges.
Tavarez is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Cream tries to land knees in the clinch but Tavarez avoids the damage to the body.
Cream taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavarez misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cream.
Tavarez taking a breather.

Cream has clasped his hands together around Tavarez's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Tavarez managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Cream.
Cream working the ground and pound but Tavarez is defending the strikes.

Cream stands up.
Cream shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Tavarez holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Cream looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Tavarez landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Tavarez connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cream's face.
Tavarez stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Cream wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Tavarez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavarez throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tavarez pressing his opponent against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Cream working hard to break the clinch.
Tavarez stops a takedown attempt from Cream.
Ariobaldo Tavarez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Cream.
Tavarez misses with a knee to the head.
Cream can't break the clinch.
Tavarez lands a nice knee to the body.
Cream wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tavarez has him pressed against the cage.
Tavarez avoids the elbow strike from Cream, against the cage.
Tavarez utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Tavarez looking to throw knees to the head but Cream is blocking nicely.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Cream is trying to push Tavarez away but Tavarez has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Tavarez with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Cream is trying to force a seperation but Tavarez has the dominant position.

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.
Cream looking to throw knees to the head but Tavarez is blocking nicely.
Tavarez scores a nice knee to the body.
The referee calls for Tavarez to work.
Tavarez lands a good knee to the midsection. Cream won't want to take too many of those.
Cream working hard to break the clinch.
Tavarez keeps control of Cream as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
The referee calls for Tavarez to work.
Tavarez throws a knee to the head but misses.
Cream tries to break the clinch but Tavarez is controlling the position.
Tavarez tries to land knees in the clinch but Cream avoids the damage to the body.
Cream has had enough of the clinch but Tavarez keeps him there for the moment.
Knees in the clinch landing for Tavarez.
Cream avoiding damage as Tavarez throws knees to the body.
Tavarez lands a knee to the head.
Cream misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Tavarez.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Cream tries to score a body lock takedown but Tavarez shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ariobaldo Tavarez dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Tavarez has managed to clinch.
Knees to the body from Tavarez.
Tavarez is trying to maintain a safe position but Cream gets an underhook and turns Tavarez into the cage.
Cream is trying to force a seperation but Tavarez has the dominant position.
Cream takes a knee to the side of the body.
Tavarez lands a knee to the body.
Tavarez stalling in the clinch.
Tavarez with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Cream is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Tavarez gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cream tries to circle away but Tavarez has him pinned against the cage.
Tavarez unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Cream tries to break the clinch but Tavarez is controlling the position.
Tavarez with a knee to the head.
Cream is trying to break free.
Tavarez with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tavarez leaning his opponent against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cream drops down looking for an ankle pick but Tavarez pulls his leg out and moves away.
Tavarez slips under a jab from Cream.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tavarez gets a clinch.
Cream is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Tavarez pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ariobaldo Tavarez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Cream.
Tavarez lands a knee to the head.
Cream goes for a takedown attempt but Tavarez pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Tavarez clinches with his opponent.
Knees to the body from Tavarez.
Cream is trying to force a seperation but Tavarez has the dominant position.

Cream breaks from the clinch.

Tavarez darts in and clinches Cream up against the cage.
Tavarez throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cream blocks it with crossed arms.
Tavarez unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cream lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Tavarez putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Cream in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cream is trying to break the clinch but Tavarez is controlling him.
Knees in the clinch landing for Tavarez.
Tavarez misses with a knee strike.
Tavarez lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Cream is trying to break the clinch but Tavarez has him pressed against the cage.
Tavarez tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Cream is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Cream takes a knee right on the jaw!
Tavarez prevents Cream from breaking the clinch.

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

Tavarez has taken the fight to the clinch.
Tavarez tries to land a knee to the head but Cream blocks with his arms.

Cream turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Cream manages to end up in side control.
Cream lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Cream is trying to ground and pound but Tavarez uses the momentary lack of control by Cream to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tavarez has one foot on Cream's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Tavarez forces Cream back against the cage and clinches.
Tavarez blocks an elbow strike.
Tavarez is pressed up against the cage. Cream has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Tavarez down to the mat. Tavarez avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Tavarez moves into the clinch.
Cream is working for takedown but Tavarez is calmly controlling the position for now.
Cream takes a knee right on the jaw!
Tavarez stalls.
Cream managing to block the knees to the body from Tavarez.
Mike Cream has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavarez is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Cream drops down looking for an ankle pick but Tavarez pulls his leg out and moves away.
Ariobaldo Tavarez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Tavarez moves into the clinch.
Cream tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Tavarez just stands there and leans against the cage.
Tavarez lands a nice knee to the body.
Tavarez scores a nice knee to the body.
Tavarez prevents a takedown attempt there.
Cream throws an elbow that misses.
Tavarez landing knees to the body.
Tavarez tries a knee to the head but Cream blocks it.
Tavarez dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Ariobaldo Tavarez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cream looking to throw knees to the head but Tavarez is blocking nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ariobaldo Tavarez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tavarez, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 30:27
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:27
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ariobaldo Tavarez!