PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between King Tauruzkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Javier Salado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Tauruzkov might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Can't Be Touch - Roy Jones. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Tauruzkov
vs
Salado

220 cm
21
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
19
176 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, King Tauruzkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Javier Salado!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Roosa Järviläinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tauruzkov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Salado.
Salado shoots in but no luck this time.

Tauruzkov clinches up against the cage.
Salado has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Tauruzkov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
King Tauruzkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Javier Salado.
Salado tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Tauruzkov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Salado is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Salado tries to throw a body punch but Tauruzkov avoids it by throwing Salado back against the cage.
A short left from Tauruzkov.
Tauruzkov with a knee to the head.
Salado takes a knee right on the jaw!
Tauruzkov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Salado goes for a takedown attempt but Tauruzkov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Salado shoots in looking for a takedown but Tauruzkov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Salado's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Salado gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Tauruzkov counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tauruzkov throws a right hand that Salado ducks under and follows up with a left that Salado also avoids with ease.
Salado shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tauruzkov defends it nicely.

Tauruzkov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Salado tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Tauruzkov is in Salado's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Salado can do anything to dispel that myth.
Salado looks gassed!

Tauruzkov stands up from Salado's guard - Tauruzkov perhaps looking for a knockout.
Tauruzkov really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Salado tries for a takedown but Tauruzkov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Tauruzkov throws a series of strikes that have Salado backpedaling.
Salado throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tauruzkov's waist but Tauruzkov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Salado off to one side.
Salado misses with a takedown attempt

and Tauruzkov counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Tauruzkov escapes and gets back to his feet.

Tauruzkov clinches up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Tauruzkov clinches up against the cage.
Tauruzkov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Salado after a bit of a struggle.

Tauruzkov has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Salado uses from the top position.

Tauruzkov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Tauruzkov trying to strike off his back.
Tauruzkov keeping moving, preventing Salado from controlling successfully.
Salado prevents Tauruzkov from getting back to his feet.
Salado won't allow Tauruzkov to sweep him here.
Salado really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Tauruzkov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tauruzkov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Salado.
Salado pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tauruzkov is keeping the position for now.

Tauruzkov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Tauruzkov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Salado defends it easily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Tauruzkov keeping full guard, as Salado tries to pass.
Salado makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Salado must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salado pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tauruzkov is keeping the position for now.
Salado slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Tauruzkov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Salado.
Salado wants to pass the guard but Tauruzkov is keeping the position.
Salado postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Salado's corner is telling him to maintain position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

King Tauruzkov dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Tauruzkov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tauruzkov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Salado.
Salado lands a nice looking body shot.
Tauruzkov shoots in for a double leg but Salado sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Salado shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tauruzkov but Tauruzkov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Tauruzkov wants to clinch up but Salado keeps it at a distance.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Tauruzkov.
Salado is looking to regain half guard here but Tauruzkov keeps moving and retains side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Salado defending against the ground and pound.
You can see the frustration on Salado's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salado is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Tauruzkov's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
King Tauruzkov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tauruzkov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Salado is trying is best to control the position here.
Salado trying to get back to full guard but Tauruzkov takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Tauruzkov landing strikes from the mount.
Tauruzkov landing shots from mount.
Salado is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Salado tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salado sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Tauruzkov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Salado controlling the position for now.
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!
Tauruzkov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Tauruzkov prevents Salado from improving his position.
Salado is controlling Tauruzkov's trapped leg to prevent Tauruzkov from advancing to side control.
Tauruzkov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Salado wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salado wants to control but Tauruzkov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Tauruzkov 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.
Salado trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Salado wants to hold on but Tauruzkov pushes him away.
Tauruzkov is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Salado tries to hold on but Tauruzkov postures up.
Tauruzkov scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Tauruzkov scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Salado?
Salado wants to hold on but Tauruzkov pushes him away.
Tauruzkov raining down shots from the mount!
Tauruzkov scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Salado?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tauruzkov misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Tauruzkov throwing strikes here but Salado is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Salado manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tauruzkov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Salado defending well though.
Salado keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tauruzkov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Salado is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Salado blocking the ground and pound attempt from Tauruzkov.
Tauruzkov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Salado slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
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 King Tauruzkov will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Salado shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tauruzkov as he avoids it easily.
No luck for Tauruzkov with that takedown attempt.
Tauruzkov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Salado's waist but Salado gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tauruzkov off to one side.

Salado shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Tauruzkov is trying to keep Salado in close.
Salado content to stall in guard here.
Salado trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tauruzkov manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Tauruzkov misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Salado is desperately trying to improve his position but Tauruzkov has a good base and remains in mount.
Tauruzkov sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Salado tries to lock up and control but Tauruzkov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Salado working to try and regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tauruzkov avoids the attempt from Salado to control.
Tauruzkov sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Tauruzkov thowing shots but they're missing.
Tauruzkov misses with a head shot.
Salado tries to lock up and control but Tauruzkov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Tauruzkov looking to ground and pound but Salado is blocking nicely.
Salado is trying desperately to improve position.
Salado blocking the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salado is trying to escape the mount.
Tauruzkov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Tauruzkov lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Salado is trying to escape the mount.
Tauruzkov with shots to the head and body - Salado looks very uncomfortable down there.
Tauruzkov cracks Salado with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Tauruzkov avoids the attempt from Salado to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salado wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Tauruzkov.
Tauruzkov misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Salado is trying to escape the mount.
Tauruzkov looking to ground and pound but Salado is blocking nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tauruzkov throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Salado because Tauruzkov loaded up on that one.
Salado doing his best to control the position. Can he escape?
Javier Salado has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
King Tauruzkov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Salado is wriggling around trying to escape.

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 King Tauruzkov.
Well Tauruzkov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... King Tauruzkov!
Post fight, an emotional King Tauruzkov said 'Salamat po sa mga sumusuporta sakin sa Pilipinas! Maraming salamat po, hindi ko po kayo bibiguin.'.