PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Archie Bush (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raj Taj (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Archie Bush has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Bush
vs
Taj

223 cm
23
140 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

170 cm
25
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Archie Bush!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Raj Taj!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Roosa Järviläinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Taj scores with a takedown into Bush's guard.
Taj trying to control but Bush is working from the bottom.
Taj trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Bush manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bush accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taj has Bush pulled in close to control his posture.
Bush throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taj has momentary wrist control but Bush slips an elbow through the middle.
Taj is looking to stand up but Bush isn't so interested in that idea.
Taj looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bush is one step ahead there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bush accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Taj avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bush missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bush really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bush postures up.
Bush is working Taj over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Bush working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Taj wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Bush is in close to Taj's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Taj working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bush.
Taj pulls Bush in close to his closed guard and prevents Bush from doing any damage or advancing position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Bush shoots in looking for a takedown but Taj manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Bush's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Bush has managed to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Taj gets control of Bush's arms and successfully pulls guard. Taj will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Bush lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Taj is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Bush loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Taj has his foot on Bush's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bush works his way back into a safe position though.
Bush will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Bush lands a couple of digs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taj is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Taj looks winded!
Bush throwing strikes but missing.
Bush makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Bush missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bush stands up over Taj, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bush landing with the ground and pound.

Taj has an active guard here but Bush has managed to pass into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Archie Bush dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bush closes the distance and pushes Taj back into the cage.
Bush throws a punch but it's blocked by Taj.
Taj gets underhooks to prevent Bush's takedown attempt.
Taj is trying to break free.
Taj being controlled against the cage.

Taj works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taj trying to control the position from guard on top but Bush is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Taj avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taj pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bush is keeping the position for now.

Bush escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Taj gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Taj wants to control from the top but Bush keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Bush has his foot on Taj's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Taj works his way back into a safe position though.
Taj sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Taj stands and throws Bush's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Bush tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Bush is letting Taj control him for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bush can't do much from the bottom here.

Taj stands up.

Taj changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Bush looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Taj is breathing heavily.
Taj trying to control the action but Bush is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Bush's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Taj is looking to take a break and control but Bush is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bush tries to improve position but can't.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Taj wants to control but Bush is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raj Taj showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Bush takes the fight into the clinch.

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

Taj drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Bush tries to strike but it doesn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bush is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Bush can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bush tries to buck Taj off but Taj is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bush struggling a bit here.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
The referee asks Taj politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Taj prefers to stall for the moment though.
Bush 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.

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.
Bush is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Taj shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Bush is rocked!

Taj decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Oh Bush is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Taj avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Taj wants to counter the offense by Bush and move into the clinch position.

Bush shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Taj is trying to defend but Bush finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Taj has one foot on Bush's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Bush gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Taj has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bush is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Bush can't keep his opponent in guard - Taj advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Taj frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Taj wants to control the pace but Bush is squirming around nicely.
Bush can't escape the position.
Bush is working hard here to advance position.

Taj wants to finish this one by submission but Bush is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Taj.
Bush is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taj works his way to his opponent's back.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

Bush is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Taj really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Bush.

Taj has both hooks in and is working for a choke. Bush is in real trouble here. Taj gets an arm under the chin and tightens the submission attempt... is this the end? Yes, Bush is tapping out! Taj wins by rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:40 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Raj Taj!