PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Manny Puno (ranked 1542 p4p, 188 weight class) and Dyllz Tahere (ranked 1837 p4p, 219 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Puno
vs
Tahere

180 cm
32
158 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

174 cm
35
160 lbs
19 - 10 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Groove Gear
Sin City Allstars

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Manny Puno!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Tokyo, Dyllz Tahere!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Puno on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Tahere stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Tahere cracks Puno with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Tahere lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Tahere lands with a thumping leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Tahere.
Puno swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Puno on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Dyllz Tahere seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tahere moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Puno gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Tahere ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Puno moves away.
It looked like Puno wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Tahere tries a low kick but Puno avoids it.
Tahere tries to move into range but Puno moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
We've been hearing reports that Puno has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tahere throws a right and a left that Puno avoids nicely.
A lazy left from Tahere finds it's target.
Puno slips a jab from Tahere.
Tahere jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tahere throws a hook but Puno avoids it easily.
Dyllz Tahere is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tahere slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A big right from Puno misses.
Tahere fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Tahere throws a lazy right hand but Puno sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice uppercut lands for Tahere. That snapped Puno's head back.
Puno moves out of range of the strikes.
Tahere misses with an uppercut
and Puno counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tahere misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Puno.
Tahere is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Puno.
Tahere missing with a left hand there. Puno was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tahere throws a low kick but it's checked well by Puno.
Tahere throws a leg kick but Puno sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Tahere tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Puno is able to avoid easily.
It looked like Puno wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Puno throws a hook but Tahere blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tahere misses with a low kick as Puno jumps back.
Tahere throws a shot from downtown. Puno moves away and avoids it.
Puno half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Tahere catches Puno with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tahere throws a leg kick
and Puno counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Tahere throws a jab when Puno was well out of range.
Tahere is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Puno had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Puno walks into a straight right hand from Tahere.
Tahere smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Tahere cracks Puno with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Tahere fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Puno has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Puno tries to move into range but Tahere moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Tahere misses with a right hand

and Puno counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Tahere working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Puno.
Tahere avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Puno loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tahere is looking to stand up but Puno isn't so interested in that idea.
Puno passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Tahere is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Puno misses with the ground and pound.
The strikes coming from Puno are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
An elbow from Puno crashes against the mat.
Tahere is working to avoid the ground and pound but Puno connects with a decent elbow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Puno tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Puno working the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Puno wants to control but Tahere is keeping him busy.
The strikes coming from Puno are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Puno content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Puno grinds an elbow into Tahere's temple.
Puno landing a few strikes.
Puno wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tahere keeps working.
Puno throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Puno trying to control the action but Tahere is working from the bottom.
Tahere felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Tahere is trying to escape the position but Puno is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dyllz Tahere dominated that round.
That's time! Puno's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A telegraphed right hand from Tahere misses the target.
Puno tries to counter with a takedown but Tahere is quick to defend against it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tahere. Puno does a little dance to reset his feet.
Puno ducks under a wild hook from Tahere.
Puno takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Dyllz Tahere seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Puno steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tahere.
Puno appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Tahere cracks Puno with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A slow jab from Tahere misses its intended target.
Tahere looks to score with a jab to the body but Puno is just out of range.
Puno throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice uppercut lands for Puno. That snapped Tahere's head back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A swing and a miss from Tahere.
Puno tries to counter with a takedown but Tahere is quick to defend against it.
The fighters circling - Tahere throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tahere throws a right hand that Puno ducks under and follows up with a left that Puno also avoids with ease.
Tahere lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Tahere lands a nice leg kick that just misses Puno's sensitive parts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tahere misses with a hook. Puno ducked under it nicely.
Puno moves forwards but Tahere connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Tahere connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A big left from Tahere misses.
Tahere scores with a jab to the head.
Tahere throws a solid leg kick but Puno takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Tahere.
Tahere jabs Puno right on the nose. Puno blinks but takes it well.
Tahere misses with a hook. Puno ducked under it nicely.
Puno misses with a straight left.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Tahere! But no joy.
Puno looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Tahere slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Tahere lunges at Puno with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Puno's hand.
Tahere throws a hook to the side of Puno's head but Puno sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Puno tries to counter with a takedown but Tahere is quick to defend against it.
Tahere throws a combination. Puno tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tahere misses with a low kick.
A little feinted left hand from Puno on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Tahere is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Puno.
Puno feinted with a counter takedown.
Tahere fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Tahere misses with a hook.
Puno is looking to counter punch.

Puno clinches with his opponent.
Tahere goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Tahere.
Puno misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tahere misses with a punch to the body.
Tahere prevents a body shot from Puno.
A head punch on the inside from Tahere fails to land.
Tahere lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Puno stalling in the clinch.
Tahere lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Puno backwards.
Tahere lands with a right to the head.

Puno pulls guard effortlessly.
Tahere wants to stand but Puno has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Puno is pulling down on Tahere's head to control his posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puno looking for a sweep. Not yet Puno, not yet.
Puno wants to improve his position but instead Tahere has moved into half guard.
Tahere is thwarting Puno's attempts to control the position.
Puno slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Puno trying to keep a closed guard but Tahere is proving a slippery customer.

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.
Tahere would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Puno manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Tahere manages to get himself to full guard.

Manny Puno overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Puno throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tahere keeping moving, preventing Puno from controlling successfully.
Puno postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tahere keeping moving, preventing Puno from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dyllz Tahere showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Tahere tries to score with a low kick but Puno moves his leg out of the way.
Tahere throws a hook but Puno avoids it easily.
Puno blocks a jab.
Puno is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Tahere fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
A jab from Tahere misses.
Nice body punch from Tahere.
Tahere just misses with a punch to the body.
Puno attempts a counter takedown but Tahere avoids it well and moves away.
A punch combination from Tahere misses.
Tahere getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Puno blocks a leg kick.
Puno throws a body shot but no joy.

Puno clinches.
Tahere struggles to land a body shot inside as Puno controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puno throws a head punch that misses.
Tahere struggles to land a body shot inside as Puno controls his hands.
Puno is leaning against Tahere and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Tahere.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Puno.
Puno misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tahere lands a left hand that snaps the head of Puno backwards.
Puno looking to stall.
Tahere tries to work over Puno's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tahere misses with a hook from the clinch.
A body shot lands from Tahere.
Puno taking a breather.
Puno will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Tahere up against the cage.
Puno misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tahere misses with a hook to the ribs.
Puno scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Puno goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tahere tries to work over Puno's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tahere throws a head punch that misses.

Puno ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Puno no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Puno is trying to control the position but Tahere postures up.
Puno pulls Tahere in to control the position.
Tahere wanted to stand there but Puno had control of the position.
Tahere stopping the sweep attempt from Puno.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tahere wants to stand but Puno is controlling his posture from full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Tahere throws a head kick that misses

and Puno counters with a nice double leg into side control. Tahere won't be happy with that.
Puno tries to advance to mount but can't.
Puno fails to land a wild elbow strike.
The ground and pound from Puno seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Puno throws an elbow but Tahere slips to the side and avoids it well.
Puno throws an elbow but Tahere slips to the side and avoids it well.
Tahere parries the strikes from Puno easily there. Puno is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Tahere to escape.
Puno trying to control the action but Tahere is working from the bottom.
Tahere has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Puno wants to control for a moment but Tahere uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tahere won't allow Puno to pass to mount.
Puno not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Tahere avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Puno.
Puno trying to control the action but Tahere is working from the bottom.
Puno not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Puno lands strikes from half guard.
Manny Puno has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Puno throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Dyllz Tahere.
I've got Tahere winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dyllz Tahere!