PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tidal Wave (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shane Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wave comes into the arena with One Of These Days blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Wave
vs
Taylor

189 cm
23
211 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

185 cm
21
202 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

BioPharm Nutrition
BioPharm Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tidal Wave!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Shane Taylor!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Elvis Blanc and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taylor waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Wave.
Taylor uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Wave.

Wave closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Taylor has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Wave is working away from the top position though.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Taylor can do anything to dispel that myth.
Wave looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Taylor is trying to get back to full guard.
Taylor really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Wave. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Wave missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taylor is refusing to be controlled, as Wave sits in half guard.
Taylor tries to get to full guard but Wave has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor trying to control from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Wave throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Wave slips a jab from Taylor.
Wave attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Wave.
Taylor is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Taylor struggling a bit here.
Wave takes a little break here. Taylor wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Wave misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The strikes coming from Wave are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Wave tries to advance to mount but can't.
Taylor dodges the ground and pound from Wave.
Taylor is trying to improve his position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Wave swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Taylor fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Wave looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A lazy left from Taylor finds it's target.
Nice shot lands for Taylor.

Taylor gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Wave to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Wave wants to control from the top but Taylor keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor looking for a sweep. Not yet Taylor, not yet.
Wave wants to pass the guard but Taylor is keeping the position.
Wave 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.
Wave thows a big elbow that misses.
Taylor looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Wave pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Taylor is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wave wants to control from the top but Taylor keeps moving.

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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Wave moves away from the strike by Taylor.
A slow jab from Taylor misses its intended target.
Taylor misses with a hook.
Wave uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Taylor.
Shane Taylor is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wave moves out of range as Taylor strikes.
Taylor pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Wave has a takedown stuffed.
Taylor defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Wave.
Taylor works the jab nicely.
Taylor lands the left hand.
A jab from Taylor does it's job there.
A jab from Taylor misses.
Wave tries to score a power double leg takedown but Taylor sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Wave somewhat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Shane Taylor will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A swing and a miss from Taylor.
Wave fails with a takedown attempt.
Taylor waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Wave.
The fighters circle momentarily. Taylor darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Taylor scores with the left hand. Wave knows he should have avoided that one.
Taylor thows a body shot but no joy.
Taylor misses with a looping right.
Taylor throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Taylor misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Wave.
Wave tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Taylor swivels and escapes.
Taylor connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Wave tried to score with a low kick but Taylor checks it.
Taylor throws an overhand right that lands on Wave's shoulder, as Wave tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wave steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Taylor.
Taylor misses with an uppercut. Wave saw that one coming.
Wave fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tidal Wave. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Taylor works the jab nicely.
Wave misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Taylor.
Taylor is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Wave.
Wave dives in and grabs Taylor's left leg, looking for a takedown. Taylor pushes down on Wave's head and hops out.
A big right from Taylor misses.
Taylor throws a body punch but Wave moves out of range.
Wave tries for a takedown but Taylor sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Taylor connects with a single shot there.
A telegraphed right hand from Taylor misses the target.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Wave.
Taylor misses the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Wave.
Taylor catches Wave with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Taylor throws an overhand right that lands on Wave's shoulder, as Wave tries to avoid the shot.
Taylor moves away from the strike by Wave.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Wave.
Wave misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Wave is looking to take a break and control but Taylor is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Taylor gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Taylor avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Wave.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wave trying to control the action but Taylor is working from the bottom.
Taylor wants to improve his position but Wave is controlling well.
Wave throwing shots but Taylor is blocking nicely.
Wave throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Wave slips under a jab.
Wave looks for a takedown but Taylor sprawls well.
A left lands for Taylor.
Wave ducks under a wild hook from Taylor.
Taylor misses with a wild body shot.
Taylor waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Wave.

That's four 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.
Taylor checks a low kick from Wave.
Taylor dips to his left and cracks Wave with an uppercut!
Wave lands a nice looking body shot.
A jab from Taylor misses.
Taylor might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Wave blocks a jab.
Taylor thuds his right hand into Wave's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Shane Taylor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wave swats away the attempt to clinch by Taylor.
Taylor keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Wave ducks under a wild hook from Taylor.
Wave shoots in looking for a takedown. Taylor tries to sprawl out of it but Wave keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Taylor manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Taylor slips under a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shane Taylor showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Wave drives through with a takedown into guard.
Taylor looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Wave sitting in guard here, content to control.
Taylor bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Wave's guard.
Wave trying to control the position.
Taylor won't allow Wave to sweep him here.
Taylor slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Wave wants to sweep here but Taylor controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor wants to control from the top but Wave keeps moving.
Wave looking for a sweep. Not yet Wave, not yet.
Taylor's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Taylor trying to stand up but can't free himself from Wave's guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Wave changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Taylor looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Taylor dodges the ground and pound from Wave.
Wave fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wave looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Taylor is avoiding damage well.
Wave is looking to take a break and control but Taylor is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Taylor tries to improve position but can't.
Wave tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Taylor wants to control but Wave postures up.
Wave lands some shots froms side control.

Wave wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Taylor, who protects the arm well.
Wave creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Taylor sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An elbow from Wave crashes against the mat.
Taylor struggling a bit here.
Taylor tries to buck Wave off but Wave is having none of it.
Taylor avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Wave.
Taylor is trying to control Wave's posture but Wave avoids it.

Wave is trying to get an arm triangle but Taylor is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Taylor looks to land a left hand but Wave moved out of range nicely.
Taylor misses with a wild body shot.
Wave steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Taylor.
Wave uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Taylor.
Taylor takes a swing at Wave's ribcage but misses.
Taylor misses with a shot to the body
and Wave counters with a nice uppercut.
Taylor lands a nice shot that snaps Wave's head back.
Wave looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Taylor ducks right into an uppercut from Wave.
Wave shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Taylor but Taylor pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Wave scores with the left hand. Taylor knows he should have avoided that one.
Wave fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tidal Wave clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Taylor misses with a straight left.
Taylor throws a hook to the side of Wave's head but Wave sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Shane Taylor seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Taylor!
Taylor swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Wave pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Donk. Taylor catches Wave right on the button with a cross.
Wave throws a series of punches but Taylor avoids them all with ease.
Wave looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Taylor is fending him off so far but Wave persists. Nope, Taylor circles away and we're back to standing.
Taylor throws a series of punches but Wave avoids them all with ease.
Taylor just misses with a punch to the body.
Wave looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Taylor lands a glancing blow to the side of Wave's head.
Taylor throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Wave sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Wave feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor controls Wave momentarily but Wave frees himself.
Wave trying to control the position from guard on top but Taylor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wave slips nicely into half guard.
Taylor has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Wave is working away from the top position though.
Wave is pressing down on Taylor's thigh, looking to free his foot. Taylor is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Taylor throws a shot from downtown. Wave moves away and avoids it.
Taylor jabs Wave right on the nose. Wave blinks but takes it well.
Taylor looks to land a combination but Wave avoids it well.
Wave takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Taylor thows a body shot but no joy.

Wave shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Taylor manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Taylor wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Wave trying to control the position from guard on top but Taylor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor 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.
Taylor preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Taylor has his hands on Wave's head, controlling the position.
Wave loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Taylor is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Wave looking to sit in guard and control but Taylor gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's four 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.
Wave is trying to keep Taylor in close.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Taylor cracks Wave with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Taylor lands a nice hook to Wave's body. Wave takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Wave ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Taylor digs a good hook to Wave's body.
Taylor tries to close the distance and clinch but Wave swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Wave throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Taylor defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Wave.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shane Taylor dominated that fourth 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. This is the final round!

Wave uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Taylor.
Taylor throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Wave stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Wave takes a jab right on the kisser.
Taylor moves out of range as Wave strikes.
A clash of legs there as Taylor blocks the low kick.
Wave looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Taylor defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Wave.
Taylor throws a body punch but Wave moves out of range.
Wave throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Taylor sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Wave takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Taylor wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A lazy left from Taylor finds it's target.
Wave looks for a takedown but Taylor sprawls well.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Taylor swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Wave.
Wave steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Taylor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wave blocks a jab.
Wave uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Taylor.
Taylor slaps away a takedown attempt from Wave, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tidal Wave. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice sprawl there from Taylor as Wave shoots in.
Taylor lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Wave at a distance.
Taylor getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Taylor lands with an uppercut that bounces Wave off the cage and back into rage.
Wave takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Wave gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Taylor cracks Wave with a right hand to the side of the head.
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!
Taylor cracks Wave with a hook to the temple - Wave is on wobbly legs here! Taylor swarms him with hook after hook, landing with each one! Wave falls to the canvas face first and the referee dives in to stop the fight! Taylor wins by TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:55 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Shane Taylor!
Shane Taylor is the new light heavyweight champion!