PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tyson Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Smashing Machine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Taylor
vs
Machine

195 cm
26
215 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

187 cm
18
213 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Tends to cut

Beast Body

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tyson Taylor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Smashing Machine!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, George Francis and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Taylor gets a double leg takedown into Machine's guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Taylor trying to control but Machine is working from the bottom.
Taylor postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Machine trying to control the position.
Taylor trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Machine is trying to control the position but Taylor postures up.
Taylor engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Taylor fails with a takedown attempt.
Tyson Taylor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Taylor is trying hard to land a takedown here. Machine sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Machine defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Taylor.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tyson Taylor. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Machine drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Machine throwing strikes from guard but Taylor blocks nicely.

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

Taylor wriggles free and stands up.

Machine closes the distance and pushes Taylor back into the cage.
Taylor blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Taylor has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Machine is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Taylor drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Taylor is breathing heavily.
Taylor is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Taylor has Machine pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Taylor pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Machine tumbling to the mat - Taylor dives into Machine's guard.

Taylor gets to his feet - Machine follows without any prompting.
Machine stuffs the takedown attempt from Taylor. Taylor gets slowly back to his feet.
Taylor slaps away a takedown attempt from Machine, before circling back to the center of the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Taylor fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Machine fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Machine looking to score a takedown here. Taylor is defending well but Machine drives through and ends up in Taylor's guard.
Machine wants to stand but Taylor has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Machine throws a strike but Taylor rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taylor got a little sloppy there for a moment and Machine has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Taylor has managed to get both his arms back between Machine's legs - danger averted.
Taylor wants to control from the top but Machine keeps moving.
Taylor won't allow Machine to get back to his feet.
Taylor is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Taylor trying to control the position from guard on top but Machine is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Machine has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Taylor can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Taylor wants to control from the top but Machine keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Machine working for a triangle but Taylor defends it easily.
Taylor wants to control from the top but Machine keeps moving.

Machine throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taylor stays in close to Machine's body and controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tyson Taylor will probably get the nod.
That's time! Taylor's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Taylor with a lazy takedown attempt

and Machine counters with a nice double leg into side control. Taylor won't be happy with that.

Machine stands up and beckons Taylor to his feet.
Taylor changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Machine tries to avoid it but Taylor manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Machine to the ground. Machine escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Taylor dives in and grabs Machine's left leg, looking for a takedown. Machine pushes down on Taylor's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tyson Taylor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No joy there for Machine, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Taylor shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Machine defends it nicely.
Taylor walks into a jab.

It looks like Tyson Taylor has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Machine misses with a low kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Machine shoots in looking for a takedown. Taylor tries to sprawl out of it but Machine 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.

Machine gets the takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machine wants to lay and pray for a moment but Taylor keeps working.
Taylor tries to improve position but can't.
Taylor on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Taylor tries to get out of the position.
Machine fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Taylor looks to move to half guard but instead Machine has passed into mount! Damn!
Machine won't let Taylor get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Machine throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Taylor because Machine loaded up on that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Machine gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Machine fails to land the takedown.

Machine moves into the clinch.
Taylor gets underhooks to prevent Machine's takedown attempt.
Machine is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Taylor gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Taylor breaks from the clinch.
Machine stuffs the takedown.

Machine shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Machine is working for a submission of some sort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor wants to get back to his feet.
Taylor trying to hold on to Machine's head to control him but Machine postures up.

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.
Machine not doing much here.
Taylor is looking to control Machine's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Taylor avoid being mounted?

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Tyson Taylor.
Taylor shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Machine sprawls well. Machine wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Taylor gets slowly back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taylor tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Machine swivels and escapes.
Taylor doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Machine counters with a takedown into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Smashing Machine showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tyson Taylor's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Machine fails with the takedown.
Machine fails with the takedown.

Machine gets a takedown into half guard.
Machine tries to pass to full mount but Taylor defends it.
Taylor is looking for a sweep. Machine is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Machine wants to control but Taylor is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machine looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Smashing Machine was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Taylor moves into range and clinches up with Machine.
Machine misses with a hook to the ribs.
Taylor goes for a takedown attempt but Machine pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Machine shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tyson Taylor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Smashing Machine.
Taylor dives in and grabs Machine's left leg, looking for a takedown. Machine pushes down on Taylor's head and hops out.

Taylor has closed the distance and engaged Machine in a clinch.
Taylor gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Machine.
Machine jumps guard but Taylor stands there with Machine around his waist. Machine gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor landing knees to the head.
Taylor unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Taylor keeps control of Machine as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Machine is working for takedown but Taylor is calmly controlling the position for now.
Machine taking a breather.
Taylor on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Taylor lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Machine has his hands clasped together around Taylor's back. He's all about the action.
Taylor thows a huge punch but Machine dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machine looks like he's trying to stand up.
Taylor lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Taylor seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Taylor performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Taylor wants to control but Machine is keeping him busy.
Machine is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Taylor scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor passes into side control, despite Machine's attempt to control the position.
Taylor takes a little break here. Machine wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Machine parries the strikes from Taylor easily there. Taylor is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Machine to escape.
Machine is looking for a sweep.
Taylor in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Taylor stands up and we're back to a striking position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Taylor gets a double leg takedown into Machine's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tyson Taylor showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Taylor has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tyson Taylor!