PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gregory Jules (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yin Tao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tao has chosen Philip Bailey - Walking on the Chinese Wall as his entrance music. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Jules
vs
Tao

180 cm
25
160 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

175 cm
23
170 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Gregory Jules!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Yin Tao!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Donatello Bradman and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jules misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick from Jules lands but Tao takes it in his stride.
Jules throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jules throws a head kick that misses.
Tao bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Jules's head.
Jules moves in looking to clinch but Tao pushes him off.
Jules goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

It looks like Yin Tao has been cut.
Tao fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Jules.
A head kick misses from Jules.
Tao throws a half hearted mid kick.
Jules tries a head kick but it misses.
Tao tries to land a front kick but Jules steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tao blocks a head kick by Jules.

Tao closes the distance and clinches.
Tao throws a head punch that misses.
Tao lands an elbow that stopped Jules in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Gregory Jules has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jules drags the fight down to the ground.
Tao engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Tao avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Jules is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Jules is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Jules is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jules wants to control but Tao passes easily into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jules looks like he's trying to stand up.
Jules tries to get to full guard but Tao has control of the leg.

Jules is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Tao pulls his head out easily.
Jules is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jules looking for submissions off his back.
Tao not doing much here.
Jules wants to control but Tao is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Tao prevents Jules from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jules wants to control but Tao is keeping busy.
Tao takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Yin Tao hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Jules swats away the attempt to clinch by Tao.
Tao keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Tao misses with a body shot.
Jules misses with a low kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tao misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Jules.
Tao blocks the body kick.
Jules tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jules plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gregory Jules dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Jules throws a head kick that misses.
Jules throws a sloppy head kick and Tao moves out of range easily.
Tao throws a shot from downtown. Jules moves away and avoids it.
Jules throws a head kick but Tao moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Jules.
Tao throws a quick inside leg kick.

Tao instigates a clinch.
Jules takes an elbow to the temple.
A frustrated look appears on Jules's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Jules blocks a body shot from Tao.

Tao manages to break the clinch.
Tao connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Tao throws a hook to the side of Jules's head but Jules sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tao moves out of range of the body kick.
Tao scoring well with a low kick there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tao. Jules does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tao scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Jules throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jules misses with a head kick.
Tao throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tao scores with a jab. Jules acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Jules misses with a body kick.
Tao lands a front kick.
Jules throws a head kick that misses
and Tao counters with a good low kick that Jules was not able to check.
Gregory Jules seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tao throws the kick towards the body but Jules avoids it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Tao pushes Jules up against the cage in a clinch.
Jules tries to pull guard but Tao holds him up against the cage and eventually Jules drops back down to his feet.
Tao lands a damaging elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Tao.
Tao lands a knee to the body.
Tao landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Tao gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Tao trying to land knees to the body.
Tao tries a knee to the head but Jules blocks it.
Tao lands an elbow just above Jules 's eye.

Gregory Jules's cut is getting worse.
Jules tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tao smiles and moves away.
Tao lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Yin Tao seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Both fighters circling a little - Tao finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Nice body kick from Tao.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice cross by Tao.
Jules tries a head kick but it misses.
Jules throws a head kick that misses
and Tao counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tao scores with a spinning back kick!

Tao has closed the distance and engaged Jules in a clinch.
Jules blocks an elbow strike.
Tao misses with an elbow strike.
Jules takes a shot to the head.
Tao lands an elbow inside that Jules shrugs off.

Gregory Jules's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Tao tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Jules's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Jules jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Tao walks away with a smile on his face. Jules gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gregory Jules. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jules throws a lazy head kick
and Tao counters with a nice low kick that buckles Jules's knee momentarily.
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!
Tao throws a push kick but Jules slaps the foot to one side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crunch! Tao slams his shin into Jules's torso.
Tao lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Tao slips a jab from Jules.

Jules takes the fight into the clinch.
Tao pushes off an throws an elbow but Jules leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Tao with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tao landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Tao's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tao misses with a kick to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tao connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Tao throws a half hearted mid kick.
Tao looks for the body kick but Jules saw that one coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yin Tao showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Tao scores with a kick to the midsection.

Tao moves into the clinch.
Jules will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
A short uppercut from Jules.
Tao throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Jules blocks it with crossed arms.
Jules tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tao smiles and moves away.

Tao closes the distance and clinches.
Jules jumps guard but Tao turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Tao is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Jules is defending well for now.
A frustrated look appears on Jules's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Tao throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Jules blocks it with crossed arms.
Jules tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gregory Jules. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tao keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Jules's efforts to push away.

Jules breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tao lands with a kick to the ribs.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tao thuds his shin into the meat of Jules's side.
Tao keeps the fight on the outside.
Tao blocks the body kick.
Tao throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Tao throws a leg kick
and Jules counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Tao is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Tao throws a head kick but Jules moves out of range.
Jules throws a sloppy head kick
and Tao counters with a big head kick but Jules shrugs it off.
A slapping body kick lands there for Tao.
Jules misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A good leg kick by Tao.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A solid body kick from Tao.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jules looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jules avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Jules pushes Tao up against the cage in a clinch.
Jules takes a knee to the side of the body.

Tao escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jules throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Tao's head.
Jules tries a head kick but it misses.
Jules tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jules tries to clinch but Tao moves out of range.
Jules tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tao thumps Jules with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jules tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Tao - that will leave a mark!
A solid leg kick lands there for Tao.
Tao throws a half hearted mid kick.
Tao feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Juless jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Jules is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Jules blocks the body kick.
Jules tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tao lands the left hand.
Tao misses with a kick to the body.
Jules misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jules walks forward, straight into a front kick from Tao.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Jules.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jules takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Jules tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jules pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A head kick misses from Jules.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jules stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tao.
Tao fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Tao connects with a looping right hand.
Tao connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Tao delivers a nice body kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Tao moves into the clinch successfully.
Jules tries to pull guard but Tao won't allow it.
Tao throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Tao lands with a short punch from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yin Tao really dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Tao avoids the head kick by Jules.
Jules tries a head kick but it misses.
The fighters circling - Tao throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Jules misses with a head kick.
Tao lands a nice looking kick to the body. Jules takes a step back to recover.
Jules throws a head kick that misses.
Tao explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Tao throws a quick inside leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Tao.
Tao scores with a push kick.
Jules fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tao keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jules tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Tao blocks the body kick.
Tao dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Jules. That did some damage!
Tao blocks a head kick by Jules.
A head kick by Jules misses
and Tao counters with a body kick that stops Jules in his tracks momentarily.
Tao cracks the inside of Jules's front leg.
Tao fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Tao rushes Jules and presses him up against the cage.
Tao unloads a knee to the mid-section. Jules lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Tao breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jules throws a head kick but Tao moves out of range.
Tao throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Jules gets tackled into the cage by Tao. Tao maintains the clinch.
Jules takes an elbow to the temple.
Jules jumps guard but Tao turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Tao landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Tao tries a knee to the head but Jules blocks it.
Jules jumps guard but Tao stands there with Jules around his waist. Jules gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tao connects with a nasty looking knee right to Jules's face.
Tao pushes off an throws an elbow but Jules leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Tao missing with knees to the body.
Jules wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Jules blocks an elbow strike.
Jules working hard to break the clinch.
Tao lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Yin Tao seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tao keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Jules's efforts to push away.
Jules is trying to break the clinch but Tao has him pressed against the cage.

Jules manages to break the clinch.
Tao lands a front kick.
Tao throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Jules sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tao has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tao keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Jules throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Jules throws a sloppy head kick and Tao moves out of range easily.
Jules pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jules throws a body kick the misses
and Tao counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Jules tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jules looks for the body kick but Tao saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jules pivots, looking for a leg kick but Tao is out of range and Jules settles back down.
Good work by Jules as he checks the leg kick.
Jules pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tao lands with a cross.
Tao lands a nice looking body shot.
Tao uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jules throws a head kick that misses
and Tao counters with a leg kick.
Tao fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Jules.
Jules with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Tao to score with a decent uppercut.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tao swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Jules throws a wild body kick that Tao sees coming a mile off.
Tao cracks Jules with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yin Tao dominated that fourth round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Jules misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Tao.
Tao scores with a jab. Jules acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A jab from Jules finds it's way through Tao's defenses.
Jules scores with a head kick.
Jules misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jules takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Tao looks to land a body kick but Jules moved away.
Jules takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Jules tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
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.
Tao takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Tao thows a leg kick but Jules checks it
and Jules counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
A thudding body kick lands there by Tao!
Jules takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Jules throws a head kick but Tao moves out of range.
Jules throws a head kick that misses.
Jules avoids a kick to the body.
Tao cracks the inside of Jules's front leg.
Jules throws a half hearted mid kick.
Tao tries a head kick but it misses.
Tao throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jules misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jules tries a head kick but it misses.
Tao lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jules misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jules throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Tao counters with a good, hard body kick but Jules shrugs it off.
Jules has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Tao.
Jules throws a sloppy head kick and Tao moves out of range easily.
Jules throws a nice head kick!
Tao moves out of range of the body kick.
Tao moves out of range as Jules strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tao feints and then cracks Jules's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Jules down.
Jules keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Both fighters circling a little - Tao finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Tao circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jules throws a chopping leg kick but Tao manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jules throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Jules scores with a head kick. Tao tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Jules throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tao tries to clinch but Jules is having none of it.
Jules throws a sloppy head kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Jules throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Yin Tao is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Tao wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Jules throws a sloppy head kick and Tao moves out of range easily.
Jules moves in looking to clinch but Tao pushes him off.
Jules tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Tao manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Good leg kick by Tao there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Tao connects with the punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jules throws a lazy head kick
and Tao counters with a good low kick that Jules was not able to check.
Tao scores with a spinning back kick!
Jules throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Jules throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Jules tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jules throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Tao avoids a kick to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A head kick misses from Jules.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jules tries a head kick but it misses.
Tao is looking to land body kicks.
Gregory Jules has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tao lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

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 Gregory Jules.
I think Tao has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 47:49
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 47:48
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yin Tao!
Yin Tao is the new lightweight champion!
Our winner, Yin Tao, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.