PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Melvin Macdonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luke Taylor Iii (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Macdonald
vs
Taylor Iii

187 cm
25
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
25
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Melvin Macdonald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Luke Taylor Iii!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Gregory Folan and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Macdonald wants to clinch up but Taylor Iii keeps it at a distance.
Macdonald fails with an attempt to clinch.
Luke Taylor Iii seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Taylor Iii avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Macdonald tries to close the distance and clinch up but Taylor Iii swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Macdonald gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Taylor Iii to score an easy takedown into full guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Taylor Iii seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Taylor Iii works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Taylor Iii with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor Iii stops Macdonald from getting back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Taylor Iii with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Taylor Iii prevents Macdonald from standing back up.
Ground and pound from Taylor Iii.
Taylor Iii passes the guard and advances to mount!
Taylor Iii takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Macdonald squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor Iii controlling from the full mount.
Taylor Iii wants to take his opponent's back but Macdonald doesn't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor Iii working the ground and pound effectively.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taylor Iii sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Macdonald is trying to stand up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Taylor Iii sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Luke Taylor Iii was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Macdonald throws a head kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Taylor Iii dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Taylor Iii rushes Macdonald and presses him up against the cage.
Macdonald scores a nice knee to the body.
Macdonald misses with a knee to the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Macdonald misses with a knee to the head.
Macdonald gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Taylor Iii.
Macdonald with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Taylor Iii is looking to take this one to the mat.
Taylor Iii is trying to pull guard but Macdonald has him pressed against the cage.
Melvin Macdonald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luke Taylor Iii.
Macdonald avoiding damage.
Taylor Iii goes for a takedown attempt but Macdonald pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Macdonald tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Taylor Iii paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Macdonald lands a glancing blow to the side of Taylor Iii's head.

Macdonald has managed to clinch.
Taylor Iii drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Macdonald connects with a nasty looking knee right to Taylor Iii's face.

It looks like Luke Taylor Iii has been cut.
Macdonald with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Macdonald tries to land a knee to the head but Taylor Iii blocks with his arms.
Macdonald with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Macdonald utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Taylor Iii is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Macdonald takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Taylor Iii tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Macdonald smiles and moves away.
Macdonald lands a head kick!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Macdonald throws a head kick that misses.
Taylor Iii tries for a takedown but Macdonald sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Taylor Iii closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Taylor Iii stops Macdonald from getting back to his feet.
Taylor Iii tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Macdonald.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macdonald pushes Taylor Iii off looking to stand but Taylor Iii dives back in and keeps control.
Taylor Iii is looking to take a break and control but Macdonald is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Macdonald tries to kick Taylor Iii off but Taylor Iii keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Taylor Iii in particular looking to stall.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Luke Taylor Iii hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Macdonald tries a head kick but it misses.
Taylor Iii fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Macdonald avoids it really well and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor Iii avoids the head kick by Macdonald.
Macdonald throws a nice head kick!
Melvin Macdonald is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Taylor Iii shoots in for a takedown but Macdonald shows good takedown defense.
Macdonald tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Macdonald fails in his attempt to clinch.
Macdonald tries to clinch but Taylor Iii is having none of it.
Taylor Iii changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Macdonald tries to avoid it but Taylor Iii manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Macdonald to the ground. Macdonald escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Macdonald fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Taylor Iii, pushing him back against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Macdonald tries a knee to the head but Taylor Iii blocks it.
Knees in the clinch landing for Macdonald.
A knee to the head by Macdonald.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Melvin Macdonald dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Luke Taylor Iii's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Macdonald wants to clinch up but Taylor Iii keeps it at a distance.

Taylor Iii clinches with his opponent.
Macdonald tries a knee to the head but Taylor Iii blocks it.
Taylor Iii is trying to drag Macdonald to the mat but Macdonald just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Macdonald tries to stall but Taylor Iii uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Taylor Iii jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Macdonald walks away with a smile on his face. Taylor Iii gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Macdonald tries to clinch up but Taylor Iii circles away and keeps his distance.

Macdonald instigates a clinch.
Macdonald throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Taylor Iii blocks it with crossed arms.
Taylor Iii tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Macdonald just stands there and leans against the cage.
Melvin Macdonald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luke Taylor Iii.
A knee to the head by Macdonald.
Macdonald misses with a knee strike.
Taylor Iii takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Macdonald misses with a knee strike.
Macdonald with a knee to the head.
Macdonald throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Taylor Iii blocks it with crossed arms.
Taylor Iii tries for a takedown. No joy.
Macdonald lands a knee to the head.
Macdonald pressing his opponent against the cage.
Macdonald with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Taylor Iii is looking for a takedown.
Macdonald is pressed up against the cage. Taylor Iii has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Macdonald down to the mat. Macdonald avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Macdonald doesn't manage to clinch there - Taylor Iii circles away.

Macdonald pushes Taylor Iii up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Macdonald with a knee to the head.
Taylor Iii is trying to pull guard but Macdonald has him pressed against the cage.
Macdonald tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Macdonald looking to throw knees to the head but Taylor Iii is blocking nicely.
Macdonald utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Macdonald tries a knee to the head but Taylor Iii blocks it.
Macdonald throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Taylor Iii blocks it with crossed arms.
Macdonald is pressed up against the cage. Taylor Iii has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Macdonald down to the mat. Macdonald avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Macdonald gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Macdonald with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Macdonald connects with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor Iii has Macdonald pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Macdonald manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Taylor Iii fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Macdonald scores with a knee to the head.
Macdonald misses with a knee to the head.
Melvin Macdonald has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Macdonald tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Taylor Iii can't get the takedown.
Macdonald tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Taylor Iii has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Macdonald avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Macdonald with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Taylor Iii has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Macdonald avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Macdonald is pushing Taylor Iii up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Macdonald throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor Iii has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Macdonald is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Macdonald tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Macdonald with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Taylor Iii tries to score a body lock takedown but Macdonald shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Taylor Iii takes a knee right on the jaw!
Taylor Iii takes a knee to the side of the body.
Macdonald with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taylor Iii has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Macdonald avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Macdonald is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Macdonald prevents the takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Melvin Macdonald showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Macdonald 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Melvin Macdonald!
An out of breath Melvin Macdonald thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.