PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yuri Sichev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mufasa Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Sichev
vs
Taylor

207 cm
29
195 lbs
17 - 15 - 0

190 cm
21
193 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Powerful

Black Belt Nutrition #=========||=========#

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 15 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yuri Sichev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mufasa Taylor!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Dmitry Maklakov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sichev shoots in looking for a takedown. Taylor tries to sprawl out of it but Sichev 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 forces Sichev back against the cage and clinches.
Sichev has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Taylor is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Taylor tries to land knees in the clinch but Sichev avoids the damage to the body.
Taylor tries a knee to the head but Sichev blocks it.
Taylor lands a good knee to the midsection. Sichev won't want to take too many of those.
Taylor creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Sichev's defenses.
Taylor looking to throw knees to the head but Sichev is blocking nicely.
Sichev blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Taylor crunches a lovely knee into Sichev's ribcage.
Taylor lands an elbow just above Sichev 's eye.
Taylor tries a knee to the head but Sichev blocks it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sichev tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Taylor smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yuri Sichev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Taylor fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sichev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Sichev shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Taylor looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Taylor has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sichev is working away from the top position though.
Taylor wants to get back to full guard.

Sichev is trying to work for a kimura but Taylor is defending well.
Taylor moves into full guard.
Taylor is trying to control the position but Sichev postures up.

Taylor looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sichev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Taylor working a defensive guard here.

Taylor looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Sichev passes into half guard.
Sichev will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Sichev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Sichev is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Taylor sees it coming and defends easily.
Sichev prevents Taylor from improving his position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Taylor is looking to control Sichev's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Taylor avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sichev wants to control but Taylor is keeping him busy.
Taylor has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sichev is working away from the top position though.
Taylor is trying to get back to full guard.
Sichev lands with a punch from half guard.
Taylor tries to roll over but Sichev keeps him under control.
Sichev seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Sichev not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Taylor is looking to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sichev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sichev's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sichev's back!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Taylor is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Sichev has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Taylor has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Sichev has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Taylor patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Taylor is trying to stick to Sichev's back but Sichev is turning into Taylor. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Taylor's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Sichev.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Taylor is on top in guard.
Sichev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Sichev is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sichev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Taylor missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mufasa Taylor dominated that round.
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.

Sichev closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sichev lands in his opponent's guard.

Taylor looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Sichev has picked Taylor up and slammed him! Taylor can't keep hold of the triangle and Sichev manages to pass to side control!
Sichev scores with a couple of short elbows.
Check out the look on Sichev's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Sichev working the head with strikes.
Sichev in side control lands a decent elbow.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Taylor tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Yuri Sichev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Taylor gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Taylor wants to control but Sichev is keeping busy.
Sichev throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Taylor to regain full guard.
Sichev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sichev cracks Taylor with a solid left hand.

Sichev drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Taylor dives on top into guard.
Taylor is in close to Sichev's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Taylor slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Taylor is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sichev knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Taylor wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sichev keeps working.
Sichev taking a bit of punishment here - Taylor scoring with strikes.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sichev is looking to regain half guard here but Taylor keeps moving and retains side control.
Taylor scores with punches from side control.
Sichev is trying to get back to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Taylor lands a few punches from side control.

Taylor tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Taylor is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sichev knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Sichev is looking for a sweep.
Taylor wants to control but Sichev is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sichev wants to control but Taylor postures up.
Sichev parries the strikes from Taylor easily there. Taylor is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Sichev to escape.
Sichev is looking for a sweep.
Taylor is looking to take a break and control but Sichev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ground and pound from Taylor seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Sichev struggling a bit here.
Taylor is looking to take a break and control but Sichev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Taylor tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Sichev manages to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sichev tries to roll over but Taylor keeps him under control.

Sichev actively working from the bottom here.
Sichev tries to roll over but Taylor keeps him under control.
Sichev is not content to let Taylor control the position.

Taylor is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sichev is just riding it out for now. Taylor eventually gives up the hold.
Sichev is staying active underneath Taylor, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Taylor seems to be working for a kimura but Sichev defends the submission attempt.
Sichev is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mufasa Taylor will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Taylor tries to clinch up.
Sichev tries to clinch but Taylor is having none of it.
Taylor tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sichev swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Taylor moves into the clinch.
Sichev is looking to take this one to the mat.
Taylor putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Sichev in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Taylor.
Sichev blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sichev blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sichev tries to pull guard but Taylor forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Sichev changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Taylor fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yuri Sichev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sichev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Taylor, pushing him back against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Taylor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor lands an elbow inside that Sichev shrugs off.
Taylor lands an elbow just above Sichev 's eye.
Sichev has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Taylor after a bit of a struggle.
Taylor prevents a takedown attempt there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Taylor working Sichev over with knees to the body.
Sichev takes a knee to the side of the body.
The referee calls for Taylor to work.
Taylor with a knee to the head.
Taylor is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Taylor landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Taylor utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Taylor using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Taylor gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Sichev.
Taylor scores a nice knee to the body.
Mufasa Taylor seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor scores a nice knee to the body.
Sichev takes a knee to the side of the body.
Taylor putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Sichev in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Taylor landing knees to the head.
Taylor landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Taylor landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Taylor unloads a knee to the mid-section. Sichev lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Sichev takes a knee right on the jaw!
Taylor unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Taylor unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Taylor.
Sichev tries for a takedown. No joy.
Taylor scores a nice knee to the body.
Taylor landing knees to the head.
Taylor working Sichev over with knees to the body.
Taylor with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sichev tries to score a body lock takedown but Taylor shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Taylor lands a knee to the head.

Sichev ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Sichev no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Sichev really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Taylor cracks Sichev with a solid left hand.
Sichev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Taylor's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Taylor lands a couple of elbows.
Taylor wants to control from the top but Sichev keeps moving.
Sichev throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Taylor avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Taylor controlling from the top position.
Taylor connects with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor is looking to work some ground and pound but Sichev has wrist control.
Taylor trying to control but Sichev is working from the bottom.
Taylor won't allow Sichev to sweep him here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Taylor cracks Sichev with a solid left hand.
Mufasa Taylor is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Taylor has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Taylor lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Sichev keeping moving, preventing Taylor from controlling successfully.
Taylor throws an elbow that misses. Sichev uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Taylor's guard. Nice move by Sichev!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Taylor is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Yuri Sichev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Taylor missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mufasa Taylor comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Taylor has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mufasa Taylor!
After the fight, Mufasa Taylor was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.