PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nick Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and KK Kaytovitch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Taylor
vs
Kaytovitch

180 cm
21
170 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

188 cm
23
168 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Prefers standup

Firebird Designs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nick Taylor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, KK Kaytovitch!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Edson Gomes and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Taylor.
Kaytovitch throws a one two combo.

Taylor shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Taylor was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
A nice elbow there by Taylor.

Taylor jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Kaytovitch is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Kaytovitch and Taylor has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Kaytovitch manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Taylor actively working from the bottom here.
Kaytovitch looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Taylor is looking for a sweep. Kaytovitch is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Taylor moves into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor wants to sweep but no luck.
Kaytovitch showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Taylor wants to sweep here but Kaytovitch controlling him for the moment.
Kaytovitch trying to control the position from guard on top but Taylor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kaytovitch won't allow Taylor to sweep him here.
Kaytovitch controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Kaytovitch trying to control the position from guard on top but Taylor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Taylor looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kaytovitch is one step ahead there.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Taylor feints and as Kaytovitch raises his hands in defense, Taylor changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Taylor is breathing heavily.
Kaytovitch bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Taylor's guard.

Kaytovitch decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Taylor, up you get!
Kaytovitch with a nice cross.
Taylor fails in his attempt to clinch.
Taylor looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kaytovitch is fending him off so far but Taylor persists. Nope, Kaytovitch circles away and we're back to standing.
Kaytovitch misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Taylor rushes Kaytovitch and presses him up against the cage.
Kaytovitch is pressed up against the cage. Taylor has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kaytovitch down to the mat. Kaytovitch avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nick Taylor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kaytovitch works over Taylor's head and body with a nice combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaytovitch works Taylor's body with a nice hook.
Taylor shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Kaytovitch moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Kaytovitch changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kaytovitch lands with a shot to the body.
Kaytovitch scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Taylor tries to clinch but Kaytovitch moves out of range.
Kaytovitch scores with a jab to the body.
Kaytovitch lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Kaytovitch.
A left and a right from Kaytovitch both land. Nice combination.
Taylor shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Taylor walks into a straight right hand from Kaytovitch.
KK Kaytovitch is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Taylor gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kaytovitch jumps guard but Taylor stands there with Kaytovitch around his waist. Kaytovitch gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Taylor wants the takedown. Kaytovitch is fighting it off but Taylor persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Kaytovitch's guard against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Taylor accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Taylor loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaytovitch wants to sweep here but Taylor controlling him for the moment.
Taylor trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kaytovitch's guard.
Kaytovitch lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Taylor!
Taylor flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taylor is trying desperately to improve position.
Taylor looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

KK Kaytovitch dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Taylor walks into a left hand.
Kaytovitch misses with a double jab.
Kaytovitch's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Kaytovitch duly obliges.
Taylor shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kaytovitch but Kaytovitch pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nick Taylor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Taylor bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Taylor tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Taylor has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Kaytovitch is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Taylor off and has taken his back!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Taylor breaks Kaytovitch's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Taylor is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kaytovitch is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kaytovitch has escaped and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Taylor working for a triangle but Kaytovitch defends it easily.

Taylor escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kaytovitch gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Taylor working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kaytovitch doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kaytovitch manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two 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.
Taylor looking for a sweep. Not yet Taylor, not yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Taylor looking for a guillotine here but Kaytovitch defends easily.

Taylor is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kaytovitch 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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Taylor misses with a body kick.
Taylor shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kaytovitch scores with a one two! Taylor had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Kaytovitch connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Taylor's hands.
Kaytovitch scores with a hook to the body. Taylor takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Taylor has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Kaytovitch is working the combinations to good effect here.
Kaytovitch lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Kaytovitch scores with a three punch combo!
Kaytovitch throws a nice looking combination but Taylor bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Taylor gets a clinch.
Taylor trying to land knees to the body.
Kaytovitch wants to break free but Taylor has control.
Taylor using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kaytovitch tries to pull guard but Taylor holds him up against the cage and eventually Kaytovitch drops back down to his feet.
Kaytovitch tries to score a body lock takedown but Taylor shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaytovitch blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Taylor pulls guard successfully.

Taylor looking for a guillotine here but Kaytovitch defends easily.

Taylor looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Taylor tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Taylor is looking for a triangle but Kaytovitch pushes his legs off easily.
Nick Taylor overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kaytovitch wants to control from the top but Taylor keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

KK Kaytovitch showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Taylor misses with a takedown attempt - Kaytovitch sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Taylor moves forwards but Kaytovitch connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Taylor closes the distance and clinches up with Kaytovitch, looking for a takedown. Taylor pushes Kaytovitch against the cage but Kaytovitch circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Taylor has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nick Taylor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kaytovitch lands a nice looking body shot.
Nick Taylor is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kaytovitch connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Taylor momentarily.
Kaytovitch with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Taylor looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kaytovitch ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A left and a right from Kaytovitch both land. Nice combination.
Kaytovitch lands a nice looking body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Taylor has a takedown stuffed.
Kaytovitch's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Kaytovitch duly obliges.
Kaytovitch smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaytovitch stuffs the takedown.
Kaytovitch is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Taylor rather than just go for the knockout.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kaytovitch.
Taylor walks into a left hand.
Kaytovitch lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Kaytovitch.
Taylor closes the distance and clinches up with Kaytovitch, looking for a takedown. Taylor pushes Kaytovitch against the cage but Kaytovitch circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Taylor shoots in but no luck this time.
Taylor will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kaytovitch keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kaytovitch scores with a punch to the head.
Kaytovitch throws a series of punches but Taylor avoids them all with ease.

Taylor gets the takedown into side control.
Kaytovitch tries to improve position but can't.
Kaytovitch manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Kaytovitch prevents Taylor from improving his position.
Kaytovitch is tying to control. Taylor wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Taylor looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Taylor is trying to stand up here but Kaytovitch is controlling him well.
Taylor wants to improve his position but Kaytovitch is controlling well.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Taylor on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kaytovitch thuds his right hand into Taylor's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Kaytovitch looks to throw the jab but Taylor is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaytovitch looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Taylor changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kaytovitch tries to avoid it but Taylor manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kaytovitch to the ground. Kaytovitch escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kaytovitch moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Taylor walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Taylor fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Taylor shoots for a double leg takedown but Kaytovitch sprawls well. He's pushed Taylor's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Taylor fails with the takedown.
Taylor shoots in for a double leg but Kaytovitch sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kaytovitch lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Kaytovitch.
Taylor shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kaytovitch connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kaytovitch scores with a hook.
Kaytovitch avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kaytovitch throws a right hand that Taylor ducks under and follows up with a left that Taylor also avoids with ease.
Taylor on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor shoots in and drives through. Kaytovitch sprawls well.
Taylor changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kaytovitch tries to avoid it but Taylor manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kaytovitch to the ground. Kaytovitch escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kaytovitch darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Kaytovitch with a jab.

Taylor pushes Kaytovitch up against the cage in a clinch.
Kaytovitch managing to block the knees to the body from Taylor.
Kaytovitch blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kaytovitch tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kaytovitch avoiding damage as Taylor throws knees to the body.

Taylor breaks from the clinch.
Kaytovitch lands a nice shot that snaps Taylor's head back.
Taylor shoots in looking for a takedown. Kaytovitch tries to sprawl out of it but Taylor keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kaytovitch manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Taylor fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nick Taylor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Taylor shoots in but no luck this time.
Taylor walks into a left hand.
Kaytovitch stalks Taylor and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Taylor's face. Taylor staggers backwards, shaken.

And that's the end of the fight!
KK Kaytovitch comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kaytovitch winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 27:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... KK Kaytovitch!