PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Julian Taheil (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Calvin McGrath (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Julian Taheil has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Julian Taheil seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Taheil
vs
McGrath

182 cm
24
163 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

175 cm
26
165 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

GREEN!160
Bullet Proof System

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Julian Taheil!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Calvin McGrath!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Alyssa Summers and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taheil scores with a nice strike.
McGrath gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Taheil gets a takedown into half guard.

Taheil is sneakily working for an arm triangle but McGrath sees it coming and defends easily.
McGrath is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Taheil seems to be looking for submissions.
Taheil missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGrath has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Taheil is working away from the top position though.
McGrath controlling the position for now.
McGrath avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Taheil.
Taheil has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Taheil is looking for a kimura here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taheil looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
McGrath moves into full guard.
McGrath looking for a sweep. Not yet McGrath, not yet.
McGrath working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Taheil.
Taheil working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Taheil pushes down on McGrath's leg and manages to get into half guard.
McGrath is trying to get back to full guard.
McGrath works his way to full guard. Good work.
McGrath looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

McGrath looking for a guillotine here but Taheil defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Taheil thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Taheil trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Taheil sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed McGrath's guard.
McGrath is trying to get back to full guard.

Taheil is sneakily working for an arm triangle but McGrath sees it coming and defends easily.

Taheil is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Taheil is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGrath is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
McGrath looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Taheil thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed McGrath's head.
McGrath tries to get to full guard but Taheil has control of the leg.

McGrath looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taheil missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Taheil is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Taheil is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
McGrath blocking the ground and pound attempt from Taheil.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGrath wants to control but Taheil is keeping busy.
McGrath blocking the ground and pound attempt from Taheil.
McGrath is looking for a sweep. Taheil is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Taheil is trying to work for a kimura but McGrath is defending well.
Taheil tries to pass the half guard into mount. McGrath knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Taheil seems to be looking for submissions.
McGrath is trying to control but can't.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Taheil thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed McGrath's head.

Taheil is trying to work for a kimura but McGrath is defending well.
McGrath is trying to maintain the position but Taheil is very close to passing his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Taheil gets a double leg takedown into McGrath's guard.
Taheil stopping the sweep attempt from McGrath.
Taheil works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Taheil is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Julian Taheil overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McGrath is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Taheil's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Taheil's back!
McGrath missing with strikes from the back.

McGrath is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Taheil is defending well though. McGrath let's go of the attempt for now.
McGrath throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Taheil!
McGrath doesn't have the hooks in and Taheil manages to turn into his guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Taheil is pushing down on McGrath's leg trying to pass to half guard. McGrath is fighting to maintain full guard but Taheil has managed to sneak the leg through.
Taheil winds up and cracks McGrath with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Taheil prevents McGrath from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Taheil is trying to work for a kimura but McGrath is defending well.

Taheil is looking for a kimura but McGrath is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Taheil to get the leverage.
Taheil not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Taheil wants to work for an arm triangle but McGrath is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Taheil is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Taheil is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from McGrath as he works his way to full guard.
Taheil stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McGrath swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McGrath utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

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.
McGrath seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Taheil pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McGrath is keeping the position for now.
Taheil passes easily into side control. Nice work.
McGrath is looking for a sweep.

Taheil is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. McGrath knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Taheil thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
McGrath tries to improve position but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taheil is trying to get an arm triangle but McGrath is defending well.
McGrath gets back to half guard.

Taheil is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. McGrath doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Taheil.

Taheil seems to be looking for submissions.

Taheil is trying to work for a kimura but McGrath is defending well.
McGrath is pressing down on Taheil's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Taheil is pushing down on McGrath's leg trying to pass to half guard. McGrath is fighting to maintain full guard but Taheil has managed to sneak the leg through.

Taheil is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. McGrath doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Taheil.
McGrath wants to get back to full guard.

Taheil is sneakily working for an arm triangle but McGrath sees it coming and defends easily.
Taheil looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Taheil is looking for a kimura but McGrath is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Taheil to get the leverage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julian Taheil dominated that second round.
That's time! Taheil's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Taheil scores with a shot to the body.
McGrath throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Taheil counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

McGrath actively working from the bottom here.
Taheil looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Taheil is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, McGrath has managed to free his arm - good work.
McGrath is trying to maintain the position but Taheil is very close to passing his half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Taheil seems to be looking for submissions.
McGrath wants to improve his position but Taheil is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Taheil is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
McGrath is pressing down on Taheil's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Taheil stopping the sweep attempt from McGrath.
McGrath avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Taheil drops back for a leg here. A bit of a high risk move... He's looking for a kneebar by the looks of things. Now both of them are looking for submissions. Taheil seems to have locked his on tight now - McGrath screams in pain and taps out furiously! It certainly was a high risk move but it's paid off for Taheil, as he picks up the win!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:50 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Julian Taheil!
During a confident post fight interview, Julian Taheil thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.