PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nathan Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mykal Zulu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Taylor comes to the cage accompanied by Back To School by Deftones. Zulu has chosen Shyne ft. Barrington Levy - Bad Boyz as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Mykal Zulu enters the cage!

Taylor
vs
Zulu

183 cm
25
215 lbs
10 - 3 - 1

188 cm
26
218 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

Golden Lilium

SPARTAN FIGHTWARE
SPARTAN FIGHTWARE

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 10 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Nathan Taylor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mykal Zulu!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Trevor Gratis and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taylor throws a front kick aimed at Zulu's knee but Zulu avoids it well.
Zulu misses with a two punch combination.
Taylor tries to land a leg kick but Zulu saw it coming and moves away.
Zulu looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Taylor is fending him off so far but Zulu persists. Nope, Taylor circles away and we're back to standing.
Taylor misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Taylor.
Taylor waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zulu.
Taylor closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Zulu moves in looking to clinch but Taylor pushes him off.
Taylor scores with a hook.
No joy there for Zulu, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Taylor uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Zulu.
Taylor misses with a body shot.
Zulu tries to bum rush Taylor with a series of wild strikes but Taylor uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Taylor avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Zulu misses with a straight left.
Zulu is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Taylor.

It looks like Mykal Zulu has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zulu tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Taylor throws a sloppy head kick and Zulu moves out of range easily.
Zulu misses with a few strikes there.
Taylor ducks under a wild hook from Zulu.
Taylor changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Zulu looks gassed!
Zulu avoids a punch combination nicely.
Taylor tries to clinch but Zulu moves away

and Zulu counters with a shoot takedown. Taylor fights it but they end up in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Zulu is controlling him.
Zulu preventing the sweep.
Zulu pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Taylor is keeping the position for now.
Taylor is pulling down on Zulu's head to control his posture.
Taylor knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Zulu on the ground.
Taylor keeping full guard, as Zulu tries to pass.
Zulu won't allow Taylor to sweep him here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Taylor misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Taylor misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Zulu loads up on a big right hand but Taylor slips the punch.
Decent striking displayed by Zulu there.
Zulu misses with the combination.
Zulu connects with a nice looking jab.
Some wild striking there from Zulu.
Zulu tries to bum rush Taylor with a series of wild strikes but Taylor uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Zulu misses with a few strikes there.
Taylor dodges the punch combination from Zulu.
Taylor takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Taylor drops his hands momentarily and Zulu takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Zulu dodges the punch combination from Taylor.
Zulu lands an overhand right.
Zulu throws a leg kick but Taylor sees it coming and checks it nicely.

Zulu darts in and clinches Taylor up against the cage.
Zulu misses with a punch on the inside.
Zulu swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Zulu doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Zulu lands a body shot in the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Zulu.
Zulu keeps control of Taylor as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Taylor working hard to break the clinch.
Zulu lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Taylor tries to break the clinch but Zulu is controlling the position.
Zulu lands a body shot.
Zulu lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Zulu digs a right hand into Taylor's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Taylor's gas tank.
Zulu lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Taylor backwards.
Zulu working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Zulu lands a hook that snaps the head of Taylor backwards.
Taylor has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Zulu lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Zulu softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Taylor has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Nice body punch from Zulu.
A frustrated look appears on Taylor's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Zulu scores with a shot to the side of Taylor's head.
Zulu lands a left hand that snaps the head of Taylor backwards.
Zulu lands a shot to the body.
Zulu lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Zulu throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Taylors head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Taylor.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zulu lands a right hand.
A hook to the body from Zulu.
A nice left hand lands by Zulu.
Good body shot from Zulu.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zulu pushes Taylor back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Zulu working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Zulu works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Zulu lands with a short shot to the head.
Zulu is leaning against Taylor and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A short right from Zulu on the inside.
Zulu gets through Taylor's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Zulu lands with a light punch inside.
Zulu throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A short left from Zulu.
Zulu gets through Taylor's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Zulu.
Zulu pushes Taylor back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Zulu working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Zulu lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Taylor or not.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zulu throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Taylors head.
Zulu throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Zulu.
Taylor is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Nice elbow from Zulu.
Zulu lands with a short shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mykal Zulu dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mykal Zulu's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Taylor on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Zulu scores with a nice strike.
Zulu lands with a nice combination. Taylor backs away looking to recover.
Zulu lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Taylor circles away quickly and effectively.
Zulu throws a body punch but Taylor moves out of range.
Zulu might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Taylor throws a nice looking combination but Zulu bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Taylor misses with an attempted mid kick.
Zulu throws a hook to the side of Taylor's head but Taylor sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Zulu tries to bum rush Taylor with a series of wild strikes but Taylor uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Zulu.
Zulu lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Nathan Taylor is winning the standup battle so far.
Zulu throws a head kick but Taylor moves out of range.
Taylor staying out of range there.
Taylor throws a good cross that connects.
Taylor swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Zulu counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Taylor rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Zulu moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Zulu avoids the head kick by Taylor.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zulu connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Zulu keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Nathan Taylor is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Zulu does no damage.
A jab from Taylor misses.
Zulu throws a right and a left that both miss.
Taylor takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Taylor throws a right and a left that Zulu avoids nicely.
Taylor swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Zulu counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A head kick misses from Zulu.
Zulu scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Taylor swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Taylor steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zulu.
Zulu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Some bone on bone action there as Zulu checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Taylor throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Zulu will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Taylor lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Zulu misses with a head kick.
A decent looking cross lands there for Zulu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zulu throws a one two combo.
Taylor staying out of range there.
Taylor scores with a nice strike.
Mykal Zulu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No joy there for Taylor, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A decent looking cross lands there for Zulu.
Zulu slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Taylor lands a head kick. Zulu smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zulu bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Taylor's head.
Zulu avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Zulu swinging wildly here.
A swing and a miss from Taylor.
Zulu connects with a right hand. Taylor shakes it off.
Taylor scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Zulu misses with a looping left.
Zulu looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Taylor takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A head kick misses from Zulu.
Zulu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Taylor.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zulu missing with a left hand there. Taylor was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Zulu throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Taylor sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Taylor steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zulu.
Taylor closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Zulu's corner calls for a 1-2. Zulu obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Taylor misses with a few strikes there.
Taylor misses with a straight right.
Zulu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Taylor.
A head kick by Zulu misses
and Taylor counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A punch combination from Zulu misses.
Zulu lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Taylor throws a head kick but Zulu moves out of range.
Taylor takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Zulu connects with a jab.
Taylor throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nathan Taylor is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zulu cracks Taylor with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Good exchange - Zulu coming out on top.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zulu. Taylor does a little dance to reset his feet.
Taylor scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor takes a jab right on the kisser.
Taylor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zulu circles away quickly and effectively.
Zulu scores with a decent looking hook.
A cross from Zulu lands.
Taylor ducks under a wild hook from Zulu.
Zulu misses with a combination
and Zulu takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Zulu lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Zulu forces Taylor back against the cage and clinches.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Zulu.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zulu throws a head punch that misses.
Zulu makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Taylor working hard to break the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Zulu.
Taylor blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zulu lands a hook that snaps the head of Taylor backwards.
Taylor looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zulu swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zulu throws a head punch that misses.
A body shot lands from Zulu.
Taylor tries to circle away but Zulu has him pinned against the cage.
A short left from Zulu.
Nice body punch from Zulu - that landed with a thud.
Taylor has had enough of the clinch but Zulu keeps him there for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mykal Zulu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mykal Zulu's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Zulu moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Taylor on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Zulu clinches.
Zulu lands a body shot.
Zulu scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Zulu throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Zulu missing with knees to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Zulu.
Zulu stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Zulu lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Zulu lands a right hand.
Zulu lands an elbow inside that Taylor shrugs off.
Zulu scores with a shot to the side of Taylor's head.
Good body shot from Zulu.
Taylor's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Zulu lands with a short shot to the head.
Zulu works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Zulu lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zulu lands a nice shot to the body.
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!
Zulu scores with a shoulder strike.
A short body shot lands from Zulu as the two fighters clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zulu creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Zulu lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Zulu scores with a shoulder strike.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zulu creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor takes a shot to the head.
Taylor tries to break the clinch but Zulu is controlling the position.
Still in the clinch, Zulu scores with a nice short uppercut.
Zulu lands with a light punch inside.
Zulu pushes Taylor back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Zulu softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Zulu lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Taylor has had enough of the clinch but Zulu keeps him there for the moment.
A short right from Zulu on the inside.
Zulu lands a left hand.
A short right from Zulu on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Zulu.
Nice body punch from Zulu.
Zulu comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Zulu lands a left hand.
Zulu lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Zulu works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Zulu lands a shot to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zulu creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Mykal Zulu seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Zulu works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A short left from Zulu.
Zulu is leaning against Taylor and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A short right from Zulu on the inside.
Taylor tries to break the clinch but Zulu is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zulu scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Zulu lands a left hand.
Zulu pushes Taylor back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Nice body punch from Zulu - that landed with a thud.
Zulu lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Zulu prevents Taylor from breaking the clinch.
Zulu lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Zulu lands a nice shot to the body.
Zulu stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Taylor is trying to force a seperation but Zulu has the dominant position.
Taylor's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Zulu gets through Taylor's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Zulu lands with a short shot to the head.
Zulu works on Taylor's body with a couple of short punches.
Zulu lands with a right to the head.
Zulu misses with a short punch on the inside.
Taylor is trying to break free.
Zulu lands a hook that snaps the head of Taylor backwards.
Zulu lands with a light punch inside.
Zulu misses with a hook from the clinch.
Zulu keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Taylor's efforts to push away.
Taylor tries to break free but Zulu pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zulu.
A shot in the inside from Zulu.
Zulu digs a right hand into Taylor's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Taylor's gas tank.
Zulu lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Zulu keeps control of Taylor as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Zulu lands a body punch.
Mykal Zulu is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zulu lands with a short shot to the head.
A short body shot lands from Zulu as the two fighters clinch.
Zulu throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Zulu working aggressively here.
Zulu prevents Taylor from breaking the clinch.
Zulu swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short left from Zulu.
A short right from Zulu.
Taylor working hard to break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Taylor's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A body shot lands from Zulu.
Zulu gets through Taylor's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Taylor.
Taylor wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Taylor wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Zulu has him pressed against the cage.
A short right from Zulu on the inside.
Zulu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Taylor can't break the clinch.
Zulu lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Zulu prevents Taylor from breaking the clinch.
Zulu lands with a left to the head.
Nathan Taylor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Taylor wants to get back to striking at distance but Zulu won't allow it.
Zulu digs a right hand underneath Taylor's ribcage. Taylor let out a lung full of air as it connected.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zulu misses with the head strike.
Taylor wants to break the clinch but can't.
Zulu lands with a left to the head.
Taylor throws a knee to the head but misses.
Taylor using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Zulu has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mykal Zulu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Zulu 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 William Peck scores the fight 26:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 26:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mykal Zulu!