PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Josh Reilly (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Herald Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Taylor is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Smoke the Fire!!. Herald Taylor is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Reilly
vs
Taylor

175 cm
18
150 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

198 cm
22
150 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Josh Reilly!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Herald Taylor!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taylor moves in looking to clinch but Reilly pushes him off.
Taylor shoots in for a takedown but Reilly shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Reilly takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A punch combination from Taylor misses.
Taylor wants to clinch up but Reilly keeps it at a distance.
Reilly with a poor takedown

and Taylor moves into the clinch.
Taylor using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Reilly has Taylor pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Reilly pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Taylor tumbling to the mat - Reilly dives into Taylor's guard.
Reilly trying to control the position from guard on top but Taylor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taylor throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Taylor is trying to control the position but Reilly postures up.
Reilly throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Taylor scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Reilly shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Taylor has one foot on Reilly's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Reilly closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Reilly pulls guard.

Reilly working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Taylor doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Taylor manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Reilly is looking to stand up but Taylor isn't so interested in that idea.
Reilly is breathing heavily.
Taylor wanted to stand there but Reilly had control of the position.
Reilly utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor wants to control from the top but Reilly keeps moving.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Reilly shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Taylor defends it nicely.
Taylor darts in trying to clinch

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

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor wanted to stand there but Reilly had control of the position.
Taylor makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Taylor is looking to stand up but Reilly won't let him.
Taylor must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Reilly wants to stand up but Taylor is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Taylor won't allow Reilly to sweep him here.
Taylor has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Reilly is proving hard to escape from.
Taylor throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Taylor stands up and waves to Reilly to follow him.
Reilly looks to land a combination but Taylor avoids it well.
Taylor lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Taylor has closed the distance and engaged Reilly in a clinch.
Reilly blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Taylor wants a takedown but no success here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Reilly displaying some good clinch control by pressing Taylor up against the cage.
Reilly looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Reilly. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Taylor is pressed up against the cage. Reilly has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Taylor down to the mat. Taylor avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Josh Reilly will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Taylor tries to clinch but Reilly moves away

and Reilly counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Reilly trying to control from half guard but Taylor is working away.
Taylor is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Taylor moves into full guard.
Reilly wants to control from the top but Taylor keeps moving.
Taylor wants to sweep here but Reilly controlling him for the moment.
Taylor manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Reilly is working to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor wants to control the pace but Reilly is squirming around nicely.

Taylor is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Reilly has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Reilly!
Reilly trying to control the position from guard on top but Taylor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Reilly might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Taylor is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Reilly is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Taylor keeping moving, preventing Reilly from controlling successfully.

Taylor working for submissions but it's allowed Reilly to get to half guard.

Reilly is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Reilly trying to control from Taylor's half guard. Taylor has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

Reilly stands and steps away. Taylor gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Left hook, right uppercut from Taylor.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor misses with the combination.
Taylor wants to clinch.

Reilly has Taylor up against the cage in a clinch.
Reilly taking a breather.
Reilly creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Taylor pulls guard.
Taylor is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Reilly is controlling him.
Reilly distracts Taylor with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four 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.
Reilly working some strikes from top position.
Reilly trying to control but Taylor is working from the bottom.

Reilly gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Reilly avoids a punch combination nicely.
Reilly jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Reilly closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Taylor did well to prevent Reilly getting side control.
Taylor is looking to escape.
Taylor tries to get to full guard but Reilly has control of the leg.
Reilly is looking to stall here but Taylor recovers full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Reilly tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A slapping leg kick lands for Taylor.
Taylor clinches but Reilly breaks the clinch

and Reilly counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Reilly.
Reilly trying to control the position from guard on top but Taylor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Reilly controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Reilly is in close to Taylor's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Taylor preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Reilly preventing the sweep.
Reilly looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Reilly is controlling him.
Taylor is wriggling around but Reilly manages to pass to half guard.

Reilly is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Taylor is just riding it out for now. Reilly eventually gives up the hold.

Reilly is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Taylor looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

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

and Taylor moves into the clinch.

Taylor turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Taylor wants to stand but Reilly has him controlled and pulls him back into his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taylor wants to control from the top but Reilly keeps moving.

Taylor stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor tries to clinch but Reilly moves away

and Reilly counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Reilly.
Reilly looking to pass the guard.
Reilly preventing the sweep.
Reilly is working Taylor over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Taylor looking to control.
Taylor thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Reilly thows a big elbow that misses.
Taylor is looking to stand up but Reilly isn't so interested in that idea.
Taylor looking to hit a scissor sweep but Reilly 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 tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Reilly counters by moving into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reilly goes for a takedown in the clinch but Taylor prevents it.

Taylor lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Reilly flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Reilly is looking to improve his position.
Reilly is trying to stand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Reilly clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Taylor darts in trying to clinch

and Reilly counters with a single leg into guard. Taylor didn't expect that.
Taylor is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Reilly stands up from Taylor's guard - Reilly perhaps looking for a knockout.
Reilly circles away from the clinch attempt.
Taylor wants to clinch

so Reilly counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Reilly postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Reilly missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor is striking off his back. Reilly thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Reilly gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Taylor lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Reilly closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Reilly lands in his opponent's guard.
Reilly trying to control the position from guard on top but Taylor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taylor throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Reilly stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Taylor swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reilly passes Taylor's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Taylor tries to kick Reilly off but Reilly keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Reilly looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Taylor gets back to full guard.
Reilly passes Taylor's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reilly prevents Taylor from improving his position.
Taylor gets back to full guard.
Taylor keeping moving, preventing Reilly from controlling successfully.

Taylor pushes Reilly off and gets back to his feet.

Reilly closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Taylor to the mat! Taylor manages to get full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Taylor has his feet on Reilly's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Taylor tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Reilly counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Reilly trying to control the position from guard on top but Taylor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taylor wants to stand but Reilly is controlling the position.
Reilly wants to control from the top but Taylor keeps moving.
Reilly won't allow Taylor to sweep him here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Reilly 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.

Josh Reilly had his way with Herald Taylor in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Taylor tries to clinch but Reilly moves away

and Reilly holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Reilly looking for a takedown.

Reilly drags the fight down to the ground.
Reilly wants to stand and escape but Taylor is having none of it.

Taylor stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Taylor cracks Reilly with a good jab.
Taylor throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Taylor. That's going to slow Reilly down.
Taylor stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Taylor wants it to stay on the feet.

Taylor moves into range and clinches up with Reilly.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Taylor stalls.

Taylor breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Reilly shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Taylor but Taylor pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Reilly. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor darts in trying to clinch

and Reilly counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Reilly not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Reilly thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Taylor's head.

Reilly looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Taylor kicks Reilly off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Reilly closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Reilly misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Taylor.

Taylor jumps into guard, dragging Reilly to the mat.
Reilly is pushing down on Taylor's leg trying to pass to half guard. Taylor is fighting to maintain full guard but Reilly has managed to sneak the leg through.
Reilly stops Taylor from getting back to his feet.
Taylor is trying to control but can't.
Taylor is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Taylor kicks Reilly off and gets back to his feet.
Taylor closes the distance looking to clinch

and Reilly holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Reilly tries to pull guard but Taylor won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reilly tries to pull guard but Taylor won't allow it.
Taylor is looking to control Reilly's arms but Reilly gets an underhook and turns him. Now Taylor has his back to the cage.
Taylor gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Reilly.
A short uppercut from Taylor.
Taylor scores a nice knee to the body.
Come on Reilly - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Taylor putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Reilly in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Reilly goes for a takedown in the clinch but Taylor prevents it.

Taylor breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Reilly closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Taylor did well to prevent Reilly getting side control.
Taylor wants to get back to his feet.
Reilly perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reilly wants to control but Taylor is keeping him busy.
Reilly with the ground and pound but Taylor uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Reilly trying to control but Taylor is working from the bottom.
Taylor manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Reilly manages to get himself to full guard.
Herald Taylor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Taylor with a flurry of punches that miss.
Josh Reilly is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Reilly is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Josh Reilly.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Reilly, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andi Peters scores the fight 50:45
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 50:45
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh Reilly!
Josh Reilly is the new featherweight champion!