PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Paden Taber (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Houdson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Taber
vs
Houdson

180 cm
20
162 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
26
165 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

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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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Paden Taber!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Houdson!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Reed Andrews and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Houdson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Taber sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Houdson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Taber defends it nicely.
Taber throws a nice inside leg kick.
Taber ducks under a wild hook from Houdson.
Houdson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Taber ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Houdson moves away.
A big right from Taber misses.
Houdson slips a straight right by Taber.
Taber looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A punch combination from Houdson misses.
Taber throws a quick inside leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Taber. Houdson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Houdson tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Taber misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Houdson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Houdson won't allow Taber to sweep him here.
Taber is working hard here to advance position.
Taber wants to stand up but Houdson is controlling him.
Taber seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taber wants to stand up but Houdson is controlling him.
Houdson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Taber trying to control the position here.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Paden Taber just wasn't active enough.
Houdson throws the left hand but Taber avoids the punch easily.
Taber throws an overhand right that lands on Houdson's shoulder, as Houdson tries to avoid the shot.
Houdson misses with a body shot
and Taber counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Taber pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Houdson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Taber circles away quickly and effectively.
Taber tries a head kick but it misses.

Houdson feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Taber pulls Houdson in close to prevent any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taber has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Houdson preventing the sweep.
Taber is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Paden Taber wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Houdson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Taber scores with a nice head shot.
Taber swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Houdson counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Taber is doing well to control the position and prevent Houdson from advancing to side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Houdson in particular looking to stall.
Taber is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taber on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Taber tries to get out of the position.

Houdson is looking for a kimura but Taber is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Houdson to get the leverage.
Taber is not content to let Houdson control the position.
Houdson is looking to pass Taber's guard but actually Taber recovers to full guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Taber bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Houdson's guard.
Taber trying to stand up but can't free himself from Houdson's guard.
Taber controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

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.
Houdson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Taber looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Taber throws a strike but Houdson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Taber controlling the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Taber looking to hit a scissor sweep but Houdson is one step ahead there.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Paden Taber wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Taber dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nice defenses there by Houdson.
Houdson misses with a wild body shot.
Houdson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Houdson walks into a jab.
Houdson blocks a jab.
Taber throws a jab but it's blocked by Houdson.
Taber thuds his right hand into Houdson's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Taber ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Houdson moves away.
Houdson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Taber.
Taber connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Houdson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Taber throws out the jab.
Taber uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Houdson.
Houdson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Taber misses with a body kick.
Houdson misses with a shot to the body
and Taber counters with a nice uppercut.
Taber takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Houdson has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Houdson there as he acknowledges the shot.
Taber slaps away a takedown attempt from Houdson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Taber connects with a solid leg kick.
Houdson is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taber scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Houdson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Taber.
Taber moves out of range of the body kick from Houdson.
Taber looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Taber lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Taber darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Taber connects with a crisp jab.
Houdson takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Taber lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Taber.
Houdson on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Taber connects with a high kick.
Houdson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Houdson dodges the punch combination from Taber.
Taber swinging wildly here.
Taber connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taber sizes up Houdson with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Taber fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Taber connects with a solid leg kick.
Taber uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Paden Taber is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Taber fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Taber bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Houdson takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
A punch lands to the side of Houdson 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Houdson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Taber finds it's way round the side to connect with Houdson's head.
Taber connects with a solid leg kick.
Houdson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Taber.
Taber lands with a good body shot.
Houdson sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Houdson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Taber scores with a hook to the body. Houdson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Taber throws a shot to the body.
Houdson takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taber misses with a series of wild punches.
Taber throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Houdson stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Houdson drops his hands momentarily and Taber takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Taber plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Taber comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Taber scores with a leg kick.
Taber's corner calls for a 1-2. Taber obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Taber scores with a nice head shot.
Houdson takes a jab right on the kisser.
A chopping leg kick lands by Taber.
Taber comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Taber scores with a head kick. Houdson tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Taber thuds a left hand into Houdson's 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!
Taber punishes Houdson's body with a nice straight punch.
Good exchange - Taber coming out on top.
Taber comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taber jabs Houdson to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Taber scores with a kick to the body.
Taber lands with an uppercut that bounces Houdson off the cage and back into rage.
Taber wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Taber is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Houdson can do to turn this around?
Taber thuds a left hand into Houdson's body.
Taber is looking to slow Houdson down with leg kicks.
Taber listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Taber lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Houdson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Taber throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Houdson.
Houdson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Taber scores with a jab to the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Houdson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Taber. Taber obviously looking to wear him down.
Taber throws a nice looking combination but Houdson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice straight punches there by Taber. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Taber.
Taber misses with a double jab
and Houdson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paden Taber dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Taber scores with a nice head shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for Taber.
Taber misses with a looping left.
Houdson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Paden Taber is winning the standup battle so far.
Taber digs a good body shot into Houdson's ribs.
Taber scores with a three punch combo!
Houdson moves forwards but Taber connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Houdson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Taber's waist but Taber gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Houdson off to one side.
Taber scores with a three punch combo!
Houdson has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Taber fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Houdson has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Taber throws a head kick that misses.
Taber swinging wildly here.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Taber.
Taber scores with a shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Houdson ducks right into an uppercut from Taber.
Taber dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taber lands a jab to the nose.
Taber smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Houdson walks into a straight right hand from Taber.
Taber lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Taber lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Houdson ducks right into an uppercut from Taber.
Taber scores with a sloppy right hand. Houdson should have avoided that one.
Taber lands a high kick!
Taber uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Houdson has time to react.
Taber connects with a solid leg kick.
Taber lands with a straight right. Houdson didn't see that one coming.
Taber misses with a body shot.
Taber scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Taber dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Houdson. That did some damage!
Nice shot lands for Taber.
Taber lands with a straight right. Houdson didn't see that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taber lands with an uppercut that bounces Houdson off the cage and back into rage.
Taber keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
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!
Taber swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Taber lands with a nice body punch.
Michael Houdson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Taber lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Taber throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Houdson on the side of the head.
Taber lands with a straight right. Houdson didn't see that one coming.
Taber thuds a left hand into Houdson's body.
Houdson takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Nice uppercut there from Taber.
Taber lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Houdson backs up against the cage.
Taber lands a slapping body shot.
Paden Taber is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Decent striking displayed by Taber there.
A cross from Taber lands.
Taber throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Houdson stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taber moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Taber cracks Houdson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Taber scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Taber lands a high kick!
Taber bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Houdson's head backwards.
Houdson shoots in and drives through. Taber sprawls well.
Taber fakes the leg kick and cracks Houdson in the body.
Houdson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Taber cracks Houdson with a good jab.
That kick from Taber tenderised Houdson's leg. Houdson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Taber moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Taber with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Houdson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Paden Taber has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Houdson.
An inside leg kick lands from Taber.
Taber lands a glancing blow to the side of Houdson's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taber scores with a head kick. Houdson tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Taber looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Taber dips to his left and cracks Houdson with an uppercut!
Houdson gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Houdson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Taber scoring well with a low kick there.
Taber wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Houdson misses with a takedown
and Taber counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Taber lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Houdson walks into a straight right hand from Taber.
Jab, jab by Taber - just one landing.
Nice jab there from Taber.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Houdson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
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!
Taber lands a nice shot to the body.
Taber changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Taber thuds his right hand into Houdson's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paden Taber showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Taber, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:25
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:25
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paden Taber!