PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wiley Abu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Taylor
vs
Abu

182 cm
23
180 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

182 cm
27
179 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Marcus Taylor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wiley Abu!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Daniel Franklin and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taylor throws a lazy uppercut
and Taylor takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Taylor swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Abu counters with a straight right hand.
Abu shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Taylor counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Taylor throws a lazy right hand but Abu sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Taylor throws out a loose jab but Abu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Taylor stuffs the takedown.
Taylor throws a right hand that misses

and Abu counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Abu wants to free his trapped foot but Taylor is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Abu prevents Taylor from standing back up.

Abu is working for a submission of some sort.
Abu tries to pass to full mount but Taylor defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Abu is working for a submission of some sort.
Taylor is not content to let Abu control the position.
Abu wants to advance to full mount but Taylor doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Abu trying to control the position from guard on top but Taylor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Abu tries to free his leg and advance position but Taylor is retaining full guard.

Abu thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Abu prevents Taylor from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Abu is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Taylor is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Abu drops back looking for a leg! Taylor is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Taylor manages to kick Abu off! Abu jumps back into Taylor's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Abu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Abu drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Abu jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Abu tries to free his leg and advance position but Taylor is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taylor is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Taylor is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Taylor wants to break the clinch but can't.
Abu has Taylor pressed against the cage, preventing Taylor from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Taylor wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Taylor escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Taylor swings widly with a right hand

and Abu counters with a single leg into guard. Taylor didn't expect that.
Abu tries to free his leg and advance position but Taylor is retaining full guard.
Taylor utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Abu pushes down on Taylor's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Abu tries to pass to full mount but Taylor defends it.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor looks like he's trying to stand up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Abu wants to take a breather but Taylor is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taylor wants to get back to his feet.
Abu trying to pass the guard but Taylor defending well.
Taylor is trying to stand.

Abu is trying to work for a kimura but Taylor is defending well.
Taylor is trying to stand up here but Abu is controlling him well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wiley Abu dominated that round.
That's time! Taylor's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Taylor misses with a combination

and Abu counters with a shoot takedown. Taylor fights it but they end up in guard.
Taylor keeping moving, preventing Abu from controlling successfully.
Taylor can't keep his opponent in guard - Abu advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

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

Abu is trying to work for a kimura but Taylor is defending well.

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

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Abu 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. Abu eventually gives up the hold.
Taylor pushes Abu off looking to stand but Abu dives back in and keeps control.

Abu is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Taylor tries to kick Abu off but Abu keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

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.

Abu wants to work for an arm triangle but Taylor is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Taylor is staying active underneath Abu, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Taylor is defending against the submission attempts here by Abu.

Taylor makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Marcus Taylor is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Abu shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Taylor looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor won't allow Abu to pass to mount.
Wiley Abu has got the better of the ground game so far.

Taylor kicks off Abu and gets to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Taylor leaves Abu with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Taylor keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Taylor swings widly with a right hand

and Abu counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Abu.

Taylor pushes Abu off and scrambles back to his feet.
Abu shoots in looking for a takedown. Taylor tries to sprawl out of it but Abu keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Taylor manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Marcus Taylor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wiley Abu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abu fails with the takedown.
A shot to the liver by Taylor. Beautiful body shot.
The crowd cheers as Taylor lands an impressive looking overhand right. Abu doesn't seem phased though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Taylor throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Taylor punishes Abu's body with a nice straight punch.
Taylor fails to land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Marcus Taylor will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Abu shoots in but Taylor avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Taylor falls off balance throwing a combination

and Abu counters with a single leg into guard. Taylor didn't expect that.
Taylor can't keep his opponent in guard - Abu advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Abu is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Taylor sees it coming and defends easily.
Abu wants to control but Taylor is keeping him busy.

Abu is looking for a kimura but Taylor is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Abu to get the leverage.

Abu is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Taylor sees it coming and defends easily.
Taylor tries to kick Abu off but Abu keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Abu is looking to advance position but Taylor won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abu stops Taylor from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Abu is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Taylor is looking to escape.

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

Abu 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. Abu eventually gives up the hold.
Abu is pressing down on Taylor's thigh, looking to free his foot. Taylor is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Taylor wants to get back to his feet.

Abu is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Taylor looks like he's trying to stand up.
Abu trying to control from half guard but Taylor is working away.

Abu 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. Abu eventually gives up the hold.
Taylor wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Abu is working for a submission of some sort.
Abu wants to pass to mount but Taylor is defending the position.

Abu 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. Abu eventually gives up the hold.
Taylor looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Abu thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Taylor is looking to escape.

Abu is looking for a kimura here.

Abu seems to be looking for submissions.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Taylor won't allow Abu to pass to mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wiley Abu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Abu has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wiley Abu!