PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Matan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mac Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matan comes to the cage accompanied by Lijepa naša (croatian national Anthem). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Matan
vs
Taylor

190 cm
19
265 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

188 cm
26
265 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ivan Matan!
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, Mac Taylor!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Dean Styles and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taylor scores with a sloppy right hand. Matan should have avoided that one.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Matan enables Taylor to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Matan manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Taylor stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Matan swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Matan wants to stand up but Taylor is controlling him.
Matan on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Matan tries to get out of the position.
Taylor stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Matan swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Taylor passes Matan's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Matan is trying to stand.
Matan is not content to let Taylor control the position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Taylor connects with a nice short shot to Matan's temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Taylor is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Matan is trying to stand.
Taylor trying to control from Matan's half guard. Matan has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Taylor throwing strikes from guard but Matan blocks nicely.
Matan can't keep his opponent in guard - Taylor advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Matan blocking the ground and pound attempt from Taylor.
Taylor slips a nice elbow through Matan's hands, connecting with Matan's forehead.
Matan pushes Taylor off looking to stand but Taylor dives back in and keeps control.
Taylor missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Taylor thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Matan's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Taylor not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Taylor with the ground and pound but Matan uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Taylor trying to control the position from guard on top but Matan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taylor looking to pass the guard.
Taylor has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Taylor missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Matan is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Taylor is controlling him.
Taylor wants to control from the top but Matan keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matan pushes Taylor off and scrambles back to his feet.
Matan is breathing heavily.

Taylor shoots in and bounces Matan off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Matan has momentary wrist control but Taylor slips an elbow through the middle.
Taylor stands up over Matan, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Taylor loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Taylor looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Taylor wants to pass the guard but Matan is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Matan wants to stand up but Taylor is controlling him.
Matan utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Taylor loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Taylor 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. Taylor seems to have locked his on tight now - Matan screams in pain and taps out furiously! It certainly was a high risk move but it's paid off for Taylor, as he picks up the win!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Mac Taylor!