PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jacques Gabriel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Keith Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Gabriel
vs
Taylor

182 cm
29
200 lbs
22 - 8 - 0

183 cm
25
178 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jacques Gabriel!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Keith Taylor!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taylor shoots for a takedown but Gabriel saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Gabriel drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Taylor wants to stand but Gabriel is controlling the position.
Taylor not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taylor keeping moving, preventing Gabriel from controlling successfully.
Taylor looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gabriel is one step ahead there.
Gabriel with a flurry of punches that miss.
Taylor controls Gabriel momentarily but Gabriel frees himself.
Gabriel throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gabriel is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Taylor not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Taylor keeping moving, preventing Gabriel from controlling successfully.
Taylor has his hands on Gabriel's head, controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Keith Taylor wasn't active enough on the ground.
Taylor tries for a takedown but Gabriel circles away easily

and Gabriel counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Gabriel.
Taylor tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Taylor can do anything to dispel that myth.
Taylor keeping moving, preventing Gabriel from controlling successfully.
Taylor wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Gabriel trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Taylor is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Taylor is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Keith Taylor hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Gabriel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Taylor manages to avoid it.
Gabriel leaves Taylor with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Jacques Gabriel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keith Taylor.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gabriel is trying hard to land a takedown here. Taylor sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Gabriel throws a body shot but no joy.
Taylor wants to clinch

and Gabriel counters with a single leg into guard. Taylor didn't expect that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gabriel trying to control but Taylor is working from the bottom.
Gabriel is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Taylor is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Taylor trying to keep a closed guard but Gabriel is proving a slippery customer.
Gabriel trying to control the position from guard on top but Taylor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Gabriel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

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

We're going to have a standup here because Jacques Gabriel wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Gabriel closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Taylor's guard.
Gabriel wants to control from the top but Taylor keeps moving.
Gabriel throws a big right hand that misses.
Taylor looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gabriel is one step ahead there.
Gabriel wants to control from the top but Taylor keeps moving.
Gabriel trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Taylor told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Gabriel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gabriel stops Taylor from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gabriel missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Taylor trying to keep a closed guard but Gabriel is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Taylor looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Taylor shoots and misses

and Gabriel counters with a shoot takedown. Taylor fights it but they end up in guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gabriel trying to control the position from guard on top but Taylor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taylor is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The fighters are battling for position here. Gabriel manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Taylor throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gabriel works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Gabriel bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Taylor's guard.
Gabriel pushes down on Taylor's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Taylor is looking to control Gabriel's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Taylor avoid being mounted?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacques Gabriel dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Taylor tries to clinch but Gabriel moves out of range.

Taylor rushes Gabriel and presses him up against the cage.
Gabriel managing to block the knees to the body from Taylor.
Taylor wants a takedown but no success here.
Gabriel struggles to land a body shot inside as Taylor controls his hands.
Gabriel drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Taylor tries to pull guard but Gabriel won't allow it.

Taylor's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor misses with a takedown

and Gabriel counters with a takedown into side control.
Jacques Gabriel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keith Taylor.
Gabriel trying to control the action but Taylor is working from the bottom.
Gabriel taking a break here but Taylor is having none of it and regains half guard.

Gabriel is trying to work for a kimura but Taylor is defending well.
Gabriel sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Taylor defending well though.
Gabriel is looking to advance position but Taylor won't allow it.
Taylor is looking for a sweep. Gabriel is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor trying to control here.
Taylor is controlling Gabriel's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Gabriel is thwarting Taylor's attempts to control the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Keith Taylor wasn't active enough on the ground.
Taylor dives in and grabs Gabriel's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gabriel pushes down on Taylor's head and hops out.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Taylor doesn't succeed with the takedown

so Gabriel counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Gabriel has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Gabriel throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gabriel is pushing down on Taylor's leg trying to pass to half guard. Taylor is fighting to maintain full guard but Gabriel has managed to sneak the leg through.

Gabriel is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Taylor has managed to free his arm - good work.
Nice strikes from Gabriel there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor wants to control but Gabriel is keeping busy.
Taylor has hold of Gabriel's hands but Gabriel slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Gabriel is working for a submission of some sort.

Gabriel is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Taylor has managed to free his arm - good work.

Gabriel is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Gabriel drops an elbow to the side of Taylor's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gabriel prevents Taylor from improving his position.
Taylor is trying to maintain the position but Gabriel is very close to passing his half guard.
Taylor might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Gabriel haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Gabriel not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Gabriel is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Taylor wants to control but Gabriel is keeping busy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gabriel is working for a kimura but Taylor is defending it quite comfortably.

Gabriel is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Taylor has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacques Gabriel dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Taylor has managed to clinch.
Gabriel's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Gabriel is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Taylor is defending well.
Taylor scores with a shoulder strike.
Gabriel has Taylor pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Taylor manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Gabriel wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jacques Gabriel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gabriel tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Taylor just stands there and leans against the cage.
Taylor effectively controlling the action here.
Gabriel is working for takedown but Taylor is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Taylor gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Gabriel regains guard.
Taylor trying to control but Gabriel is working from the bottom.
Taylor trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Taylor throwing strikes but missing.
Taylor distracts Gabriel with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Gabriel trying to control the position.

Gabriel looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Gabriel is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor cracks Gabriel with a solid left hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Taylor looking to pass the guard.
Taylor postures up.
Taylor is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Taylor accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gabriel looking to hit a scissor sweep but Taylor is one step ahead there.
Taylor trying to control but Gabriel is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Taylor looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor postures up.
Taylor must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Taylor throwing strikes but missing.
Jacques Gabriel overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Taylor throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gabriel works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Taylor trying to control but Gabriel is working from the bottom.
Gabriel looking for a sweep. Not yet Gabriel, not yet.
Gabriel is working hard here to advance position.
Taylor working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Taylor advances to half guard.
Taylor thows a huge punch but Gabriel dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gabriel is looking to improve his position.
Taylor not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gabriel is looking for a sweep. Taylor is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Taylor is keen to just control but Gabriel is a slippery customer.
Taylor is thwarting Gabriel's attempts to control the position.

Gabriel is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Taylor pulls his head out easily.
Taylor throwing shots but Gabriel is blocking nicely.
Taylor is trying to control. Gabriel wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ground and pound from Taylor.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gabriel is trying to maintain the position but Taylor is very close to passing his half guard.
Taylor working Gabriel over with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keith Taylor really dominated 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 tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Taylor wants to clinch up but Gabriel keeps it at a distance.

Gabriel gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Taylor wants to control from the top but Gabriel keeps moving.

Gabriel had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Taylor defends it easily.

Taylor avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Gabriel escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Taylor gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Taylor lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor is looking to work some ground and pound but Gabriel has wrist control.
Taylor lands a couple of digs.
Gabriel working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Taylor.
Taylor makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Taylor is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Gabriel has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Taylor is looking to defend but Gabriel has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Taylor! Gabriel pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Taylor taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:45 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Jacques Gabriel!
Jacques Gabriel retains his middleweight title!
Jacques Gabriel decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.