PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Craig Mack (ranked 3041 p4p, 2960 weight class) and Buddy Taylor (ranked 355 p4p, 345 weight class). Taylor has chosen Bad Reputation as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Buddy Taylor enters the cage!

Mack
vs
Taylor

180 cm
26
155
5 - 3 - 0

175 cm
26
155
3 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Craig Mack!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Buddy Taylor!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Winston Alpacca and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Taylor drops Mack with a beautiful combination! Mack stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Taylor is looking for the KO!

Mack is rocked!

It looks like Craig Mack has been cut.

Mack drives through and clinches with Taylor against the cage.
Oh Mack is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Taylor blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Taylor breaks the clinch.
Taylor looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Mack tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Taylor manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Mack seems to have got his legs back now.

Taylor tries to keep at a distance but Mack has taken the fight into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mack scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Taylor swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mack throws a head punch that misses.
Mack lands an uppercut.
Mack blocking some punches.
Mack lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Taylor or not.
Mack has a couple of punches blocked by Taylor.

Taylor breaks the clinch.

Taylor tries to keep at a distance but Mack has taken the fight into the clinch.
Mack swings wildly with an uppercut but Taylor uses good head movement to avoid it.
Taylor pushes Mack back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Mack digs a right hand underneath Taylor's ribcage. Taylor let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Mack works on Taylor's body with a couple of short punches.
A short left from Mack.

Taylor breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mack connects with a nice looking jab.
Mack tries to clinch up but Taylor circles away and keeps his distance.
Mack doesn't manage to clinch there - Taylor circles away.
Taylor appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

Mack darts in and clinches Taylor up against the cage.
Taylor tries a body shot but Mack blocks it.
Taylor lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Mack throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Taylors head.
Taylor struggles to land a body shot inside as Mack controls his hands.
A head punch on the inside from Mack fails to land.
Mack pushes Taylor back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

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

Mack moves into range and clinches up with Taylor.
Mack definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Mack lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A short right from Mack on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Taylor wants to get back to striking at distance but Mack won't allow it.
Mack gets through Taylor's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Mack blocks an elbow strike from Taylor.
Mack goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Taylor trying to land knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor has a couple of punches blocked by Mack.
Taylor is looking to control Mack's arms but Mack gets an underhook and turns him. Now Taylor has his back to the cage.
Taylor has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Taylor pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mack slips under a jab.
Taylor misses with a straight left.
Mack tries to counter by clinching up but Taylor breaks away and moves out of range.
Mack tries to clinch
enabling Taylor to counter with a crisp jab.

Taylor moves into the clinch.
Mack lands with a light punch inside.
Taylor blocking some punches.
Mack lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Mack misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nice body punch from Mack.
Taylor lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Mack scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Taylor throws an elbow but it misses.
Mack takes a shot to the head.
Mack works on Taylor's body with a couple of short punches.
Taylor fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mack can't find room to land a body shot as Taylor controls the action.
Taylor misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mack is working Taylor over against the cage.
Taylor swings wildly with an uppercut but Mack uses good head movement to avoid it.

Taylor breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mack is looking to clinch but Taylor is avoiding it.
Mack lands a jab to the head.
Mack connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Mack clinches up against the cage.
Mack prevents a body shot from Taylor.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mack.
Taylor's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Taylor pushes Mack back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Taylor looking to throw knees to the head but Mack is blocking nicely.
Mack blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mack pushes Taylor back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mack blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Taylor is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Mack lands a left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Taylor misses with a punch to the body.

Taylor breaks from the clinch.
Taylor throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Mack clinches up against the cage.
Taylor throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Macks head.
Taylor misses with a short punch on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Taylor scores with a nice short uppercut.
Taylor tries to land knees in the clinch but Mack avoids the damage to the body.
Mack dodges an elbow strike from Taylor.
Good body shot from Mack.
A nice right hand lands inside from Mack.
Taylor prevents a body shot from Mack.
Mack misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Taylor is trying to break the clinch but Mack has him pressed against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Mack.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mack lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Mack lands a left hand that snaps the head of Taylor backwards.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Taylor misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mack blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mack throws a head punch that misses.
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 Craig Mack will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Craig Mack's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Taylor avoids the body shot from Mack.
Taylor throws a fast counter high kick but Mack manages to duck under it in time.
Mack wants to clinch up but Taylor keeps it at a distance.
Mack throws a jab but it's blocked by Taylor.
The fighters circling - Mack throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mack backing away here, and Taylor unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Good standup being displayed there by Taylor as he connects with a hook.
Mack ducks right into an uppercut from Taylor.

Mack clinches up with Taylor and pushes him back against the cage.
Craig Mack has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Mack lands a shoulder strike.
A right hook to the body lands for Mack.
Mack blocking some punches.
Taylor is trying to stall.
Taylor lands a hook that snaps the head of Mack backwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mack scores with a shoulder strike.
Stalling in the clinch from Taylor.
Mack blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mack scores with a shot to the side of Taylor's head.
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!
Taylor has Mack pushed against the cage.
Mack prevents a body shot from Taylor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor working hard to break the clinch.
Taylor blocks an uppercut.
Mack tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Taylor's elbow.
Mack stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Taylor escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Mack closes the distance and clinches.
Taylor lands with a right to the head.
Mack's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Mack lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Mack fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from Mack on the inside.
Mack is leaning against Taylor and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Mack misses with the head strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mack.
A head punch on the inside from Mack fails to land.

Taylor's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mack doesn't manage to clinch there - Taylor circles away.
Taylor throws out a counter right but Mack avoids it with no problem.
Mack throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Mack tries to clinch there but Taylor circles away.
Taylor now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Taylor gets tackled into the cage by Mack. Mack maintains the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Taylor breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Craig Mack seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Taylor gets tackled into the cage by Mack. Mack maintains the clinch.
Taylor lands with a right to the head.
Mack lands a shoulder strike.
Taylor lands a nice shot to the body.
Taylor is working Mack over against the cage.

Taylor pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Taylor cracks a nice hook into Mack's ribs.
Buddy Taylor seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mack tries to clinch but Taylor moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mack looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Taylor circles away from the clinch attempt.
Taylor appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Mack connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Mack moves into range and connects with a jab.

Mack closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor wants to break free but Mack has control.
Taylor wants to get back to striking at distance but Mack won't allow it.
Mack misses with some punches.
Taylor struggles to land a body shot inside as Mack controls his hands.
A short right from Taylor on the inside.
Mack swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Taylor missing with knees to the body.

Taylor's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mack doesn't manage to clinch there - Taylor circles away.

Taylor gets tackled into the cage by Mack. Mack maintains the clinch.
Taylor wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mack has him pressed against the cage.

Taylor breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Taylor circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mack is looking to clinch but Taylor is avoiding it.
Mack tries to clinch up but Taylor circles away and keeps his distance.
Taylor throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Taylor takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Taylor connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mack gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Taylor lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Mack backwards.
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!
Mack fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mack lands a shoulder strike.
Taylor tries a knee to the head but Mack blocks it.
A head punch on the inside from Taylor fails to land.
Taylor scores with a shot to the side of Mack's head.
Mack pushes Taylor back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Mack throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Taylor lands with a short shot to the head.
Mack tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Taylor's elbow.

Taylor manages to break the clinch.
Mack takes a swing at Taylor's ribcage but misses.

Mack clinches with his opponent.
Mack misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mack tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A nice left hand lands by Mack.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mack misses with a hook from the clinch.
Taylor tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
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 Craig Mack will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Craig Mack's cut.
That's time! Mack's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Mack fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mack tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Taylor paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Taylor moves into range and clinches up with Mack.
Taylor misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Taylor.
A short body shot lands from Mack as the two fighters clinch.
Mack lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Mack misses with a punch to the body.
Taylor blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Taylor pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mack wants to clinch
and Taylor counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mack sizes up Taylor with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Mack gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Mack blocking some punches.
Taylor tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mack's elbow.
Taylor tries to throw a body punch but Mack avoids it by throwing Taylor back against the cage.
Mack has a couple of punches blocked by Taylor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mack fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mack throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Taylors head.
Mack tries to throw a body punch but Taylor avoids it by throwing Mack back against the cage.
Mack keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Taylor's efforts to push away.
Taylor tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Mack managing to block the knees to the body from Taylor.

Taylor breaks from the clinch.
Taylor swats away the attempt to clinch by Mack.
A nice side step and Taylor releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Taylor throws a head kick that misses.
Mack tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Taylor manages to circle out of the way.
Mack tries to clinch there but Taylor circles away.
Taylor unleashes a big counter combination but Mack bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Mack tries to clinch up but Taylor circles away and keeps his distance.

Mack gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Mack lands a right hand.
Mack tries to throw a body punch but Taylor avoids it by throwing Mack back against the cage.
Mack is leaning against Taylor and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Mack takes a shot to the head.
Mack cracks Taylor with a nice body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor throws a head punch that misses.
Taylor working hard to break the clinch.
Taylor wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mack blocking some punches.
Taylor is looking to control Mack's arms but Mack gets an underhook and turns him. Now Taylor has his back to the cage.
Taylor misses with a punch on the inside.

Taylor's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Taylor keeps the fight on the outside.
Taylor circles away from the clinch attempt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A big right from Mack misses.
Taylor throws a fast counter high kick but Mack manages to duck under it in time.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Taylor pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mack is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Taylor uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Mack has time to react.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mack tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Taylor swats away the attempt to clinch by Mack.
Taylor throws a head kick but Mack moves out of range.

Mack has Taylor up against the cage in a clinch.
Taylor tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Mack managing to block the knees to the body from Taylor.
Mack can't find room to land a body shot as Taylor controls the action.
Still in the clinch, Mack scores with a nice short uppercut.
A right hand to the body from Mack.
Taylor takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mack.
Mack gets through Taylor's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Mack lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Taylor.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Mack creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Taylor blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A nice left hand lands by Mack.
A left hand lands to the body for Mack.
Mack lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mack lands a left hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Taylor is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Mack scores with a shot to the side of Taylor's head.
Mack tries a body shot but Taylor blocks it.
A short right from Mack on the inside.
Mack blocking some punches.
Taylor misses with a punch on the inside.
Mack is working Taylor over against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Mack.
Mack misses with a punch on the inside.
Mack scores with a nice hook to the head.
Buddy Taylor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Taylor tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mack's elbow.
Taylor throws a head punch that misses.
Mack lands an uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Mack creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Taylor tries to work over Mack's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mack misses with the head strike.
Taylor is trying to force a seperation but Mack has the dominant position.
Taylor's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Taylor is rocked!
Taylor misses with a hook from the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Craig Mack showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mack, 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 David Hoff scores the fight 30:27
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Craig Mack!
A relieved looking Craig Mack thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
Buddy Taylor spoke after the fight, saying 'I'll be back ..stronger '.