PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rob Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcus Akimbo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Taylor
vs
Akimbo

180 cm
22
235 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

200 cm
22
245 lbs
1 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rob Taylor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marcus Akimbo!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Columbo Gatti and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Taylor.
Taylor really is a fat lump.
Akimbo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Taylor stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Taylor wants it to stay on the feet.
Akimbo moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Akimbo shoots in but no luck this time.
Akimbo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Taylor moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Taylor stuffs the takedown.
Rob Taylor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcus Akimbo.
Taylor swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Taylor moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

It looks like Marcus Akimbo has been cut.
A punch combination from Akimbo misses.

Akimbo tries to keep at a distance but Taylor has taken the fight into the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Akimbo has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Taylor avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Taylor is trying to break the clinch but Akimbo has him pressed against the cage.
Taylor wants to break free but Akimbo has control.

Akimbo is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Taylor can't fight it off and eventually Akimbo manages to take the fight to the floor. Taylor looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Akimbo stopping the sweep attempt from Taylor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Akimbo!

Taylor working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Taylor can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Akimbo is looking to escape.
Taylor with good strikes from the mount here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Taylor cracks Akimbo with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Taylor trying to control but Akimbo is having none of it.
Akimbo is in a horrible position here. Taylor smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Akimbo is bucking up trying to escape but Taylor cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Akimbo keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Taylor cracks Akimbo with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Akimbo keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Taylor with shots to the head and body - Akimbo looks very uncomfortable down there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akimbo working to try and regain half guard.
Akimbo looks gassed!
Akimbo is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Akimbo is in a horrible position here. Taylor smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Taylor controlling from mount.
Taylor tries to control but Akimbo wriggling away.

Taylor jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Akimbo manages to avoid the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Akimbo tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Taylor wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
You can see the frustration on Akimbo's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Taylor tries to move into full mount but can't pass Akimbo's legs.
Akimbo manages to get back to half guard.
Akimbo trying to get back to full guard but Taylor takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Akimbo is trying desperately to improve position.
Taylor is landing with some decent strikes but Akimbo is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rob Taylor dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Marcus Akimbo's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Akimbo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Taylor sprawls well. Taylor wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Akimbo gets slowly back to his feet.
Akimbo avoids the head kick by Taylor.
Taylor jabs at Akimbo's body.
Taylor misses with a head kick.
A right-left combo lands from Taylor.
Rob Taylor is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Taylor throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Taylor scores with a nice right hand.

That has opened up Marcus Akimbo's cut even more.
No luck for Taylor with that takedown attempt.
Some wild striking there from Taylor.
Taylor connects with a body shot.
Akimbo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Taylor was well out of range. Poor timing from Akimbo.
Nice takedown defense from Taylor. No joy for Akimbo on that attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Taylor is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Akimbo's half guard.
Taylor controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akimbo wants to get back to full guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Akimbo tries to get to full guard but Taylor has control of the leg.
Taylor is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Taylor trying to pass the guard but Akimbo defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Taylor is keen to just control but Akimbo is a slippery customer.
Akimbo pushes Taylor off looking to stand but Taylor dives back in and keeps control.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Taylor looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Taylor shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Akimbo but Akimbo pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Akimbo tries to clinch but Taylor moves away

so Taylor counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Taylor trying to control but Akimbo is working from the bottom.

Akimbo is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Akimbo is looking to stand back up but Taylor counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Akimbo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akimbo wants to sweep but Taylor has passed to side control!

Taylor stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Akimbo shoots in but no luck this time.
Rob Taylor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcus Akimbo.
Taylor throws a nice looking combination but Akimbo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Taylor misses with a wild combination.
Akimbo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Taylor sprawls well. Taylor wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Akimbo gets slowly back to his feet.
Taylor misses with a double jab.
Akimbo throws a combination that misses
and Taylor counters with a left and a right that stings Akimbo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akimbo misses with a hook.
Akimbo on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Taylor.
Taylor swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Akimbo counters with a left and a right that stings Taylor.

It looks like Rob Taylor has been cut.
Akimbo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Taylor paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Akimbo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Taylor defends it nicely.
Taylor throws and low kick but Akimbo moves out of range easily.
Akimbo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Taylor shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Akimbo is bucking up trying to escape but Taylor cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Taylor takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Akimbo tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rob Taylor dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Akimbo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Taylor sprawls well. Taylor wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Akimbo gets slowly back to his feet.
Akimbo moves in looking to clinch but Taylor pushes him off.
Taylor avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Akimbo scores with a three punch combo!
Marcus Akimbo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Taylor fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Akimbo sprawls well initially but Taylor persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Taylor postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Akimbo to stand up.

Taylor has managed to clinch.
Akimbo is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Taylor pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Akimbo keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Taylor's efforts to push away.
Akimbo is working for takedown but Taylor is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rob Taylor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcus Akimbo.
Akimbo is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Akimbo wants a takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Akimbo changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Taylor fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Taylor goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Taylor throws a head kick but Akimbo moves out of range.
Taylor moves in looking to clinch but Akimbo pushes him off.
Taylor throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Taylor throws a sloppy head kick
and Akimbo counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Taylor lands a jab to Akimbo's midsection.
Akimbo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Akimbo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Akimbo misses with a double jab

and Taylor counters with a nice double leg into side control. Akimbo won't be happy with that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Taylor scoring with punches and elbows.
Akimbo is trying to improve his position.
Akimbo throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Akimbo is looking to regain half guard here but Taylor keeps moving and retains side control.
Taylor in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Taylor working the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor working the strikes but Akimbo uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Akimbo is staying active underneath Taylor, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Akimbo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Taylor.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Akimbo.
Taylor shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Akimbo pinned against the cage. Akimbo gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A cross from Taylor lands.

Taylor tries to keep at a distance but Akimbo has taken the fight into the clinch.
Akimbo has Taylor pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Taylor manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Taylor wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Akimbo has him pressed against the cage.
Taylor gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Akimbo.
Taylor is trying to break the clinch but Akimbo is controlling him.
Akimbo lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Akimbo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Taylor is trying to break the clinch but Akimbo has him pressed against the cage.
Taylor wants to get back to striking at distance but Akimbo won't allow it.
Taylor tries to circle away but Akimbo has him pinned against the cage.

Akimbo jumps guard.
Rob Taylor is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Taylor trying to control but Akimbo is working from the bottom.
Marcus Akimbo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Akimbo is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rob Taylor showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Taylor has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:27
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rob Taylor!