PBP Commentary

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

Lyle
vs
Taylor

190 cm
22
184 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
185 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jon Lyle!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jason Taylor!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, John Kavanagh and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taylor lands a really nice looking cross but Lyle seems unphased.
Taylor misses with a double jab.
Lyle dodges the punch combination from Taylor.
Lyle dodges the punch combination from Taylor.
Taylor scores with a three punch combo!
Lyle defending well as Taylor loads up on a big left hand.
No joy there for Taylor, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Taylor misses with a series of wild punches.
A big right from Taylor misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taylor throws a right and a left that Lyle avoids nicely.
Taylor connects with the punch.
Taylor throws a right and a left that both miss.

Lyle scores a takedown into full mount!
Lyle won't let Taylor get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lyle controlling from the full mount.

Lyle moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Taylor has worked his arm free - good work by Taylor!
Taylor parries the strikes from Lyle easily there. Lyle is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Taylor to escape.
Taylor is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

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.

Lyle is trying to get an arm triangle but Taylor is defending well.
Lyle throws a strike aimed at the side of Taylor's head but Taylor avoids it well.

Lyle working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Lyle looking to control but instead Taylor has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor is staying active underneath Lyle, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taylor won't allow Lyle to pass to mount.
Lyle throwing shots but Taylor is blocking nicely.
Lyle not doing much here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Lyle is just content to waste time from the top position. Taylor takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Lyle's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Lyle trying to control the position from guard on top but Taylor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Lyle's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lyle is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Lyle dominated that round.
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 missing with a left hand there. Lyle was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Taylor wants to land a leg kick but Lyle is out of range.
Taylor throws a right and a left that Lyle avoids nicely.
Taylor tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Taylor rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Lyle moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lyle slips a jab and a cross from Taylor.
Taylor swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Taylor misses with a few strikes there.
Taylor misses with a double jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lyle slips a jab and a cross from Taylor.
No joy there for Taylor, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Taylor thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lyle looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Taylor throws a nice looking combination but Lyle bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor swinging wilding here.
Taylor throws a nice looking combination but Lyle bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Lyle looks to land a body kick but Taylor moved away.
Lyle fails with a takedown attempt.
Taylor swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Taylor throws a right and a left that Lyle avoids nicely.
Taylor misses with the combination.
Taylor throws a low kick but it's checked well by Lyle.
Jason Taylor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Taylor throws a right and a left that both miss.

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.
Taylor takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Taylor lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
An inside leg kick lands from Taylor.
Lyle slips under a jab.
Lyle tries to land a leg kick but Taylor saw it coming and moves away.
Taylor buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Taylor will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Taylor throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A punch combination from Taylor misses.
Jason Taylor is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Taylor swinging wilding here.
Taylor scores with a one two! Lyle had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Taylor throws a series of punches but Lyle avoids them all with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Taylor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lyle circles away quickly and effectively.
Taylor throws a right hand that Lyle ducks under and follows up with a left that Lyle also avoids with ease.
Taylor throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lyle uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Taylor.
Taylor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lyle circles away quickly and effectively.
Taylor looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Taylor throws a right and a left that Lyle avoids nicely.
Taylor throws a jab but it's blocked by Lyle.
Taylor defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lyle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jon Lyle. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Lyle closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Taylor did well to prevent Lyle getting side control.
Taylor wants to get back to his feet.
Taylor keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lyle is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Lyle scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lyle with the ground and pound but Taylor uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Lyle lands a couple of elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jason Taylor will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Taylor fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Taylor missing with a left hand there. Lyle was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lyle takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Taylor throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Taylor misses with the combination.
Lyle blocks a head kick by Taylor.
Taylor looks to land a combination but Lyle avoids it well.
Taylor catches Lyle with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Taylor goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taylor throws a big shot that misses.
A punch combination from Taylor misses.
Taylor lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
A combination from Taylor does no damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Taylor scores with a hook.
Taylor throws a body kick the misses
and Lyle counters with a head kick. That will keep Taylor thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Lyle throws a right and a left that Taylor avoids nicely.
A chopping leg kick lands by Taylor.
Taylor falls off balance throwing a combination

and Lyle counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Taylor's guard now.
Taylor is wriggling around but Lyle manages to pass to half guard.
Lyle is taking a breather. Taylor says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Lyle is stalling here. Taylor is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Lyle seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Taylor has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor tries to stand but Lyle is controlling his head.
Lyle regains half guard.
Lyle is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Taylor's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Taylor's back!
Taylor holding both Lyle 's hands and preventing any damage.
Taylor takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lyle misses with punches from the back.
Lyle is landing with strikes from the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lyle is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Lyle softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Lyle misses with a punch to the head.
Lyle wants to control but Taylor is keeping busy.
Jon Lyle overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lyle throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Taylor!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor is trying to get back to his feet but Lyle has full control of the position and if anything, Taylor has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Taylor fending off the submission attempt from Lyle.
Taylor avoids the strikes from Lyle.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
What can Taylor do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Lyle clearly takes that round.
That's time! Lyle's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Lyle shoots in but Taylor avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Taylor works over Lyle's head and body with a nice combination.
Taylor misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A punch combination from Taylor misses.
Taylor swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Lyle counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Taylor really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Lyle. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Taylor keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Taylor is staying active underneath Lyle, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Lyle is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Lyle stops Taylor from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lyle is looking to take a break and control but Taylor is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Lyle throwing shots but Taylor is blocking nicely.

Lyle is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Taylor defends it well.
Lyle working over Taylor with some ground and pound. Taylor looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Lyle misses with a head shot. Taylor uses the momentum to regain guard.
Taylor wants to stand but Lyle is controlling the position.
Taylor is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Lyle lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lyle controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Lyle trying to control but Taylor is working from the bottom.
Lyle trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lyle throwing strikes from guard but Taylor blocks nicely.
Lyle tries to free his leg and advance position but Taylor is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Lyle controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Lyle is working Taylor over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Lyle passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Lyle taking a breather here.
Lyle cracks Taylor with a big elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon Lyle had his way with Jason Taylor in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Taylor is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lyle.
Taylor misses with a wild combination.
Taylor misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nice defenses there by Lyle.
Taylor throws a left and a right that both miss

and Lyle counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Lyle.
Taylor wants to stand and escape but Lyle is having none of it.
Lyle is looking to work some ground and pound but Taylor has wrist control.
Lyle scoring with some ground and pound.
Lyle with a flurry of punches that miss.
Taylor is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Taylor is looking to stand up but Lyle isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lyle throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lyle throws and elbow that misses. Taylor uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Lyle's guard. Nice move by Taylor!
Lyle has Taylor pulled in close to control his posture.
Lyle lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Taylor!
Lyle dominating with strikes here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lyle scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Taylor?
Lyle takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Lyle looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

It looks like Jason Taylor has been cut.

Lyle working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. Taylor turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips Lyle off and cradles Taylor's limp body as Lyle celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:01 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). Jon Lyle!
Jon Lyle is the new middleweight champion!