PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between George Stephenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rob Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Stephenson
vs
Taylor

188 cm
25
245 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
21
242 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, George Stephenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Rob Taylor!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Donald Grub and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stephenson tries to clinch up.
Stephenson's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Stephenson duly obliges.
Taylor shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stephenson defends it nicely.
George Stephenson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Stephenson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Taylor was covering up waiting for the punch and Stephenson finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Stephenson stands up from Taylor's guard - Stephenson perhaps looking for a knockout.
Stephenson looks to land a combination. Taylor sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Taylor gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Stephenson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Stephenson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Taylor keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Stephenson's efforts to push away.
Stephenson working hard to break the clinch.
Taylor is working for takedown but Stephenson is calmly controlling the position for now.
George Stephenson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rob Taylor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Stephenson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Taylor wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Stephenson tries to break free but Taylor pushes him back against the cage.

Stephenson manages to break the clinch.
Stephenson tries to close the distance and clinch but Taylor swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Stephenson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Stephenson moves into the clinch successfully.
Taylor jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Stephenson walks away with a smile on his face. Taylor gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Stephenson clinches up with Taylor and pushes him back against the cage.
Stephenson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Stephenson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Taylor looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stephenson is fending him off so far but Taylor persists. Nope, Stephenson circles away and we're back to standing.
A punch combination from Taylor misses.

Stephenson has managed to clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Stephenson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Stephenson is trying to force a seperation but Taylor has the dominant position.
Stephenson is trying to break free.
Stephenson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Stephenson breaks from the clinch.
A head kick misses from Taylor.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stephenson clinches with his opponent.
Taylor jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Stephenson walks away with a smile on his face. Taylor gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Taylor shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Stephenson counters with a series of strikes. Taylor will be more careful next time no doubt.
Taylor misses with a takedown

and Stephenson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Stephenson.
Taylor looks gassed!
Taylor wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Stephenson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Stephenson scores with a one two! Taylor had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Stephenson clinches with his opponent.
Stephenson tries to break free but Taylor pushes him back against the cage.
Stephenson has had enough of the clinch but Taylor keeps him there for the moment.
Stephenson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Taylor stalling against the cage.

Taylor breaks from the clinch.

Stephenson darts in and clinches Taylor up against the cage.

Stephenson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor misses with a head kick.
Taylor shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Stephenson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Stephenson gets a clinch.
Stephenson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

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

Stephenson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Stephenson has had enough of the clinch but Taylor keeps him there for the moment.
Stephenson wants to break free but Taylor has control.
Stephenson is trying to break the clinch but Taylor has him pressed against the cage.
Stephenson keeps control of Taylor as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Stephenson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Stephenson breaks the clinch.

Stephenson clinches with his opponent.
Stephenson can't break the clinch.
Taylor drops down looking for an ankle pick but Stephenson pulls his leg out and moves away.

Stephenson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stephenson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Taylor misses with a head kick.

Taylor looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Stephenson kicks off Taylor and gets to his feet.

Stephenson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Taylor!
Stephenson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Stephenson get's back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Stephenson dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Stephenson drives through and clinches with Taylor against the cage.

Stephenson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Taylor shoots and misses

and Stephenson counters by clinching up.
Taylor drops down looking for an ankle pick but Stephenson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Taylor dodges the punch combination from Stephenson.
Taylor is looking to clinch but Stephenson is avoiding it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Stephenson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Taylor throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taylor darts in trying to clinch

and Stephenson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Taylor's guard.

Stephenson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Taylor, up you get!
Taylor is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephenson lands a jab-cross combination.

Stephenson instigates a clinch.

Stephenson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Taylor tries to clinch up but Stephenson circles away and keeps his distance.
George Stephenson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Taylor with a lazy takedown attempt
and Stephenson counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
George Stephenson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rob Taylor.

Stephenson gets a clinch.

Taylor wants the takedown. Stephenson is fighting it off but Taylor persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Stephenson's guard against the cage.
Taylor won't allow Stephenson to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson keeping moving, preventing Taylor from controlling successfully.
Taylor wants to stand and escape but instead Stephenson has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Stephenson wants to get up but he can't break Taylor's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Taylor wants to sweep but no luck.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Taylor misses with a takedown attempt

and Stephenson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Taylor's guard now.

Stephenson stands up from Taylor's guard - Stephenson perhaps looking for a knockout.

Stephenson has closed the distance and engaged Taylor in a clinch.
Stephenson presses Taylor against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Stephenson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Taylor has Stephenson pressed against the cage, preventing Stephenson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Stephenson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Taylor has Stephenson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Stephenson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Stephenson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Stephenson can't break the clinch.
Taylor prevents Stephenson from breaking the clinch.
Taylor keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Stephenson's efforts to push away.
Taylor should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Stephenson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Taylor pulls guard successfully.

Stephenson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Taylor, up you get!
Taylor tries to clinch up.

Stephenson moves into the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stephenson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Stephenson.
Taylor drops down looking for an ankle pick but Stephenson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Stephenson throws a right and a left that Taylor avoids nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Stephenson dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Stephenson moves into the clinch successfully.
Taylor is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stephenson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A frustrated look appears on Stephenson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Taylor changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stephenson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Stephenson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Taylor counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Taylor closes the distance and clinches.
Taylor tries to pull guard but Stephenson holds him up against the cage and eventually Taylor drops back down to his feet.
George Stephenson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rob Taylor.
Taylor keeps control of Stephenson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Stephenson can't break the clinch.

Stephenson manages to break the clinch.
Taylor tries for a takedown but Stephenson circles away easily

and Stephenson moves into the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stephenson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Stephenson can't break the clinch.
Stephenson tries to circle away but Taylor has him pinned against the cage.
Taylor has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Stephenson is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Stephenson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephenson lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Stephenson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Stephenson has had enough of the clinch but Taylor keeps him there for the moment.
Stephenson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Taylor blocks it with crossed arms.
Taylor tries to circle away but Stephenson has him pinned against the cage.
Taylor tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Stephenson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Taylor keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Stephenson's efforts to push away.
Stephenson is looking to break free of the clinch but Taylor has double underhooks.
Taylor tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Stephenson smiles and moves away.

Stephenson clinches.
Taylor lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Taylor jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Stephenson walks away with a smile on his face. Taylor gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Stephenson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Still in the clinch, Stephenson scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor drops down looking for an ankle pick but Stephenson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Stephenson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Taylor moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Stephenson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Stephenson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Taylor keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Stephenson's efforts to push away.
Taylor can't get the takedown.
Taylor fails to pull guard.
Taylor keeps control of Stephenson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Stephenson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Stephenson lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Stephenson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Stephenson lands a hook to the side of the head.
Taylor tries to pull guard but Stephenson won't allow it.
Stephenson tries to circle away but Taylor has him pinned against the cage.
Stephenson prevents Taylor from breaking the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Stephenson managing to block the knees to the body from Taylor.
A frustrated look appears on Stephenson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Stephenson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Stephenson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Taylor can do to turn this around?
Stephenson throws a right and a left that both miss.

Taylor is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Stephenson's half guard.
Stephenson tries to kick Taylor off but Taylor keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Taylor wants to control but Stephenson is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Taylor missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rob Taylor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
George Stephenson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Taylor missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
George Stephenson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Stephenson 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... George Stephenson!