PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bill Goldberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taj Mahal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Taj Mahal is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Goldberg
vs
Mahal

195 cm
23
270 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

198 cm
22
238 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bill Goldberg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Taj Mahal!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Sosuke Kotani and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Goldberg drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Mahal is looking to regain half guard here but Goldberg keeps moving and retains side control.
Mahal avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Goldberg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mahal struggling a bit here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Goldberg landing strikes.
Mahal is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Goldberg is putting a hurting on Mahal here, landing some big shots from side control.
Mahal manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Goldberg throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Goldberg lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Mahal is pressing down on Goldberg's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Goldberg with a flurry of punches that miss.
Goldberg chips away with some ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Mahal has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Goldberg is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Mahal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahal on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
You can see the frustration on Mahal's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Goldberg cracks Mahal with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Mahal can't do much from the bottom here.
Goldberg scoring with punches from side control.
Goldberg scoring with punches from side control.
Goldberg trying to control the action but Mahal is working from the bottom.
Mahal is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Goldberg off and has taken his back!
Mahal thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.

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

Mahal has his opponent's back but Goldberg is looking to stand. He manages to get to his feet and shakes off Mahal.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mahal feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Goldberg's calf.
Mahal cracks the inside of Goldberg's front leg.
Goldberg is breathing heavily.
Mahal shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Goldberg counters with a takedown into side control.
Goldberg lands a few punches from side control.
Mahal wants to control but Goldberg postures up.
Mahal manages to work his way to half guard, despite Goldberg's best efforts.
Goldberg throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Goldberg seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mahal does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Goldberg lands strikes from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Mahal manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Goldberg wants to control from the top but Mahal keeps moving.
Goldberg stands up over Mahal, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Goldberg is in close to Mahal's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Goldberg is sitting in close to Mahal's body. Mahal has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Goldberg is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Goldberg is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Mahal.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:41 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Taj Mahal!