PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Darren Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jayceon Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Smith might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to ''Run This Town'' by Jay-Z feat. Kanye West and Rihanna. Taylor is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Put you on the Game. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Smith
vs
Taylor

183 cm
29
220 lbs
15 - 1 - 0

185 cm
23
215 lbs
8 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Darren Smith!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jayceon Taylor!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Eddie Farnsworth and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smith shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Taylor's guard.
Smith wants to control from the top but Taylor keeps moving.

Taylor pushes Smith off and scrambles back to his feet.
Taylor throws a lazy uppercut
and Smith counters with a slapping leg kick.
Taylor fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Smith.
Taylor takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Taylor on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Smith. Smith obviously looking to wear him down.
Smith throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Taylor's waist but Taylor gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Smith off to one side.
Smith on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Smith shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Taylor connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor scores with a one two! Smith had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Smith avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Smith fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Taylor.
Smith thows a leg kick but Taylor checks it
and Taylor counters with a nice low kick that buckles Smith's knee momentarily.
Smith uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Taylor.
A slapping leg kick lands for Taylor.
Smith lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Taylor at a distance.
Jab, jab by Taylor - just one landing.
Smith takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Smith lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor thows a leg kick but Smith checks it

and Smith counters with a shoot takedown. Taylor fights it but they end up in guard.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Taylor has wrist control.
Taylor preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Smith is looking to work some ground and pound but Taylor has wrist control.
Taylor really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Smith. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Smith showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Taylor works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Smith postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Taylor is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Smith, into his guard.
Smith tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taylor decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Taylor connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Smith momentarily.
Smith on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A bone on bone clash there as Smith blocks the leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Taylor displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Smith throws out the jab.
That kick from Taylor tenderised Smith's leg. Smith is trying to keep his angry face on.
Taylor tries a low kick but Smith avoids it.
Taylor throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A slapping leg kick lands for Smith.
Smith takes one on the button.
Taylor slips a jab from Smith.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A looping hook to the body misses from Taylor. Smith does a little dance to reset his feet.
Smith throws a low kick but it's checked well by Taylor.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jayceon Taylor dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Smith misses with an uppercut
and Taylor counters with a right hand to the body.
Smith tries a head kick but it misses.
Taylor throws a right hand that Smith ducks under and follows up with a left that Smith also avoids with ease.
Smith keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Smith chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Taylor can pounce on him.
Taylor thows a body shot but no joy.
Smith throws a body kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taylor jabs Smith right on the nose. Smith blinks but takes it well.
Taylor pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Smith looks to throw a body kick
letting Taylor counter with a right hand.
Taylor ducks right into an uppercut from Smith.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor throws a lazy body kick
and Smith counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Taylor tests Smith's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Smith misses with a head kick.
Smith throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Taylor misses with a hook
and Smith makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Smith misses with a looping right.
Smith throws a low kick but Taylor avoids it.
Taylor misses with a lunging right hand
and Smith counters with an inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor tries a head kick but it misses.
Taylor fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Taylor slips under a jab from Smith.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Smith crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Taylor - the referee stops the clock and Smith gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Taylor. Smith manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Taylor throws a head kick that misses
and Smith makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Smith misses with a hook to the body
and Taylor counters with a leg kick.
Taylor misses with a left hand
and Smith counters with a nice leg kick.
Smith throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Taylor counter with a right hand.
A telegraphed right hand from Smith misses the target.
Taylor punishes Smith's body with a nice straight punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Smith paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Taylor throws a hook but Smith blocks it.
Smith misses with a wild body shot.
Smith fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Jayceon Taylor seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Smith misses with a lunging right hand
and Taylor counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Jab, jab by Smith - just one landing.
A jab from Taylor misses.
Smith throws a body kick that misses.
Smith throws a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Taylor blocks a low kick nicely.
Taylor thows a body shot but no joy.
Left hook, right uppercut from Taylor.
A low kick from Smith is predictable there
and Taylor counters with a left and a right that stings Smith.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Taylor lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Smith has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Smith and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Taylor throws a hook but Smith blocks it.
Taylor connects with a leg kick. Smith looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Taylor looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Taylor swings for the body but Smith moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jayceon Taylor showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Smith looks for a takedown but Taylor sprawls well.
Smith moves out of range as Taylor strikes.
Taylor swings widly with a right hand
and Smith counters with a stiff right hand.
Smith moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Smith cracks the inside of Taylor's front leg.
Smith dives in and grabs Taylor's left leg, looking for a takedown. Taylor pushes down on Smith's head and hops out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith throws a hook to the side of Taylor's head but Taylor sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Taylor takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A lazy left from Smith finds it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith slips a straight right by Taylor.
Taylor ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smith moves away.
Good work by Taylor as he checks the leg kick.
A low kick from Smith misses
and Taylor counters with a nice low kick that buckles Smith's knee momentarily.
Taylor misses with an uppercut.
Smith throws a low kick but Taylor moves out of range easily.
Taylor with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Jayceon Taylor is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Taylor thows a leg kick but Smith checks it
enabling Smith to counter with a crisp jab.
Smith misses with the body kick
and Taylor makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Taylor fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Smith checks it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith scores with a head kick. Taylor tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Taylor throws a leg kick
and Smith counters with a slapping leg kick.
Smith throws a hook but Taylor avoids it easily.
Smith lands a body shot.
Smith shoots for a takedown but Taylor saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darren Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Taylor fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Smith checks it well.
Taylor connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Smith moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Taylor missing with a left hand there. Smith was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Taylor throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Smith counters with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith misses with a hook
and Taylor counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Taylor thows a leg kick but Smith checks it
and Smith counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Smith misses with a left hand
and Taylor counters with a two punch combo.
Taylor sizes up Smith with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Taylor moves away from the strike by Smith.
Taylor misses with a right hand
and Smith counters with an inside leg kick.
Smith throws a leg kick that is checked
and Taylor counters with a head kick. That will keep Smith thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Taylor misses with a straight right.
Taylor tries to land a body kick

and Smith counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Taylor's guard now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taylor keeping full guard, as Smith tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor wants to stand up but Smith is controlling him.
Smith trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Taylor manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Smith wants to sweep here but Taylor controlling him for the moment.
Smith lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Taylor!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Darren Smith did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ouch! a nice leg kick from Smith, right into the meat.
Taylor thows a body shot but no joy.
Taylor misses the shot to the body.
Taylor slaps away a takedown attempt from Smith, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Smith bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Taylor's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taylor misses with a hook.
A leg kick checked by Taylor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Smith.
Smith throws a nice inside leg kick.
Smith slips a jab from Taylor.
Smith misses with a straight right.

Taylor gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Smith trying to control but Taylor is working from the bottom.
Smith postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Taylor seems keen to control Smith's posture.
Smith preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smith accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Taylor is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Smith throwing strikes from guard but Taylor blocks nicely.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Taylor can do anything to dispel that myth.
Taylor is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Taylor wants to stand and escape but Smith is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Smith landing with the ground and pound.
Smith throwing strikes but missing.
Smith sitting in guard here, content to control.
Taylor keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Smith lands a couple of elbows.
Smith looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws and elbow that misses. Taylor uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Smith's guard. Nice move by Taylor!
Smith trying to control the position here.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Smith throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A chopping leg kick lands by Taylor.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darren Smith had his way with Jayceon Taylor in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Taylor sizes up Smith with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Smith misses with the body kick
and Taylor counters with a nice leg kick.
Taylor uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
Taylor takes a swing at Smith's ribcage but misses.
Smith scores with a jab to the jaw.
Taylor swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Taylor displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Smith throws out the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Smith lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Good work by Taylor as he checks the leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Smith dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A low kick from Smith is predictable there
and Taylor counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Taylor tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Taylor fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Smith looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Taylor feints and then cracks Smith's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Smith down.
Smith throws a head kick that misses
and Taylor counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Smith closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Taylor quickly recovers to half guard.
Taylor wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Taylor defending well though.
Smith seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Taylor does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Taylor is looking for a sweep. Smith is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Taylor pushes Smith off looking to stand but Smith dives back in and keeps control.
Smith thows a huge punch but Taylor dodges it nicely.
Smith throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Smith not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Taylor pushes Smith off looking to stand but Smith dives back in and keeps control.
Smith sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Taylor is pressing down on Smith's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Smith makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Smith trying to control but Taylor is working from the bottom.
Taylor wants to stand up but Smith is controlling him.
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Taylor works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Taylor is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Taylor keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.
Taylor looking to hit a scissor sweep but Smith is one step ahead there.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Taylor tries to land a body kick
and Smith counters with a nice body kick.
Taylor slaps away a takedown attempt from Smith, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Smith is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A thudding body kick lands there by Smith!
Smith has a takedown stuffed.
Taylor just misses with a punch to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Darren Smith.
I think Smith has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge John Roberts scores the fight for Jayceon Taylor!
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight for Jayceon Taylor!
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight for Jayceon Taylor!

Jayceon Taylor wins by unanimous decision! Jayceon Taylor retains his light heavyweight title!