PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Afro Samurai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luke Taylor Iii (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Samurai
vs
Taylor Iii

180 cm
21
265 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

195 cm
25
280 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Afro Samurai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Luke Taylor Iii!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Steve Smith and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Taylor Iii.
Samurai wants to clinch.

Taylor Iii clinches up against the cage.
Samurai tries a knee to the head but Taylor Iii blocks it.
Taylor Iii is trying to break free.

Taylor Iii gets control of Samurai's arms and successfully pulls guard. Taylor Iii will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Samurai preventing the sweep.
Taylor Iii manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Taylor Iii tries to control but Samurai wriggling away.
Samurai avoids a series of strikes thrown by Taylor Iii.
Taylor Iii punching from mount but Samurai doing a good job of avoiding damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Samurai tries to hold on but Taylor Iii postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor Iii takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Samurai is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Samurai is breathing heavily.
Taylor Iii misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.

Taylor Iii is working for a guillotine from mount but Samurai frees his head quite easily.
Samurai is desperately trying to improve his position but Taylor Iii has a good base and remains in mount.
Taylor Iii throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Taylor Iii throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Samurai is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Taylor Iii sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor Iii can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Samurai is looking to escape.

Taylor Iii looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Taylor Iii really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Samurai. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Taylor Iii punching from mount but Samurai doing a good job of avoiding damage.

Taylor Iii looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Taylor Iii is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Samurai can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Taylor Iii avoids the attempt from Samurai to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor Iii thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Samurai sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Taylor Iii throws a strike but Samurai avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Taylor Iii tries to free his leg and advance position but Samurai is retaining full guard.

Taylor Iii gets to his feet. Samurai looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Samurai takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Taylor Iii scores with a jab.
Afro Samurai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Taylor Iii dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Taylor Iii has closed the distance and engaged Samurai in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor Iii is trying to break free.
Taylor Iii is trying to break the clinch but Samurai is controlling him.
Taylor Iii lands with a light punch inside.
Taylor Iii is trying to break free.
Taylor Iii is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Taylor Iii looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Taylor Iii scores with a shot to the side of Samurai's head.
A head punch on the inside from Samurai fails to land.
Taylor Iii wants to break the clinch but can't.
Samurai tries to land a knee to the head but Taylor Iii blocks with his arms.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taylor Iii tries to break free but Samurai pushes him back against the cage.
Samurai creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Samurai tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Taylor Iii has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Taylor Iii dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A jab from Taylor Iii does it's job there.
Samurai tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Taylor Iii paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Samurai fails in his attempt to clinch.
Samurai will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Taylor Iii scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Taylor Iii drives through and clinches with Samurai against the cage.
Taylor Iii has had enough of the clinch but Samurai keeps him there for the moment.
Samurai gets underhooks to prevent Taylor Iii's takedown attempt.
Taylor Iii wants to get back to striking at distance but Samurai won't allow it.
Taylor Iii tries to break free but Samurai pushes him back against the cage.
Taylor Iii fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Taylor Iii wants to get back to striking at distance but Samurai won't allow it.
Taylor Iii is trying to pull guard but Samurai turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Afro Samurai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luke Taylor Iii.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Samurai keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Taylor Iii's efforts to push away.
Taylor Iii tries to break the clinch but Samurai is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor Iii makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Taylor Iii wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Samurai has him pressed against the cage.
Samurai is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Taylor Iii is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Taylor Iii wants to get back to striking at distance but Samurai won't allow it.
Taylor Iii wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Taylor Iii tries for a takedown. No joy.
Taylor Iii working hard to break the clinch.
Taylor Iii can't break the clinch.
Samurai using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Taylor Iii has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Samurai keeps control of Taylor Iii as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Taylor Iii wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor Iii scores with a nice hook to the head.
Samurai is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Come on Taylor Iii - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Taylor Iii changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Samurai fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Taylor Iii closes the distance and pushes Samurai back into the cage.

Taylor Iii pulls Samurai into guard.

Taylor Iii had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Samurai defends it easily.

Samurai avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samurai advances position into side control!

Samurai decides to stand back up.
A left and a right from Taylor Iii both land. Nice combination.
Samurai tries to clinch up but Taylor Iii circles away and keeps his distance.
Samurai looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Taylor Iii is fending him off so far but Samurai persists. Nope, Taylor Iii circles away and we're back to standing.
Samurai is looking to clinch.
Afro Samurai is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Taylor Iii circles away from the clinch attempt.
Samurai takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Taylor Iii has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor Iii tries to circle away but Samurai has him pinned against the cage.
Taylor Iii wants to break the clinch but can't.
Samurai prevents Taylor Iii from breaking the clinch.
Taylor Iii looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Samurai tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Taylor Iii breaks from the clinch.
Taylor Iii stuffs the takedown attempt from Samurai. Samurai gets slowly back to his feet.
Taylor Iii with a hook.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taylor Iii ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Taylor Iii lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

Taylor Iii drives through and clinches with Samurai against the cage.
Taylor Iii tries to break the clinch but Samurai is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Taylor Iii showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Taylor Iii lands a jab.
Taylor Iii connects with a crisp jab.

It looks like Afro Samurai has been cut.
Samurai tries to close the distance and clinch up but Taylor Iii swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Taylor Iii thuds a left hand into Samurai's body.

Taylor Iii moves into range and clinches up with Samurai.
Taylor Iii wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Taylor Iii can't break the clinch.
Taylor Iii is trying to pull guard but Samurai has him pressed against the cage.
Samurai with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Taylor Iii is trying to break the clinch but Samurai is controlling him.
Taylor Iii wants to break free but Samurai has control.
Samurai with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Taylor Iii wants to get back to striking at distance but Samurai won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor Iii is trying to break free.
Taylor Iii wants to get back to striking at distance but Samurai won't allow it.
Samurai prevents Taylor Iii from breaking the clinch.
A short right from Taylor Iii.
Samurai has Taylor Iii pressed against the cage, preventing Taylor Iii from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Samurai slows down the pace here.
A short right from Taylor Iii.
Taylor Iii tries to circle away but Samurai has him pinned against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Taylor Iii.
Taylor Iii is trying to force a seperation but Samurai has the dominant position.
Taylor Iii wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Samurai has him pressed against the cage.
Taylor Iii pressing his opponent against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor Iii working hard to break the clinch.
Samurai is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Taylor Iii is keeping busy.
Taylor Iii is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Taylor Iii is trying to break the clinch but Samurai is controlling him.
Luke Taylor Iii seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Taylor Iii wants to get back to striking at distance but Samurai won't allow it.
Samurai tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Taylor Iii avoids it.
Taylor Iii has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Taylor Iii fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Taylor Iii is trying to break free.
Taylor Iii has had enough of the clinch but Samurai keeps him there for the moment.
Samurai tries to land a knee to the head but Taylor Iii blocks with his arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor Iii wants to break free but Samurai has control.
Taylor Iii is trying to push Samurai away but Samurai has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Taylor Iii tries to break free but Samurai pushes him back against the cage.
Samurai tries a knee to the head but Taylor Iii blocks it.
Samurai has Taylor Iii pressed against the cage, preventing Taylor Iii from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Taylor Iii is trying to drag Samurai to the mat but Samurai just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Afro Samurai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luke Taylor Iii.
Taylor Iii wants to break the clinch but can't.
Taylor Iii wants to get back to striking at distance but Samurai won't allow it.
Samurai tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Taylor Iii jumps into guard, dragging Samurai to the mat.
Samurai throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samurai is looking to stand up but Taylor Iii won't let him.
Taylor Iii controlling Samurai's posture.

Taylor Iii looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Samurai passes into half guard.

Samurai stands up out of the half guard.
Samurai takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Taylor Iii moves in looking to clinch but Samurai pushes him off.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Samurai misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Samurai tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Taylor Iii counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Afro Samurai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Luke Taylor Iii is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A shot to the liver by Taylor Iii. Beautiful body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luke Taylor Iii comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Taylor Iii has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30

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