PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alex Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Diego Bourdiani (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.

Taylor
vs
Bourdiani

185 cm
22
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

171 cm
18
147 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alex Taylor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Diego Bourdiani!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Emerson Jorge and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bourdiani bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Bourdiani tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Bourdiani has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Bourdiani is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Taylor has escaped the position, nice work there.

Bourdiani thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Taylor is looking for a sweep.
Taylor really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Bourdiani tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Taylor gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Taylor makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Bourdiani shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Taylor but Taylor pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bourdiani takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Bourdiani looks gassed!
Taylor fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Bourdiani.

Taylor clinches up with Bourdiani and pushes him back against the cage.
Bourdiani drops down looking for an ankle pick but Taylor pulls his leg out and moves away.

Taylor takes the fight into the clinch.

Taylor manages to break the clinch.
A nice leg kick lands there from Taylor.
Taylor connects with a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Taylor tries to land a leg kick but Bourdiani saw it coming and moves away.
Taylor tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bourdiani shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Taylor as he jumps to the side.
Alex Taylor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Diego Bourdiani.
Bourdiani keeps the fight on the outside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bourdiani checks the leg kick.
Bourdiani 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 Bourdiani off to one side.

Bourdiani looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Taylor!

Bourdiani jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Taylor is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Taylor and Bourdiani has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Bourdiani goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Taylor has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Bourdiani but great work by Taylor.
Bourdiani looks to move to half guard but instead Taylor has passed into mount! Damn!
Bourdiani is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Taylor stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Taylor tries to clinch but Bourdiani moves out of range.

Taylor drives through and clinches with Bourdiani against the cage.
Taylor gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Taylor stops a takedown attempt from Bourdiani.
Bourdiani tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
The referee calls for Taylor to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Bourdiani.
Bourdiani tries for a takedown. No joy.

Taylor breaks from the clinch.
Taylor feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Bourdiani's calf.
Taylor scores with a leg kick.
Taylor moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Bourdiani shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bourdiani fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Taylor moves in looking to clinch but Bourdiani pushes him off.
Taylor rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bourdiani moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bourdiani shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Taylor as he avoids it easily.
Alex Taylor is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Bourdiani drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Bourdiani is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Bourdiani advances to half guard.

Bourdiani looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Taylor desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Bourdiani wants to work for an arm triangle but Taylor is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Taylor slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taylor is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bourdiani is controlling him.
Bourdiani passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Taylor dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Taylor moves into range and clinches up with Bourdiani.

Taylor breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bourdiani shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Taylor as he avoids it easily.
Bourdiani tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Bourdiani tries for a takedown but Taylor sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Taylor plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Bourdiani is rocked!

Taylor clinches with his opponent.
Bourdiani is still on wobbly legs! Can Taylor finish him?

Taylor breaks from the clinch.
Bourdiani shoots in but Taylor avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Alex Taylor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Diego Bourdiani.
Bourdiani shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Taylor pinned against the cage. Taylor gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bourdiani seems to have recovered his senses.
A nice leg kick lands there from Taylor.
Bourdiani fails with the takedown.

Taylor closes the distance and clinches.

Taylor breaks the clinch.
Bourdiani closes this distance looking for a takedown but Taylor circles away.
Bourdiani fails with a takedown attempt.
Taylor tries to clinch but Bourdiani moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bourdiani tries for a takedown but Taylor sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Taylor thows a body kick. Bourdiani tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bourdiani looks frusrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bourdiani.

Taylor gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Taylor is pulling down on Bourdiani's head to control his posture.
Taylor will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Taylor can't keep his opponent in guard - Bourdiani advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Bourdiani is trying to work for a kimura but Taylor is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taylor has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bourdiani is working away from the top position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bourdiani is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Taylor is just riding it out for now. Bourdiani eventually gives up the hold.

Bourdiani is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Taylor has managed to free his arm - good work.
Bourdiani wants to pass the guard but Taylor is defending well.

Bourdiani looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Taylor moves into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bourdiani tries to free his leg and advance position but Taylor is retaining full guard.
Diego Bourdiani has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bourdiani won't allow Taylor to sweep him here.

Taylor manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Taylor has managed to clinch.

Taylor breaks from the clinch.
Alex Taylor is winning the standup battle so far.
Taylor scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

Taylor has managed to clinch.
Bourdiani tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Taylor manages to break the clinch.

Bourdiani shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Taylor wants to hold on but Bourdiani pushes him away.

Bourdiani swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Taylor is now in Bourdiani's guard. A big mistake from Bourdiani there, giving up the dominant position!

Taylor stands up and waves to Bourdiani to follow him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bourdiani misses with a takedown attempt - Taylor sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Taylor missing with a left hand there. Bourdiani was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bourdiani moves out of range of the body kick.

Bourdiani shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bourdiani showed some decent athleticism there.
Bourdiani moves into full mount! Taylor won't be happy about that!
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!

Bourdiani jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Taylor manages to avoid the submission attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taylor is looking for a sweep.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Taylor dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

A solid body kick from Taylor.

Taylor forces Bourdiani back against the cage and clinches.
Bourdiani is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Taylor gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Taylor breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bourdiani takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

Taylor closes the distance and clinches.

Taylor breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bourdiani takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Taylor throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Bourdiani.

Bourdiani scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Bourdiani is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Taylor has escaped the position, nice work there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Bourdiani tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Bourdiani tries to move into full mount but can't pass Taylor's legs.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Taylor pushes Bourdiani away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Bourdiani gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Taylor is controlling an arm, preventing Bourdiani from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.

Bourdiani is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Taylor has managed to escape the submission attempt.

Bourdiani wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Taylor, who protects the arm well.

Bourdiani is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Taylor knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Taylor is trying to control Bourdiani's posture but Bourdiani avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bourdiani is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Taylor is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Bourdiani goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Taylor rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Bourdiani's guard! Nice work there by Taylor!

Bourdiani has an active guard here but Taylor has managed to pass into half guard.
Bourdiani gets full guard.

Bourdiani has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Taylor can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Taylor has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!

Bourdiani working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Taylor doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Taylor manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Diego Bourdiani has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor controls from within his opponent's guard.

Bourdiani working for a triangle but Taylor defends it easily.

Taylor gets to his feet. Bourdiani looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Taylor has managed to clinch.

Taylor breaks from the clinch.
Taylor lands with a thumping leg kick.
Good leg kick by Taylor there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Bourdiani's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Taylor scores with a leg kick.
Taylor is looking to clinch but Bourdiani is avoiding it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bourdiani blocks a head kick by Taylor.
Bourdiani closes the distance and clinches up with Taylor, looking for a takedown. Bourdiani pushes Taylor against the cage but Taylor circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Bourdiani has a takedown stuffed.
Alex Taylor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Diego Bourdiani.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Taylor - that will leave a mark!

Bourdiani drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Bourdiani trying to move into half guard but instead Taylor has managed to sweep!

Bourdiani has an active guard here but Taylor has managed to pass into half guard. Bourdiani tries to get to full guard but Taylor has control of the leg.
Bourdiani moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Bourdiani looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Taylor passes into side control.
Taylor avoids the strikes from the bottom by Bourdiani.

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 Alex Taylor.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Taylor, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Cesar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:27

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