PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Muhammad Ali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Ali
vs
Taylor

191 cm
18
192 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

185 cm
25
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Alpha-Male Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Muhammad Ali!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Matt Taylor!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Richard Clark and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Taylor clinches with his opponent.
Taylor has Ali pressed against the cage, preventing Ali from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Ali wants to break the clinch but can't.
Taylor holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Taylor has Ali pressed against the cage, preventing Ali from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Taylor creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Taylor scores with a shot to the side of Ali's head.
Ali wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Taylor breaks from the clinch.
Ali needs to keep his hands up - Taylor had a free shot at his head there.

Taylor drives through and clinches with Ali against the cage.
Taylor keeps control of Ali as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ali avoids it.
Ali wants to break free but Taylor has control.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Taylor.
Ali is trying to break free.
Ali has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ali tries to break free but Taylor pushes him back against the cage.
Taylor struggles to land a body shot inside as Ali controls his hands.
Taylor taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Taylor.
Taylor swings wildly with an uppercut but Ali uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ali working hard to break the clinch.
Taylor scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Taylor taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ali's efforts to push away.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Ali breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ali misses the jab.
Ali rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Taylor moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ali cracks a nice hook into Taylor's ribs.
Taylor misses with a double jab.
Taylor rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ali moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ali walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Taylor dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ali blocks the body kick.
A combination from Taylor does no damage.
Taylor looks to land a combination but Ali avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taylor has Ali up against the cage in a clinch.
Taylor lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ali backwards.
A short body shot lands from Taylor as the two fighters clinch.

Ali escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ali fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Taylor uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ali.
Taylor connects with a jab.
Left hook, right uppercut from Taylor.
Ali throws a combination. Taylor tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Taylor tests Ali's chin there with a solid looking shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ali's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Taylor connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Ali scrambles back to his feet.
Taylor tries to close the distance and clinch but Ali swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Taylor connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Taylor scores with a one two! Ali had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Taylor fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ali manages to avoid it.
Taylor sizes up Ali with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Ali throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Taylor.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ali. Taylor does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ali looks to land a combination but Taylor avoids it well.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ali. Taylor does a little dance to reset his feet.
Taylor lands a jab to Ali's midsection.
Ali swings for the body but Taylor moves out of range.
Ali throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ali lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Taylor circles away quickly and effectively.
Taylor lands a jab to the nose.

Taylor gets a clinch.
Ali is trying to force a seperation but Taylor has the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Taylor dominated that 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.

Ali throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Taylor.
Taylor fails with an attempt to clinch.

Taylor drives through and clinches with Ali against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Taylor.
Taylor keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ali's efforts to push away.
A frustrated look appears on Ali's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Ali breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Taylor avoids the body shot from Ali.
Taylor works Ali's body with a nice hook.
Ali slips a jab and a cross from Taylor.
Muhammad Ali is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Taylor misses with a series of wild punches.
Ali throws a right and a left that Taylor avoids nicely.
Taylor misses with a left hand
and Ali counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ali lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Taylor circles away quickly and effectively.
Sloppy strikes from Ali. Those never looked like landing.
Ali connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Ali on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Taylor rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ali moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Matt Taylor seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A punch combination from Ali misses.
Ali misses with a series of wild punches.
Taylor throws an overhand right that lands on Ali's shoulder, as Ali tries to avoid the shot.
Taylor tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ali swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Taylor wants to clinch.
Ali lands a nice hook to Taylor's body. Taylor takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ali thows a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ali lands a two punch combo.
Ali throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ali moves out of range as Taylor strikes.
Taylor swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Ali.
Ali looks to land a left hand but Taylor moved out of range nicely.
Matt Taylor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
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!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Taylor moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Taylor closes the distance and clinches.
A bit of stalling here from Taylor.

Taylor's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Taylor lands with a straight right. Ali didn't see that one coming.
Taylor throws a jab but it's blocked by Ali.
Taylor fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Taylor misses with a double jab.
Taylor is breathing heavily.
Ali throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Taylor.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ali misses with a two punch combination.
Ali walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Ali is looking to wear down Taylor with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Ali misses with a straight right.
Ali keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Taylor.
No joy there for Taylor, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ali staying out of range there.
Ali throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Taylor moves into the clinch.
Ali wants to get back to striking at distance but Taylor won't allow it.
Ali is trying to force a seperation but Taylor has the dominant position.
Ali has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Taylor throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Alis head.
Ali has had enough of the clinch but Taylor keeps him there for the moment.
Matt Taylor seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Taylor scores with a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ali tries to break the clinch but Taylor is controlling the position.
Ali wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Taylor has him pressed against the cage.
Taylor working aggressively here.
Ali wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Taylor scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Taylor makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Ali breaks from the clinch.
Ali misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ali misses with a body shot
and Taylor counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ali thinking.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice straight punches there by Taylor. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Taylor.
Ali rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Taylor moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Taylor bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Taylor showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Ali is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Taylor looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ali throws a nice looking combination but Taylor bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ali cracks Taylor with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Taylor lands with a shot to the body.
Ali showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Taylor.
Taylor cracks Ali with an open hand slap.
Taylor misses with a series of wild punches.
Ali has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Ali there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ali throws a jab but it's blocked by Taylor.
Ali lands a nice hook to Taylor's body. Taylor takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Taylor clinches up against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Taylor as the two fighters clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor keeps control of Ali as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Ali has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Taylor scores with a hook to the body.
A short right from Taylor.
Taylor misses with a punch on the inside.
Taylor looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Taylor goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ali is trying to force a seperation but Taylor has the dominant position.
Ali wants to get back to striking at distance but Taylor won't allow it.
Ali wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Taylor lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Ali or not.
Taylor lands a hook to the side of the head.
Muhammad Ali has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Taylor lands with a short shot to the head.
Taylor scores with a nice hook to the head.
Taylor dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Taylor has Ali pressed against the cage, preventing Ali from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Ali can't find room to land a body shot as Taylor controls the action.
Taylor wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ali has him pressed against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Ali's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Taylor swings wildly with an uppercut but Ali uses good head movement to avoid it.
Taylor keeps control of Ali as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Taylor.
A nice right hand lands inside from Taylor.
Taylor lands with a right to the head.
Ali tries to break free but Taylor pushes him back against the cage.
Ali wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Ali escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Taylor tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ali was well out of range. Poor timing from Taylor.
Taylor slips a jab and a cross from Ali.
Ali misses the shot to the body.
Ali fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Taylor manages to avoid it.
Taylor misses with a series of wild punches.
Ali throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ali misses with a two punch combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Taylor cracks Ali with a right hand to the side of the head.
A jab from Taylor does it's job there.
Ali drops his hands momentarily and Taylor takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Taylor takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ali takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice shot lands for Taylor.
Matt Taylor is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Taylor throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Ali on the side of the head.
Taylor scores with a decent looking hook.
The fighters circling - Ali throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ali swinging wildly here.
Taylor bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Taylor throws a right and a left that both miss.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Taylor comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Taylor 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30

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