PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shamil Astakhov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Keith Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shamil Astakhov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Keith Taylor's chin.

Astakhov
vs
Taylor

182 cm
26
197 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

183 cm
25
178 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Very confident

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 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Shamil Astakhov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Keith Taylor!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Ivan Kurochkin and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taylor fails with an attempt to clinch.
Taylor tries to close the distance and clinch up but Astakhov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Taylor misses with a wild combination.

Taylor manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Astakhov on his heels. He'll look to pass Astakhov's guard now, I'm sure.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Taylor trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Astakhov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Astakhov trying to pass the guard but Taylor defending well.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Astakhov lands a nice short elbow.
Astakhov is looking to advance position but Taylor won't allow it.
Taylor is looking to control Astakhov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Taylor avoid being mounted?
Astakhov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor is staying active underneath Astakhov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Astakhov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Taylor defending well though.
Taylor keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Astakhov prevents Taylor from standing back up.
Taylor is trying to maintain the position but Astakhov is very close to passing his half guard.
Astakhov 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 to improve his position.
Astakhov trying to control from half guard but Taylor is working away.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Taylor misses with the combination.
Taylor shoots in but Astakhov avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Astakhov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Taylor manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Astakhov on his heels. He'll look to pass Astakhov's guard now, I'm sure.
Astakhov is trying to control the position but Taylor postures up.
Taylor trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Taylor postures up in Astakhov's guard and throws a big left but Astakhov blocks it.
Taylor trying to control but Astakhov is working from the bottom.
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!
Astakhov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Taylor working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Astakhov's head.

Astakhov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Taylor pushes down on Astakhov's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Taylor tries to pass to full mount but Astakhov defends it.
Astakhov trying to hold on to Taylor's head to control him but Taylor postures up.
Astakhov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Taylor missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Taylor is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Astakhov is trying to control the position but Taylor postures up.
Astakhov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Astakhov striking off his back but it's not causing Taylor any problems.
Taylor postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Taylor in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Taylor lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor postures up in Astakhov's guard and throws a big left but Astakhov blocks it.

Astakhov is looking for a triangle but Taylor pushes his legs off easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Taylor lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Astakhov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Taylor trying to control but Astakhov is working from the bottom.
Taylor passes into half guard.

Taylor is trying to work for a kimura but Astakhov is defending well.
Taylor is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Astakhov is looking to get to half guard.
Astakhov tries to hold on but Taylor pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keith 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.

Taylor fails to land the takedown.

Taylor closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Astakhov quickly recovers to half guard.
Taylor has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Astakhov wants to get back to his feet.
Astakhov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Taylor.
Astakhov is looking for a sweep. Taylor is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Taylor is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Astakhov defends it well.
Astakhov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Taylor is working away from the top position though.
Astakhov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Astakhov tries to get out of the position.
Astakhov is looking to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Astakhov wants to get back to full guard.

Astakhov actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Astakhov looking for submissions off his back.
Astakhov is not content to let Taylor control the position.
Astakhov won't allow Taylor to pass to mount.

Astakhov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Taylor throwing shots but Astakhov is blocking nicely.
Astakhov wants to control but Taylor is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Astakhov is looking for a sweep. Taylor is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Astakhov is looking to control Taylor's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Astakhov avoid being mounted?
Taylor slips a nice elbow through Astakhov's hands, connecting with Astakhov's forehead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor wants to control but Astakhov is keeping him busy.
Taylor perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Taylor. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Taylor sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Astakhov defending well though.
Astakhov is staying active underneath Taylor, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Astakhov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Taylor is working away from the top position though.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Astakhov is trying to get back to full guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Taylor!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Taylor gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Taylor gets underhooks to prevent Astakhov's takedown attempt.

Taylor turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Taylor manages to end up in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Astakhov manages to work his way to half guard, despite Taylor's best efforts.
Astakhov is looking for a sweep. Taylor is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Astakhov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Taylor lands a nice short elbow.
Taylor lands with a punch from half guard.
Astakhov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Taylor loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Astakhov keeping moving, preventing Taylor from controlling successfully.

Astakhov 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 loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Astakhov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Taylor is refusing to be controlled, as Astakhov sits in half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Taylor is pressing down on Astakhov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Astakhov trying to control the position from guard on top but Taylor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taylor has his hands on Astakhov's head, controlling the position.
Astakhov trying to control but Taylor is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Astakhov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keith 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! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Astakhov avoids the head kick by Taylor.

Taylor looking to score a takedown here. Astakhov is defending well but Taylor drives through and ends up in Astakhov's guard.
Taylor distracts Astakhov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Astakhov tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Astakhov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Taylor gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Astakhov keeping moving, preventing Taylor from controlling successfully.
Taylor looking to pass the guard.
Taylor stopping the sweep attempt from Astakhov.
Taylor postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Astakhov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Taylor defends well.
Taylor missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Astakhov wants to sweep here but Taylor controlling him for the moment.
Astakhov looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Taylor puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Astakhov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Taylor's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Taylor's back!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Taylor manages to stand up with Astakhov still on his back. Eventually Astakhov drops to his feet and we're back in the standing position.
Good work by Astakhov as he checks the leg kick.
A combination from Taylor does no damage.
Keith Taylor is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor moves in looking to clinch but Astakhov pushes him off.
Keith Taylor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Taylor looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Taylor scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Taylor is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Taylor closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Astakhov tries to score a body lock takedown but Taylor shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Taylor lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Astakhov.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Taylor has clasped his hands together around Astakhov's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor works to advance to full mount. Astakhov defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Astakhov wants to hold on but Taylor pushes him away.
Astakhov tries to reverse the position but Taylor maintains control.
Astakhov taking shots to the head.
Astakhov is squirming around, avoiding Taylor's attempts to control the action.
Astakhov wants to hold on but Taylor pushes him away.
Taylor with shots to the head and body - Astakhov looks very uncomfortable down there.

Taylor goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Astakhov turns into him and now he's in Taylor's guard.
Astakhov wants to control from the top but Taylor keeps moving.
Taylor looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Astakhov wants to control from the top but Taylor keeps moving.
Keith Taylor is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Taylor trying to control the position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Keith Taylor wasn't active enough on the ground.
Taylor shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taylor shoots in and drives through. Astakhov sprawls well.
Shamil Astakhov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
No luck for Taylor with that takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Keith 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30

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