PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tat Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ceiba Wrestling Coach (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?

Taylor
vs
Wrestling Coach

175 cm
28
155 lbs
15 - 9 - 1

171 cm
39
158 lbs
23 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 15 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tat Taylor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ceiba Wrestling Coach!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Thiago Cunha and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wrestling Coach looks to land a left hand but Taylor moved out of range nicely.
Taylor wants to clinch.

Taylor shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Taylor showed some decent athleticism there.
Wrestling Coach tries to roll over but Taylor keeps him under control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Taylor is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Taylor is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Taylor performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Taylor 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 is trying to control the action in half guard but Wrestling Coach is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Taylor is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Wrestling Coach sees it coming and defends easily.
Wrestling Coach is not content to let Taylor control the position.
Wrestling Coach is looking for a sweep. Taylor is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Wrestling Coach ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Wrestling Coach scores with a jab to the body.
Wrestling Coach misses with a shot to the body
and Taylor counters with a three punch combo that has Wrestling Coach backing up. Wrestling Coach nods at Taylor to acknowledge the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wrestling Coach misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Taylor.
Wrestling Coach swings for the body but Taylor moves out of range.
Taylor closes this distance looking for a takedown but Wrestling Coach circles away.
Wrestling Coach just misses with a punch to the body.
Taylor went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Nice body punch from Wrestling Coach.

Taylor fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Wrestling Coach, pushing him back against the ropes.
Wrestling Coach blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A head punch on the inside from Wrestling Coach fails to land.
Taylor prevents a body shot from Wrestling Coach.
Taylor blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Wrestling Coach lands a body punch in the clinch.
Taylor definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Taylor.
Taylor misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wrestling Coach misses with some punches.
Taylor is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the ropes enables Wrestling Coach to keep the fight standing.
Taylor drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Wrestling Coach gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tat Taylor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wrestling Coach is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Wrestling Coach misses with a punch on the inside.

Taylor escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wrestling Coach has a takedown stuffed.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wrestling Coach misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Taylor.
Wrestling Coach ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Taylor moves away.
Wrestling Coach throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Taylor.
Taylor throws a big counter combination but Wrestling Coach scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ceiba Wrestling Coach will probably get the nod.
That's time! Taylor's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Wrestling Coach moves into range and clinches up with Taylor.
Taylor is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Wrestling Coach is defending well for now.
Taylor tries to pull guard but Wrestling Coach won't allow it.
Wrestling Coach tries to throw a body punch but Taylor avoids it by throwing Wrestling Coach back against the ropes.
Taylor putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Wrestling Coach in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Taylor lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Wrestling Coach backwards.
A short right from Wrestling Coach on the inside.
Taylor gets underhooks to prevent Wrestling Coach's takedown attempt.
Wrestling Coach tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Taylor's elbow.
Taylor scores with a nice hook to the head.
Wrestling Coach lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Taylor backwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Wrestling Coach is working on a single leg takedown against the ropes. Taylor can't fight it off and eventually Wrestling Coach manages to take the fight to the floor. Taylor looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Wrestling Coach trying to control but Taylor is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor is trying to control the position but Wrestling Coach postures up.
Wrestling Coach missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Taylor utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Taylor working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Wrestling Coach doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Wrestling Coach manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Wrestling Coach trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Taylor throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Taylor is trying to control the position but Wrestling Coach postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Wrestling Coach postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Taylor shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Wrestling Coach as he jumps to the side.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Taylor is defended easily by Wrestling Coach.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tat Taylor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wrestling Coach defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Taylor.
Wrestling Coach misses with a hook.
Taylor circles away from the clinch attempt.
Wrestling Coach throws a half hearted mid kick.
Wrestling Coach connects with a body shot that sends Taylor's belly button to the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wrestling Coach tries to close the distance and clinch up but Taylor swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Taylor is looking for a counter combo.
Taylor moves in looking to clinch but Wrestling Coach pushes him off.
Wrestling Coach is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Wrestling Coach tries to close the distance and clinch but Taylor swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Taylor tries to counter with a takedown but Wrestling Coach is quick to defend against it.
Taylor looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Wrestling Coach is fending him off so far but Taylor persists. Nope, Wrestling Coach circles away and we're back to standing.
Wrestling Coach tries to clinch up but Taylor circles away and keeps his distance.
Wrestling Coach misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Taylor.
Taylor is looking for a counter combo.
Wrestling Coach throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Wrestling Coach slips a jab and a cross from Taylor.
It seemed like Wrestling Coach was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Taylor throws a series of punches but Wrestling Coach avoids them all with ease.

Wrestling Coach closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wrestling Coach throws a head punch that misses.
Wrestling Coach misses with a short punch on the inside.
Wrestling Coach tries a body shot but Taylor blocks it.
Taylor prevents a body shot from Wrestling Coach.
Wrestling Coach has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Taylor manages to break the clinch.
Taylor darts in looking for a takedown but Wrestling Coach gets double underhooks and turns Taylor into the ropes.
Taylor throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Wrestling Coach counters with a three punch combo that has Taylor backing up. Taylor nods at Wrestling Coach to acknowledge the strikes.

Wrestling Coach has taken the fight to the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Taylor tries to pull guard but Wrestling Coach holds him up against the ropes and eventually Taylor drops back down to his feet.
Wrestling Coach scores with a hook to the body.
Ceiba Wrestling Coach seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Wrestling Coach tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Taylor's elbow.
Wrestling Coach throws a punch but it's blocked by Taylor.
Wrestling Coach struggles to land a body shot inside as Taylor controls his hands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ceiba Wrestling Coach showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Taylor takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Taylor swinging wildly here.
Wrestling Coach doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Wrestling Coach looks to land a right hand but Taylor moved out of range.
Taylor seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Wrestling Coach lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Taylor at a distance.
Wrestling Coach scores with a jab to the body.
Wrestling Coach ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Wrestling Coach misses.
Ceiba Wrestling Coach seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Taylor has his takedown stuffed
and Wrestling Coach counters with a stiff right hand.
Taylor uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Wrestling Coach.
Taylor is looking for a counter combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wrestling Coach ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Taylor moves away.
Wrestling Coach shoots in for a double leg but Taylor sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Taylor fails to land with a series of punches.
Wrestling Coach looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A swing and a miss from Wrestling Coach.
Wrestling Coach throws a shot to the body.
Wrestling Coach throws a hook to the side of Taylor's head but Taylor sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Taylor tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Wrestling Coach paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Taylor closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Wrestling Coach to the mat! Wrestling Coach manages to get full guard.
Taylor trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wrestling Coach working a defensive guard here.
Wrestling Coach wants to sweep but no luck.
Taylor wants to pass the guard but Wrestling Coach is keeping the position.
Wrestling Coach wants to sweep here but Taylor controlling him for the moment.
Wrestling Coach lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Taylor working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Taylor trying to control the position.
Wrestling Coach works over Taylor with some ground and pound from guard.
Tat Taylor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wrestling Coach cracks Taylor with a solid left hand.

Taylor is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Wrestling Coach got a little sloppy there for a moment and Taylor has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Wrestling Coach has managed to get both his arms back between Taylor's legs - danger averted.
Wrestling Coach stands up over Taylor, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Taylor had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Wrestling Coach defends it easily.
Taylor is looking to stand back up but Wrestling Coach counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Taylor.
Ceiba Wrestling Coach is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Wrestling Coach not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Taylor tries to roll over but Wrestling Coach keeps him under control.
Wrestling Coach lands strikes from half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wrestling Coach thows a huge punch but Taylor dodges it nicely.

Taylor is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Wrestling Coach pulls his head out easily.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ceiba Wrestling Coach comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Wrestling Coach 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ceiba Wrestling Coach!
An out of breath Ceiba Wrestling Coach thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.