PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Abe Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jose Cruz will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Taylor
vs
Cruz

152 cm
21
177 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

170 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Abe Taylor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jose Cruz!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Cecil Peabody and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cruz tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick by Cruz misses

and Taylor counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Taylor.
Cruz is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Taylor dives into side control.

Taylor creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Cruz sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Sloppy strikes there by Taylor.
Taylor is staying tight to Cruz's torso, preventing him from escaping.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taylor throws a strike aimed at the side of Cruz's head but Cruz avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cruz dodges the ground and pound from Taylor.
Cruz avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Taylor.
Cruz wants to get back to his feet.
Taylor controlling the position from side mount.
Cruz wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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.
Cruz defending against the ground and pound.
Cruz seems a little lost for a moment, as Taylor dominates the positioning.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Taylor chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Cruz can pounce on him.
Cruz throws a right and a left that Taylor avoids nicely.
Taylor tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Cruz manages to circle out of the way.
Cruz throws a chopping leg kick but Taylor manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
A head kick by Cruz misses
and Taylor counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Cruz throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Abe Taylor has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cruz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cruz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Taylor wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Taylor really is a fat lump.
Taylor takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Cruz lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Taylor circles away quickly and effectively.
Taylor shoots in looking for a takedown but Cruz manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Taylor's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Cruz throws a head kick that misses

and Taylor counters with a single leg into guard. Cruz didn't expect that.
Cruz is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Taylor dives into side control.

Taylor misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Taylor taking a breather here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cruz is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Taylor has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Taylor cracks Cruz with a big right hand but Cruz just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Taylor is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Cruz will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Taylor throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Abe Taylor will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Abe Taylor's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Cruz throws a solid leg kick but Taylor takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Cruz.
Taylor seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Taylor slips a jab and a cross from Cruz.
Cruz throws a head kick that misses.
Cruz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Taylor looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Cruz looks to land a combination but Taylor avoids it well.
Cruz looks to land a combination. Taylor sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Taylor stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Cruz.
Cruz throws a head kick that misses

and Taylor moves into the clinch.
Cruz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cruz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Taylor jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Cruz walks away with a smile on his face. Taylor gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
The fighters circle, before Cruz throws a beautiful high kick that crashes into Taylor's neck, sending him stumbling to the floor! Cruz lands more strikes and forces a referee stoppage! That one ended in an instant!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:54 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Kick & Punches). Jose Cruz!