PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Serhey Rishkinov (ranked 76 p4p, 686 weight class) and Meldrick Taylor (ranked 10 p4p, 97 weight class). Serhey Rishkinov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rishkinov
vs
Taylor

180 cm
27
175
19 - 5 - 0

185 cm
27
175
12 - 6 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

HELLS BALLS RECOVERY
Shadow Warrior Nutrition

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Serhey Rishkinov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 1, fighting out of New York, Meldrick Taylor!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Daniel Blasius and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taylor on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Rishkinov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Taylor sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Taylor is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Rishkinov connects with a solid leg kick.
Rishkinov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Rishkinov misses with a looping left.
Taylor misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rishkinov.
Serhey Rishkinov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Taylor misses with a wild body shot.
Taylor swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Decent striking displayed by Rishkinov there.
Rishkinov slips under a jab from Taylor.
Rishkinov thumps Taylor with a low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taylor takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Rishkinov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Rishkinov misses with a straight left.
Taylor is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Rishkinov with a body shot.

Rishkinov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Taylor did well to prevent Rishkinov getting side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rishkinov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Rishkinov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Rishkinov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Taylor felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Rishkinov stalling.
Rishkinov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Rishkinov thows a huge punch but Taylor dodges it nicely.
Taylor tries to get to full guard but Rishkinov has control of the leg.
Rishkinov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Taylor can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rishkinov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rishkinov sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Rishkinov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rishkinov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Taylor's head.
Taylor really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rishkinov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Taylor is not content to let Rishkinov control the position.
Rishkinov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Rishkinov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Taylor keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rishkinov drops an elbow to the side of Taylor's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rishkinov working the head and body with strikes.
Rishkinov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Rishkinov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rishkinov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Rishkinov connects with a nice short shot to Taylor's temple.
Rishkinov working Taylor over with strikes.
Rishkinov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rishkinov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Well, if Rishkinov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Rishkinov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rishkinov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Taylor defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Rishkinov connects with a nice short shot to Taylor's temple.
Rishkinov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Rishkinov lands a nice short elbow.
Taylor is trying to maintain the position but Rishkinov is very close to passing his half guard.
Rishkinov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Rishkinov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Rishkinov wants to work for an arm triangle but Taylor is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Rishkinov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rishkinov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Taylor avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rishkinov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rishkinov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Serhey Rishkinov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Taylor misses with a looping right.
Taylor throws a body shot but no joy.
Taylor slips a jab from Rishkinov.
Taylor keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rishkinov.
Rishkinov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rishkinov scores with a decent looking hook.
Taylor swings for the body but Rishkinov moves out of range.
Rishkinov misses with a looping left.
Taylor now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Taylor misses with a jab to the body
and Rishkinov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Taylor enables Rishkinov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Taylor manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Rishkinov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rishkinov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Taylor can do to turn this around?
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rishkinov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rishkinov controls from within his opponent's guard.
Rishkinov throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rishkinov with a nice head shot there.
Rishkinov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Rishkinov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rishkinov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rishkinov trying to control the position from guard on top but Taylor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taylor wants to sweep here but Rishkinov controlling him for the moment.
Taylor avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Rishkinov scoring with some ground and pound.
Rishkinov trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Taylor manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Rishkinov working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Taylor has passed into half guard!
Rishkinov is looking to improve his position.
Taylor seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Rishkinov is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rishkinov gets full guard.

Rishkinov has an active guard here but Taylor has managed to pass into half guard.

Rishkinov actively working from the bottom here.
Rishkinov is looking to improve his position.
Rishkinov 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rishkinov is working hard here to advance position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Rishkinov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Serhey Rishkinov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rishkinov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Taylor is one step ahead there.
Taylor must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Rishkinov working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Taylor has passed into half guard!
Taylor tries to pass the half guard into mount. Rishkinov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rishkinov tries to roll over but Taylor keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Serhey Rishkinov dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Taylor throws a body punch but Rishkinov moves out of range.
Nice shot by Rishkinov.
Rishkinov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Taylor.
Rishkinov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Rishkinov gets the takedown into side control.
Rishkinov slows the pace down.
Rishkinov lands a few punches from side control.
Taylor managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Rishkinov.
Rishkinov tries to score with some ground and pound. Taylor controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Rishkinov landing a few strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A lull in the action here as Rishkinov stalls from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rishkinov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Rishkinov happy to just control the position for now.

Rishkinov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Rishkinov is trying to get an arm triangle but Taylor is defending well.
Taylor takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rishkinov is chipping away with strikes.
Rishkinov wants to control but Taylor is keeping him busy.
Taylor is trying to control Rishkinov's posture but Rishkinov avoids it.
Rishkinov trying to control the action but Taylor is working from the bottom.
Taylor managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Rishkinov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rishkinov is looking to take a break and control but Taylor is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rishkinov scores with punches from side control.
Rishkinov trying to control the action but Taylor is working from the bottom.
Rishkinov scoring with punches from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Rishkinov lands a nice forearm strike.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taylor on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Rishkinov scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Taylor to see if he's OK.
Rishkinov taking a breather here.
Rishkinov works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rishkinov scores with punches from side control.
An elbow from Rishkinov crashes against the mat.
Rishkinov lands a nice forearm strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Serhey Rishkinov clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Taylor stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rishkinov.
Taylor swings for the body but Rishkinov moves out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Taylor as Rishkinov shoots in.
Rishkinov shoots in but no luck this time.
A countering left hand to the body from Taylor misses.
Taylor avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Taylor uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rishkinov.
Rishkinov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
That kick from Rishkinov tenderised Taylor's leg. Taylor is trying to keep his angry face on.
Serhey Rishkinov is winning the standup battle so far.
Rishkinov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taylor ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Rishkinov throws a sloppy body shot
and Taylor counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rishkinov.
Rishkinov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Taylor counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor throws a right hand that Rishkinov ducks under and follows up with a left that Rishkinov also avoids with ease.
Meldrick Taylor is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A cross from Rishkinov lands.
Rishkinov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Rishkinov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Rishkinov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Rishkinov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Taylor's guard.
Rishkinov is working Taylor over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Rishkinov trying to control the position from guard on top but Taylor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taylor utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rishkinov throwing strikes from guard but Taylor blocks nicely.
Rishkinov throwing strikes but missing.
Rishkinov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Taylor's head.
Rishkinov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rishkinov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Rishkinov works over Taylor with some ground and pound from guard.
Rishkinov trying to control but Taylor is working from the bottom.
Rishkinov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor being controlled here, momentarily.
Rishkinov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Rishkinov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Rishkinov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rishkinov forces his way into half guard.

Rishkinov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Taylor is not content to let Rishkinov control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Rishkinov winds up and cracks Taylor with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Rishkinov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Rishkinov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rishkinov is nestled in close to Taylor, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Rishkinov stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Serhey Rishkinov had his way with Meldrick Taylor in that round.
That's time! Rishkinov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Taylor misses with a wild body shot.
Taylor jabs at Rishkinov's body.
Taylor has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Rishkinov.
Rishkinov thows a leg kick but Taylor checks it
and Taylor connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rishkinov works over Taylor's head and body with a nice combination.
Rishkinov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Rishkinov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rishkinov. Taylor does a little dance to reset his feet.
Taylor looks like he wants to counter punch here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taylor throws a body punch but Rishkinov moves out of range.
Taylor needs to keep his hands up - Rishkinov had a free shot at his head there.
Rishkinov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Rishkinov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Taylor is fending him off so far but Rishkinov persists. Nope, Taylor circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rishkinov lands a head shot.
Taylor is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Rishkinov rather than just go for the knockout.
Good leg kick by Rishkinov.
Rishkinov misses with a low kick.
Rishkinov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rishkinov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Nice defenses there by Taylor.
Taylor swings for the body but Rishkinov moves out of range.
Rishkinov walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Taylor throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Taylor avoids a punch combination nicely.
Meldrick Taylor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rishkinov connects with the punch.
Rishkinov throws a leg kick which misses Taylor's front leg but catches the back leg as Taylor tries to avoid it.
Rishkinov with the inside leg kick.
Good work by Taylor as he checks the leg kick.
Taylor tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rishkinov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Taylor throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Rishkinov shoots in and gets a takedown into Taylor's guard.
Serhey Rishkinov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rishkinov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rishkinov's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Rishkinov looks to score with a jab to the body but Taylor is just out of range.
Taylor throws an off balance right hand
and Taylor takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Taylor avoids the body shot from Rishkinov.
Rishkinov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Taylor has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Taylor changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Rishkinov cracks Taylor with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Serhey Rishkinov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rishkinov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 50:43
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 50:43
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 50:43

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Serhey Rishkinov!
Serhey Rishkinov retains his welterweight title!
Serhey Rishkinov very nearly forgot to thank Top Gun Nutrition amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.