PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jack Daniels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Under Taker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Daniels
vs
Taker

185 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 1

190 cm
18
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Tends to cut

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 0 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jack Daniels!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Under Taker!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Frank Dennis and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Daniels drives through and clinches with Taker against the cage.

Daniels ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Daniels no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taker throws a strike but Daniels rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Taker keeping full guard, as Daniels tries to pass.
Taker is trying to keep Daniels in close.
Daniels looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taker wants to get back to his feet but Daniels is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Taker is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Taker keeping moving, preventing Daniels from controlling successfully.
Daniels trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Taker looking for a guillotine here but Daniels defends easily.
Daniels passes Taker's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Daniels is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Taker is just riding it out for now. Daniels eventually gives up the hold.
Taker is controlling Daniels's position as best he can from this difficult position.

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.
Taker is trying to maintain the position but Daniels is very close to passing his half guard.

Daniels is looking for a kimura here.
Taker blocking the ground and pound attempt from Daniels.
Daniels is thwarting Taker's attempts to control the position.
Daniels throwing shots but Taker is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daniels is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Daniels engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Daniels trying to control the position from guard on top but Taker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taker looking to control.
Daniels trying to control but Taker is working from the bottom.

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.

We're going to have a standup here because Jack Daniels wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Taker looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Daniels shoots in but no luck this time.

Taker clinches with his opponent.
Daniels is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Daniels has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Taker is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Taker jumps guard but Daniels stands there with Taker around his waist. Taker gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Daniels scores with a shot to the side of Taker's head.
Daniels wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Daniels takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Taker's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Daniels.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Daniels. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Taker with a lazy takedown attempt

and Daniels counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Daniels.
Daniels tries to pull guard but Taker won't allow it.
Daniels tries to score a body lock takedown but Taker shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Taker is trying to break the clinch but Daniels has him pressed against the cage.

Taker pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Daniels gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Taker counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Daniels is breathing heavily.
Taker fails to land the takedown.

Taker scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Daniels seems a little lost for a moment, as Taker dominates the positioning.

Taker stands up and beckons Daniels to his feet.
Daniels throws a lazy head kick

and Taker counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Taker content to stall in guard here.

Taker drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Taker jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Taker tries to free his leg and advance position but Daniels is retaining full guard.

Daniels pushes Taker off and scrambles back to his feet.

Daniels looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Taker!
Daniels trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Daniels lands a big elbow.
Daniels controlling his opponent.
Taker tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Daniels is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Daniels can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Taker is looking to escape.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Taker is looking to improve his position but Daniels isn't that keen on the idea.
Daniels lands with some strikes.
Taker sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Still in half guard, Daniels seems content to control.
Daniels prevents Taker from improving his position.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Daniels throwing shots but Taker is blocking nicely.
Taker is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Daniels's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Daniels's back!
Taker trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Taker avoiding Daniels 's attempts to control his hands.

Daniels is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Taker gets his way!
Daniels tries to roll but Taker sticks to his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Under Taker dominated that round.
That's time! Daniels's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Daniels moves in looking to clinch but Taker pushes him off.
Daniels throws a wild body kick that Taker sees coming a mile off.
Daniels moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Daniels fails with the takedown

and Taker counters with a shoot takedown. Daniels fights it but they end up in guard.

Daniels looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Taker tries to free his leg and advance position but Daniels is retaining full guard.

Daniels throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Under Taker has got the better of the ground game so far.
Daniels is trying to control the position but Taker postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daniels keeping full guard, as Taker tries to pass.
Taker is breathing heavily.
Taker passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Daniels tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Taker easily slips into full mount!
Taker trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Taker looking to ground and pound but Daniels is blocking nicely.
Daniels is desperately trying to improve his position but Taker has a good base and remains in mount.

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.
Taker lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

Taker stands up from mount. Strange move.
Taker takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Daniels fails with the takedown

and Taker counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Daniels!
Taker with a couple of short strikes.
Taker tries to control but Daniels wriggling away.
Daniels tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taker content just to control the position here.
Taker trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Daniels is looking to get to half guard.
Daniels wants to control but Taker is having none of it.

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

Taker moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Daniels has worked his arm free - good work by Daniels!
You can see the frustration on Daniels's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Taker blocks the strikes from Daniels.
Taker trying to control the action but Daniels is working from the bottom.
Taker throws a strike aimed at the side of Daniels's head but Daniels avoids it well.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Daniels is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
You can see the frustration on Daniels's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Daniels stops Taker from passing to mount.

Taker thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Daniels is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's six 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.
Daniels pushes Taker off looking to stand but Taker dives back in and keeps control.
Daniels is pressing down on Taker's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Daniels is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Daniels looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Daniels working for a triangle but Taker defends it easily.
Daniels trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Taker postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Daniels wants to sweep here but Taker controlling him for the moment.
Daniels trying to keep a closed guard but Taker is proving a slippery customer.
Daniels looking for a sweep. Not yet Daniels, not yet.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Taker works over Daniels with some ground and pound from guard.
Taker works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Taker is trying to control. Daniels wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Daniels tries to get to full guard but Taker has control of the leg.
Taker is trying to control the action in half guard but Daniels is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Daniels trying to hold on to Taker's head to control him but Taker postures up.
Daniels is looking to improve his position.
Taker uses his free foot to push down on Daniels's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Daniels.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Taker looking to control and managing it successfully.
Daniels is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Taker dominating with strikes here.
Taker looking to control and managing it successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Under Taker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Taker lands with a kick to the ribs.
Daniels is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Daniels fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Taker sprawls well initially but Daniels persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Daniels is trying to control the action in half guard but Taker is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Daniels stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Taker moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

Daniels scores a takedown into full mount!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Daniels wants to control the pace but Taker is squirming around nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taker really wants to buck Daniels off and get back to his feet.
Daniels fails to take his opponent's back.
Taker tries to hold on but Daniels pushes him away.
Daniels in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Daniels controlling his opponent.

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.
Daniels can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Taker is looking to escape.
Daniels connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Daniels tries to control but Taker wriggling away.
Taker working to try and regain half guard.

Daniels wants to finish this one by submission but Taker is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Daniels.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taker really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The referee warns Taker that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Daniels lands with some strikes.
Taker is looking to improve his position but Daniels isn't that keen on the idea.
Daniels controlling from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taker is in all sorts of trouble here.
Taker throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Taker wants to hold on but Daniels pushes him away.
Daniels controlling from mount.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Daniels raining down hammerfists from mount.
Taker in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Daniels avoids the attempt from Taker to control.
Daniels moves to take his opponent's back.
Daniels has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Taker.
Daniels just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Taker defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Daniels's arms.
Taker is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Daniels lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Taker hold on?!
Taker covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Daniels is not going to allow Taker to sit and survive in this position.
Taker looking very determined here, making life difficult for Daniels.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Daniels scores with punches and elbows.

Taker fending off the submission attempt from Daniels.
Daniels is landing with strikes. Taker can't take much more of this.
Daniels lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Daniels controlling the position well here. Taker rolled but Daniels kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Daniels is hanging on to Taker's back as he tries to escape.

Taker fending off the submission attempt from Daniels.
Daniels lands a shot to the body.
Daniels has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Taker's body.
Daniels seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Taker for as long as he can get away with.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Taker is trying to break free.
Taker looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Daniels keeps control of the position easily here as Taker tries to buck him off.
Taker is really stuck here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Daniels clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Daniels shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Daniels sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Daniels prevents Taker from improving his position.
Taker works his way to full guard. Good work.
Taker keeping moving, preventing Daniels from controlling successfully.
Taker is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Daniels is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daniels tries to free his leg and advance position but Taker is retaining full guard.

Jack Daniels has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Daniels misses with a takedown attempt

and Taker counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Daniels works his way to full guard. Good work.
Daniels pulls Taker in close to his closed guard and prevents Taker from doing any damage or advancing position.
Daniels looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Taker puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Daniels wants to get back to his feet.
Taker trying to pass the guard but Daniels defending well.
Taker stalling away here and it's allowed Daniels to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Taker trying to control but Daniels is working from the bottom.
Daniels lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Taker!
Daniels controlling from the full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Daniels is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Taker has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Taker!
Taker preventing the sweep.

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.
Daniels keeping moving, preventing Taker from controlling successfully.
Taker would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Taker is looking to advance position but Daniels has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Daniels looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Daniels looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Daniels prevents Taker from getting the reversal.
Daniels controlling the pace for now.

Daniels jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Taker is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Taker and Daniels has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Daniels cracks Taker with a big elbow.
The ground and pound from Daniels seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Taker is trying to get back to half guard.
Daniels is looking to take a break and control but Taker is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Taker can't do much from the bottom here.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Daniels lands some shots froms side control.
Daniels looks up at the clock and then as Taker takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Daniels smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Taker is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Daniels's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Taker is trying to control but can't.
Well, if Daniels 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.

Daniels stands up out of the half guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

Daniels shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Taker is trying to defend but Daniels finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Daniels works his foot free and advances to mount.
Daniels fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Daniels.
Daniels trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Daniels looking to control and managing it successfully.
Daniels landing strikes, looking to finish!
Daniels is landing with some decent strikes but Taker is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Daniels cracks Taker with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Taker in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Daniels had his way with Under Taker in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Taker tries to keep at a distance but Daniels has taken the fight into the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Taker's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Daniels escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Daniels misses with a takedown attempt

so Taker counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Daniels keeping moving, preventing Taker from controlling successfully.
Daniels keeping full guard, as Taker tries to pass.
Daniels is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Daniels lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Taker!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taker slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Taker misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Daniels decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Daniels with a poor takedown

and Taker counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Taker.
Taker won't allow Daniels to sweep him here.
Daniels is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Taker decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Daniels, up you get!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Taker has closed the distance and engaged Daniels in a clinch.
Taker goes for a takedown in the clinch but Daniels prevents it.

Daniels wants the takedown. Taker is fighting it off but Daniels persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Taker's guard against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Taker pulls Daniels in to control the position.
Taker bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Daniels's guard.

Daniels throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Taker preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taker trying to control but Daniels is working from the bottom.

Taker drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Daniels dives on top into guard.
Daniels passes into half guard.
Daniels trying to pass the guard but Taker defending well.

Daniels escapes and gets back to his feet.
Daniels lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taker misses with a takedown attempt

and Daniels counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Daniels is trying to control the action in half guard but Taker is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Daniels missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Daniels passes to side control.
Taker tries to improve position but can't.
Daniels lands some shots froms side control.
Daniels is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Taker is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Daniels asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Daniels controls the position from side control.
Taker is looking to regain half guard here but Daniels keeps moving and retains side control.

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

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Daniels is looking to take a break and control but Taker is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Taker can't do much from the bottom here.
Daniels creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Daniels remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Taker tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Daniels wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Daniels tries to move into full mount but can't pass Taker's legs.
Taker is trying to escape the position but Daniels is controlling the position.
Daniels wants to control but Taker is keeping him busy.

We're going to have a standup here because Jack Daniels wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Taker swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's eight 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.
Taker wants to clinch but Daniels slips to the side

and Daniels counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Daniels tries to stand and escape but Taker is controlling the position.

Daniels stands up out of the half guard.
Daniels shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Taker pinned against the cage. Taker gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack Daniels. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Taker darts in trying to clinch

and Daniels counters with a takedown into side control.
Taker manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Daniels is looking to take a break and control but Taker is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Still in half guard, Daniels seems content to control.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Taker is trying to stand up here but Daniels is controlling him well.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Taker is trying to control but Daniels manages to pass to mount!
A nice elbow there by Daniels.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Daniels can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Taker is looking to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Daniels showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Daniels has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 48:46
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 48:46
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 48:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Daniels!
Jack Daniels is the new welterweight champion!