PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between MIKE HAWK (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chester Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chester Taylor will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

HAWK
vs
Taylor

179 cm
21
201 lbs
5 - 9 - 0

193 cm
23
215 lbs
7 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, MIKE HAWK!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Chester Taylor!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Igor Prikhodko and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taylor tries for a takedown but HAWK sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
HAWK throws a series of punches but Taylor moves out of range.
HAWK shoots in but no luck this time.
Taylor with a poor takedown
and HAWK counters with a stiff right hand.
Taylor doesn't manage to clinch there - HAWK circles away.
HAWK looks to land a combination. Taylor sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

It looks like Chester Taylor has been cut.
Taylor dives in and grabs HAWK's left leg, looking for a takedown. HAWK pushes down on Taylor's head and hops out.
MIKE HAWK has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chester Taylor.
HAWK throws a series of punches but Taylor avoids them all with ease.
Taylor tries for a takedown but HAWK circles away easily

and HAWK counters with a nice double leg into side control. Taylor won't be happy with that.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

HAWK goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Taylor has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for HAWK but great work by Taylor.
HAWK gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
HAWK wants to control but Taylor is keeping busy.

HAWK makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
HAWK throws a half hearted mid kick.
Taylor gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and HAWK counters by clinching up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Taylor breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Taylor.
Taylor looks gassed!

Taylor gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
HAWK wants to break free but Taylor has control.
HAWK tries to pull guard but Taylor holds him up against the cage and eventually HAWK drops back down to his feet.

Taylor escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
HAWK throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Taylor tries to clinch but fails miserably
and HAWK counters with a thumping low kick.
HAWK misses with a wild combination.
Taylor misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
HAWK throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Taylor on the side of the head.
Chester Taylor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
HAWK thows a body kick. Taylor tries to catch it but that hurt him.
HAWK tries to land a front kick but Taylor steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
HAWK's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and HAWK duly obliges.
Taylor is trying desperately to land a takedown but HAWK is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Taylor.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
HAWK scores with a nice body kick.
HAWK connects with a leg kick. Taylor looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Taylor showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from HAWK.

HAWK has closed the distance and engaged Taylor in a clinch.
HAWK lands an elbow that stopped Taylor in his tracks for a moment.
Taylor prevents the takedown attempt.
Taylor tries to pull guard but HAWK holds him up against the cage and eventually Taylor drops back down to his feet.
HAWK wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
HAWK tries to pull guard but Taylor holds him up against the cage and eventually HAWK drops back down to his feet.

HAWK ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. HAWK no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
HAWK not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
HAWK looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Taylor trying to control the position from guard on top but HAWK is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
HAWK might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
HAWK wants to hit a switch here but Taylor passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for HAWK there!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as HAWK is looking to escape.
HAWK tries to lock up and control but Taylor gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Taylor tries to control but HAWK wriggling away.
HAWK swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Taylor working HAWK over with strikes here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Taylor avoids the attempt from HAWK to control.
HAWK is desperately trying to improve his position but Taylor has a good base and remains in mount.
Taylor working the ground and pound effectively.
HAWK is looking to get to half guard.
Taylor avoids the attempt from HAWK to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taylor landing strikes, looking to finish!
Taylor raining down hammerfists from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

MIKE HAWK dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Chester 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.

Taylor looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Taylor tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but HAWK paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Taylor jabs at HAWK's body.
HAWK misses with a hook. Taylor ducked under it nicely.
HAWK fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
HAWK misses with a wild combination.
HAWK is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Horrible takedown by Taylor or perhaps it was just good defense by HAWK which made him look bad.
Taylor fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but HAWK avoids it really well and circles away.
Taylor wants to clinch up but HAWK keeps it at a distance.
Taylor is breathing heavily.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from HAWK, right into the meat.
Taylor tries to close the distance and clinch but HAWK swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Taylor tries to clinch but HAWK moves away
and HAWK counters with a nice body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor shoots in but HAWK avoids the takedown attempt easily.
MIKE HAWK has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chester Taylor.
HAWK is trying hard to land a takedown here. Taylor sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A thudding body kick lands there by HAWK!
MIKE HAWK is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
HAWK connects with a leg kick. Taylor looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A punch combination from HAWK misses.
HAWK feints and then cracks Taylor's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Taylor down.
Taylor avoids a punch combination nicely.

HAWK shoots in and gets a takedown into Taylor's guard.

HAWK decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
A punch combination from HAWK misses.

HAWK drives through and clinches with Taylor against the cage.
Taylor has HAWK pressed against the cage, preventing HAWK from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
HAWK tries to pull guard but Taylor won't allow it.
HAWK tries to pull guard but Taylor won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from HAWK.
A head punch on the inside from HAWK fails to land.
Taylor gets underhooks to prevent HAWK's takedown attempt.
Taylor dodges an elbow strike from HAWK.

Taylor escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Taylor shoots in looking for a takedown but HAWK manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Taylor's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A nice inside leg kick there by HAWK. That's going to slow Taylor down.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
HAWK pushes Taylor away with a front kick.
Taylor dodges the punch combination from HAWK.
HAWK throws a right and a left that both miss.
Taylor takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Taylor shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
HAWK misses with a body kick.
HAWK misses with a few strikes there.
HAWK tries to land a front kick but Taylor steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Taylor tries to clinch but HAWK is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor shoots in looking for a takedown but HAWK manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Taylor's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
HAWK stalks Taylor and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Taylor's face. Taylor staggers backwards, shaken.

HAWK shoots in and gets a takedown into Taylor's guard.
HAWK wants to control from the top but Taylor keeps moving.
HAWK trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Taylor keeping moving, preventing HAWK from controlling successfully.
Taylor is trying to control the position but HAWK postures up.
Taylor keeping full guard, as HAWK tries to pass.
HAWK pushes down on Taylor's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Taylor is not content to let HAWK control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor has his hands clasped together around HAWK's back. He's all about the action.

HAWK is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Taylor is just riding it out for now. HAWK eventually gives up the hold.

HAWK seems to be looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

MIKE HAWK dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Chester 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. This is the final round!

HAWK throws a body kick that misses.
HAWK circles away from the clinch attempt.

HAWK shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Taylor is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Taylor bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

HAWK looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Taylor passes into half guard.
Nice strikes from Taylor there.
Taylor thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Taylor thows a huge punch but HAWK dodges it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor drops an elbow to the side of HAWK's head.
Taylor slips a nice elbow through HAWK's hands, connecting with HAWK's forehead.
Taylor seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
HAWK holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

Taylor decides to stand and escape the position.
Taylor has his takedown stuffed

so HAWK counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Taylor has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
HAWK wants to get up but he can't break Taylor's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Taylor has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
HAWK won't allow Taylor to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor keeping full guard, as HAWK tries to pass.
Taylor is looking to stand up but HAWK isn't so interested in that idea.
HAWK trying to stand up but can't free himself from Taylor's guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
HAWK trying to control but Taylor is working from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
HAWK throws a one two combo.
HAWK tries a head kick but it misses.
Taylor fails with the takedown
and HAWK counters with a nice body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
HAWK cracks Taylor with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
HAWK looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
HAWK buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Taylor wants to clinch but HAWK slips to the side

and HAWK counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

HAWK is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Taylor doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time HAWK.
Taylor is trying to maintain the position but HAWK is very close to passing his half guard.
MIKE HAWK is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
HAWK wants to take a breather but Taylor is having none of it.
Taylor wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor trying to control from the bottom.

HAWK is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Taylor sees it coming and defends easily.
MIKE HAWK overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
HAWK with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
HAWK is pressing down on Taylor's thigh, looking to free his foot. Taylor is holding on for now.
Taylor wants to control but HAWK is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Taylor is looking to improve his position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Chester Taylor hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
HAWK lands a nice leg kick that just misses Taylor's sensitive parts.

And that's the end of the fight!
MIKE HAWK showed his dominance in that final round.
Well HAWK 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... MIKE HAWK!