PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Taj Mahal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Patrick Tiernan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tiernan is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by DESERT STORM by Tartanic. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mahal
vs
Tiernan

164 cm
23
154 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

180 cm
28
168 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

FULL METAL GEAR
FULL METAL GEAR

O'Brannigan's Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Taj Mahal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Patrick Tiernan!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mahal misses the shot to the body.
Tiernan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tiernan wants to clinch.
Tiernan avoids the body shot from Mahal.
Mahal throws a hook but Tiernan avoids it easily.
Tiernan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Mahal manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A solid leg kick lands there for Tiernan.
Tiernan tries to clinch up.
Mahal takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Tiernan is looking to clinch.
Tiernan ducks under a wild hook from Mahal.
Mahal swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Tiernan counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Tiernan looks to clinch
letting Mahal counter with a right hand.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Tiernan enables Mahal to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Tiernan manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Tiernan looking for a sweep. Not yet Tiernan, not yet.
Mahal throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tiernan works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mahal 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.
Mahalis looking to pass into half guard but Tiernan pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Tiernan is in guard.
Mahal might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahal is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Mahal had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tiernan defends it easily.

Mahal is looking for a triangle but Tiernan pushes his legs off easily.

Mahal is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Tiernan must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Mahal throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mahal throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Tiernan escapes and throws Mahal's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Mahal is looking for a sweep.
Tiernan really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mahal. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Mahal manages to work his way to half guard, despite Tiernan's best efforts.
Mahal tries to roll over but Tiernan keeps him under control.
Mahal gets full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mahal working for a triangle but Tiernan defends it easily.

Mahal throws his legs up looking for a submission but Tiernan uses it to pass to side control.
Mahal wants to control but Tiernan postures up.
Mahal tries to buck Tiernan off but Tiernan is having none of it.
Mahal is working hard here to advance position.

That's four 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.
You can see the frustration on Mahal's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Mahal manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Mahal looking for submissions off his back.
Mahal is looking to improve his position.
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 Taj Mahal will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tiernan fails to land with a series of punches.
Mahal misses with a lunging right hand
and Tiernan counters with a head kick. That will keep Mahal thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Mahal connects with a body shot.
Mahal throws a jab but it's blocked by Tiernan.
Patrick Tiernan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Donk. Mahal catches Tiernan right on the button with a cross.

Mahal scores with a takedown into Tiernan's guard.
Mahal stands and throws Tiernan's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Mahal is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Tiernan is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Mahal throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Tiernan works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahal trying to mount his opponent but Tiernan defends it.

Mahal is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Tiernan sees it coming and defends easily.
Mahal wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tiernan keeps working.

Mahal seems to be looking for submissions.
Mahal thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tiernan's head.

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.
Mahal is pressing down on Tiernan's thigh, looking to free his foot. Tiernan is holding on for now.

Mahal seems to be working for a kimura but Tiernan defends the submission attempt.
Mahal working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Tiernan's thigh. Tiernan counters though and makes it back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tiernan working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mahal.
Mahal pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tiernan is keeping the position for now.
Mahal looking to sit in guard and control but Tiernan gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

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

Mahal had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tiernan defends it easily.

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

Mahal looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Tiernan has picked Mahal up and slammed him! Mahal can't keep hold of the triangle and Tiernan manages to pass to side control!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mahal is trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taj Mahal dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Tiernan lands a head kick. Mahal smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Tiernan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mahal.
Tiernan tries a head kick but it misses.
Tiernan avoids a punch combination nicely.
Mahal swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Tiernan counters with a nice low kick that buckles Mahal's knee momentarily.
Mahal shoots in for a takedown but Tiernan shows good takedown defense.
Tiernan misses with a double jab
and Mahal counters with a left to the body.
Tiernan scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Tiernan lands a head shot.
Tiernan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mahal throws out the jab.
Tiernan slips a jab from Mahal.
Mahal throws a jab but it's blocked by Tiernan.
Patrick Tiernan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mahal shoots in looking for a takedown. Tiernan tries to sprawl out of it but Mahal keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tiernan manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Tiernan shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Mahal lands a right hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahal tried to score with a low kick but Tiernan checks it.
Mahal circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tiernan is looking to clinch but Mahal is avoiding it.
Mahal bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mahal throws a head kick that misses.
Mahal avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tiernan lands a body shot.

Mahal gets tackled into the cage by Tiernan. Tiernan maintains the clinch.
Tiernan lands with a left to the head.
Tiernan working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tiernan scores with a hook to the body.
Tiernan lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Tiernan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mahal lands a nice shot to the body.
Tiernan is looking to clinch.
Tiernan takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Mahal swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Tiernan.
Tiernan throws a left and a right that both miss
and Mahal counters with a nice body shot.
Mahal slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tiernan throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Mahal avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Patrick Tiernan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tiernan uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mahal.
Tiernan lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Tiernan throws a quick inside leg kick.
Mahal tries to work over Tiernan's front leg with a kick but Tiernan checks it.
Mahal misses with a body shot.
Tiernan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mahal.
Tiernan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Tiernan stalks Mahal and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Mahal's face. Mahal staggers backwards, shaken.
Tiernan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tiernan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tiernan misses with a series of wild punches.
Mahal misses with a lunging right hand
and Tiernan counters with a good, hard body kick but Mahal shrugs it off.

Tiernan instigates a clinch.
Tiernan stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Tiernan is leaning against Mahal and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mahal jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Tiernan walks away with a smile on his face. Mahal gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taj Mahal. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mahal misses with a body shot
and Tiernan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tiernan on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Tiernan lands a slapping body shot.
Tiernan lands a two punch combo.
A left and a right from Tiernan both land. Nice combination.
Mahal lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
A telegraphed right hand from Mahal misses the target.
Mahal misses with an uppercut

and Tiernan counters by moving into the clinch.
Mahal misses with some punches.
Mahal is trying to maintain a safe position but Tiernan gets an underhook and turns Mahal into the cage.
Mahal struggles to land a body shot inside as Tiernan controls his hands.
Mahal struggles to land a body shot inside as Tiernan controls his hands.
Tiernan working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Mahal drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Tiernan gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Mahal softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Mahal working aggressively here.
Mahal is working for takedown but Tiernan is calmly controlling the position for now.
Mahal misses with a body punch.
A short body shot lands from Tiernan as the two fighters clinch.
Tiernan works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mahal swings wildly with an uppercut but Tiernan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tiernan makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Mahal has a couple of punches blocked by Tiernan.
A shot in the inside from Tiernan.
Mahal tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tiernan avoids it.
Mahal misses with a hook from the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Tiernan.
Tiernan content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Good body shot from Tiernan.
Tiernan lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Mahal.
Mahal misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tiernan lands a body punch.
Mahal misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tiernan scores with a shot to the side of Mahal's head.
Tiernan stalling the fight.
Mahal drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tiernan works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Tiernan.
Tiernan manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Tiernan scores with a hook to the body.
Patrick Tiernan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A hook to the body from Tiernan.

And that's the end of the fight!
Patrick Tiernan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mahal 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andi Peters scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Taj Mahal!