PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Steve Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sotiris Christodolou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Taylor
vs
Christodolou

195 cm
22
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

202 cm
22
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Improved boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Steve Taylor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Sotiris Christodolou!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Paul Tew and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Christodolou tries to keep at a distance but Taylor has taken the fight into the clinch.
Christodolou is trying to maintain a safe position but Taylor gets an underhook and turns Christodolou into the cage.
Taylor tries to score a body lock takedown but Christodolou shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Christodolou is trying to break free.
Christodolou can't break the clinch.
Christodolou gets underhooks to prevent Taylor's takedown attempt.
Taylor is trying to maintain a safe position but Christodolou gets an underhook and turns Taylor into the cage.

Christodolou pulls guard successfully.
Christodolou working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Taylor.
Taylor throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Taylor throws a strike but Christodolou rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Christodolou trying to control but Taylor is working from the bottom.
Taylor avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Christodolou wants to pass the guard but Taylor is keeping the position.
Taylor will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Taylor on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Taylor tries to get out of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Christodolou preventing the sweep.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Christodolou throws a head kick but Taylor moves out of range.
Christodolou swats away the attempt to clinch by Taylor.

Christodolou closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Christodolou lands in his opponent's guard.
Christodolou stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Taylor swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Taylor throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Taylor looking for a sweep. Not yet Taylor, not yet.
Christodolou 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.
Christodolou stopping the sweep attempt from Taylor.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Christodolou tries to free his leg and advance position but Taylor is retaining full guard.

Christodolou gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Taylor misses with a series of wild punches.
Christodolou looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Taylor tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
No luck for Taylor with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Taylor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Taylor is breathing heavily.
Christodolou tries for a takedown but Taylor sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Christodolou has managed to clinch.
Christodolou is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Christodolou misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Taylor.
Taylor wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Taylor wants a takedown.
Still in the clinch, Christodolou scores with a nice short uppercut.
Taylor wants to stall.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Christodolou pulls Taylor into guard.
Taylor postures up.
Christodolou utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Christodolou trying to keep a closed guard but Taylor is proving a slippery customer.
Christodolou has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Christodolou has his foot on Taylor's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Taylor works his way back into a safe position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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.
Christodolou is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Taylor trying to stand up but can't free himself from Christodolou's guard.
Christodolou is pulling down on Taylor's head. It's preventing any offense from Taylor, at least for the moment.

Taylor decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Christodolou, up you get!
Taylor throws an overhand right that has Christodolou reeling! Taylor follows up with a more punches and Christodolou is out cold! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:49 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Steve Taylor!