PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Guran Tkeshelashvili (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Guran Tkeshelashvili has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Tkeshelashvili
vs
Taylor

182 cm
26
213 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

185 cm
20
210 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Enjoys gardening

Black Belt Nutrition #=========||=========#

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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Guran Tkeshelashvili!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Matt Taylor!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Dmitry Maklakov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Taylor instigates a clinch.
Taylor gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Tkeshelashvili.

Taylor pulls guard effortlessly.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Taylor working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Tkeshelashvili has passed into half guard!
Tkeshelashvili is looking to take a break and control but Taylor is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Taylor wants to control but Tkeshelashvili is keeping busy.
Tkeshelashvili prevents Taylor from improving his position.
Taylor moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Tkeshelashvili scoring with punches to the head and body.
Tkeshelashvili has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Taylor keeping moving, preventing Tkeshelashvili from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tkeshelashvili throws a strike but Taylor rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Taylor thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Taylor wants to control from the top but Tkeshelashvili keeps moving.
Taylor passes Tkeshelashvili's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Taylor is thwarting Tkeshelashvili's attempts to control the position.
Tkeshelashvili is in trouble now - Taylor has advanced to mount!

Taylor is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Tkeshelashvili can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Taylor working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Taylor is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Tkeshelashvili is surviving well by controlling Taylor's body position as best he can.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tkeshelashvili tries to hold on but Taylor pushes him away.
Taylor pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Tkeshelashvili wants to hold on but Taylor pushes him away.
Taylor lands a couple of good shots and Tkeshelashvili has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

Taylor has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Tkeshelashvili! Can he survive? No! He's out! Taylor gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Matt Taylor!
Matt Taylor bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.