PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kenji Kitano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luke Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Kitano might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Zeni Geva: Slam King . Luke Taylor is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Kitano
vs
Taylor

175 cm
25
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
25
194 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kenji Kitano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Luke Taylor!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, William Peck and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kitano avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Taylor circles away from the clinch attempt
and Taylor makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kitano tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Taylor to counter with a crisp jab.

Taylor has Kitano up against the cage in a clinch.
Taylor looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kitano lands a damaging elbow.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kitano throws an elbow but misses.
Taylor wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Taylor wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Taylor avoids the elbow strike from Kitano, against the cage.
Taylor blocks the elbow strike.
Kitano throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kitano lands an elbow inside that Taylor shrugs off.
Taylor avoids the elbow strike from Kitano, against the cage.
Taylor has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kitano comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kitano throws an elbow that misses.
Kitano pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kitano creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kitano prevents Taylor from breaking the clinch.
Taylor looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kitano misses with an elbow over the top.
Taylor tries a body shot but Kitano blocks it.
Taylor is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kitano comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Kitano keeps control of Taylor as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Taylor is trying to break the clinch but Kitano has him pressed against the cage.
Taylor tries to break free but Kitano pushes him back against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kitano.
Kitano misses with an elbow over the top.
Taylor is trying to force a seperation but Kitano has the dominant position.
Taylor tries to break free but Kitano pushes him back against the cage.
Taylor working hard to break the clinch.
Kitano misses with an elbow strike.
Kitano throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kitano throws an elbow but it misses.
Taylor can't break the clinch.
Taylor is trying to push Kitano away but Kitano has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kitano creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Taylor has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kitano throws an elbow but misses.
Taylor blocks an elbow strike.
Taylor takes an elbow to the forehead.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Taylor dodges an elbow strike from Kitano.
Kitano lands a nice elbow.
Taylor tries to break the clinch but Kitano is controlling the position.
Kitano pushes off an throws an elbow but Taylor leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kitano throws an elbow that misses.
Taylor dodges an elbow strike from Kitano.
Taylor dodges an elbow strike from Kitano.
Kitano throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Taylor wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kitano has him pressed against the cage.
Kitano lands an elbow inside that Taylor shrugs off.
Kitano keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Taylor's efforts to push away.
Taylor blocks an elbow strike from Kitano.
Taylor has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kitano creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kitano.

It looks like Luke Taylor has been cut.
Kitano pushes off an throws an elbow but Taylor leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kitano throws an elbow but it misses.
Kitano lands a nice elbow.
Taylor avoids a wild elbow strike from Kitano.
Kitano prevents Taylor from breaking the clinch.
Taylor is looking to break free of the clinch but Kitano has double underhooks.
Taylor blocks an elbow strike from Kitano.
Taylor avoids a wild elbow strike from Kitano.
Kitano lands a nice elbow.
Taylor avoids a wild elbow strike from Kitano.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kitano throws an elbow but misses.
Taylor has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kitano gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Taylor wants to get back to striking at distance but Kitano won't allow it.
Taylor dodges an elbow strike from Kitano.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kitano just misses with a elbow thrown towards Taylor's brow.
Kitano pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Nice elbow from Kitano.
Taylor wants to get back to striking at distance but Kitano won't allow it.
Taylor avoids a wild elbow strike from Kitano.
Kitano throws an elbow that misses.
Kitano creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Taylor's defenses.
Kitano throws an elbow but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kitano lands an elbow that stopped Taylor in his tracks for a moment.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Taylor tries to break free but Kitano pushes him back against the cage.
Taylor has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kitano lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kitano throws an elbow but misses.
Taylor avoids a wild elbow strike from Kitano.
Kitano comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Kitano lands an elbow just above Taylor 's eye.
Kitano pushes off an throws an elbow but Taylor leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
A frustrated look appears on Taylor's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kitano throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Taylor avoids a wild elbow strike from Kitano.
Taylor blocks an elbow strike from Kitano.
Kitano looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kitano.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kitano throws an elbow that misses.
Taylor wants to break free but Kitano has control.
Kitano creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Taylor is trying to break free.
Kitano lands a damaging elbow.
Kitano comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Kitano dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Luke Taylor's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kitano tries to clinch but Taylor moves away
and Taylor counters with a straight right hand.
Kitano moves to clinch but Taylor breaks away
and Taylor counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kitano darts in trying to clinch
and Taylor counters with a nice body shot.
Kitano closes the distance looking to clinch
and Taylor counters with a left and a right that stings Kitano.
Kitano tries to clinch up
enabling Taylor to counter with a crisp jab.
Kitano showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Taylor.
Kitano closes the distance looking to clinch
and Taylor connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kenji Kitano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kitano wants to clinch but Taylor slips to the side
and Taylor counters with a stiff right hand.
Taylor throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Taylor in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Kitano tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Taylor manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Taylor swats away the attempt to clinch by Kitano.
Taylor scores with a jab.
Kitano wants to clinch but Taylor slips to the side
and Taylor counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Taylor throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kenji Kitano is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kitano is looking to clinch.
Kitano tries to clinch up
and Taylor counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kitano wants to clinch
and Taylor counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Taylor throws a big shot that misses.
Taylor lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Taylor circles away from the clinch attempt
and Taylor counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Taylor misses with a straight right.
Taylor tries to clinch up but Kitano circles away and keeps his distance.
Kitano tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Taylor counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Taylor has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Kitano wants to clinch
enabling Taylor to counter with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kitano tries to clinch
and Taylor counters with a left and a right that stings Kitano.
Taylor connects with a jab.
Taylor just misses with a punch to the body.
Kitano avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kitano looks to clinch
and Taylor counters with a series of strikes. Kitano will be more careful next time no doubt.
Taylor is breathing heavily.
Kitano wants to clinch
and Taylor counters with a right hand to the body.
Kitano is looking to clinch.

Kitano has managed to clinch.
Taylor wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kitano has him pressed against the cage.
Taylor is looking to break free of the clinch but Kitano has double underhooks.
Taylor wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kitano has him pressed against the cage.
Taylor dodges an elbow strike from Kitano.
Taylor dodges an elbow strike from Kitano.
Taylor wants to get back to striking at distance but Kitano won't allow it.
Taylor working hard to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kitano lands a nice elbow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kitano throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Taylor blocks the elbow strike.
Kitano gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kitano keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Taylor's efforts to push away.
Taylor avoids a wild elbow strike from Kitano.
Taylor takes an elbow to the temple.
Taylor dodges an elbow strike from Kitano.
Kitano lands a damaging elbow.
Kitano lands a nice elbow.
Kitano throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Taylor looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kitano lands a damaging elbow.
Taylor avoids the elbow strike from Kitano, against the cage.
Kitano throws an elbow but it misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Taylor is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Taylor blocks an elbow strike.
Taylor takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kitano has Taylor pressed against the cage, preventing Taylor from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kitano gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Taylor showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Luke Taylor's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Kitano tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Taylor paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Luke Taylor seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kitano moves in looking to clinch but Taylor pushes him off.
Kitano tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Taylor counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Taylor lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Taylor will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kitano tries to clinch but Taylor moves away
enabling Taylor to counter with a crisp jab.
Kitano takes one to the side of the head.
Kitano staying out of range there.
Kitano wants to clinch.
Kitano tries to clinch up
and Taylor counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kitano tries to clinch up
and Taylor makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kitano is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Taylor lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Kitano backs up against the cage.
Kitano tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Taylor counters with a straight right hand.
Kitano circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kitano tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Taylor counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kitano looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kitano tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Taylor counters with a stiff right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kitano tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Taylor counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kitano tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Taylor counters with a stiff right hand.
Taylor circles away from the clinch attempt
and Taylor counters with a one-two to the body.
Taylor misses with a looping right.
Kitano tries to clinch up
and Taylor counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kitano closes the distance looking to clinch
and Taylor counters with a left to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Taylor looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kitano wants to clinch
and Kitano takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Taylor circles away from the clinch attempt.
Taylor swats away the attempt to clinch by Kitano.
Taylor throws an overhand right that lands on Kitano's shoulder, as Kitano tries to avoid the shot.
Kitano moves in looking to clinch but Taylor pushes him off.
Kitano wants to clinch
and Taylor counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Taylor avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Taylor lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kitano at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor misses the shot to the body.
Taylor lands with a nice combination. Kitano backs away looking to recover.
Taylor takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kitano tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Taylor manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kitano tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Taylor counters with a stiff right hand.
Kitano is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kitano wants to clinch but Taylor slips to the side
and Taylor counters with a one-two to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kitano tries to clinch but Taylor is having none of it.
Kitano tries to clinch there but Taylor circles away.
Kitano tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Taylor paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kitano tries to clinch there but Taylor circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kitano darts in trying to clinch
and Taylor counters with a nice uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luke Taylor comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Taylor has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luke Taylor!