PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hype Williams (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Herald Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Williams's entrance music is P.O.D. - Boom. A fine choice. Taylor comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Smoke the Fire!! kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Williams
vs
Taylor

166 cm
25
141 lbs
12 - 10 - 0

198 cm
34
129 lbs
10 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Hype Williams!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Herald Taylor!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Roger Salmon and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taylor throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Williams.
Williams misses with the combination.
Williams misses with a few strikes there.
Williams cracks a nice hook into Taylor's ribs.
Taylor fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Williams scores with a one two! Taylor had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Williams misses with a series of wild punches.
Williams misses with a wild combination.
A combination from Williams does no damage.
A combination from Williams does no damage.
Williams throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nice body punch from Williams.
Taylor shoots in looking for a takedown. Williams tries to sprawl out of it but Taylor keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Williams manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Williams cracks a nice hook into Taylor's ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williams throws a head kick that misses.
Sloppy strikes from Williams. Those never looked like landing.
Williams with a body punch. A glancing blow.
No joy there for Williams, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Williams swinging wildly here.
Sloppy strikes from Williams. Those never looked like landing.
Williams comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Williams throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Williams keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hype Williams seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Williams tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Taylor was well out of range. Poor timing from Williams.
No joy there for Williams, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Williams tries to bum rush Taylor with a series of wild strikes but Taylor uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Williams thows a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Williams rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Taylor moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Taylor throws a head kick that misses.
Taylor throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A looping hook to the body misses from Williams. Taylor does a little dance to reset his feet.
Williams looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Williams fails to land with a series of punches.
Taylor looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Williams is fending him off so far but Taylor persists. Nope, Williams circles away and we're back to standing.
Hype Williams has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Herald Taylor.
Taylor tries to clinch there but Williams circles away.
Williams lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Taylor circles away quickly and effectively.
Williams is looking to wear down Taylor with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Williams scores with a leg kick.
Williams lands a really nice looking cross but Taylor seems unphased.
Williams feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Taylor's calf.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Williams misses with a wild body shot.
Williams tries a head kick but it misses.
Williams misses with an uppercut.
Williams takes a swing at Taylor's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Williams tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Taylor was well out of range. Poor timing from Williams.
Williams paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Williams misses with a jab, cross combination.
Williams throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Taylor.
Taylor throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Williams misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Williams ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Taylor moves away.
Taylor throws a body punch but Williams moves out of range.
Taylor is trying desperately to land a takedown but Williams is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Taylor.
Taylor looks to score with a jab to the body but Williams is just out of range.
Williams misses with a few strikes there.
Williams swings for the body but Taylor moves out of range.
Taylor looks to score with a jab to the body but Williams is just out of range.
Williams swinging wildly here.
Hype Williams is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Williams swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Williams closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Williams misses with a wild combination.
Williams throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Taylor.
Williams lands a right hook to the body.
Taylor avoids the body shot from Williams.
Williams throws a nice looking combination but Taylor bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Taylor is trying hard to land a takedown here. Williams sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Taylor throws a series of punches but Williams moves out of range.
Taylor is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Williams.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Taylor fails in his attempt to clinch.
Taylor shoots in for a takedown but Williams shows good takedown defense.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sloppy strikes from Williams. Those never looked like landing.
Williams throws a body punch but Taylor moves out of range.
Williams lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Williams falls off balance throwing a combination
and Taylor counters with a lovely shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hype Williams dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Williams throws a left and a right that both miss
and Taylor counters with a good low kick that Williams was not able to check.
A nice leg kick lands there from Taylor.
Taylor keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Taylor tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Williams paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Williams throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Williams misses with a jab, cross combination.
Williams lands a nice shot to the body.
Williams throws a right and a left that Taylor avoids nicely.
Taylor tries to clinch up but Williams circles away and keeps his distance.
Taylor is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
A punch combination from Williams misses.
Taylor is looking to clinch.
Taylor scoring well with a low kick there.
Williams fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Williams misses with a double jab.
Taylor throws a series of punches but Williams moves out of range.
A left lands for Williams.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williams misses with a wild combination.
Williams throws a right and a left that Taylor avoids nicely.
Taylor wants to clinch up but Williams keeps it at a distance.
Williams lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Taylor circles away quickly and effectively.
Nice sprawl there from Williams as Taylor shoots in.
Williams lunges at Taylor with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Taylor's hand.
Williams fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Taylor manages to avoid it.
Williams lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
A right-left combo lands from Williams.

Taylor shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Taylor slows the pace down in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Williams slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Williams wants to get back to his feet but Taylor is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Taylor stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Williams swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Taylor drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Williams manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Taylor has Williams in his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taylor is working an open guard so Williams takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Williams with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Williams swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Taylor counters with a stiff right hand.
Taylor dodges the punch combination from Williams.
Williams tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Taylor was well out of range. Poor timing from Williams.
Williams throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Williams scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
No joy there for Williams, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A looping hook to the body misses from Williams. Taylor does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor tries to close the distance and clinch up but Williams swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Taylor uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Williams.
Hype Williams is winning the standup battle so far.
Williams misses with the combination.
Williams throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Taylor bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Taylor wants to stand but Williams is controlling his arm.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Williams is trying to get back to his feet.
Williams tries to control but Taylor manages to take his back.
Williams wants to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Williams tries to break free.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Williams trying to control the position but Taylor manages to sink in the hooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hype Williams dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Taylor shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Williams will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Williams gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Williams looking for a sweep. Not yet Williams, not yet.
Williams is working hard here to advance position.
Williams lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Taylor!
Williams controlling the pace for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Taylor is looking to improve his position but Williams isn't that keen on the idea.

Williams gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Taylor has a takedown stuffed.
Williams rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Taylor moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Williams ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Williams lands a right hook to the body.
Williams misses with a series of wild punches.
Williams wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Williams lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Williams pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Taylor back to the cage. Williams follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Williams connects with an inside leg kick.
Hype Williams is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Taylor clinches up against the cage.

Taylor pulls guard effortlessly.
Herald Taylor has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Williams stands and steps away. Taylor gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Williams swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Taylor.
Williams throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Taylor counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taylor pushes Williams up against the cage in a clinch.
Williams tries to break the clinch but Taylor is controlling the position.

Taylor pulls guard.

Williams gets to his feet. Taylor looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Williams throws a right and a left that Taylor avoids nicely.
Williams throws a right hand that Taylor ducks under and follows up with a left that Taylor also avoids with ease.
Williams thows a body shot but no joy.
A punch combination from Williams misses.
Williams thuds a left hand into Taylor's body.
Taylor misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Taylor looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Williams scores with a head kick.
Williams fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor throws a series of punches but Williams moves out of range.
Williams dodges the punch combination from Taylor.
Williams misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Taylor.
Williams throws a right hand that Taylor ducks under and follows up with a left that Taylor also avoids with ease.
Williams pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Taylor back to the cage. Williams follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Herald Taylor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Williams tries to bum rush Taylor with a series of wild strikes but Taylor uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Williams throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Williams ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
That kick from Williams tenderised Taylor's leg. Taylor is trying to keep his angry face on.
Williams dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taylor on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Williams. Williams obviously looking to wear him down.
Williams lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Williams.
Taylor misses with the combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hype Williams showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Williams, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hype Williams!
After the fight, Hype Williams was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.