|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shawn Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eric Ankudinov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Taylor comes to the cage accompanied by This Fire Burns . Ankudinov comes into a darkened arena with his song building. I must break you. kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! The key to victory for Shawn Taylor has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.
 |
|
 |
| 190 cm
28
240 lbs
4 - 5 - 1 |
|
193 cm
31
265 lbs
9 - 7 - 0 |
BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin |
|
Good takedowns
Basic striking
Knockout power |
|
| |
|
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
4 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shawn Taylor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Eric Ankudinov!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Daniel Franklin and Cecil Peabody.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taylor looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ankudinov stuffs the takedown.
Taylor fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ankudinov, pushing him back against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Ankudinov breaks from the clinch.
Ankudinov misses with the combination.
Horrible takedown attempt by Taylor or perhaps it was just good defense by Ankudinov, which made it look bad.
Ankudinov avoids the head kick by Taylor.
Taylor misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shawn Taylor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Taylor fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ankudinov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Taylor manages to avoid it.
Ankudinov slips a jab and a cross from Taylor.
Ankudinov 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 is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Taylor stuns Ankudinov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor tries to clinch but Ankudinov moves out of range.
Taylor digs a good body shot into Ankudinov's ribs.
Ankudinov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Taylor is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Taylor gets full guard.
Taylor is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ankudinov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Taylor looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ankudinov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ankudinov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Taylor swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ankudinov preventing the sweep.
Taylor keeping full guard, as Ankudinov tries to pass.
Ankudinov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Taylor wants to sweep here but Ankudinov controlling him for the moment.
Ankudinov postures up.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Taylor wants to stand but Ankudinov is controlling the position.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Taylor avoids the head kick by Ankudinov.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ankudinov just misses with a punch to the body.
Jab, jab by Taylor - just one landing.
Ankudinov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ankudinov throws a leg kick
and Taylor counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Taylor tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Taylor connects with a body shot.
Taylor tries to clinch up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ankudinov. Taylor does a little dance to reset his feet.
Taylor looks for a takedown but Ankudinov sprawls well.
Taylor tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ankudinov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Taylor fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ankudinov throws a series of punches but Taylor avoids them all with ease.
Ankudinov closes the distance and clinches.
Ankudinov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Taylor's efforts to push away.
Taylor gets underhooks to prevent Ankudinov's takedown attempt.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor struggles to land a body shot inside as Ankudinov controls his hands.
Ankudinov can't get the takedown.
Ankudinov goes for a takedown attempt but Taylor pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Taylor tries to land a front kick but Ankudinov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Taylor throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Taylor throws out a leg kick but Ankudinov moves out of range and Taylor only half commits.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ankudinov shoots in and bounces Taylor off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Taylor looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ankudinov tries to free his leg and advance position but Taylor is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Eric Ankudinov will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Taylor scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Taylor changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ankudinov tries to avoid it but Taylor manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ankudinov to the ground. Ankudinov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Taylor lands a slapping body shot.
Ankudinov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Taylor shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ankudinov pinned against the cage. Ankudinov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Taylor drives through and clinches with Ankudinov against the cage.
Ankudinov has Taylor pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Ankudinov pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Taylor tumbling to the mat - Ankudinov dives into Taylor's guard.
Taylor is trying to control the position but Ankudinov postures up.
Taylor looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ankudinov distracts Taylor with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Taylor manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ankudinov manages to get himself to full guard.
Taylor won't allow Ankudinov to get back to his feet.
Taylor tries to stand but Ankudinov is controlling from the bottom.
Taylor won't allow Ankudinov to sweep him here.
Ankudinov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Taylor trying to stand up but can't free himself from Ankudinov's guard.
Ankudinov is adopting a defensive guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Taylor won't allow Ankudinov to get back to his feet.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Taylor looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Taylor swats away the attempt to clinch by Ankudinov.
Taylor tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ankudinov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Taylor throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ankudinov misses with a double jab.
Taylor fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shawn Taylor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head kick misses from Taylor.
Ankudinov misses with a head kick.
Taylor avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A combination from Taylor does no damage.
Ankudinov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Taylor throws a head kick that misses.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Ankudinov, right into the meat.
Ankudinov blocks a leg kick.
Eric Ankudinov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Taylor is looking to clinch.
Ankudinov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
An inside leg kick lands from Taylor.
Nice defenses there by Ankudinov.
Shawn Taylor is winning the standup battle so far.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ankudinov misses with a wild combination.
Taylor misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Shawn Taylor is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ankudinov walks into a jab.
Taylor darts in looking for a takedown but Ankudinov gets double underhooks and turns Taylor into the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Taylor's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ankudinov avoids the body shot from Taylor.
Ankudinov throws a push kick but Taylor slaps the foot to one side.
Ankudinov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Ankudinov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Taylor is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Taylor taking a bit of punishment here - Ankudinov scoring with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Eric Ankudinov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!
Taylor throws a leg kick but Ankudinov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ankudinov tries to clinch up.
Ankudinov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Ankudinov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Taylor's sensitive parts.
A combination from Ankudinov does no damage.
A jab lands there for Taylor.
Ankudinov misses with a double jab
and Taylor counters with a series of strikes. Ankudinov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Taylor lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Taylor scores with a nice body kick.
No joy there for Taylor, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ankudinov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Taylor tries to avoid it but Ankudinov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Taylor to the ground. Taylor escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ankudinov shoots in and gets a takedown into Taylor's guard.
Taylor is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Taylor manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ankudinov manages to get himself to full guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ankudinov pulls Taylor in to control the position.
Ankudinov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ankudinov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Taylor trying to control the position from guard on top but Ankudinov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Taylor postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Taylor tries to free his leg and advance position but Ankudinov is retaining full guard.
Taylor wants to control from the top but Ankudinov keeps moving.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Taylor wanted to stand there but Ankudinov had control of the position.
Taylor trying to control but Ankudinov is working from the bottom.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ankudinov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ankudinov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Taylor wants to sweep here but Ankudinov controlling him for the moment.
Taylor not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Ankudinov landing some decent shots from guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor is trying to control the position but Ankudinov postures up.
Taylor is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Taylor decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Taylor throws a series of punches but Ankudinov avoids them all with ease.
Ankudinov throws a body punch but Taylor moves out of range.
Taylor throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Taylor is looking to clinch but Ankudinov is avoiding it.
Taylor closes the distance and clinches.
Ankudinov managing to block the knees to the body from Taylor.
Taylor has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ankudinov after a bit of a struggle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Taylor has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Ankudinov uses from the top position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ankudinov works over Taylor with some ground and pound from guard.
Taylor has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Ankudinov has passed into side control.
Ankudinov is chipping away with strikes.
Ankudinov lands a nice forearm strike.
Ankudinov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Taylor. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ankudinov scoring with punches from side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ankudinov working the ground and pound.
Shawn Taylor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ankudinov scoring with punches from side control.
It looks like Shawn Taylor has been cut.
Ankudinov trying to control the position but Taylor is working away.
Ankudinov content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Eric Ankudinov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Taylor striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Shawn Taylor.
I think Ankudinov 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Eric Ankudinov!
Shawn Taylor spoke after the fight, saying 'He was..just....He was the better fighter tonight. I'm down but not out. It's not about the knockdown, it's about the get-up. I'll be back, better than ever. '.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
44% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
