411's LIVE UFC 80 PPV Coverage: Paul Taylor vs Paul Kelly
Posted by Michael Huckaby on 01.19.2008
Paul Taylor vs Paul Kelly
Round 1: Immediate big time exchange in the center. They're both swinging wildly until Kelly clinches and presses him up against the cage. Taylor reverses position and Kelly returns the favor. They let loose and start exchanging again. Taylor attempts a standing guillotine and flops to his back but can't control it and Paul Kelly is on top. Unbelievable intensity in round one. A couple short elbows by Kelly from the top as Taylor works to control an arm from the bottom. Kelly pushing Taylor toward the cage, throwing the occasional punch. Taylor tries to sit up against the cage but Kelly drags him back down and throws some punches and elbows. The two men exchange elbows on the ground and they both have a bloody nose. I have no idea who is winning this round. Taylor keeps working for an arm but when that fails he's left open for a couple of Kelly strikes. Beautiful elbows from the bottom by Taylor (ala Hughes vs GSP) and Kelly starts opening up and goes wild with punches from the top. Taylor attempts a guillotine but Kelly pulls out and retains top position. The round ends and it's very difficult to award it to someone. 411mania gives the round 10-9 to Paul Kelly based on top control the second half of the round.
Round 2: They touch and Taylor throws a quick jab. Another exchange but they clinch immediately and Taylor takes Kelly to the mat. Taylor lets loose with some punches from the top against the cage and when he goes for Kelly's back he fails and winds up on his own back with Kelly pounding. Little action on the ground as both men are getting their breath exchanging small shots. A couple nice shots from the bottom by Taylor but he's not doing anything to get off of his back. Taylor grabs an arm from the bottom and gets a kimura but he doesn't have the position to finish it looks like. Just as Taylor gets full guard Kelly is able to pop out of the attempt and we're back to Kelly on top. Kelly unloads some punches but nothing lands crisp. Taylor again looks for the kimura but he eats a couple of punches and lets it go. Giant cut via elbow has opened on the forehead of Paul Taylor and it's pouring blood as the second round ends. We'll see if this fight gets stopped. 411mania gives round two to Paul Kelly.
You can see on the replay that the Taylor cut opened less than a second after impact with the elbow. Nasty gash but he's going back out.
Round 3: They actually hug to start the third round and then exchange. A Kelly shot lands and staggers Taylor so Kelly takes the opportunity to take him down against the cage again. Kelly is going for that cut with some elbows as he attempts to go to the side position. Two thudding elbows right to the forehead and unless Taylor does something he's going to lose this fight. He hasn't shown he can get off of his back even once in this fight. The referee steps in to restart them on their feet after inactivity. Taylor lets go a few bombs but Kelly responds in kind. They're against the cage throwing shots at one another until Kelly trips Taylor and takes him right back down. Less than two minutes remain in the round and Kelly is just keeping position and throwing occasional punches on Taylor. A couple of elbows and punches miss by Kelly but he's controlling him down and riding out a decision. The bell rings with the fighters on the ground and it's over. 411mania scores it 10-9 for Paul Kelly, and 30-27 Kelly overall.
Winner: Paul Kelly, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
