[ominous music playing]
[ominous stinger]
THE CAGE
[hopeful music playing]
I hope you're ready, 'cause I'm gonna make you work.
It's wild. I've never met anyone with a statue of themselves.
Welcome to my place.
Listen,
I still don't get why a legend like you agreed to help an amateur like me.
Ibrahim needs to be humbled. And, uh, I can't do it myself.
So I'm here to help you. Georges, hey.
Taylor. It's an honor.
Well, I guess we're going to Tristar? It's your club.
No. I've got something special for you.
["New Level" by A$AP Ferg playing]
♪ I'm on a new level I'm on a new level ♪
♪ Bought me a new shovel Put these niggas in the dirt ♪
♪ Chain with the new bezel All my niggas put in work ♪
♪ I'm on a new level I'm on a new level ♪
♪ Bought me a new shovel Put these niggas in the dirt ♪
♪ Chain with the new bezel All my niggas put in work ♪
♪ Used to be sleeping on itchy beds Bed bugs in the motel ♪
♪ Now your bitch give me head Twenty bitches in the hotel ♪
♪ On a ramen noodle diet Tour life wasn't so well ♪
♪ All my niggas starting riots Moshpitting on your toenails... ♪
Before I fought Michael Bisping, I trained right here.
I didn't want nobody filming my prep.
I keep it a secret.
But for you, we're doing the opposite.
♪ Chain with a new bezel All my niggas put in work ♪
[song ends]
[Taylor] Hey, everyone. Letting you all know I'm in Canada.
And I'm prepping for my fight with Ibrahim at a secret training camp.
The person who's getting me into shape, you all know him.
The GOAT. Georges St-Pierre!
Oosh.
Hey, everyone.
I'm not alone to prepare Taylor.
We've also got my coach from Tristar, Firas Zahabi.
Let's go!
And of course my good friend and training partner,
Abdel "The Blade" Medjedoub.
He'll be ready.
So Ibrahim, I hope you're up for it. 'Cause here we prepare for war.
We'll go get set up.
Now it's time to train hard.
Because if this works and he accepts, you've gotta be ready.
Let's go.
[exciting music playing]
[both grunting]
Uh… That's not good.
-[Abdel] Come on. Get up. -[Georges] Again.
-[Firas] Move. Push! Other side! -[Taylor straining]
Let's go. Move! Again.
Adjust your position.
[both grunting]
[Taylor straining]
[Taylor grunts]
[Georges] We're going to need a new game plan.
-A whole new approach. -For real.
Whoa!
Right. First set…
butterfly.
Give it all you got. 100%.
First relax, at the moment of impact, you contract.
Okay.
Lose less energy, and makes you faster. Good?
Good. Back up. We're practicing your entries.
Create a trap up, then you go for the takedown low.
Yeah.
[exciting music continues]
No. Use your reach. Use all your reach for the Superman.
The whole extension.
Superman. Yes. Good. Block!
That's it. That's it.
Good!
[music ends]
[indistinct cheering on TV]
Agility is key.
He needs to be faster. Circling him, round after round.
[sighs deeply]
[Zahabi] He's bigger, he's stronger, and he has a long reach.
Taylor has to counter right away if they end up on the ground.
Yeah. You absolutely don't want to be caught on the ground with him.
[fighters chattering]
[sighs]
I sure hope you have a good excuse, champ.
Don't make me wait to train you ever again, I mean it.
Come on, we're starting.
I'm sorry, Boss.
I'm not training today.
We need to talk.
Okay. What's going on?
I'll be straight with you, coach.
I'm quitting the club.
I need to move up.
So I spoke to Fernand Lopez,
and he's agreed to take charge of my career and my management.
[tense music playing]
You called Lopez?
'Cause you think you'd be better off with him?
Every one of your fights, we faced together!
We won two belts together!
Does that mean nothing?
I know you've helped me. But he's making me a customized program.
-Bet he is… -With sparring partners from overseas.
-What can't he do? Of course. -Wrestlers, boxers…
You never did that. And you know it.
Lopez has a lot of pull.
He talks to the UFC matchmaker every day.
He has a big network.
And we're standing in your way, is that it?
We were going to go to the UFC together.
And now you're gonna screw me over? Yeah?
Hey, it's nothing personal, Boss.
But come on, you've never been to the UFC.
Lopez knows this path because he's done it.
I'm really sorry, coach.
Thanks for everything.
[music fades out]
[Taylor] And this was against Matt Serra? First UFC fight in Canada.
I was fighting at home, there was no way I could lose.
[chuckles] No.
Not only was it one of your best starts,
but you won by TKO.
[Georges chuckles]
Not too bad, huh?
There's the famous belt against Michael Bisping.
Which you won with a rear naked choke.
And you trained right here.
Yeah.
But you know what?
Now, it's your turn.
[dramatic music playing]
Let's go!
[both grunting]
[Georges] Light on your feet!
Yes!
[man] We've recently learned this Taylor kid is training with Georges St-Pierre
and if that's not crazy enough. on top of that,
If he manages to get Ibrahim to agree to a fight,
that rematch promises to be a massive event...
Can't believe he's actually doing it. [exhales]
This is so legendary.
[dramatic music continues]
[Georges] Come on! 30 seconds, Taylor!
[Taylor grunting]
[Taylor vocalizing]
[exhaling sharply]
-[grunts] -Hands up! Protect yourself.
Break out of it.
-[grunts] -[Georges] Yes!
Push on my hips. Push!
-Move to the side. -I should sidestep as soon as…
[Abdel] Yeah. Right away.
Good!
[man] Ibrahim's never gonna agree to the fight.
Taylor can post all the training videos he wants to dial up the pressure.
It's just never gonna work.
Ibrahim, he's clearly too chicken shit.
He has everything to lose in a fight like this.
Taylor is stirring up some mad hype,
getting us feral for a fight that's never gonna happen.
-[epic music playing] -[Georges] Come on, Taylor! Push, push!
[Taylor grunting]
[both grunting]
[Firas] Come on! Get up!
Let's do it again!
Roll. Again. Again.
[groans]
Move, move! Stay up.
Put your weight on my head. Put your weight on my head.
That's right. Good.
Let's go. Let's go!
-We have to push him harder. -Absolutely.
[panting] Okay.
-[Firas] Ready? -Let's do it.
Come on, move! Move! Move!
Put your weight on my head. Watch your back. Escape, go!
Good! Keep it up. Don't drop now.
Let's go! Move! Move! Let's go!
One thing that's clear is if Georges St-Pierre
is bothering to train this kid, then he believes the kid can beat Ibrahim.
That has to count for something.
[grunting loudly]
[Georges] Yeah!
[man] Things are heating up for Ibrahim and Taylor.
Look, if I was in this position as Ibrahim's manager,
I'd tell him to take the fight.
Let's be honest, the kid has done it. History in the making.
When you see him training with GSP and the hype around it,
he can't be blind to that.
I'll be the first to admit that I wanna see this fight.
Let's go.
[dramatic music continues]
[no audible dialogue]
[Georges] Good! Oui!
Very good, Taylor. Come on!
Yes, good!
[grunting]
[Georges] Good! Good! Good!
[dramatic music rising]
[Georges] Yes, good!
-[music ends] -[yelling triumphantly]
[Firas laughing]
Great work.
I'm impressed, man!
Nice!
[shouting]
Yes!
He's ready.
-I like him. -Yeah.
[exhales]
[man] When I look at Ibrahim, I see a man radiating fear.
I know you're going to say, "fear of what, man?"
But this kid, just admit, he's on fire now.
-Imagine what might happen… -[manager] Fucking hell.
The little shit's doing pretty damn well.
Hey. Now you've gotta say something. You have no choice.
-[ominous music playing] -This is all anyone's talking about.
[man] …Ibrahim, reach out. Let us know what you think.
Are you terrified? Why don't you just admit it?
You know we can still be friends, just admit you're scared!
Hey, coach.
We got a response from Ibrahim.
He posted a video just now.
Come here.
So apparently, some people need a reminder that MMA is dangerous.
The kid can train with whoever he wants, I don't care.
He's an amateur! And he's never gonna be on my level.
Stop talking about a fight. There ain't gonna be no fight.
End of story!
I'm sorry I wasted your time, coach.
It failed.
No. The plan is coming together beautifully.
Leave the rest to me.
[announcer] It's the mixed martial arts hour with…
Ariel…
Massive news on today's show.
Very big surprise.
He is actually here. One of the greatest of all time.
One of the biggest names in the history of the sport.
The living legend himself. The pride of Canada.
The one and only
Georges "Rush" Saint-Pierre! There he is!
In the flesh!
How are you, my friend? It's good to see you.
Hey, Ariel.
Glad to see you, bother.
Hope you're doing well.
Hi, everyone.
I'm doing great, thank you for asking. But let's not waste any time.
I need to ask you about some massive news in the world of French MMA.
Ibrahim has apparently said no to the fight offered up by Taylor,
who, of course, is your guy.
What do you think of this?
And can Taylor actually pull this fight off?
Not only is Taylor capable of fighting Ibrahim,
I believe he's gonna beat him.
And Ibrahim knows it.
He's scared.
That's why he's hiding behind false excuses.
It's normal. He doesn't want to take the risk to lose against an amateur.
You really think he's scared?
Listen.
At first, it was Ibrahim
who used to tell everyone that this fight was too dangerous for Taylor.
But I'm telling you, right now, I believe Taylor's gonna beat him.
After that, if he doesn't wanna fight him,
logically for me it's because he's scared.
But tell me, Ariel,
What do you think about it? [laughing]
Nah, I want nothing to do with this. This is their feud.
Although, I do think there is some truth to what you are saying.
We will leave it at that, my friend. Thank you so much for the time.
Really appreciate it. There he is. The one and only Georges St-Pierre.
Massive story. Great stuff there. Let's see how this all unfolds.
[ominous music playing]
[trainer] The English guy would be good.
You kidding me, no one knows him!
Come on, this is the 20th guy I found for you, and you refused them all.
We could cancel the fight.
You're giving me nothing but clowns! No one's on Karachev's level.
I've been training and dieting for three months, I'm at weight now.
So get me someone serious to fight.
So, nobody wants to tell you how it is? I will.
The fighter who's free to step up, who can make the event a big deal?
It's the Taylor kid. And you know I'm right.
Don't come to me with that shit, bro.
What a stupid idea. We've been training like dogs for ten years
so he can fight the best in his category.
You want him to take on some amateur all for some stupid online clout?
Hey, hey, hey!
It's not just idiots talking on social media.
There's MMA fans on there too.
You see what they post? Georges St-Pierre says you're afraid.
What? Are you the only two who can't see what's going on?
Hang on a second.
[chuckles] Tell me, champ,
does GSP have a point?
You afraid?
[tense stinger]
[scoffs softly]
You're making me doubt you now.
[ominous music rises]
Yeah, get mad.
[music fades out]
-[phone ringing] -Hey, what's up? Where are you?
I'm at the gym. You coming home?
[Taylor] Off to the airport, yeah.
But I wanted to show you something first.
-Let me know what you think. -Okay.
So, what do you think?
Oh shit! It's happening!
Bilal, it's Taylor!
[chuckles]
-Let me see. Oh my God! -[Taylor] Hey, guys. We're going to war.
Is that for real?
-[Niko] Of course it is. -This isn't a fake?
-You can ask him. -Hey, Taylor!
Oh, Bilal.
What you're doing is amazing! Legendary!
You're the best! We're so proud of you!
-I have to let you go. -[Bilal] Are you with GSP?
-Could you pass me to him? -All right.
-Thanks for everything. -[laughs softly]
What's happening to me is nuts. And it's all thanks to you.
But the next part, it's all up to you.
Before you leave, I have to tell you something.
[somber music playing]
Ibrahim,
he's dangerous.
He's stronger. He's more experienced.
On paper, he's better than you are.
That's not the whole picture.
You did something nobody's ever done to him.
You put him in trouble.
You got inside his head, you made him doubt.
You have to go all-in on that.
Everything you do from now, you do it with confidence.
And you will succeed.
Don't let anyone get into your head about that.
It's the only way you can win.
And so...
What are you going to do?
I'm gonna win.
[inhales contently]
That's the spirit.
Hey, Taylor?
[soft, inspiring music playing]
Thanks.
I really missed this.
[music fades out]
[car horns honking]
Oh! Stop! Stop, stop, stop! Close your eyes!
Close your eyes!
Don't spoil it. Come on. It's a surprise.
All right, almost there… You ready?
Now!
[both laughing]
-You like it? -Of course I like it!
I like it too.
Yo! You know what you've done, right?
I still can't. Honestly, I can't believe it's happening.
But I still don't have a coach.
I'll be following your lead soon.
Don't worry about your coach, man. I'll do it.
Oh! Bilal.
I forgot. I got something for you.
Here.
[gasping]
Georges St-Pierre! Hey! He wrote "For Bilal"!
-What do you think? -This is bomb. Thanks!
Hey, Taylor. You gonna show us your new moves?
Be right there.
-Let's go. It's time to train. -Yeah, man.
-Wow. -Don't cry.
It's crazy, he wrote "For Bilal."
So we'll be fighting in the same event in Poland.
-Yeah. I can't wait. -Congrats.
I mean, for sure you're going to win your fight.
Don't talk like that.
You have to be sure you're gonna win.
The mental prep starts way before the fight.
Look at me. Tell me you're gonna win.
[Boss] Taylor. How are you?
Boss. You good?
-I'm good. You good? -I'm good, yeah.
-Congrats, you're all the rage right now. -Thanks.
-I was wearing an MMA Fighters T-shirt. -I saw your posts. I appreciate that.
So what's the plan? Intensive training, yeah?
Yeah, time to push hard. We're in the home stretch now.
-I'm pretty sure that'll do it. -That's good. Well, keep it up.
-All right, pros! Champ, you good? -I'm good.
-Samir! -What's up?
[Boss] You good? Let's start! Boxer-wrestling sparring!
Samir, you're the wrestler.
All right, that's good!
-And jab! -[Boss] Don't wait, you're on the attack.
Again! Jab! Now!
That's good, Elena! Very good! Nice!
All right, time! Thank you. Grab a drink.
[Niko] Send it. Send it!
Good. Change your level.
Good timing Taylor! Good! Get on top!
Control, control!
'Kay! We're back, let's go!
Anyway, I'm telling you, Elena can totally beat Fletcher.
You see what happened? Fletcher almost dropped.
Because of her elbow injury. That thing she did when she was nine.
Hm?
You don't care?
No, it's not that. It's this contract for the fight, it's all legal stuff…
[scoffs] It's a mess.
But you're definitely going to fight?
Then just sign it.
[Bilal] Yeah, but Taylor.
All that contract stuff, those details, normally, you'd have a manager for that.
-You should get one. -[Taylor] I know.
But no one knows me yet, and managers don't sign nobodies.
But I'll get one.
All right. Am I signing this?
-Well, yeah. -Do it. Come on.
And that's signed.
Hell yeah. First contract signed.
-It's le-gen-dary! -[laughing]
How are you?
Good.
I brought these.
-That's nice. -Yeah.
Ah. I didn't know you were here.
He wanted to talk to you.
Tell him. Go ahead.
Come on. Sit down.
[Régis grunts]
So, your mother and I were thinking about something
that could bring us in some cash.
Make us all some money.
Okay. Well, what is it? Tell me.
Your fight with the big guy.
I don't remember his name, it doesn't matter, um…
How much would you be winning?
Because I've figured out a way to make more.
Oh, yeah. Well, if it's sponsorships, that would be great.
But, uh, you know, I'm not super well-known yet.
-It wouldn't be easy to find someone to-- -No, no. It's not that. No.
The idea we got… I mean, you know, your mother and I…
was to bet some money on the fight.
It's risky.
It's just, I mean, I can't guarantee anything.
The guy I'm facing in the cage is really dangerous.
Right, exactly.
So here's what you do.
Lose the fight.
[somber music playing]
I'll tell you exactly when to lose, and in what way.
And we just… we make bank.
Simple as that.
Uh…
Hang on. Wait. I don't think you… You don't get it, do you?
You know I trained with one of the best fighters ever?
Huh?
Uh. I could win, you know?
And you're trying to tell me that I just…
-I can't. I don't even know understand-- -Taylor…
Your mother and I talked about it.
We all know you have a better chance of losing.
Isabelle…
Come on. Say something.
You were telling me you wanted to stop training, right?
You were going to help us out.
[scoffs] I'm not making this up.
And that's exactly what I'm suggesting.
You trained up. That's good for us.
It'll make it so you survive the first round.
Take a few hits, and in the second round you go down.
He pummels you,
you stay down.
You lose by KO.
[dramatic music playing]
[dramatic music fades out]
Okay.
[somber music playing]
[music fades out]
[exhaling sharply]
[grunting]
Are you gonna train all night?
I wanna stay for a bit. I'll lock up if that's cool.
Remember to breathe when you strike. You're holding your breath.
[Taylor breathing]
Are you really going through with this fight?
Listen, if you're trying to tell me that I'm not ready or it's dangerous,
or I have no chance, you've already said it.
Hey. Don't be mad about that.
So many wide-eyed hopefuls approach me, just like you.
All convinced they can be champs.
Guys with 15 fights and 9 losses who think they're ready for the UFC.
And I gave each of those guys the very same speech.
But maybe I jumped the gun with you.
Only if Redouane hadn't bailed, you wouldn't be talking to me now.
You have every right to think that. But what does that change?
You need a coach, don't you?
No. I need one who believes in me. That's different.
I think you were right to do what you did.
It got you exactly what you wanted.
Now, here you are.
[panting]
Do you think I can beat him, Boss?
I don't know.
But I've already been wrong about you once.
Now I'm here to say I wanna be your coach.
WARSAW POLAND
Please welcome to the stage Taylor Keita!
-[man] Yeah! -[crowd cheering]
That's right! You can give him a big round of applause!
[cameras clicking]
Official weight, 76.5 kilograms for Taylor Keita!
[shouting]
-And now, his opponent… -You good?
-Yeah? -Yeah.
[MC] The monster of our event.
The one who ends careers, some would even say end lives.
Please welcome to the stage…
Ibrahim "The Destroyer" Ibara!
[Boss] He's the one under pressure, not you.
He's the one who's got something to prove. Okay?
-Yeah. -Let's go.
And it's a perfect 78 kilograms on the scale!
[crowd cheering]
[trainer] Yes, you're the champion!
Hey, hey, hey!
[Taylor] You nervous?
I'm good. It's fine. Get outta here.
I'mma bury you. You're not ready. You think you're ready.
I'll tear you apart.
-Oh, there is-- -Gimme that. Come on.
Good evening, everyone. Y'all good?
[scattered cheering, booing]
So, do I tear this kid a new asshole or what?
Yeah!
Tomorrow night, when he's in the hospital, you'll understand I mean business!
You. You think you're tough? Huh? You had some fun posting?
Tomorrow, your little social media fantasy is over!
I'm gonna fuck you up! You ain't ready! You little shit!
[crowd cheering]
Okay!
-Do your parents watch you fight? -Never.
They wanna see it after it's over, minus the parts where I get hit.
Obviously, they would have preferred it
if I'd chosen a sport without so much blood.
What about yours?
My dad's not in the picture, but…
my mom's never watched a fight.
I don't think she likes combat sports.
Oh yeah? Well if you win your fight, I bet she'll be really proud.
I hope so.
I'm gonna eat with Niko. Wanna come with?
Nah, I'll take it easy. See you tomorrow?
Okay.
[dramatic music playing]
[Antoine] And that's the start of the third and final round.
Things are getting tough for Elena.
-She has to come back to center. -[Taylor L] Right.
[Antoine] And that's exactly what she's doing.
Go, attack! Bring her down! You have to bring her down, now!
-[Antoine] All right, she's caught her! -Go!
[Antoine] She has her leg. Now's her chance!
-Good! Yes! -[all cheering]
Yes!
-[Antoine] The ground and pound. -[Taylor L] Oh! She's past her guard!
[exhales] Come on.
Give her the guillotine!
[both grunting]
They're grappling. It looks like Elena's trying to go for the chokehold.
-They're on their backs! -This is it!
She's setting up the choke!
Push, Elena! Push! Good! Keep going!
[all urging]
-[Taylor L] I think this is it. -Hold her! You got it!
-[man] Tighter, tighter! Tighter! -She's got her.
Don't let her go! She's going to tap!
That's it. That's it, that's it! Yes!
[Antoine] Looks to me it's only a matter of time.
[groaning]
[Antoine] The chokehold did it! Fletcher taps!
-Yeah! -Yes!
Yeah!
[Antoine] An incredible takedown during the third round!
-[Taylor L] Wow! -[Antoine] What an amazing victory!
-What a comeback. -[Taylor L] It'll be hard to top that.
I mean it certainly wasn't easy.
[Antoine] And here comes Boss, her coach.
But look at the joy on her face after this fight.
[Taylor L] What a finish!
Coach Boss and Samir Faiddine.
-I just can't believe it. -Crazy.
Yeah! Woo!
[Antoine] A victory for Elena.
-Submission by choke. -Thank you so much.
Can't wait to see who's gonna spar with her Monday morning!
-[all laughing] -I can't believe it. No way.
[Antoine] An incredible win for Elena. Stay with us. In a moment,
we've got another challenger from MMA Fighters
making his debut in the cage.
And this is one fight we've all really been waiting for.
We've got Taylor Keita…
That's beautiful.
This is so crazy right now! Hey! just three weeks, man.
He was here.
It only took him three weeks to get up there at KSW, for his first pro fight.
It's legendary, boys! Legendary!
Incredible! And now he's the pride of the club!
It sure feels like Ibrahim Ibara is here on a mission tonight.
This will be quite the test for Taylor Keita. Is he prepared? Is he ready?
That's the question we hope to answer tonight.
Coming up next!
One of the fights you've all been waiting for.
-[phone dinging] -It's taking place here!
It's taking place now!
SECOND ROUND, OKAY?
So… Here we go!
Yeah!
You good?
-Huh? -You okay?
-Yeah. -We got this.
-Yeah, let's go. -Come on.
[MC] Here we go!
Here we go. It's the fight everyone's been waiting for.
In the cage tonight, Taylor Keita will face off with Ibrahim Ibara.
[Antoine] Just two weeks ago, no one had ever heard of Taylor Keita.
And now he's here on a KSW card having done no pro fights in his career.
Absolutely incredible.
And now, ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome Taylor Keita!
Come on. Go!
["Plain Jane" by A$AP Ferg playing]
♪ Yamborghini chain Rest in peace to my superior ♪
♪ Hermès link could feed A village in Liberia ♪
-Woo! Go, Taylor! -Get him, Taylor!
Let's go, you got this! Yeah!
He's the pride of the club, boys! The pride of the club!
Let's go, Taylor!
[Taylor L] …not to mention the full house here!
[Antoine] And here we are, getting underway.
A pro match that started over a sparring session between Ibrahim and Taylor
at MMA Fighters.
[all chanting] Taylor! Taylor! Taylor!
[Taylor L] I imagine neither of them
expected anything like this would come from a sparring match.
Ibrahim got a nasty surprise back then.
But he's ready now and many think he's at the top of his game.
Will the kid be able to work his magic again?
-I feel the pressure. -Yeah, but don't worry. He's got this.
[Antoine] We'll take a little bit of credit for tonight's event, though,
since it was right here on RMC Sports during UFC Paris
that Taylor first called out Ibrahim looking for a real match.
[Taylor L] A call-out that didn't take right away.
It's not like Ibrahim wanted to fight.
He insisted that Taylor was beneath him many times.
[Antoine] Hm. But something changed his mind.
And that something was the revelation that UFC legend, Georges St-Pierre,
had taken Taylor under his wing.
He trained him and personally coached him for tonight's fight.
Taylor went all the way to Canada to train at Georges St-Pierre's club.
With GSP in his corner, Ibrahim had to accept.
[Taylor L] Let's not forget, Antoine, about GSP's interview with Ariel Helwani,
one of the world's foremost MMA journalists.
No doubt that played a big role in Ibrahim's decision.
It'll be okay. You're ready.
You've been training hard. You're not here by accident.
…"The Destroyer" Ibara!
-[crowd cheering] -[hip hop music playing]
Yes! Come on!
Let's go!
You're dead. You're done! He's mine.
[Taylor L] I'm a little more than nervous…
This is gonna be a big fight. It's going to be a huge fight.
[Taylor L] He looks more than serious.
Whoa, his physique is… There's a clear difference between the two, let's say.
The fight's starting any minute now.
We're about to witness the first face off in the center of the cage.
[crowd cheering]
[Antoine] Look at the size difference between them.
Ibrahim looks 15 kilos heavier than at weigh-in!
[Taylor L] He's huge.
Let's talk about that for a moment.
Essentially, when you're a professional fighter
you have your initial dieting phase, followed by the cutting phase.
So, this is when you're losing water rapidly, by sweating,
then you're recovering as much as possible
to ensure you're ready for a fight the next day.
[MC] …from France.
Twelve wins…
[trainer] Hell yeah! That's it, that's it!
-Ibrahim "The Destroyer" Ibara! -[Boss] Focus, Taylor.
Hey, he hasn't lost a fight yet.
Okay! Get ready to fight!
The fight is just about to start.
This is going to be their first face off
in the middle of the cage, and you can feel the tension.
Okay, guys.
Let's have a clean fight.
Obey my instruction.
Protect yourself all the time.
-Do you have any questions? -You wanted to play? You're dead, kid!
Touch your glove if you want. Go back to your corner.
-All right, all right. -Attack, Ibrahim! Get him!
First round! No hesitating!
Ready? Ready? Fight!
[woman] Come on, Taylor. Let's go! Go!
[dramatic music playing]
[Antoine] In true Ibrahim fashion, he's after a KO.
Coming in aggressive right off the top.
-[Taylor L] Picking up the pace. -Make him hurt, Mean! Mean!
Get out of there! Back off, Taylor!
He has to limit the hits.
If he can hang on and limit the hits he's taking now, he'll be okay.
[straining]
Sparring's over, huh?
[Taylor grunting]
[Antoine] He's trying to break free. Not effective.
Get out of his reach. Get out of there. Move, move.
Get out of there! Good job!
[Antoine] The closer he stays to Ibrahim, the more danger he's in.
[Taylor L] True, but the issue is that he's also got to avoid
staying in striking distance.
Ibrahim's hits have been brutal. Oh! The hook!
Don't wait for his attacks!
[Taylor L] I'm starting to get anxious here.
Are we sure they are evenly matched?
All right, Taylor! All right, yeah!
Keep going, keep going! Pick it up!
[Taylor L] He needs to get going.
-Keep going. Move, move! -Come on! Keep your focus, Taylor!
-[Antoine] Taylor's got to wake up. -Good, keep it up, kid.
-[Antoine] Purely on the defensive here. -What are you doing?
[Antoine] He's looking to take him down. Here's the knee.
This is… Oh! It's not looking good for Taylor.
Come on!
[Taylor L] He has to find a new battleground.
Come on. You gotta wake up, Taylor.
[Taylor L] Try to reset the fight a little.
-[Antoine] He's gotta believe… -What the hell is he doing in there?
-…land a strike, maybe grapple…
-He's not giving it 100%. -What is this? That's all you got? Huh?
-[crowd booing] -What is he doing?
-[Antoine] Can you believe this? -[Taylor L] Ridiculous.
[Antoine] Showboating, riling up the crowd during the fight.
-I don't believe it. -[Boss] Don't worry about his showboating.
[Antoine] He's letting Ibrahim rile up the crowd.
Just watching, not doing anything.
Taylor has to believe. He's gotta go for it.
He's dead. I'll kill him.
[Taylor L] He has to do something. Not just defend.
He'll never win if he doesn't take a risk…
We said round two, he better keep going.
Don't just take it, attack him!
[Antoine] Come on, Taylor. Let's see some fire. That one was-- And a counter!
Yes! Do it again!
[Taylor L] Ibrahim's pressing the advantage.
[Antoine] This might be the end.
-Ah, come on. -[Antoine] …looks ready to finish this.
I just heard the ten-second warning. Can Taylor Keita hold on?
Make sure it looks real bad, that's perfect.
[Antoine] …to find anyone able to sustain this kind of beating for long!
He's still up… He's still… And that's it!
And that's the round!
He was saved by the bell. I don't think he could've taken much more.
[Taylor L] Taylor was in trouble.
-That round was dominated by Ibrahim. -Yeah, completely dominated by Ibrahim.
Whatever Taylor's plan is, it's not working.
This first round, I have to tell you, it felt like Taylor wasn't there.
As if he was just watching.
That's perfect…
I got the feeling that he was sleeping right through the round.
[Boss] Taylor, what's going on?
What's going on with you, man? Aren't you here to fight?
Taylor! If you wanna lose, keep doing exactly what you're doing.
Yeah?
If you're done, we need to forfeit right now. He's not messing around.
You're taking serious risks. You hear me?
-I know what I'm doing. -Oh, you know what you're doing? Okay.
Yep.
-Get it together. -Yeah.
-Look at me. Are you here? -I'm good.
Then go fight.
[Antoine] All right, the next round is starting, and he is behind.
If he loses the second too, his back'll be up against the wall.
-Let's do this, kid. -[Taylor L] Rough scenario.
He falls two rounds behind, the pressure's really on for the third.
He'd have to end the fight to win.
[ref] Ready?
[Antoine] And the second round is underway.
Come on, Taylor! Show him what you're made of!
Go!
All right, strong like round one. KO him!
-[Antoine] Oh! Front kick to the face! -Yes! Keep going!
[Antoine] He's moving in for the kill.
-Come on. -[Taylor L] What a kick! The power…
Come on, kid. Just do what we said, and it'll be fine.
Now's the time.
[Boss] Wake up, Taylor! Get it together!
Come on, Taylor! Keep fighting! You just keep fighting, okay?
-[Antoine] He has to act now. -Raise your guard! Protect yourself!
[Antoine] Oh! Huge hook, it's over!
There! That's it! Now you just gotta stay down!
[Antoine] All it takes is one. He's trying to get up! Look!
[Taylor L] It looks like it, but I don't know how much Taylor has left in the tank.
[Antoine] Ibrahim could put the final nail in his coffin, and finish the fight.
[Régis] Your mother and I talked about it.
We all know you have a better chance of losing.
[Antoine] Taylor's looking groggy for sure.
[Taylor L] I don't know what they're both thinking here…
[Antoine] My goodness, Ibrahim taking the opportunity to show…
[Isabelle] You were telling me you wanted to stop training.
You were gonna help us out.
-[Boss] Get up! -[trainer] Finish him!
-Keep fighting, Taylor! Don't quit! -[Antoine] …get a rise out of Taylor.
You take a few hits, and in the second round, you go down.
You stay down. And you lose by KO.
[Antoine] He's up! Despite everything, he's up!
Kick his head in. Come on!
[Antoine] An absolute monstrous counter from Taylor! He's back in the fight!
That's my boy, let's go, Taylor! Hit him back!
[shouting] We're not sparring now!
-[Antoine] He looks like a man possessed. -Good, Taylor! Go!
-[Antoine] Oh! Superman punch! -Yeah!
-[Taylor L] Must've got that from GSP! -No!
-Fuck. -The hell is that?
[Antoine] Incredible. This is not the same Taylor Keita from last round.
-Get him! Yeah! Punch him in the face! -[heroic music playing]
[Antoine] Finally! Taylor's taking action!
A flurry of blows striking Ibrahim from every direction.
Back and forth!
[Taylor L] It's like a whole new fight.
Set him up, set him up!
[Antoine] This fight's completely changed now.
[Taylor L] Low kick from Taylor…
Careful! He'll come at you! Pay attention! Don't stay there!
[Antoine] He's looking great out there.
This is what we wanted to see. This is the fight we paid to see.
-Oh! The knee! -[trainer] Good, Ibrahim. Yes!
[Antoine] Ibrahim's going for a takedown. Taking Taylor to the ground.
[Taylor L] But look at the man's power. How can Taylor get out?
Break the hold!
[Antoine] Taylor's taking a beating.
That's it, kid! Yes! Now stay down there! You fuckin' stay down! Understand?
[Taylor L] If he can't put up any defense, they'll call off the fight.
[Antoine] Oh! Another knee!
-Just ten seconds left, hold on! -[Taylor L] He's holding out.
Aggressive, champ!
[Antoine] He just needs to hang on a few more seconds…
[ref] Stop!
-[Antoine] That's the end of the round! -[Taylor L] Goodness.
-This is one heck of a fight! -[Antoine] Exciting stuff!
[exhales sharply]
[all cheering and chattering]
[Antoine] This is the fight we've been waiting for. Just incredible.
[can clatters]
[intense music playing]
You good? Yeah?
Taylor I don't know what you're doing, but I'll be honest with you.
Now, we're losing badly. Okay?
You can feel it, right? Don't be surprised.
We knew this might happen. He's got the edge on you.
[trainer] He's almost KO'd.
There's just one round before you end this and everyone will shut up about it.
Okay, Ibrahim?
Right away when the round starts, you get in there and you put him down!
Okay? You're the champion. Tonight you're the champ. You end him!
After everything you did, he's gonna have to KO you.
He's gonna take risks. He's gonna step in.
And he'll let his guard down.
You get it? And that's when you strike back.
You have to KO him, or we lose.
-Tell me you understand. -I got it.
Can you do it?
I can feel it. You've got this. Go!
All right, we're back. You get in there and knock him out.
It's insane that we're already into the third round.
Lots of folks figured this'd be over after the first.
Well, Ibrahim was promising us a KO early in this fight.
[all chattering excitedly]
[all chanting] Taylor! Taylor! Taylor!
Ready? Ready? Fight!
[Antoine] And here we go. The third and final round.
You've gotta win this round!
[Taylor L] Nice kick.
Get in there and keep going!
[Antoine] Good move from Taylor here, pinning his opponent to the cage.
Trying to take him down.
[Taylor L] It looks like he's got his leg.
[all urging]
[Antoine] Pummeling him. Hits raining down. And a huge elbow!
-[crowd exclaiming] -Hey! Hey! Hey, hey, hey, hey!
[Antoine] An absolute savage elbow to the back of the head from Ibrahim!
It's nothing.
[Taylor L] Elbow strikes to the head are illegal, as are 12 to 6 strikes like that,
straight up and down.
Ibrahim's getting penalized for both.
-Ibrahim, very bad choice. -[Antoine] Ibrahim knew what he was doing.
There it is. He loses a point.
-Motherfucker. -One point.
[Taylor L] That's how you give your opponent a point.
Yo, ref, what the hell!
[Taylor L] Look, an elbow strike like that is going to be obvious.
[Antoine] It could be a way out for Taylor, who could choose
to end the fight right here.
-It was an illegal hit, just a reminder. -It would mean disqualification.
Hey, he lost a point for that! Take a breather if you need one!
Taylor? It's okay? It's good?
-Okay? -Let's go.
[breathing heavily]
Ready? Ready? Fight!
[Antoine] Taylor's hungry to get back into the fight.
[trainer] Take him down!
-[Antoine] He must've felt something. -[Taylor L] I was just about to say!
The fight's getting very interesting.
Yeah, yeah, yeah! Come on, finish it!
[Taylor L] Ibrahim's showing some fatigue as well.
Oh! The knee!
Yes! Good, press the attack! Don't let him step back! Get him!
[Antoine] How on earth is Taylor still standing after all this?
[Taylor L] Just wild.
[Antoine] Even so, he's making his way back to the center.
Defending-- Oh my goodness! What a counter!
-Oh! -[Antoine] He rocked Ibrahim.
And a spinning backhand! Magnificent performance from Taylor.
[Taylor L] There he goes. Picking up the pace now.
[all urging]
Get him! Don't let him rest!
Finish him!
[dramatic music playing]
We're not that far from the end of the round.
Counter him! Get up! Move!
Yeah! Go, go!
[trainer] Get up, Ibra! Get the hell up. Come on!
-Stop! -[Antoine] There's the bell!
-Incredible! -[screaming]
[Antoine] This time, Ibrahim saved by the bell!
I can't believe we're watching this…
That was a close one.
[Antoine] If you were to ask me, Ibrahim won the first round,
that's ten points for him, and another ten points for the second round.
Wins earn ten points, losses no more than nine.
And looking at the third round, I think I'd give it to Taylor.
It's not even a question. The kid took round three.
He did what was necessary.
You did great. Way to bring it back, Taylor.
[Niko] Yeah! Excellent.
I told you I was gonna kill you.
Fuckin' watch your back!
You did great, man! You did. That was a good one. It was really good.
I'm pretty sure he won…
-For us, you're the winner. -There's the penalty point. Remember that?
-One penalty point. -Interesting.
[Antoine] For Ibrahim, that could cause a problem.
[Taylor L] Now, Antoine. Between you and me,
honestly, this feels like a win for Taylor no matter what.
-[MC] What an incredible fight! -You're good.
[Taylor L] A third round like the one he just showed us… Wow.
It's insane.
[Antoine] Victory was in his grasp too.
-[Taylor L] You never know. -We have to wait for the judges' decision.
I have no clue what they're gonna make of this.
Judge Rother!
[shushing]
29 to 27 in favor of Ibrahim.
Judge Davis…
29 to 27 in favor of Taylor.
Yeah! Yeah! All right. All right, Taylor.
And Judge Imenov…
[gasping]
-Split draw! 28-28! -What is this?
[Antoine] Oh my goodness! It's a tie!
-A majority draw for this fight. -[Taylor L] Incredible.
Absolutely unbelievable. I could never have predicted this.
This is bullshit.
What was all that, huh? You call judging? You'll see!
That's not how we judge! No! That's not how it is!
-Y'all stole my shit! -Whoa! Step back! Hey!
-[Taylor L] What is he doing? -Get off of me!
[Antoine] It's chaos in the cage!
Why after a fight like that would you throw it all away?
Bad call on Ibrahim's part.
He's already been penalized for the strike, and now this…
Get out, Ibrahim. Go!
[Taylor L] I don't think anyone liked that.
[Antoine] I'd like to remind our viewers not in the habit of watching MMA,
this sort of thing never happens.
There's gonna be backlash to what he did. Just watch.
-I'm with you. -He's gonna be suspended.
-Suspension for sure. -They gotta do something.
[Taylor L] We've truly seen it all tonight. This fight had everything.
-[shouting] -[triumphant music playing]
-Taylor! Taylor! Taylor! -Taylor! Taylor! Taylor!
[all] Taylor! Taylor! Taylor! Taylor! Taylor! Taylor!
[all cheering]
You see that?
[MC] Yes, this is it, ladies and gentlemen! This is MMA!
That's what we love about it!
Oh, it's a very, very happy crowd here in Poland!
I can tell you that! Yeah! Bring it on! Bring it on!
[music ends]
[knock on door]
-Come in. -[door opening]
I wanted to congratulate the champ.
I wanted to congratulate you too. [laughs softly]
-Great job. Amazing fight. -Thanks.
[sighs]
[tender music playing]
[laughs softly]
See you in a bit?
[music fades out]
Check it. Everyone's talking.
-Yeah. Obviously. Why wouldn't it be? -"Obviously."
Mom. I already know what you're gonna tell me. I didn't stick to the plan.
But just believe in me for once.
After the performance I gave tonight, I'm gonna have more fights coming up.
We… We won't have any more money problems.
Everything gonna be okay now.
[mom sniffling]
Hello?
[ominous music playing]
Mom?
Hello?
[music rises]
[music ends]
[tense music playing]
[music fades out]