FIGHTNEWZ.NET: Good to be back to winning ways Paul after your points loss to Paul Kelly at UFC 80?
TAYLOR: “It’s nice to be back winning. I think it was close. I won the first and last round
from where I was standing.
“I don’t think it should have been a split decision. I definitely won the first, the ref saved
his life at the end of the first round.
“The second round I gave away on purpose. I could hear him gassing and he kept pinning me up the cage.
“So I spent most of my time on my back in the cage on purpose.
“When you keep working for the takedowns it gasses you out because it’s hard work.
“Every time he took me down I kept getting back up and that’s demoralising.
“I came out in the third round and picked the pace up.
“The plan was if I hadn’t done him in the first, was to sit the second out and pick it up in
the third and that’s what I did.
"Jess had worked on his striking as well, I wouldn’t say I’ve
neglected mine but I kind of
pulled back on it for this fight and worked a lot on my ground game because I knew that was going to be his game plan.
“He put his head down quite a lot when he threw shots, just looping shots. And the thing about that
is they always land on your forehead, which is the hardest part of your head.
“So I wasn’t too bothered about his punches really. He never hit me on the jawline, it probably
hurt his hand more than he hurt me.”
FIGHTNEWZ.NET: It looked a close call from ringside, how close did you think it was?
TAYLOR: “There was no doubt in my mind that I’d won. When they said split decision I was like:
What?
“From outside you might get a different perspective. But from where I was I felt in control and felt
I was working harder than he was with effective aggression.
“Every time I was on top I was banging away trying to stop him.
“When he was on top he was just lying there trying to nullify me. So from my point of view I won."
FIGHTNEWZ.NET: You and Liaudin seem to have a lot of respect for each other.
TAYLOR: “I just shook his hand after and said 'no hard feelings' whatever happens with the result.
“Obviously we fought six years ago and the same type of thing happened again and they will be talking
about this one as well.
“I’m moving on now, I’ve got nothing to prove because I’ve beaten him twice.
“I had nothing to prove after the first one, I’ve certainly got nothing to prove now."
FIGHTNEWZ.NET: It must be a big boost after the Kelly loss?
TAYLOR: "It’s a big confidence boost to get over the Paul Kelly defeat. I’ve been working on
my ground game, as you can see.
“As soon as I’ve been getting taken down I’ve been working on getting straight back to
feet, that’s all I’ve been working on and it’s paid off.
“I think I’ve got some of the best hands and legs in the welterweight division - not just to
look at but to use!
“And I’m developing my ground game. Jess got me in side control a couple of times and I reversed
him and got dominant positions on both occasions.
“He never pinned me once and he has been training in the States for six months with some of the best
guys in MMA.
“But names mean nothing, they can show you the way but - pardon the cliche - you’ve got to step
through the door yourself and he didn’t."
FIGHTNEWZ.NET: What is your contract situation with the UFC?
TAYLOR: “I’ve had three fights with the UFC and this is the first one of my second three fight
deal.”
FIGHTNEWZ.NET: Calling anybody out?
TAYLOR: "I’m just happy to be part of the machine that is the UFC. It’s
the biggest stage to show my skills and that’s what I’m doing.
“Hopefully I can continue to be here for a long time and pleasing the crowd.
“That’s what it’s all about, if I’m pleasing the crowd then they’ll have me
back.”
FIGHTNEWZ.NET: Your overall aim must be a title shot though?
TAYLOR: “I’m a long, long way from that. Like I say, I’m just happy to be fighting and
happy to be able to represent my country at the top level in mixed martial arts at the moment, I’m just enjoying the
ride.
FIGHTNEWZ.NET: You're a flag bearer for the UFC in Britain though.
TAYLOR: “I see myself as a representative because obviously there is not a great deal of UK MMA fighters
in the UFC.
“So everything I do, my wins, my losses and how I conduct myself. it all goes over to how the British
public see the sport.
“Everything I say to the media kind of conveys what the sport is about from my point of view.
“I know there is a lot of controversy about how violent the sport looks but people don’t understand
the amount of training that is put in and how much skill is involved.
“People should come and talk to some of the fighters and see what it's all about.
“We aren’t thugs or anything like that. We are intelligent guys who just excel
at the sport
FIGHTNEWZ.NET: You're a fill-time fighter now?
TAYLOR: “I’ve been full-time ever since I signed my UFC contract. It’s enabled me to put
the tools down.
"I used to be a carpenter, I’ve put the tools down now. I was self-employed so
the tools are in the back of the shed covered in dust and that’s where I plan to keep them.
“It enables me to train every day which is my dream, it’s what I’ve always wanted.
“I train with Team Supreme in Cannock. We’ve got some good guys coming along like Eugene Fadiora
and a lot of good young lads coming through who are excelling in competitions across Britain.
“It’s only a matter of time until they get the experience and are seen by these bigger shows
and hopefully they will be on that stage as well.”
