PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Liebling (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Piston Honda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Liebling
vs
Honda

180 cm
20
175 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

183 cm
19
175 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Johnny Liebling!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Piston Honda!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, John Mangel and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big right from Honda misses.
Liebling will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Nice shot by Honda.
Liebling uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Honda.
Honda misses the jab.
Liebling tries to score with a low kick but Honda moves his leg out of the way.
Honda misses with an uppercut.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Liebling moves away from the strike by Honda.
Honda scores with a punch to the head.

Liebling bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Honda is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Liebling wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Honda, who protects the arm well.
Liebling throws a strike aimed at the side of Honda's head but Honda avoids it well.

Liebling is trying to get an arm triangle but Honda is defending well.
Honda struggling a bit here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Liebling is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Honda has escaped the position, nice work there.
An elbow from Liebling crashes against the mat.
Liebling misses with the ground and pound.
Honda is looking to reverse the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
An elbow from Liebling crashes against the mat.

Liebling working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Liebling thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Liebling wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Honda, who protects the arm well.

Liebling working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Liebling trying to control the action but Honda is working from the bottom.

Liebling tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Liebling has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liebling looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Honda is avoiding damage well.
Honda prevents Liebling from moving into mount.
Liebling misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Liebling working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Honda is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
The fighters circling - Honda throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Liebling wants to slow Honda down by chopping away at his legs.
Liebling throws a low kick, looking for Honda's leg but Honda calmly moves out of range.
Honda fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The fighters circling - Honda throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Piston Honda seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
A big left from Honda misses.
Liebling ducks under a wild hook from Honda.
Honda swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Liebling scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Liebling working the body and head with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Honda stops Liebling from passing to mount.
Liebling is looking to take a break and control but Honda is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Honda tries to buck Liebling off but Liebling is having none of it.
Liebling fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Liebling prevents Honda from escaping the position.

Liebling is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Honda is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Johnny Liebling will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Honda throws a body punch but Liebling moves out of range.
Liebling with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Honda missing with a left hand there. Liebling was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Liebling lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Honda has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Honda and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Liebling throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Honda throws a big shot that misses.
Honda swinging wilding here.

Liebling pushes Honda up against the cage in a clinch.
Liebling tries to score a body lock takedown but Honda shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Honda has had enough of the clinch but Liebling keeps him there for the moment.
Liebling looking for a takedown.

Honda breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Honda throws a right hand that Liebling ducks under and follows up with a left that Liebling also avoids with ease.
Honda throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Liebling drops his hands momentarily and Honda takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Liebling changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Honda looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Liebling wants to lay and pray for a moment but Honda keeps working.
Liebling misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Honda regains half guard, as Liebling was trying to land strikes.

Liebling is looking for a kimura but Honda is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Liebling to get the leverage.
Honda is refusing to be controlled, as Liebling sits in half guard.

Honda is defending against the submission attempts here by Liebling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Honda keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Honda really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Liebling. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Liebling tries to pass the half guard into mount. Honda knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Honda misses with a wild body shot.

Liebling closes the distance and pushes Honda back into the cage.
Honda gets underhooks to prevent Liebling's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Liebling. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Liebling stalls.
Honda prevents a takedown attempt there.
Liebling tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Honda smiles and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liebling defending well as Honda loads up on a big left hand.
Honda swats away the attempt to clinch by Liebling.
Liebling has a takedown stuffed.
Honda jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Piston Honda is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Honda throws a body punch but Liebling moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Honda throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Honda throws a right and a left that both miss.
Liebling misses with a low kick.
Honda throws a nice looking combination but Liebling bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Honda chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Liebling can pounce on him.
Liebling misses with a low kick.

Liebling fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Honda sprawls well initially but Liebling persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Liebling wants to work for an arm triangle but Honda is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Honda blocking the ground and pound attempt from Liebling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Honda is looking to escape.
Liebling controlling the action here.

Liebling seems to be working for a kimura but Honda defends the submission attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Honda is staying active underneath Liebling, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Liebling is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Honda wants to control but Liebling is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Liebling dominated that second round.
That's time! Liebling's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Honda misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Liebling slips under a jab from Honda.
Liebling doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nice uppercut there from Honda.
Honda stuffs the takedown attempt from Liebling. Liebling gets slowly back to his feet.
A swing and a miss from Honda.
Liebling throws a solid leg kick but Honda takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Liebling.
Liebling gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Honda lands with a hook. Liebling tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Honda swings for the body but Liebling moves out of range.
Liebling tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Honda swivels and escapes.
Liebling defending well as Honda loads up on a big left hand.
Honda keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Liebling. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Honda throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Liebling.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Honda looks to land a right hand but Liebling moved out of range.
Liebling moves forwards but Honda connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Liebling throws a leg kick but Honda moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liebling tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Honda paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Liebling ducks right into an uppercut from Honda.

Liebling gets a takedown into half guard.

Liebling is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Honda trying to hold on to Liebling's head to control him but Liebling postures up.

Liebling is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Honda has managed to free his arm - good work.
Liebling is thwarting Honda's attempts to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Honda is refusing to be controlled, as Liebling sits in half guard.

Liebling is working for a submission of some sort.
Honda blocking the ground and pound attempt from Liebling.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Honda misses with a body kick.

Honda tries to keep at a distance but Liebling has taken the fight into the clinch.
Honda gets underhooks to prevent Liebling's takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liebling is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Honda gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Liebling manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Honda has had enough of the clinch but Liebling keeps him there for the moment.
Liebling jumps guard but Honda stands there with Liebling around his waist. Liebling gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Liebling has Honda pushed against the cage.
Honda gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Liebling.
Liebling wants a takedown but no success here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Honda wants to get back to striking at distance but Liebling won't allow it.
Liebling leaning his opponent against the cage.
Liebling seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Johnny Liebling.
Honda misses the shot to the body.
A left and a right from Honda both land. Nice combination.
Honda might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Liebling closes the distance and clinches.

Honda breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Piston Honda really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Honda connects with the punch.
Liebling uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Honda.
Honda lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Liebling backs up against the cage.
Liebling throws a chopping leg kick but Honda manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Liebling pivots, looking for a leg kick but Honda is out of range and Liebling settles back down.
Liebling avoids a punch combination nicely.
Honda moves out of range of the leg kick from Liebling.

Liebling moves into the clinch.
Liebling just leaning against Honda, taking a breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liebling drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Liebling fails to pull guard.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Johnny Liebling.
Nice defenses there by Liebling.
Honda lands a with a good body shot.
Liebling walks into a left hand.
Honda throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Liebling sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Liebling ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nice cross by Honda.

Liebling pushes Honda up against the cage in a clinch.
Honda letting Liebling take a breather here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Liebling jumps guard and drags Honda to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Honda trying to control the position from guard on top but Liebling is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Liebling throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Liebling looking to control.

Honda got a little sloppy there for a moment and Liebling has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Honda has managed to get both his arms back between Liebling's legs - danger averted.

Liebling has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Honda can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
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!

Liebling has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Honda can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Liebling is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Honda defends well.
Honda trying to control but Liebling is working from the bottom.

Liebling working for a triangle but Honda defends it easily.

Liebling throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Liebling keeping moving, preventing Honda from controlling successfully.
Honda must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Honda trying to stand up but can't free himself from Liebling's guard.

Liebling working for a triangle but Honda defends it easily.

Honda avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Piston Honda dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Liebling uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Honda.
Honda jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Honda throws a series of punches but Liebling avoids them all with ease.
Honda scores with a nice head shot.
Liebling takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Liebling showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Honda.
Liebling changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Honda tries to avoid it but Liebling manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Honda to the ground. Honda escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Honda connects with a good right hand that stumbles Liebling. Liebling circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Honda scores with a nice head shot.

Liebling is rocked!
Honda uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Oh Liebling is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Liebling throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Liebling seems to have got his legs back now.
A punch combination from Honda misses.
A slow jab from Honda misses its intended target.

Liebling shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Honda's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Liebling with a flurry of punches that miss.
Honda is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Liebling pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Honda is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Liebling drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Honda manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Liebling has Honda in his guard.
Liebling is trying to control the position but Honda postures up.

Liebling working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Honda doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Honda manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Liebling is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Honda defends well.

Liebling is looking for a triangle but Honda pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Honda trying to control the position from guard on top but Liebling is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Liebling is looking for a triangle but Honda pushes his legs off easily.
Liebling looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Honda wants to stand but Liebling has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Liebling not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Honda misses the shot to the body.
Liebling misses with a low kick.
Piston Honda seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Liebling takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Honda throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Liebling.
Piston Honda is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Liebling shoots in and bounces Honda off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Johnny Liebling overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Liebling looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Liebling drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Liebling jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liebling trying to control but Honda is working from the bottom.
Liebling working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Liebling pushing down on Honda's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Honda tries to get to full guard but Liebling has control of the leg.
Liebling wants to take a breather but Honda is having none of it.
Liebling thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Honda's head.
Liebling has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Liebling seems to be looking for submissions.
Liebling is looking to take a break and control but Honda is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Piston Honda comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Honda 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 47:48
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 47:48
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 47:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Piston Honda! Piston Honda retains his welterweight title!