PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tempe Gorge (ranked 5274 p4p, 2028 weight class) and Balagot Liu (ranked 275 p4p, 148 weight class). Gorge comes to the cage accompanied by For Heavy Metal we will die!. Balagot Liu has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Tempe Gorge's chin.

Gorge
vs
Liu

170 cm
43
147
18 - 21 - 3

173 cm
37
138
33 - 15 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Silverguard Outfitters 🛡
Furnace Performance 🔥

Furnace Performance 🔥
Silverguard Outfitters 🛡

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 21 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tempe Gorge!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 15 - 1, fighting out of London, Balagot Liu!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, James Atkins and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gorge scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Gorge escapes and gets back to his feet.
Liu tries for a takedown but Gorge sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Liu fails with a takedown attempt.
Gorge's corner calls for a 1-2. Gorge obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Liu tries a head kick but it misses.

Gorge closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Liu's guard.

Liu is working an open guard so Gorge takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Gorge drives through with a takedown into Liu's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Liu has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Gorge has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Liu breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gorge fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Liu closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gorge circles away.
Tempe Gorge has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Balagot Liu.
Liu shoots in looking for a takedown but Gorge manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Liu's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Liu uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gorge.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gorge jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sloppy strikes from Gorge. Those never looked like landing.
Liu doesn't manage to clinch there - Gorge circles away.
Gorge feinted with a counter takedown.
Gorge scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Liu defending well as Gorge loads up on a big left hand.
Gorge throws an overhand right that lands on Liu's shoulder, as Liu tries to avoid the shot.
Liu keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Gorge cracks Liu with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Gorge avoids the head kick by Liu.
Liu misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gorge throws a head kick but Liu moves out of range.
Liu appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Gorge throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Liu is looking to clinch but Gorge is avoiding it.
A slow jab from Gorge misses its intended target.
Gorge seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liu scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Liu gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Gorge makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A short left from Liu.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Gorge just misses with a elbow thrown towards Liu's brow.

Gorge breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gorge takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Liu slips a straight right by Gorge.
Liu avoids a punch combination nicely.
Liu shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Liu shoots in for a double leg but Gorge sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Liu throws a head kick that misses.
Gorge lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Liu is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liu tries to clinch
and Gorge connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Liu checks a leg kick.
Liu misses with a takedown attempt - Gorge sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Liu slips a jab from Gorge.
Liu defending well as Gorge loads up on a big left hand.
Balagot Liu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Liu keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Gorge throws a leg kick that is checked
letting Liu counter with a right hand.
Liu lands a head kick!
Liu throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Liu throws a head kick that misses.
Gorge misses with a looping right.
Liu needs to keep his hands up - Gorge had a free shot at his head there.

Liu clinches with his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gorge swings wildly with an uppercut but Liu uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Liu breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Liu checks a low kick from Gorge.
Liu lands a nice hook to Gorge's body. Gorge takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Gorge thows a leg kick but Liu checks it

and Liu counters by clinching up.
Liu avoiding damage as Gorge throws knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Liu fails to land.
Liu swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Liu escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Liu with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Gorge shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Liu eats them both and turns towards Gorge to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Liu changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gorge tries to avoid it but Liu manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gorge to the ground. Gorge escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Gorge shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Liu napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Liu throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gorge circles away from the clinch attempt
and Gorge counters with a stiff right hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Liu scores with a head kick. Gorge tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Gorge swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Liu tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Liu closes the distance and pushes Gorge back into the cage.
Liu throws a head punch that misses.
Liu swings wildly with an uppercut but Gorge uses good head movement to avoid it.

Gorge is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Liu can't fight it off and eventually Gorge manages to take the fight to the floor. Liu looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Liu has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Gorge has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Liu working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
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!

Liu breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gorge misses with a hook.

Liu closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Gorge breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gorge tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Liu was well out of range. Poor timing from Gorge.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liu takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Gorge throws a hook to the side of Liu's head but Liu sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Liu looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Gorge throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Liu pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Liu tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gorge swivels and escapes.
Left hook, right uppercut from Liu.

It looks like Tempe Gorge has been cut.
A leg kick checked by Liu.
Gorge swats away the attempt to clinch by Liu.
An attempted straight right counter from Gorge misses the target.

Liu moves into the clinch.

Gorge breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Gorge clinches up with Liu and pushes him back against the cage.
Liu is trying to break the clinch but Gorge has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Liu manages to break the clinch.
Liu tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Gorge defends well and Liu ends up having to push Gorge into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gorge rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Liu moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Liu appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Gorge lands a lovely overhand right.
Gorge scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Liu doesn't seem bothered though.
Gorge stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gorge wants it to stay on the feet.
Tempe Gorge has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Balagot Liu.

Gorge closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Liu's guard.

Liu manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Gorge blocks an uppercut.
Liu takes a knee to the side of the body.
Liu is breathing heavily.

Liu breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Liu moves out of range as Gorge strikes.
A punch lands to the side of Liu 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Liu fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gorge looks to throw the jab but Liu is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liu throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Gorge looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Liu kicks Gorge off and gets to his feet.
Gorge finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Liu shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A telegraphed right hand from Gorge misses the target.
Gorge scores with a nice strike.
Liu misses with a body kick.
Liu blocks a head kick by Gorge.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gorge misses with an uppercut.
Liu wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Gorge has taken the fight to the clinch.
Gorge lands a body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Gorge fails to land.

Gorge's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Liu clinches.

Liu manages to break the clinch.

Liu closes the distance and pushes Gorge back into the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Liu.

Gorge tightens his grip and picks Liu up, before dumping him to the ground. Liu manages to land in guard.
Liu is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Gorge is controlling him.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Liu is working an open guard so Gorge takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Balagot Liu will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Tempe Gorge's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Liu lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Gorge scores with a nice head shot.
Liu looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Gorge has closed the distance and engaged Liu in a clinch.
Liu lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Liu escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Gorge shoots in and gets a takedown into Liu's guard.

Liu wriggles free and stands up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gorge scores with the left hand. Liu knows he should have avoided that one.
Liu doesn't manage to clinch there - Gorge circles away.
Gorge slips a jab and a cross from Liu.
Gorge avoids the head kick by Liu.
Liu tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Gorge counters with a big head kick but Liu shrugs it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liu tries to close the distance and clinch but Gorge swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Jab by Gorge.
Liu shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gorge defends it nicely.
Gorge lands with an overhand left.
Gorge paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Gorge moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Gorge tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Liu was well out of range. Poor timing from Gorge.
Liu wants to clinch up but Gorge keeps it at a distance.
Gorge throwing a counter right hand but Liu manages to avoid it.
Liu blocks a jab.

Liu gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gorge missing with knees to the body.

Liu manages to break the clinch.
Liu shoots in and drives through. Gorge sprawls well.
Gorge jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tempe Gorge is winning the standup battle so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gorge thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gorge throws a chopping leg kick but Liu manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Liu fails with the takedown.
Tempe Gorge has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Balagot Liu.
Gorge cracks Liu with an open hand slap.
Gorge throws a sloppy head kick and Liu moves out of range easily.
Liu throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Gorge misses with a looping left.
Liu tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gorge throwing a counter right hand but Liu manages to avoid it.
Balagot Liu is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gorge throws a jab but it's blocked by Liu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liu gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Gorge counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Liu takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gorge misses with a body kick.
Gorge takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A head kick misses from Gorge.
Liu shoots in looking for a takedown but Gorge manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Liu's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gorge fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Liu checks it well.
Gorge jabs Liu to the body, keeping him at a distance.
That kick from Gorge tenderised Liu's leg. Liu is trying to keep his angry face on.
Liu tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Liu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Liu goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Gorge ducks under a wild hook from Liu.

Gorge pushes Liu up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gorge breaks from the clinch.
Liu shoots in looking for a takedown but Gorge manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Liu's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gorge scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Gorge looking to score a takedown here. Liu is defending well but Gorge drives through and ends up in Liu's guard.

Liu has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Gorge has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Gorge misses with a knee strike.
Gorge misses with a knee strike.

Liu breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The fighters circling - Gorge throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Gorge swings away with a body shot that misses
and Liu counters with a nice uppercut.
Gorge lands a slapping body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tempe Gorge showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gorge has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:28
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tempe Gorge!
After the fight, Tempe Gorge was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.