PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zak Simmons (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chuck Liddell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Simmons comes to the cage accompanied by Amazing. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Simmons
vs
Liddell

180 cm
20
210 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

188 cm
18
209 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Falcon Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Zak Simmons!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Chuck Liddell!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Thiago Cunha and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Liddell throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Liddell will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Liddell wants to clinch up but Simmons keeps it at a distance.
Simmons tries to score a power double leg takedown but Liddell sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Simmons somewhat.
Simmons fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Liddell tries to clinch there but Simmons circles away.
Liddell takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

It looks like Chuck Liddell has been cut.
Simmons throws a big shot that misses.
Liddell throws a right hand that Simmons ducks under and follows up with a left that Simmons also avoids with ease.

Liddell closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Liddell has Simmons pressed against the cage, preventing Simmons from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Liddell stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Liddell scores with a nice short uppercut.
Liddell jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Simmons walks away with a smile on his face. Liddell gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Zak Simmons seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Liddell pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Simmons misses with a combination

and Liddell counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Liddell.
A frustrated look appears on Simmons's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Simmons's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Liddell drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Liddell's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Liddell keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Simmons.
Simmons slips a straight right by Liddell.
Liddell wants to clinch up but Simmons keeps it at a distance.
Liddell tries to clinch up but Simmons circles away and keeps his distance.
A swing and a miss from Simmons.

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.
A jab from Liddell finds it's way through Simmons's defenses.
Liddell wants to clinch up but Simmons keeps it at a distance.
Liddell looks to land a combination but Simmons avoids it well.
Simmons lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Liddell circles away quickly and effectively.
Simmons misses with a hook.

Liddell fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Simmons, pushing him back against the cage.
Simmons wants to get back to striking at distance but Liddell won't allow it.
Liddell lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Liddell's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Liddell uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Simmons.
Simmons misses with a series of wild punches.
Liddell tries to clinch but Simmons moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simmons misses with a combination

and Liddell counters by clinching up.
Simmons is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Liddell's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
A head punch on the inside from Liddell fails to land.
Liddell lands a shot to the body.
Still in the clinch, Liddell scores with a nice short uppercut.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Liddell keeps control of Simmons as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Simmons stalling in the clinch but Liddell improves position.

Liddell ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Liddell no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Liddell keeping full guard, as Simmons tries to pass.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Liddell is on top in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Simmons looking for a guillotine here but Liddell defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simmons is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Liddell really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Simmons. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Simmons can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Liddell controls the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chuck Liddell dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Chuck Liddell's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Simmons swats away the attempt to clinch by Liddell.
Simmons throws a shot from downtown. Liddell moves away and avoids it.
Simmons falls off balance throwing a combination

and Liddell counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A short right from Liddell.
A frustrated look appears on Simmons's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Liddell lands an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Liddell stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Liddell lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Simmons backwards.
Liddell makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Simmons has had enough of the clinch but Liddell keeps him there for the moment.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Simmons tries to stall but Liddell uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liddell lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Simmons backwards.
Simmons letting Liddell take a breather here.
Liddell pushes Simmons back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Liddell manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Liddell scores with a shoulder strike.
Liddell lands with a light punch inside.
Liddell scores with a hook to the body.
A short right from Liddell.
Liddell will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Simmons up against the cage.
Liddell softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Simmons is rocked!
Liddell scores with a shoulder strike.
Oh Simmons is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Liddell lands a hook that snaps the head of Simmons backwards.

Liddell pulls Simmons into guard.
Liddell is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Simmons seems to have got his legs back now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Simmons drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Liddell manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Simmons has Liddell in his guard.
Simmons is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Simmons is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Liddell dives into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simmons is looking to reverse the position.
Liddell taking a breather here.
Liddell is looking to take a break and control but Simmons is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Liddell remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Simmons is trying to get back to his feet.
Simmons tries to improve position but can't.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Liddell trying to control the action but Simmons is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chuck Liddell showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Chuck Liddell's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Liddell misses with a double jab

and Simmons counters with a single leg into guard. Liddell didn't expect that.
Liddell keeping moving, preventing Simmons from controlling successfully.

Simmons drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Liddell dives on top into guard.
Liddell controls from within his opponent's guard.

Simmons looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Liddell passes into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liddell is looking to take a break and control but Simmons is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Simmons manages to work his way to half guard, despite Liddell's best efforts.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Liddell in particular looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Simmons actively working from the bottom here.
Liddell controlling the action here.
Liddell wants to pass to mount but Simmons is defending the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Despite being in the dominant position, Chuck Liddell just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Liddell pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Simmons throws a nice looking combination but Liddell bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Liddell moves into the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Liddell.
Simmons has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A short right from Liddell.
Simmons's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Liddell taking a breather.

Liddell's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Simmons swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Liddell counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Liddell works over Simmons's head and body with a nice combination.
Chuck Liddell is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liddell fails with an attempt to clinch.
Simmons misses with a jab, cross combination.
Liddell goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Liddell avoids a punch combination nicely.
Liddell punishes Simmons's body with a nice straight punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Liddell closes the distance and clinches.

Liddell breaks from the clinch.
Simmons with a lazy takedown attempt

and Liddell counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Liddell.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Liddell wants a takedown but no success here.
Still in the clinch, Liddell scores with a nice short uppercut.
Zak Simmons has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Liddell lands a hook to the side of the head.
Liddell prevents a body shot from Simmons.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chuck Liddell comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Liddell has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 27:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chuck Liddell!