PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dwayne Hicks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tad Ghostal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ghostal has chosen Good King Wenceslas as his entrance music. Tad Ghostal will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Hicks
vs
Ghostal

170 cm
26
153 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

183 cm
23
145 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dwayne Hicks!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tad Ghostal!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Winston Howard and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hicks looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Dwayne Hicks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hicks scores with the left hand. Ghostal knows he should have avoided that one.
Hicks throws a leg kick that is checked
and Ghostal counters with a nice low kick that buckles Hicks's knee momentarily.
Hicks connects with an inside leg kick.
Ghostal ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hicks moves away.
Hicks throws a leg kick that is checked
and Ghostal makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Hicks pivots, looking for a leg kick but Ghostal is out of range and Hicks settles back down.
Hicks throws a right hand that Ghostal ducks under and follows up with a left that Ghostal also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghostal with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Hicks to score with a decent uppercut.
Ghostal takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Hicks lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Hicks shoots for a double leg takedown but Ghostal sprawls well. He's pushed Hicks's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hicks swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Hicks swings widly with a right hand
and Ghostal counters with a solid body kick.
Hicks slips under a jab from Ghostal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal misses with a body shot.
Ghostal lands a head kick. Hicks smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

It looks like Dwayne Hicks has been cut.
Ghostal is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Hicks throws a leg kick
and Ghostal counters with a thumping low kick.
Ghostal pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hicks cracks Ghostal with a right hand to the side of the head.
Hicks tries a head kick but it misses.
Tad Ghostal is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ghostal rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hicks counters with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal misses with a hook
and Hicks counters with a low kick, right behind Ghostal 's knee.
Ghostal takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Ghostal throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ghostal takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Hicks tries a low kick but Ghostal avoids it.
Hicks shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

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.
Hicks thows a leg kick but Ghostal checks it
and Ghostal counters with a straight right hand.
Ghostal throws a lazy uppercut
and Hicks counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Decent striking displayed by Hicks there.
Hicks misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Ghostal counters with a nice uppercut.
Hicks throws a leg kick
enabling Ghostal to counter with a crisp jab.
Hicks throws a sloppy head kick
and Ghostal counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Hicks thinking.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ghostal misses with a looping right.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tad Ghostal dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dwayne Hicks's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hicks has his takedown stuffed
and Ghostal cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ghostal throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A low kick from Hicks misses
and Ghostal makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Nice shot by Ghostal.
Hicks throws a head kick that misses
and Ghostal cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A low kick from Ghostal is predictable there
and Hicks counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hicks looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Hicks 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 Ghostal has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ghostal and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Hicks fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ghostal.
Hicks misses with a left hand
and Ghostal counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ghostal throws a leg kick
and Hicks counters with a nice body kick.
Hicks is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

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.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ghostal.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hicks looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hicks misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hicks throws an overhand right that lands on Ghostal's shoulder, as Ghostal tries to avoid the shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks throws a leg kick that is checked
and Ghostal counters with a stiff right hand.

Hicks looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Hicks tries to free his leg and advance position but Ghostal is retaining full guard.
Ghostal is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Ghostal is trying to control the position but Hicks postures up.
Ghostal looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ghostal is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Ghostal prevents Hicks from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hicks trying to control but Ghostal postures up.
Hicks holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Hicks is not content to let Ghostal control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ghostal throws the left hand but Hicks avoids the punch easily.
Hicks throws a leg kick that is checked
and Ghostal counters with a nice body kick.

Hicks scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tad Ghostal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Dwayne Hicks's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ghostal throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hicks fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hicks tries to close the distance and clinch but Ghostal swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hicks doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ghostal counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ghostal stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ghostal wants it to stay on the feet.
A slow jab from Ghostal misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks throws a leg kick
letting Ghostal counter with a right hand.
Hicks misses with a lunging right hand
and Ghostal counters with a slapping leg kick.
Good leg kick by Ghostal there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Hicks misses with a lunging right hand
and Ghostal counters with a right hand to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hicks.
Hicks misses with a double jab
and Ghostal counters with a nice leg kick.
Tad Ghostal seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Hicks fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Ghostal to the ground. Hicks is now in Ghostal's guard.
Hicks looking to sit in guard and control but Ghostal gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Ghostal controls from within his opponent's guard.
Hicks looking for a sweep. Not yet Hicks, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Ghostal looking to pass the guard.

Tad Ghostal has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Ghostal swings widly with a right hand

and Hicks counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hicks.
Hicks forces his way into half guard.
Hicks keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Ghostal keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hicks thows a huge punch but Ghostal dodges it nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hicks not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ghostal wants to control but Hicks is keeping busy.
Ghostal is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Hicks is staying active.
Hicks trying to control the pace.
Ghostal keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hicks thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ghostal's head.
Hicks seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ghostal does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tad Ghostal really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dwayne Hicks's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hicks misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Ghostal counters with a slapping leg kick.
Hicks throws a lazy body kick
and Ghostal counters with an outside leg kick.
Ghostal throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Hicks misses with a looping left.
Hicks misses with a hook to the body
and Ghostal counters with a one-two to the body.
Ghostal is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Hicks throws a right hand that misses
and Ghostal counters with an outside leg kick.
Ghostal blocks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks shoots in but no luck this time.
Hicks connects with an inside leg kick.
Hicks misses with a leg kick
and Hicks takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hicks throws a lazy uppercut
and Ghostal counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A low kick from Ghostal misses
enabling Hicks to counter with a crisp jab.
A low kick from Hicks is predictable there
and Ghostal counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Hicks misses
and Ghostal counters with an outside leg kick.
Hicks looks to throw a body kick
and Ghostal counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Ghostal throws a nice looking combination but Hicks bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ghostal throws a jab when Hicks was well out of range.
A low kick from Hicks misses
and Hicks takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ghostal throws a push kick but Hicks slaps the foot to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Hicks.
Ghostal misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hicks.
Hicks throws a leg kick
and Ghostal counters with an outside leg kick.

Ghostal tries to sprawl but Hicks drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Ghostal wants to improve his position but Hicks is controlling well.
Hicks lands with a punch from half guard.
Ghostal manages to get to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hicks slips nicely into half guard.
Hicks missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hicks prevents Ghostal from improving his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hicks passes to side control.
Ghostal struggling a bit here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hicks scores with a couple of short elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tad Ghostal dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Dwayne Hicks's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Ghostal checks the leg kick.
Hicks tests Ghostal's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ghostal lets loose with a powerful body kick. Hicks will feel that in the morning.
Ghostal swats away the attempt to clinch by Hicks.
Hicks throws a leg kick but Ghostal moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks avoids the body shot from Ghostal.
Hicks falls off balance throwing a combination
enabling Ghostal to counter with a crisp jab.
Good leg kick by Hicks there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Hicks thows a leg kick but Ghostal checks it
enabling Ghostal to counter with a crisp jab.
Ghostal slips under a jab from Hicks.
Dwayne Hicks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hicks fails with a takedown attempt.
Ghostal has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Hicks lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ghostal's sensitive parts.
Hicks shoots in but Ghostal avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hicks moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Ghostal does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Hicks tries to clinch there but Ghostal circles away.
Hicks misses with a kick to the body.
Ghostal throws a leg kick that is checked
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Hicks throws a leg kick that is checked
and Ghostal counters with a right hand to the body.
Hicks gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ghostal counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dwayne Hicks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A low kick from Hicks misses
and Ghostal counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Ghostal, right into the meat.
Ghostal thuds his shin into the meat of Hicks's side.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tad Ghostal comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ghostal winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 45:50
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 45:50
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tad Ghostal! Tad Ghostal retains his featherweight title!