PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Phantom Menace (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Liam Minard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Menace comes to the cage accompanied by Leroy Brown. Minard has chosen Walk as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Menace
vs
Minard

190 cm
28
200 lbs
20 - 8 - 1

183 cm
26
215 lbs
17 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Powerful

5th Round 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 20 - 8 - 1, fighting out of New York, Phantom Menace!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Liam Minard!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Steve Montenegro and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Menace fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Minard checks it well.
Menace lands a nice leg kick that just misses Minard's sensitive parts.
Minard misses with a body shot.
Menace takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Menace connects with a good right hand that stumbles Minard. Minard circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Menace throws a sloppy head kick and Minard moves out of range easily.
Minard moves out of range of the body kick from Menace.
Menace takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Minard wants to slow Menace down by chopping away at his legs.
Menace takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Menace, right into the meat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Menace swings for the body but Minard moves out of range.
Minard paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Menace keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Minard.
Menace moves out of range as Minard strikes.
Menace swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nice defenses there by Menace.
Minard throws a solid leg kick but Menace takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Minard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Menace.
Menace checks a low kick from Minard.
Minard throws a chopping leg kick but Menace manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Menace throws a head kick that misses
and Minard counters with a two punch combo.
Menace throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Menace feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Minards jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Minard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Menace manages to avoid it.
Jab from Menace.
Minard is looking to slow Menace down with leg kicks.
Menace sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Minard displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Menace throws out the jab.
Liam Minard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Minard scores with a nice body kick.
Minard missing with a left hand there. Menace was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Menace moves out of range of the body kick.
Menace throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Minard.
Minard is looking to land body kicks.
Minard throws a leg kick but Menace sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menace is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Minard wants to land a leg kick but Menace is out of range.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Minard 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 Menace has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Menace and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Minard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Minard ducks right into an uppercut from Menace.
Minard misses with an uppercut. Menace saw that one coming.
Menace is looking to clinch.
Minard fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Menace lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A shot to the body from Menace misses
and Menace takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A slow jab from Menace misses its intended target.
Minard swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A big left from Minard misses.
Menace throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Minard.
Minard throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minard slips under a jab.
Minard stuffs the takedown.
Minard looks to score with a jab to the body but Menace is just out of range.
Minard digs a good hook to Menace's body.
Minard darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Menace has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Minard.
Menace misses the shot to the body.
Minard lands with a nice body punch.
Menace swings for the body but Minard moves out of range.
Menace loads up on a big right hand but Minard slips the punch.
Minard scores with a hook to the body. Menace takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Minard feints and as Menace raises his hands in defense, Minard changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Menace looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Menace looking for a sweep. Not yet Menace, not yet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minard looking to pass the guard.
Minard working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Minard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Menace swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Minard missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Menace looking for subs off his back but Minard has passed one foot through into half guard.
Menace is looking to improve his position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Menace wants to control but Minard is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Liam Minard will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Menace throws a leg kick but Minard sees it coming and moves out of range.
Menace throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Menace is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Menace just misses with a punch to the body.
A swing and a miss from Minard.
Menace misses with a low kick.
Minard bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Menace's head backwards.
Minard tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Menace was well out of range. Poor timing from Minard.
Menace misses with an uppercut. Minard saw that one coming.
Minard throws a quick inside leg kick.
Liam Minard seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Minard lands with a shot to the body.
Minard cracks the inside of Menace's front leg.
A punch combination from Minard misses.
Minard scores with a jab. Menace acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Minard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Minard lands a slapping body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Menace.
Menace checks a low kick from Minard.
Menace avoids a punch combination nicely.
Menace slips a jab from Minard.
Minard throws a solid leg kick but Menace takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Minard.
Minard keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Good exchange - Minard coming out on top.
Menace misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Minard.
Minard is looking to chop away at Menace's legs.
Minard throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Menace.
Minard shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Menace as he avoids it easily.
Menace chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Menace takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Minard takes one to the chin there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Minard uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Menace.
Menace lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Menace 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.
Menace keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Minard swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Menace clobbers Minard with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Minard lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Menace misses with a body shot.
Menace just misses with a punch to the body.
Minard misses with a double jab
and Menace connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Menace chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Minard can pounce on him.
Menace listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A looping hook to the body misses from Menace. Minard does a little dance to reset his feet.
Menace on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menace throws a good cross that connects.
Menace with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Minard to score with a decent uppercut.
Minard scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Minard moves into range and connects with a jab.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Minard.
A nice leg kick lands there from Menace.
Minard throws a head kick that misses.
Minard moves forwards but Menace connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Menace lands an overhand right.
Menace displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Minard throws out the jab.
Minard misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Menace.
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!
Minard steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Menace. That one must have hurt.
Minard is breathing heavily.
Minard blocks a leg kick.
Menace is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Good exchange - Menace coming out on top.
Minard tries a head kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Minard.
Minard misses with a jab, cross combination.
Menace is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Minard lands with a thumping leg kick.
A head kick misses from Menace.
Minard moves away from the strike by Menace.
Minard misses the body punch
and Menace counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Minard blocks a head kick by Menace.
Minard throws a lazy right hand but Menace sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Menace looks to throw the jab but Minard is out of range.
Menace uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Minard.
Minard throws a sloppy body shot
and Menace counters with a leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Minard throws a nice outside leg kick.
Minard throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Menace counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Menace looks to score with a jab to the body but Minard is just out of range.
Menace throws a head kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phantom Menace dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Minard misses with a head kick.
Menace moves out of range of the strikes.
A punch lands to the side of Menace 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Minard looks to score with a jab to the body but Menace is just out of range.
Menace tries to clinch there but Minard circles away.
Minard moves out of range as Menace strikes.
Minard fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Menace checks it well.
Minard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Menace connects with a crisp jab.
Minard moves forwards but Menace connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Minard misses with a leg kick
and Menace counters with an inside leg kick.
Menace throws a leg kick which misses Minard's front leg but catches the back leg as Minard tries to avoid it.
Minard takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Minard loads up on a big right hand but Menace slips the punch.
Menace lands with a nice body punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Menace checks a low kick from Minard.
Minard displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minard checks a low kick from Menace.
Menace connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Minard's hands.
Menace rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Minard counters with a solid body kick.

Menace lands a left and a right that sends Minard crashing to the canvas! Menace dives into mount looking to finish!
Menace throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Minard because Menace loaded up on that one.
BOOM! Menace connects with a massive shot to the dome!
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!
Minard is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Menace throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Minard because Menace loaded up on that one.
Menace scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Menace looking to control but Minard is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menace punching from mount but Minard doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Menace looking to finish with strikes here!
Menace looking to finish with strikes here!
Menace dominating with strikes here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minard in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Phantom Menace overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Menace lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Minard hang on?
Menace controlling from mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
BOOM! Menace connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Menace thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Minard is desperately trying to improve his position but Menace has a good base and remains in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Menace looking to control but Minard is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
BOOM! Menace connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Menace working some short elbows here. He postures up to throw some more ground and pound but Minard slips a leg through to get back to half guard. Nice work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Menace is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Minard reverses the position - he's now on top in Menace's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Phantom Menace showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Menace has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Phantom Menace!