PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jess Liaudin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akuun Wannabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Liaudin's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Jump Around. Jess Liaudin had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Liaudin
vs
Wannabe

175 cm
21
155 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

172 cm
19
152 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jess Liaudin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Akuun Wannabe!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Liaudin tries to clinch there but Wannabe circles away.
Liaudin closes this distance looking for a takedown but Wannabe circles away.
No luck for Wannabe with that takedown attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Liaudin is defended easily by Wannabe.
Wannabe dives in and grabs Liaudin's left leg, looking for a takedown. Liaudin pushes down on Wannabe's head and hops out.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wannabe closes the distance and pushes Liaudin back into the cage.
Wannabe is trying to push Liaudin away but Liaudin has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Liaudin.
Wannabe is pressed up against the cage. Liaudin has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Wannabe down to the mat. Wannabe avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jess Liaudin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Liaudin fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

Wannabe moves into the clinch successfully.
Wannabe is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Liaudin pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Liaudin stalling against the cage.

Liaudin has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Wannabe is trying to keep an underhook but Liaudin manages to get the takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Wannabe tries to get to full guard but Liaudin has control of the leg.
Liaudin wants to control but Wannabe is keeping him busy.
Wannabe is looking for a sweep. Liaudin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Wannabe trying to control but Liaudin postures up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Liaudin trying to mount his opponent but Wannabe defends it.
Liaudin prevents Wannabe from improving his position.
Wannabe is staying active underneath Liaudin, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Wannabe is trying to stand back up but Liaudin is controlling him
Wannabe gets back to full guard.
Liaudin throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Wannabe works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Liaudin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Wannabe is looking for a triangle but Liaudin pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liaudin landing some decent shots from guard.
Liaudin with a flurry of punches that miss.

Wannabe is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Wannabe trying to control the position.

Wannabe looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Liaudin keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Wannabe's head.
Wannabe is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Liaudin is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Liaudin with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Liaudin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liaudin scoring with punches to the head and body.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Liaudin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Wannabe can do anything to dispel that myth.
Liaudin stays in close to Wannabe's body and controls the position.
Wannabe 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.
Liaudin trying to control but Wannabe is working from the bottom.
Liaudin postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Liaudin is working Wannabe over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Liaudin trying to control but Wannabe is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Wannabe escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Liaudin gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Liaudin's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jess Liaudin dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Wannabe throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Liaudin's waist but Liaudin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Wannabe off to one side.
Liaudin shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Wannabe pinned against the cage. Wannabe gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Wannabe changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Liaudin tries to avoid it but Wannabe manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Liaudin to the ground. Liaudin escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Liaudin fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Liaudin or perhaps it was just good defense by Wannabe which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jess Liaudin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wannabe misses with a takedown

and Liaudin decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Wannabe's guard.
Liaudin postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Liaudin postures up in Wannabe's guard and throws a big left but Wannabe blocks it.
Liaudin throws a big right hand that misses.
Liaudin trying to control the position from guard on top but Wannabe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Liaudin with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Wannabe is looking for a triangle but Liaudin pushes his legs off easily.
Wannabe tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Wannabe looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Wannabe utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
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!
Liaudin content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Liaudin is looking to work some ground and pound but Wannabe has wrist control.
Liaudin is looking to work some ground and pound but Wannabe has wrist control.
Liaudin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Wannabe keeping moving, preventing Liaudin from controlling successfully.
Liaudin is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Wannabe is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Jess Liaudin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Wannabe has his foot on Liaudin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Liaudin works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wannabe has his foot on Liaudin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Liaudin works his way back into a safe position though.
Liaudin keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Wannabe's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Liaudin sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Wannabe is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Wannabe working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Liaudin.
Wannabe avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Liaudin wants to control from the top but Wannabe keeps moving.
Wannabe is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Liaudin postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Wannabe keeping moving, preventing Liaudin from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wannabe avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Liaudin won't allow Wannabe to get back to his feet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Liaudin accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Liaudin is in close to Wannabe's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Liaudin wants to control from the top but Wannabe keeps moving.
Liaudin postures up in Wannabe's guard and throws a big left but Wannabe blocks it.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Wannabe looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Liaudin trying to control the position from guard on top but Wannabe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Wannabe really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Liaudin. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Wannabe is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Liaudin is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jess Liaudin dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. 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.

Liaudin slaps away a takedown attempt from Wannabe, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Wannabe is trying hard to land a takedown here. Liaudin sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Liaudin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Wannabe manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Liaudin on his heels. He'll look to pass Liaudin's guard now, I'm sure.
Liaudin is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Wannabe is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Liaudin pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Liaudin is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Wannabe is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:21 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Jess Liaudin!