PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between AL Lickertwat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Will Messinger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Messinger has chosen Huckleberry by Ichabod as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Lickertwat
vs
Messinger

175 cm
21
141 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

170 cm
32
139 lbs
11 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)
Hell's Balls Recovery (160)

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, AL Lickertwat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Will Messinger!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Eliza Hachem and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Messinger closes the distance and clinches.
Lickertwat lands with a right to the head.
Lickertwat lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Messinger backwards.
Messinger has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Lickertwat after a bit of a struggle.
Messinger pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Messinger is trying to pull guard but Lickertwat turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Lickertwat.
Messinger tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Lickertwat smiles and moves away.
AL Lickertwat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will Messinger.
No luck for Messinger with that takedown attempt.
Lickertwat lands a jab to the head.
The fighters circling - Lickertwat throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Messinger fails with the takedown.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Messinger.
A jab from Lickertwat finds it's way through Messinger's defenses.
Messinger throws a front kick aimed at Lickertwat's knee but Lickertwat avoids it well.
Lickertwat scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messinger avoids the head kick by Lickertwat.
Messinger misses with a takedown attempt - Lickertwat sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Messinger throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Lickertwat was covering up waiting for the punch and Messinger finishes the takedown easily into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Messinger postures up.
Messinger throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lickertwat works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Messinger stopping the sweep attempt from Lickertwat.
Lickertwat managing to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. AL Lickertwat wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Lickertwat pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat misses with a leg kick.
Messinger has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Messinger there as he acknowledges the shot.
Lickertwat wants to slow Messinger down by chopping away at his legs.
Messinger pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Messinger misses with a takedown attempt
and Lickertwat counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Messinger checks the leg kick nicely there.
Messinger is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lickertwat wants to slow Messinger down by chopping away at his legs.
Messinger ducks under a wild hook from Lickertwat.
Messinger shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Lickertwat counters with a left and a right that stings Messinger.
No luck for Messinger with that takedown attempt.
A slow jab from Lickertwat misses its intended target.
Lickertwat throws a hook but Messinger avoids it easily.
Messinger lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lickertwat circles away quickly and effectively.
Messinger shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lickertwat pinned against the cage. Lickertwat gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messinger takes one to the chin there.
Messinger tries to score a power double leg takedown but Lickertwat sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Messinger somewhat.
Lickertwat thows a body shot but no joy.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Lickertwat, right into the meat.
Lickertwat lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Messinger checks a leg kick.
Messinger fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lickertwat looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Messinger tries to bum rush Lickertwat with a series of wild strikes but Lickertwat uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Messinger defending well as Lickertwat loads up on a big left hand.
Messinger with a lazy takedown attempt
and Lickertwat counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Messinger thinking.
Messinger fails with a takedown attempt.
Lickertwat lands a nice shot that snaps Messinger's head back.
Lickertwat tries to score with a low kick but Messinger moves his leg out of the way.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messinger misses with a takedown attempt - Lickertwat sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lickertwat misses the jab.

Lickertwat feints and as Messinger raises his hands in defense, Lickertwat changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lickertwat is working Messinger over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Lickertwat not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lickertwat accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Lickertwat trying to control the position from guard on top but Messinger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lickertwat loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lickertwat wants to control from the top but Messinger keeps moving.
Lickertwat throws a big elbow that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Messinger wants to sweep here but Lickertwat controlling him for the moment.

Messinger looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Messinger takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A right-left combo lands from Messinger.
Messinger misses with a takedown

and Lickertwat counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Messinger's guard now.
Messinger manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Lickertwat wants to control but Messinger is having none of it.
Lickertwat manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Lickertwat is controlling Messinger's trapped leg to prevent Messinger from advancing to side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Messinger is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Lickertwat still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Lickertwat has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lickertwat scores with punches from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lickertwat working the ground and pound from side control.
Lickertwat throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Lickertwat landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Lickertwat has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The ground and pound from Lickertwat seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Messinger wants to control but Lickertwat postures up.
Messinger taking a bit of punishment here - Lickertwat scoring with strikes.
Lickertwat trying to control the position but Messinger is working away.
Messinger takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Lickertwat misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Messinger wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Messinger defending against the ground and pound.
Lickertwat grinds an elbow into Messinger's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Messinger gets back to half guard.
Lickertwat is nestled in close to Messinger, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ground and pound from Lickertwat.
Lickertwat is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Messinger tries to roll over but Lickertwat keeps him under control.
Lickertwat throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Messinger wants to improve his position but Lickertwat is controlling well.
Lickertwat moves nicely into side control.
Messinger is trying to get back to half guard.
Messinger wants to control but Lickertwat postures up.
Lickertwat scoring with punches from side control.

Lickertwat working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lickertwat tries for a kimura but Messinger is defending well.
Lickertwat in side control, throwing shots but Messinger defends.
Messinger can't do much from the bottom here.
Lickertwat scores with punches from side control.
Lickertwat slows the pace down.
Lickertwat connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Messinger some visible discomfort.
Lickertwat misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Lickertwat working the head with strikes.
Messinger tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Lickertwat wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Lickertwat working the body and head with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat grinds an elbow into Messinger's temple.
Lickertwat lands a decent elbow from side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Messinger is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Messinger on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Messinger gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
AL Lickertwat overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lickertwat is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Lickertwat thows a huge punch but Messinger dodges it nicely.
Lickertwat slips a nice elbow through Messinger's hands, connecting with Messinger's forehead.
Messinger is trying to get back to full guard.
Messinger regains full guard. Nicely done.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lickertwat is in close to Messinger's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Lickertwat landing some decent shots from guard.
Lickertwat loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

AL Lickertwat dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Messinger moves into the clinch successfully.

Messinger's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Messinger moves in looking to clinch but Lickertwat pushes him off.

Lickertwat shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Messinger's guard.
Lickertwat postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Messinger utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lickertwat postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Lickertwat throwing strikes but missing.
Lickertwat wants to control from the top but Messinger keeps moving.
Messinger utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Messinger has Lickertwat pulled in close to control his posture.
Lickertwat is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Messinger looking for a sweep. Not yet Messinger, not yet.
Lickertwat is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lickertwat postures up in Messinger's guard and throws a big left but Messinger blocks it.
Lickertwat throwing strikes from guard but Messinger blocks nicely.
Lickertwat looking to pass the guard.
Lickertwat working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lickertwat throwing strikes from guard but Messinger blocks nicely.
Messinger is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Lickertwat postures up in Messinger's guard and throws a big left but Messinger blocks it.
Messinger doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Messinger working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lickertwat.
Lickertwat landing some decent shots from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messinger not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Messinger wants to sweep but no luck.
Lickertwat lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Lickertwat chips away with some ground and pound.
Messinger working a defensive guard here.
Lickertwat throwing strikes but missing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lickertwat with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Messinger wants to stand up but Lickertwat is controlling him.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Lickertwat's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Messinger keeping moving, preventing Lickertwat from controlling successfully.
Messinger manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Lickertwat gets back to full guard.
Messinger throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lickertwat works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lickertwat not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Lickertwat pushes Messinger off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Messinger throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Lickertwat.
Messinger takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lickertwat fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Messinger checks it well.
Lickertwat clobbers Messinger with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Messinger takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Messinger shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lickertwat as he avoids it easily.
Messinger blocks a low kick nicely.
AL Lickertwat is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lickertwat shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lickertwat trying to control the pace.
Ground and pound from Lickertwat.
Messinger looks like he's trying to stand up.
Lickertwat is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Messinger can do to turn this around?
Lickertwat drops an elbow to the side of Messinger's head.
Messinger tries to get to full guard but Lickertwat has control of the leg.
Messinger blocking the ground and pound attempt from Lickertwat.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lickertwat working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Messinger is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Will Messinger has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Messinger regains full guard. Nicely done.

And that's the end of the fight!
AL Lickertwat showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Lickertwat, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:27
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... AL Lickertwat!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, AL Lickertwat made sure he mentioned Hell's Balls Recovery (160), along with how happy he was to win his fight.