PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jess Liaudin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Valko Strange (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Liaudin's entrance music is Jump Around. A fine choice. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Liaudin
vs
Strange

175 cm
24
155 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

175 cm
28
154 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

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 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jess Liaudin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Valko Strange!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Ryoma Takatsuka and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Liaudin changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Strange looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Liaudin is trying to get an arm triangle but Strange is defending well.
Liaudin trying to control the position but Strange is working away.
Liaudin tries to advance to mount but can't.

Liaudin is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Strange has escaped the position, nice work there.

Liaudin wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Strange, who protects the arm well.
Liaudin is looking to take a break and control but Strange is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Strange defending against the ground and pound.
Strange is trying to control Liaudin's posture but Liaudin avoids it.
Strange is looking for a sweep.

Liaudin tries for a kimura but Strange is defending well.
Strange takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Liaudin is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Strange has escaped the position, nice work there.
Liaudin taking a breather here.

Liaudin is trying to get an arm triangle but Strange is defending well.
Liaudin wants to control but Strange is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Liaudin looking to control but instead Strange has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Strange slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liaudin postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Liaudin trying to control but Strange is working from the bottom.

Liaudin has gone for a leg lock! Strange slips out almost immediately though and dives into Liaudin's guard.
Liaudin manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Liaudin can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Strange is looking to escape.

Liaudin looking to secure an arm triangle but Strange defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Liaudin looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Strange tries to hold on but Liaudin postures up.
Strange wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Liaudin.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Liaudin trying to control but Strange is having none of it.
Liaudin unloads with some shots from mount but Strange bucks and avoids them well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jess Liaudin dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Liaudin fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Strange with a lazy takedown attempt

and Liaudin counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Strange 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.
Liaudin is looking to take a break and control but Strange is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Strange blocking the ground and pound attempt from Liaudin.
Strange has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Liaudin is working away from the top position though.

Liaudin is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Liaudin thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Strange's head.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Strange can do anything to dispel that myth.

Liaudin is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Strange sees it coming and defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liaudin controlling the action here.
Liaudin seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Strange does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Liaudin throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Strange is looking to improve his position.

Liaudin is looking for a kimura here.
Strange is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strange tries to get to full guard but Liaudin has control of the leg.
Liaudin sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Strange defending well though.

Liaudin is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Strange defends it well.
Liaudin seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Liaudin sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Strange defending well though.

Liaudin has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Strange defend it? Liaudin steps over the head and cranks it - Strange is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Liaudin!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Jess Liaudin!