PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Fou Rthihovsky (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and AL Lickertwat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). AL Lickertwat has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Fou Rthihovsky's chin.

Rthihovsky
vs
Lickertwat

165 cm
27
135 lbs
11 - 2 - 1

175 cm
23
141 lbs
7 - 1 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Black Hand Fight Gear & Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Fou Rthihovsky!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, AL Lickertwat!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Winston Howard and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rthihovsky tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lickertwat paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Rthihovsky clinches up against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rthihovsky.
Lickertwat tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lickertwat lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rthihovsky doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Lickertwat looking to stall.
Lickertwat lands with a left to the head.

Lickertwat escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lickertwat thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rthihovsky jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rthihovsky throws a jab when Lickertwat was well out of range.
A punch lands to the side of Lickertwat 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Rthihovsky uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lickertwat.
Lickertwat swings for the body but Rthihovsky moves out of range.
Lickertwat 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lickertwat closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Rthihovsky quickly recovers to half guard.
Lickertwat trying to control the pace.
Rthihovsky is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Lickertwat thows a huge punch but Rthihovsky dodges it nicely.
Lickertwat trying to control the action but Rthihovsky is working from the bottom.
Lickertwat sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rthihovsky defending well though.
Rthihovsky blocking the ground and pound attempt from Lickertwat.
Lickertwat has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Lickertwat drops an elbow to the side of Rthihovsky's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rthihovsky is refusing to be controlled, as Lickertwat sits in half guard.
Lickertwat thows a huge punch but Rthihovsky dodges it nicely.

Lickertwat seems to be working for a kimura but Rthihovsky defends the submission attempt.
Lickertwat throwing shots but Rthihovsky is blocking nicely.
Rthihovsky is refusing to be controlled, as Lickertwat sits in half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lickertwat might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Rthihovsky kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The fighters are battling for position here. Rthihovsky manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Rthihovsky keeping moving, preventing Lickertwat from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rthihovsky is keeping the position for now.
Lickertwat in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rthihovsky looking for a sweep. Not yet Rthihovsky, not yet.
Lickertwat throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rthihovsky works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lickertwat trying to control but Rthihovsky is working from the bottom.
Lickertwat lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lickertwat trying to control the position from guard on top but Rthihovsky is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lickertwat throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rthihovsky works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lickertwat missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Lickertwat trying to control the position from guard on top but Rthihovsky is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lickertwat pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rthihovsky is keeping the position for now.
Lickertwat throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rthihovsky works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lickertwat throwing strikes from guard but Rthihovsky blocks nicely.

Lickertwat got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rthihovsky has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Lickertwat has managed to get both his arms back between Rthihovsky's legs - danger averted.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Lickertwat pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Lickertwat thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lickertwat misses with an uppercut.
Rthihovsky gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Lickertwat counters with a straight right hand.
Rthihovsky throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lickertwat keeps the fight on the outside.

Rthihovsky closes the distance and pushes Lickertwat back into the cage.
Lickertwat tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rthihovsky avoids it.
Still in the clinch, Rthihovsky scores with a nice short uppercut.
Lickertwat lands with a short shot to the head.
Lickertwat lands a left hand.
Rthihovsky tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rthihovsky misses with some punches.
Lickertwat is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rthihovsky is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rthihovsky swings wildly with an uppercut but Lickertwat uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short right from Lickertwat.
Rthihovsky tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Lickertwat blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lickertwat.
Lickertwat tries to work over Rthihovsky's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rthihovsky lands a shoulder strike.
Lickertwat misses with some punches.
Lickertwat throws a punch but it's blocked by Rthihovsky.
Lickertwat is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rthihovsky is keeping busy.
Lickertwat lands a shoulder strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lickertwat manages to break the clinch.
Rthihovsky ducks under a wild hook from Lickertwat.
Rthihovsky dodges the punch combination from Lickertwat.
Lickertwat lands with an uppercut that bounces Rthihovsky off the cage and back into range.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rthihovsky is defended easily by Lickertwat.
Nice uppercut there from Lickertwat.
Rthihovsky moves out of range as Lickertwat strikes.
Lickertwat swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rthihovsky is looking to clinch but Lickertwat is avoiding it.
Nice defenses there by Lickertwat.
Lickertwat with a hook.
Rthihovsky just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rthihovsky tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lickertwat was well out of range. Poor timing from Rthihovsky.
Rthihovsky keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lickertwat lands with an uppercut that bounces Rthihovsky off the cage and back into range.
Lickertwat misses with a wild combination.
Lickertwat misses with a looping left.
Lickertwat misses with an uppercut. Rthihovsky saw that one coming.
Lickertwat fails with a takedown attempt.
Rthihovsky misses with an uppercut.

Lickertwat shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Rthihovsky's guard.
Rthihovsky wants to sweep but no luck.
Lickertwat pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rthihovsky is keeping the position for now.
Lickertwat trying to control but Rthihovsky is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat throws a big elbow that misses.
Lickertwat slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Rthihovsky tries to land a sweep but no joy.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Rthihovsky is working hard here to advance position.
Lickertwat throws an elbow that misses. Rthihovsky uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Lickertwat's guard. Nice move by Rthihovsky!
Lickertwat wants to control the position but Rthihovsky says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lickertwat has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rthihovsky is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

AL Lickertwat showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rthihovsky misses with an uppercut. Lickertwat saw that one coming.
Lickertwat with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Lickertwat jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lickertwat misses with a straight left.
Rthihovsky moves out of range as Lickertwat strikes.
Rthihovsky is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Lickertwat's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Lickertwat swats away the attempt to clinch by Rthihovsky.
Lickertwat fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rthihovsky avoids it really well and circles away.
Rthihovsky tries to clinch but Lickertwat moves out of range.
AL Lickertwat seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rthihovsky shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Good standup being displayed there by Rthihovsky as he connects with a hook.
Good leg kick by Lickertwat there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Lickertwat avoids the body shot from Rthihovsky.
Lickertwat loads up on a big right hand but Rthihovsky slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rthihovsky drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The strikes coming from Rthihovsky are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Lickertwat wants to control but Rthihovsky postures up.
AL Lickertwat has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rthihovsky wants to control but Lickertwat is keeping him busy.
Rthihovsky throws a strike aimed at the side of Lickertwat's head but Lickertwat avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat wants to control but Rthihovsky postures up.
Lickertwat manages to get back to half guard.
Lickertwat avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rthihovsky.
Rthihovsky wants to pass to mount but Lickertwat is defending the position.

Rthihovsky looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Lickertwat is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rthihovsky thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lickertwat's head.
Rthihovsky throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rthihovsky is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Rthihovsky lands a big shot there that rocks Lickertwat but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Lickertwat is wriggling around trying to escape.
Lickertwat wants to control but Rthihovsky is having none of it.
Lickertwat is looking to improve his position but Rthihovsky isn't that keen on the idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat tries to hold on but Rthihovsky postures up.
Lickertwat manages to work a leg through to get back to half guard here. Good work there by Lickertwat, under a barage of strikes from Rthihovsky.

Rthihovsky is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Lickertwat defends it well.
Lickertwat wants to improve his position but Rthihovsky is controlling well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lickertwat is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fou Rthihovsky clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Lickertwat misses with a hook. Rthihovsky ducked under it nicely.
AL Lickertwat seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lickertwat takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Rthihovsky throws a big shot that misses.
Rthihovsky ducks under a wild hook from Lickertwat.
Lickertwat misses with an uppercut.
Rthihovsky walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Rthihovsky just misses with a punch to the body.
Rthihovsky tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lickertwat was well out of range. Poor timing from Rthihovsky.
Rthihovsky moves away from the strike by Lickertwat.
Rthihovsky dives in and grabs Lickertwat's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lickertwat pushes down on Rthihovsky's head and hops out.
Lickertwat moves away from the strike by Rthihovsky.
Rthihovsky scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Lickertwat throws a body punch but Rthihovsky moves out of range.
Lickertwat is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Rthihovsky keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lickertwat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rthihovsky has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Lickertwat finds it's way round the side to connect with Rthihovsky's head.
Rthihovsky pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A cross from Lickertwat lands.
Rthihovsky pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Lickertwat throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lickertwat ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rthihovsky moves away.
Lickertwat throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Rthihovsky thows a body shot but no joy.
Rthihovsky takes a jab right on the kisser.
Rthihovsky avoids the body shot from Lickertwat.
Rthihovsky takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
The fighters circling - Lickertwat throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rthihovsky looks to score with a jab to the body but Lickertwat is just out of range.
Lickertwat scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Rthihovsky turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rthihovsky lets loose with a powerful body kick. Lickertwat will feel that in the morning.
A telegraphed right hand from Rthihovsky misses the target.
Rthihovsky rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Lickertwat moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rthihovsky lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Rthihovsky misses the shot to the body.
Rthihovsky goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Nice uppercut lands for Lickertwat. That snapped Rthihovsky's head back.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Lickertwat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lickertwat looks up at the clock and then as Rthihovsky takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Lickertwat smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Rthihovsky is trying to get back to half guard.
Lickertwat controls the position from side control.
Lickertwat is looking to take a break and control but Rthihovsky is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rthihovsky sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Rthihovsky wants to control but Lickertwat is keeping busy.
Lickertwat thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rthihovsky's head.
Rthihovsky is in trouble now - Lickertwat has advanced to mount!
Lickertwat looking to ground and pound but Rthihovsky is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rthihovsky is in a horrible position here. Lickertwat smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Lickertwat controlling the position easily from mount.
Lickertwat with a couple of short strikes.
Lickertwat scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lickertwat tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lickertwat landing strikes from the mount and Rthihovsky is in trouble!
Lickertwat lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

AL Lickertwat dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Rthihovsky keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A shot to the liver by Lickertwat. Beautiful body shot.
Lickertwat with a nice cross.
Rthihovsky takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Lickertwat sizes up Rthihovsky with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Rthihovsky slips a jab from Lickertwat.
Lickertwat throws a leg kick that misses.
Rthihovsky slips a straight right by Lickertwat.
Lickertwat throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rthihovsky on the side of the head.
Lickertwat lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Rthihovsky lands a nice shot to the body.
No joy there for Lickertwat, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lickertwat misses with an uppercut.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rthihovsky, right into the meat.
Lickertwat on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rthihovsky. Rthihovsky obviously looking to wear him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An inside leg kick from Rthihovsky misses.
Rthihovsky defending well as Lickertwat loads up on a big left hand.
Lickertwat thuds his right hand into Rthihovsky's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A jab from Lickertwat does it's job there.
Rthihovsky shoots in looking for a takedown. Lickertwat tries to sprawl out of it but Rthihovsky keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Lickertwat manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rthihovsky is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Lickertwat cracks Rthihovsky with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Lickertwat throws out a powerful jab.
Lickertwat swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rthihovsky takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Lickertwat misses with an uppercut. Rthihovsky saw that one coming.
Rthihovsky scores with a sloppy right hand. Lickertwat should have avoided that one.
Fou Rthihovsky has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rthihovsky throws an overhand right that lands on Lickertwat's shoulder, as Lickertwat tries to avoid the shot.
Lickertwat misses with a looping left.
Rthihovsky gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Lickertwat throws a hook but Rthihovsky blocks it.
Rthihovsky thuds a left hand into Lickertwat's body.
Rthihovsky connects with the punch.
Rthihovsky misses with a looping right.
Lickertwat throws a right hand that misses
and Rthihovsky counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rthihovsky shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lickertwat as he avoids it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rthihovsky takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rthihovsky takes one to the chin there.
Rthihovsky lands with a cross.
Lickertwat lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Rthihovsky bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rthihovsky misses the shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Lickertwat both land. Nice combination.
Rthihovsky throws a body punch but Lickertwat moves out of range.
Lickertwat misses with a looping left.
Rthihovsky keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Rthihovsky looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lickertwat. Rthihovsky does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lickertwat slaps away a takedown attempt from Rthihovsky, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fou Rthihovsky. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Lickertwat works Rthihovsky's body with a nice hook.
Lickertwat digs a good body shot into Rthihovsky's ribs.
Lickertwat avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lickertwat fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Rthihovsky swings widly with a right hand

and Lickertwat counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Lickertwat throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Rthihovsky to regain full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lickertwat stands up over Rthihovsky, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
AL Lickertwat is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rthihovsky looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Lickertwat works over Rthihovsky with some ground and pound from guard.
Lickertwat wants to control from the top but Rthihovsky keeps moving.
Lickertwat trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rthihovsky is trying to keep Lickertwat in close.
Lickertwat postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lickertwat sitting in guard here, content to control.

Lickertwat drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Lickertwat as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Rthihovsky screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Lickertwat! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). AL Lickertwat!
AL Lickertwat is the new bantamweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, AL Lickertwat thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.