PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mirko Liddell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Renzo Shinomori (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mirko Liddell could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Renzo Shinomori's chin.

Liddell
vs
Shinomori

178 cm
30
165 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

180 cm
24
162 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mirko Liddell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Renzo Shinomori!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Liddell closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Shinomori is trying to control Liddell's posture but Liddell avoids it.
Liddell lands a decent elbow from side control.

Liddell is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Shinomori knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
You can see the frustration on Shinomori's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Shinomori is looking to regain half guard here but Liddell keeps moving and retains side control.
Shinomori manages to work his way to half guard, despite Liddell's best efforts.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Liddell wants to free his trapped foot but Shinomori is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shinomori is pressing down on Liddell's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Liddell throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shinomori trying to control the position.
Shinomori looking for a sweep. Not yet Shinomori, not yet.
Liddell throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Liddell drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Liddell jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Liddell won't allow Shinomori to sweep him here.
Shinomori is trying to control the position but Liddell postures up.
Liddell tries to free his leg and advance position but Shinomori is retaining full guard.

Shinomori had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Liddell defends it easily.
Shinomori wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Liddell drops back looking for a leg! Shinomori is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shinomori manages to kick Liddell off! Liddell jumps back into Shinomori's guard.
Shinomori looking to hit a scissor sweep but Liddell is one step ahead there.
Shinomori is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Liddell advances position into side control!

Liddell goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Shinomori rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Liddell's guard! Nice work there by Shinomori!

Liddell has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Shinomori can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shinomori trying to control the position from guard on top but Liddell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shinomori pushes down on Liddell's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Shinomori tries to pass the half guard into mount. Liddell knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Liddell looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Liddell has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Shinomori escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Shinomori!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liddell gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Liddell is trying to escape the mount.
Shinomori looking to finish with strikes here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shinomori trying to control but Liddell is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mirko Liddell will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Shinomori attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

Liddell shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Shinomori's guard.
Shinomori 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.

Liddell drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Liddell jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Shinomori wants to sweep here but Liddell controlling him for the moment.
Shinomori trying to control the position here.
Liddell working some strikes from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Liddell drops back looking for a leg! Shinomori is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shinomori manages to kick Liddell off! Liddell jumps back into Shinomori's guard.
Shinomori looking for a sweep. Not yet Shinomori, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Liddell postures up.
Liddell stopping the sweep attempt from Shinomori.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liddell in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Liddell got a little sloppy there for a moment and Shinomori has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Liddell has managed to get both his arms back between Shinomori's legs - danger averted.

Liddell 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.

Shinomori is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Liddell throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Shinomori works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liddell lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Liddell works over Shinomori with some ground and pound from guard.
Shinomori bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Liddell's guard.
Shinomori wants to pass the guard but Liddell is keeping the position.

Shinomori avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Mirko Liddell overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Liddell looking for a guillotine here but Shinomori defends easily.
Shinomori passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shinomori is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Shinomori is stalling here. Liddell is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Shinomori seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Liddell has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

Liddell is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Shinomori is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Shinomori is trying to get back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Liddell working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Mirko Liddell will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Liddell misses with a kick to the body.
Liddell misses with a takedown

and Shinomori counters with a takedown into side control.

Shinomori looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Shinomori wants to control but Liddell is keeping him busy.
Liddell sneaks back into half guard.
Shinomori wants to take a breather but Liddell is having none of it.
Shinomori works his way into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shinomori slows the pace down.

Shinomori thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Shinomori trying to control the action but Liddell is working from the bottom.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Liddell regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shinomori wants to work for an arm triangle but Liddell is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Liddell is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Shinomori pulls his head out easily.
Liddell is refusing to be controlled, as Shinomori sits in half guard.

Shinomori is looking for a kimura here.
Shinomori takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Shinomori wants to free his trapped foot but Liddell is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shinomori wants to control but Liddell is keeping him busy.

Shinomori trying to work for an americana but Liddell has managed to regain full guard.

Liddell looking for a guillotine here but Shinomori defends easily.
Shinomori trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shinomori trying to control but Liddell is working from the bottom.
Shinomori passes Liddell's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Liddell tries to roll over but Shinomori keeps him under control.

Liddell looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Liddell is staying active underneath Shinomori, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Renzo Shinomori has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Liddell looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Mirko Liddell is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shinomori thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Liddell's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Renzo Shinomori comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Liddell has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Renzo Shinomori!
Renzo Shinomori seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.