PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bill Hicks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and New York Strangler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hicks comes to the cage accompanied by Bang Your Head. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Hicks
vs
York Strangler

174 cm
37
164 lbs
20 - 16 - 1

175 cm
37
167 lbs
17 - 15 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

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 20 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Bill Hicks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 15 - 1, fighting out of New York, New York Strangler!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Jorge Garcia and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hicks changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Strangler defending well as Hicks loads up on a big left hand.
Strangler delivers a nice body kick.
Hicks tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Strangler is able to avoid easily.
Strangler is looking to land body kicks.
Strangler connects with a body shot that sends Hicks's belly button to the back.
Jab by Strangler.

Strangler bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
An elbow from Strangler crashes against the mat.
Strangler trying to control the action but Hicks is working from the bottom.
Strangler working the ground and pound from side control.
Hicks tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Strangler wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Hicks is not content to let Strangler control the position.
Hicks regains half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Strangler's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Strangler's back!
Strangler just trying to survive but Hicks is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Strangler covers up after that shot from Hicks.
Strangler trying to control the hands but Hicks won't let him.
Strangler tries to roll but Hicks sticks to his back.
Hicks is punishing Strangler with some ground and pound.
Hicks trying to control momentarily.
Hicks 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.
Strangler trying to get back to his feet but Hicks is in full control for now.
Hicks has the hooks in. Strangler is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Strangler is keeping busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strangler trying to control the hands but Hicks breaks the grip.
Hicks doesn't have the hooks in and Strangler manages to turn into his guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Strangler won't allow Hicks to sweep him here.
Strangler wants to stand but Hicks has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Hicks looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Strangler landing some decent shots from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strangler trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Hicks manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Hicks throwing strikes but missing.
Strangler is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hicks is controlling him.
Hicks looking to sit in guard and control but Strangler gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Hicks has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Strangler can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Strangler postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strangler stopping the sweep attempt from Hicks.
Strangler trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hicks's guard.
Hicks looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Strangler trying to control the position from guard on top but Hicks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Strangler preventing the sweep.
Hicks trying to keep a closed guard but Strangler is proving a slippery customer.
Strangler trying to control the position from guard on top but Hicks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

New York Strangler has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Strangler tries to clinch there but Hicks circles away.
Strangler looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Strangler throws a right and a left that both miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

New York Strangler dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nice uppercut there from Hicks.
Hicks thows a body shot but no joy.
A decent looking cross lands there for Hicks.
Hicks jabs Strangler to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Hicks gets tackled into the cage by Strangler. Strangler maintains the clinch.
Strangler misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hicks.
Strangler has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hicks after a bit of a struggle.
Hicks misses with a hook to the ribs.
Strangler wants a takedown but no success here.
Strangler wants to break free but Hicks has control.
Hicks lands a shot to the body.
Hicks has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Strangler avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hicks is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Bill Hicks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of New York Strangler.
Hicks scores with a shot to the side of Strangler's head.
A short left from Hicks.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hicks softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strangler is trying to maintain a safe position but Hicks gets an underhook and turns Strangler into the cage.
Hicks is trying to drag Strangler to the mat but Strangler just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Strangler escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Strangler takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Strangler shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hicks sprawls well. Hicks wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Strangler gets slowly back to his feet.
Hicks tests Strangler's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Strangler shoots in looking for a takedown. Hicks tries to sprawl out of it but Strangler keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hicks manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Strangler wants to clinch up but Hicks keeps it at a distance.
Strangler takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hicks.
Strangler changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hicks tries to avoid it but Strangler manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hicks to the ground. Hicks escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hicks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Strangler moves away.
Hicks ducks under a wild hook from Strangler.
Strangler throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
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!
Hicks throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hicks throws a shot from downtown. Strangler moves away and avoids it.
Bill Hicks is winning the standup battle so far.
Strangler misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hicks attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Strangler throws a series of punches but Hicks avoids them all with ease.
Strangler is breathing heavily.
Hicks displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Strangler.
Strangler steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hicks.
Hicks lands a jab to the head.
Strangler walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strangler misses with a hook. Hicks ducked under it nicely.
Strangler takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hicks changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Hicks changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Strangler looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You can see the frustration on Strangler's face as Hicks controls the position.
Hicks has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Hicks seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Strangler for as long as he can get away with.
Hicks in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hicks working the ground and pound.
Hicks advances nicely into full mount.
Hicks lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Hicks has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Strangler's face.
Hicks controlling the position easily from mount.
Hicks is in the full mount, landing strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hicks is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Strangler can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Hicks trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Strangler is looking to improve his position but Hicks isn't that keen on the idea.
Hicks with shots to the head and body - Strangler looks very uncomfortable down there.

Strangler is rocked!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Strangler is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Strangler is still in real trouble! Can Hicks finish him?
Hicks content just to control the position here.
Strangler tries to lock up and control but Hicks gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Hicks landing strikes from the mount and Strangler is in trouble!
Strangler takes a big shot to the dome and his eyes have rolled back in his head! Hicks's killer instinct has kicked in as he finishes the fight with more strikes. Impressive finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Bill Hicks!
Bill Hicks decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.