PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between AL Lickertwat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tad Ghostal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ghostal comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Good King Wenceslas kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Tad Ghostal has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Lickertwat
vs
Ghostal

175 cm
27
147 lbs
15 - 7 - 1

183 cm
31
145 lbs
27 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160 SALE $140

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 15 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, AL Lickertwat!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tad Ghostal!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Bruno Hogan and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ghostal throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lickertwat scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ghostal doesn't seem bothered though.
Lickertwat's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ghostal under the eye.
Lickertwat misses with a takedown attempt
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Lickertwat closes the distance and clinches up with Ghostal, looking for a takedown. Lickertwat pushes Ghostal against the cage but Ghostal circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ghostal throws a series of punches but Lickertwat avoids them all with ease.
Ghostal avoids the head kick by Lickertwat.
Nice uppercut lands for Ghostal. That snapped Lickertwat's head back.
Lickertwat thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lickertwat misses with a jab, cross combination.
Lickertwat ducks under a wild hook from Ghostal.
Ghostal swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lickertwat lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Ghostal misses with a looping right.

Lickertwat scores with a takedown into Ghostal's guard.
Lickertwat postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lickertwat throws an elbow that misses. Ghostal uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Lickertwat's guard. Nice move by Ghostal!
Ghostal in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ghostal is fighting to break Lickertwat's control of his arms but Lickertwat is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Ghostal is working Lickertwat over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Ghostal working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ghostal stopping the sweep attempt from Lickertwat.
Ghostal engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Lickertwat is controlling Ghostal's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lickertwat is looking for a triangle but Ghostal pushes his legs off easily.
Ghostal lands a couple of digs.
Lickertwat is trying to control the position but Ghostal postures up.
Ghostal chips away with some ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ghostal wants to control from the top but Lickertwat keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ghostal accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ghostal working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Lickertwat holds on and takes a little breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat looking for a sweep. Not yet Lickertwat, not yet.
Lickertwat wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Lickertwat working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ghostal.
Lickertwat is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Lickertwat throws his legs up looking for a submission but Ghostal uses it to pass to side control.
Ghostal working the strikes but Lickertwat uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Ghostal is trying to control. Lickertwat wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Lickertwat trying to control but Ghostal postures up.
Ghostal is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ghostal is trying to control. Lickertwat wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Lickertwat keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ghostal slows the pace down in half guard.
Lickertwat trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Ghostal blocks Lickertwat's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ghostal looking to ground and pound but Lickertwat is blocking nicely.
Ghostal tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tad Ghostal will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Lickertwat thows a body shot but no joy.
Lickertwat throws a sloppy head kick
and Ghostal counters with an outside leg kick.
Lickertwat keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ghostal.
Lickertwat tries to score with a low kick but Ghostal moves his leg out of the way.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Ghostal enables Lickertwat to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Ghostal manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Ghostal pulls Lickertwat in to control the position.
Lickertwat looking to sit in guard and control but Ghostal gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Ghostal trying to control but Lickertwat is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghostal with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ghostal in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ghostal wants to control from the top but Lickertwat keeps moving.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Ghostal looking to pass the guard.
Lickertwat is pulling down on Ghostal's head. It's preventing any offense from Ghostal, at least for the moment.
Ghostal advances position into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Lickertwat wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ghostal is keen to just control but Lickertwat is a slippery customer.
Lickertwat tries to roll over but Ghostal keeps him under control.

Lickertwat looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ghostal controlling the pace.
Lickertwat is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ghostal wants to free his trapped foot but Lickertwat is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat is looking for a sweep. Ghostal is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tad Ghostal has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ghostal misses with a head shot. Lickertwat uses the momentum to regain guard.
Ghostal throws a strike but Lickertwat rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Ghostal bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Lickertwat's guard.
Lickertwat preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lickertwat working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal throws a strike but Lickertwat rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Lickertwat preventing the sweep.
Lickertwat stands up over Ghostal, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Lickertwat looking to sit in guard and control but Ghostal gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Ghostal throwing strikes from guard but Lickertwat blocks nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ghostal landing with the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tad Ghostal will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action!

Lickertwat just misses with a punch to the body.
Ghostal drops his hands momentarily and Lickertwat takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A big right from Ghostal misses.
Ghostal misses with a looping right.
AL Lickertwat seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lickertwat ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Lickertwat ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ghostal moves away.
Lickertwat uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ghostal.
Lickertwat lands with a cross.
Lickertwat slips a straight right by Ghostal.
Lickertwat throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lickertwat tries a head kick but it misses.
Lickertwat thumps Ghostal with a low kick.
Nice shot by Ghostal.
Lickertwat connects with a body shot that sends Ghostal's belly button to the back.
Lickertwat looks to throw the jab but Ghostal is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghostal attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Ghostal fails with a takedown attempt.
Lickertwat lands with a right hand.
Lickertwat misses with a straight right.
Lickertwat looks to throw the jab but Ghostal is out of range.
Ghostal slips under a jab from Lickertwat.
Lickertwat scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Ghostal misses with a body kick.
Ghostal thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lickertwat misses with an uppercut. Ghostal saw that one coming.
Ghostal throws a body kick that misses.
Ghostal leaves Lickertwat with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal keeps Lickertwat at a distance using the push kick.
Ghostal misses with a lunging right hand
letting Lickertwat counter with a right hand.
Ghostal lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Lickertwat at a distance.
Lickertwat lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Lickertwat.
Lickertwat throws an off balance right hand
and Ghostal connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Lickertwat misses with a hook. Ghostal ducked under it nicely.
Lickertwat misses the shot to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ghostal throws a nice inside leg kick.
Lickertwat avoids the body shot from Ghostal.
Lickertwat swats away the attempt to clinch by Ghostal.
Ghostal scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Ghostal misses with a kick to the body.
Ghostal throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ghostal misses with a looping left.
Ghostal throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ghostal throws a lazy right hand but Lickertwat sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Lickertwat thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ghostal swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ghostal misses with a body shot.
Lickertwat misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ghostal.
Ghostal displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lickertwat.
Ghostal ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ghostal uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lickertwat.
Lickertwat takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Lickertwat throws an overhand right that lands on Ghostal's shoulder, as Ghostal tries to avoid the shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat looks to land a right hand but Ghostal moved out of range.
Lickertwat fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for AL Lickertwat. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ghostal gets a clinch.
Lickertwat misses with a punch on the inside.
Ghostal misses with a punch on the inside.
Ghostal makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lickertwat.
Lickertwat blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Lickertwat misses with a punch to the body.
Ghostal lands an uppercut.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lickertwat throws a punch but it's blocked by Ghostal.
Ghostal trying to control the position but instead, Lickertwat has worked for underhooks and has pushed Ghostal into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Tad Ghostal just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Lickertwat's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ghostal throws a one two combo.
A slow jab from Ghostal misses its intended target.

Lickertwat shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Ghostal napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Lickertwat trying to control the action but Ghostal is working from the bottom.

Lickertwat is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ghostal is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Lickertwat lands a decent elbow from side control.
Lickertwat works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Ghostal takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Ghostal manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghostal moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Ghostal looking to control.
Ghostal tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lickertwat throws an elbow that misses. Ghostal uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Lickertwat's guard. Nice move by Ghostal!
Ghostal is looking to work some ground and pound but Lickertwat has wrist control.
Lickertwat pulls Ghostal in close to his closed guard and prevents Ghostal from doing any damage or advancing position.
Ghostal trying to control but Lickertwat is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat seems keen to control Ghostal's posture.
Lickertwat looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Lickertwat scores with a nice strike.
Lickertwat looks for the body kick but Ghostal saw that one coming.
Ghostal is looking to land body kicks.
Lickertwat works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Lickertwat misses with a wild body shot.
Lickertwat just misses with a punch to the body.
Lickertwat throws a poor cross that misses
and Ghostal counters with an inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ghostal cracks Lickertwat with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
A left lands for Lickertwat.
Ghostal throws a hook but Lickertwat avoids it easily.
Lickertwat ducks under a wild hook from Ghostal.
Tad Ghostal seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lickertwat is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ghostal sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Lickertwat closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ghostal quickly recovers to half guard.
Ghostal works his way to full guard. Good work.
Ghostal 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.
Lickertwat throwing strikes but missing.
Lickertwat throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat trying to control the position from guard on top but Ghostal is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ghostal lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Lickertwat!
Lickertwat keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lickertwat regains half guard.
Ghostal seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lickertwat is refusing to be controlled, as Ghostal sits in half guard.
Ghostal missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that AL Lickertwat will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Lickertwat throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lickertwat throws a poor cross that misses
and Ghostal counters with a nice uppercut.
Ghostal throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Lickertwat scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Ghostal throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lickertwat throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lickertwat shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ghostal as he jumps to the side.
Lickertwat chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ghostal can pounce on him.
Ghostal is looking to clinch.
Lickertwat tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ghostal swivels and escapes.
Both fighters circling a little - Ghostal finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Ghostal slips under a jab.
Ghostal misses with a wild combination.
A slapping body kick lands there for Ghostal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghostal fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lickertwat manages to avoid it.
Lickertwat works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Lickertwat jabs at Ghostal's body.
Ghostal misses the jab.
Lickertwat tests Ghostal's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Lickertwat chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ghostal can pounce on him.
Lickertwat takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Lickertwat feints and then cracks Ghostal's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ghostal down.

Lickertwat scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Ghostal 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lickertwat working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Ghostal avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Lickertwat.
Lickertwat fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Ghostal is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Lickertwat off and has taken his back!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ghostal gets his hands free as Lickertwat looks to control.
Will Ghostal go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat rolls, trying to escape but Ghostal keeps control of the position.
Ghostal biding his time, controlling Lickertwat.
Lickertwat is trying to remain composed but Ghostal is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
Lickertwat just trying to survive but Ghostal is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Ghostal keeps control of the position as Lickertwat tries to break free.
Ghostal throwing damaging strikes from the back! Lickertwat could be in trouble here!
Lickertwat takes a big shot to the side of the head.

Lickertwat is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lickertwat tries to break free.
Oh Lickertwat is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Lickertwat trying to control the hands but Ghostal breaks the grip.
Ghostal controlling well, preventing Lickertwat from escaping the position.
Lickertwat looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Ghostal. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lickertwat is trapped and Ghostal is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Ghostal lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Ghostal lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Lickertwat hold on?!
AL Lickertwat has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lickertwat tries to escape but Ghostal has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
A helpless look comes across Lickertwat 's face. He knows he's trapped as Ghostal lands a series of unanswered strikes. The ref steps in to stop the fight and this one is in the books!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tad Ghostal!
Tad Ghostal is the new bantamweight champion!
Tad Ghostal made sure to mention his sponsor, Australian Xtreme Elite Supplements 160Q in his post fight interview.