PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chuck Liddell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Laz Icarus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Liddell comes to the cage accompanied by Ice Cold. Icarus has chosen Flying dutchman as his entrance music. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Laz Icarus was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Liddell
vs
Icarus

190 cm
33
220 lbs
19 - 7 - 0

194 cm
31
221 lbs
20 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Chuck Liddell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Laz Icarus!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Glass and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Icarus throws a looping overhand right but Liddell ducks down to avoid it.

Liddell rushes Icarus and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Liddell tries to pull guard but Icarus won't allow it.
Liddell jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Icarus walks away with a smile on his face. Liddell gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Liddell fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Icarus avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chuck Liddell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Liddell tries to close the distance and clinch up but Icarus swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Icarus scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Icarus misses with a two punch combination.
Liddell avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Liddell closes this distance looking for a takedown but Icarus circles away.
Liddell fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Icarus throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Icarus throws a sloppy head kick and Liddell moves out of range easily.
Icarus misses with a body kick.
Icarus misses with an uppercut
and Liddell counters with a good low kick that Icarus was not able to check.
Icarus throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liddell scores with a head kick. Icarus tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

Liddell has closed the distance and engaged Icarus in a clinch.
Liddell tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Icarus smiles and moves away.
Liddell fails with an attempt to clinch.
Icarus misses with a left hand
and Icarus takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Icarus lands with a kick to the temple. Liddell shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Liddell tries to clinch up but Icarus circles away and keeps his distance.
Icarus defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Liddell.
Icarus lands with a kick to the temple. Liddell shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Liddell tries to clinch but Icarus is having none of it.
Icarus looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Liddell fails to land the takedown.

Liddell has taken the fight to the clinch.
I was talking to Liddell's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Icarus with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Icarus tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Liddell fails to pull guard.
Liddell tries to pull guard but Icarus won't allow it.
Icarus throws an elbow but it misses.
Icarus with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Liddell tries to pull guard but Icarus holds him up against the cage and eventually Liddell drops back down to his feet.
Icarus tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Icarus misses with a knee strike.
Icarus lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Liddell backwards.
Icarus with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Icarus throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Liddell blocks it with crossed arms.
Liddell tries to pull guard but Icarus forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Liddell is trying to pull guard but Icarus turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Liddell jumps guard and drags Icarus to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Liddell is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liddell wants to stand up but Icarus is controlling him.

Liddell kicks Icarus off and gets to his feet.
A swing and a miss from Icarus.
Liddell tries to score a power double leg takedown but Icarus sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Liddell somewhat.
Icarus has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Liddell avoids the head kick by Icarus.

Icarus darts in and clinches Liddell up against the cage.
Liddell tries to pull guard but Icarus holds him up against the cage and eventually Liddell drops back down to his feet.
Liddell tries to pull guard but Icarus forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Liddell jumps guard but Icarus turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Liddell pulls guard effortlessly.
Liddell seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Icarus stops Liddell from standing up.
Liddell being controlled here, momentarily.
Liddell looking to control.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Liddell stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Icarus misses with a double jab.
Liddell tries to clinch up but Icarus circles away and keeps his distance.
Liddell shoots in for a double leg but Icarus sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Liddell rushes Icarus and presses him up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Laz Icarus 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.

Icarus throws a left and a right that both miss
and Liddell counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Icarus cracks Liddell with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Liddell throws a head kick but Icarus moves out of range.
Liddell tries to close the distance and clinch up but Icarus swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Laz Icarus seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Liddell is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Liddell tries to clinch there but Icarus circles away.
Liddell moves in looking to clinch but Icarus pushes him off.
Liddell is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Icarus circles away from the clinch attempt.
Icarus uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Liddell tries to close the distance and clinch up but Icarus swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Icarus gets a clinch.
Icarus lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Liddell lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Icarus.
Icarus is breathing heavily.
A nice right hand lands inside from Liddell.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knees to the body from Liddell.
Liddell fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Liddell tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Icarus smiles and moves away.
Liddell tries to clinch up but Icarus circles away and keeps his distance.

Liddell clinches.
Icarus lands a right hand that snaps the head of Liddell backwards.
Liddell is trying to pull guard but Icarus has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chuck Liddell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Liddell takes an elbow to the forehead.
Liddell blocks an elbow strike.
Liddell fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Liddell misses with the head strike.
Icarus scores with a shoulder strike.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Liddell fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Chuck Liddell has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Liddell ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Liddell no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Liddell is looking to stand up but Icarus isn't so interested in that idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Icarus sitting in guard here, content to control.

Liddell is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Liddell being controlled here, momentarily.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Liddell trying to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Laz Icarus wasn't active enough on the ground.
Liddell shoots in looking for a takedown but Icarus manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Liddell's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Liddell doesn't manage to clinch there - Icarus circles away.
Liddell is looking to clinch.
Liddell tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Icarus instigates a clinch.
Liddell is trying to pull guard but Icarus has him pressed against the cage.
Icarus with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Liddell tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Icarus tries to land a knee to the head but Liddell blocks with his arms.
A head punch on the inside from Icarus fails to land.
Liddell blocks an uppercut.
Icarus misses with an elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liddell misses with a knee strike.
Icarus misses with a punch on the inside.

Liddell decides to pull guard.
Liddell lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Icarus!
Liddell looking to control but Icarus is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Liddell moves to the back.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Liddell looking for the RNC.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Liddell tightening his grip on Icarus, looking for the choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chuck Liddell dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Some wild striking there from Icarus.
Icarus fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Icarus tries to clinch up.
Icarus lands an overhand right.
Liddell is looking to clinch but Icarus is avoiding it.
Liddell steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Icarus.
Liddell looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Icarus slaps away a takedown attempt from Liddell, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Liddell wants to clinch.
Liddell has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Liddell fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Icarus, pushing him back against the cage.
Liddell jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Icarus walks away with a smile on his face. Liddell gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chuck Liddell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Liddell moves away from the strike by Icarus.
Liddell tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Icarus paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Icarus keeps the fight on the outside.
Icarus jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Icarus throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A jab from Icarus finds it's way through Liddell's defenses.
Liddell has a takedown stuffed.
Icarus waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Liddell.
Liddell blocks a leg kick.

Icarus drops Liddell with a left right combo! Icarus follows him down to the ground into side control.

Liddell is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Liddell is trying to get back to his feet.
Oh Liddell is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Liddell struggling a bit here.
Liddell seems to have got his legs back now.
Icarus trying to control the position but Liddell is working away.
Liddell wants to get back to his feet but Icarus drags him back down.

Icarus decides to stand back up.
Liddell wants to clinch up but Icarus keeps it at a distance.
Icarus connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Nice defenses there by Icarus.
Liddell moves out of range of the body kick from Icarus.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Icarus throws an off balance right hand
and Liddell makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Icarus really felt that one!
Icarus throws a series of punches but Liddell moves out of range.
Icarus takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Liddell shoots in for a takedown but Icarus shows good takedown defense.
Icarus swats away the attempt to clinch by Liddell.
Liddell tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Icarus defends well and Liddell ends up having to push Icarus into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Liddell tries to pull guard but Icarus holds him up against the cage and eventually Liddell drops back down to his feet.
Liddell tries to pull guard but Icarus won't allow it.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Liddell as Icarus tries to tie him up.
Icarus tries to land knees in the clinch but Liddell avoids the damage to the body.
Liddell jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Icarus walks away with a smile on his face. Liddell gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Icarus looks to throw the jab but Liddell is out of range.
Liddell scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liddell doesn't manage to clinch there - Icarus circles away.
Liddell closes the distance and clinches up with Icarus, looking for a takedown. Liddell pushes Icarus against the cage but Icarus circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Liddell gets a clinch.
Liddell tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Icarus just stands there and leans against the cage.
Icarus softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Icarus lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Icarus tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Liddell avoids it.
Icarus pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Liddell fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Icarus tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Icarus throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Liddell blocks it with crossed arms.
Icarus throws a knee to the head but misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Icarus throws an elbow that misses.
Icarus scores with a shoulder strike.
Liddell swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nice elbow from Icarus.

And that's the end of the fight!
Laz Icarus comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Icarus has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Laz Icarus!
Laz Icarus took to the mic in his post fight interview and said 'Ouch. Great victory for me and my team. I really do love it here. See u at afterparty!'.