PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexandr Romanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chuck Liddell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Liddell comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Ice Cold kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Romanov
vs
Liddell

187 cm
30
212 lbs
24 - 6 - 0

190 cm
34
220 lbs
19 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Bloodlust Horde Fightwear

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 24 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alexandr Romanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Chuck Liddell!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Daniel Bishop and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Romanov throws the kick towards the body but Liddell avoids it.
Liddell tries to clinch but Romanov is having none of it.
Romanov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Liddell.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Good body shot from Liddell.
Liddell is trying to pull guard but Romanov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Liddell fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Romanov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Liddell tries to pull guard but Romanov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Alexandr Romanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chuck Liddell.

Romanov breaks the clinch.

Liddell closes the distance and pushes Romanov back into the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Romanov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Romanov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Liddell tries to clinch up but Romanov circles away and keeps his distance.
Liddell blocks a head kick by Romanov.
Romanov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Liddell looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romanov throws a series of punches but Liddell avoids them all with ease.
Liddell has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Romanov is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Liddell fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Liddell is looking to clinch but Romanov is avoiding it.
Romanov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Liddell throws a jab when Romanov was well out of range.
Romanov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Liddell goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Nice defenses there by Liddell.
Romanov lands a head kick. Liddell smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Liddell moves out of range of the body kick.
Liddell moves in looking to clinch but Romanov pushes him off.
Liddell is looking to clinch.
Liddell moves in looking to clinch but Romanov pushes him off.
A clash of legs there as Liddell blocks the low kick.
Liddell doesn't manage to clinch there - Romanov circles away.
Nice takedown defense from Romanov. No joy for Liddell on that attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liddell shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Romanov but Romanov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Liddell misses with a takedown attempt - Romanov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Liddell looks to clinch
and Romanov counters with a nice uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Liddell clinches up with Romanov and pushes him back against the cage.

Romanov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Liddell tries to clinch but Romanov is having none of it.
Liddell wants to clinch up but Romanov keeps it at a distance.
Liddell is trying hard to land a takedown here. Romanov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Liddell tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Romanov. Liddell shrugs it off though.
Romanov keeps Liddell at a distance using the push kick.
Liddell shoots for a takedown but Romanov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A chopping leg kick lands by Romanov.
Romanov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Liddell looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Romanov is fending him off so far but Liddell persists. Nope, Romanov circles away and we're back to standing.
Liddell looks winded!
Liddell fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liddell steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Romanov.
Liddell is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Liddell tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Romanov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A jab from Romanov misses.
No luck for Liddell with that takedown attempt.
Romanov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Liddell uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Romanov.
The crowd cheers as Romanov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Liddell doesn't seem phased though.
Romanov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Liddell.
Liddell wants to clinch up but Romanov keeps it at a distance.
Romanov misses with a head kick.
Romanov swats away the attempt to clinch by Liddell.
Romanov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Liddell moves out of range of the body kick.
Liddell avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Liddell.
Romanov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Liddell fails in his attempt to clinch.
Alexandr Romanov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Liddell is looking to clinch but Romanov is avoiding it.
No luck for Liddell with that takedown attempt.
Romanov looks to land a combination but Liddell avoids it well.
Liddell tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Romanov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Liddell tries to clinch but Romanov moves away
and Romanov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Romanov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Liddell has Romanov up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Liddell tries to pull guard but Romanov won't allow it.
Romanov tries to break the clinch but Liddell is controlling the position.

Romanov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
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 Alexandr Romanov will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Romanov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Liddell fails in his attempt to clinch.
Romanov misses with a two punch combination.
Liddell tries for a takedown but Romanov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Liddell tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Romanov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Liddell is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Alexandr Romanov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Romanov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Liddell tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Liddell is looking to clinch.
Romanov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Romanov. Liddell shrugs it off though.
Romanov throws a sloppy head kick and Liddell moves out of range easily.
Romanov throws a hook to the side of Liddell's head but Liddell sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Liddell tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Romanov throws a sloppy head kick and Liddell moves out of range easily.
Liddell dives in for a single leg takedown but Romanov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liddell fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Alexandr Romanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chuck Liddell.
Liddell tries to pull guard but Romanov 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 Romanov walks away with a smile on his face. Liddell gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Liddell fails to land the takedown.
Liddell moves in looking to clinch but Romanov pushes him off.

Liddell gets a clinch.

Romanov manages to break the clinch.
Romanov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Liddell misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
No joy there for Romanov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Alexandr Romanov is winning the standup battle so far.
Liddell tries to close the distance and clinch up but Romanov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Romanov scores with a one two! Liddell had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Liddell.
Romanov lands a nice looking kick to the body. Liddell takes a step back to recover.
Liddell is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romanov swats away the attempt to clinch by Liddell.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Romanov scores with a head kick. Liddell tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Liddell tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Liddell is trying desperately to land a takedown but Romanov is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Liddell.

Liddell scores with a takedown into Romanov's guard.
Liddell trying to control but Romanov is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liddell won't allow Romanov to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Liddell wants to pass the guard but Romanov is keeping the position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Chuck Liddell hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Liddell fails to land the takedown.
Romanov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Romanov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Romanov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Liddell moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
No joy there for Romanov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Liddell is looking to clinch but Romanov is avoiding it.
Liddell darts in trying to clinch
and Romanov counters with a one-two to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liddell avoids the head kick by Romanov.
Romanov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Romanov throws a series of punches but Liddell moves out of range.
Romanov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Liddell is trying hard to land a takedown here. Romanov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Romanov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Liddell.
Romanov is looking to land body kicks.
Romanov keeps the fight on the outside.
Romanov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Romanov misses with a few strikes there.
Liddell misses with a takedown attempt - Romanov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Romanov swats away the attempt to clinch by Liddell.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Liddell shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Romanov but Romanov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Romanov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexandr Romanov dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Romanov lands with an overhand left.
Liddell is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Liddell moves in looking to clinch but Romanov pushes him off.
Romanov feints a jab promting Liddell to slip. Romanov then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Liddell slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Romanov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Liddell is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Liddell tries to close the distance and clinch but Romanov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Romanov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Liddell walks into a straight right hand from Romanov.
Romanov lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Liddell tries to score a power double leg takedown but Romanov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Liddell somewhat.
Romanov throws a combination. Liddell tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romanov misses with a low kick.
Romanov leaves Liddell with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Liddell fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Romanov, pushing him back against the cage.
Liddell tries to pull guard but Romanov holds him up against the cage and eventually Liddell drops back down to his feet.
Alexandr Romanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chuck Liddell.
Liddell misses with a punch on the inside.
Liddell tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Romanov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Romanov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Liddell jumps into guard, dragging Romanov to the mat.
Romanov postures up.

Romanov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Liddell takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Liddell is looking to stand up but Romanov isn't so interested in that idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Liddell has his foot on Romanov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Romanov works his way back into a safe position though.
Romanov 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.

Liddell throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Liddell is trying to keep Romanov in close.
Chuck Liddell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Romanov stands up from Liddell's guard - Romanov perhaps looking for a knockout.

Liddell gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Liddell lands with a light punch inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Romanov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Romanov breaks from the clinch.

Liddell moves into the clinch.
Liddell is trying to pull guard but Romanov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Liddell misses with a punch on the inside.

Romanov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Liddell tries to clinch up.
Liddell tries to clinch but Romanov is having none of it.
Liddell blocks a head kick by Romanov.
Liddell shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Liddell thows a left - swing and a miss!
Liddell shoots in and drives through. Romanov sprawls well.
Liddell wants to clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Romanov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Alexandr Romanov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Romanov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Alexandr Romanov.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Romanov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexandr Romanov!
A relieved looking Alexandr Romanov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.