PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ba Lil III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tad Ghostal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ghostal has chosen Good King Wenceslas as his entrance music. Tad Ghostal told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Lil III
vs
Ghostal

180 cm
32
160 lbs
20 - 8 - 1

183 cm
36
145 lbs
32 - 17 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Ba Lil III!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tad Ghostal!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Donatello Bradman and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lil III throws the left hand but Ghostal avoids the punch easily.
Lil III scoring well with a low kick there.
Ghostal cracks Lil III with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
Ghostal takes a swing at Lil III's ribcage but misses.
Ghostal lets loose with a powerful body kick. Lil III will feel that in the morning.
Ghostal is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Decent striking displayed by Lil III there.
Nice straight punches there by Lil III. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Lil III.
Ghostal throws the kick towards the body but Lil III avoids it.
Lil III has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Beast II in the buildup to the fight.
Ghostal throws a shot from downtown. Lil III moves away and avoids it.
Ghostal throws a lazy right hand but Lil III sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Lil III tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Ghostal is able to avoid easily.
Ghostal on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Ghostal ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lil III moves away.
Lil III tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Ghostal is able to avoid easily.
Lil III just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lil III connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Lil III scores with a nice strike.
An inside leg kick lands from Lil III.
Ghostal goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Lil III throws an off balance right hand
and Ghostal counters with a low kick, right behind Lil III 's knee.
Ghostal lands a slapping body shot.
Lil III slips a straight right by Ghostal.
Ghostal uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lil III.
Lil III blocks a low kick nicely.
Ghostal looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ghostal scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Lil III throws a looping overhand right but Ghostal ducks down to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lil III pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ghostal moves out of range of the leg kick from Lil III.
Ghostal staying out of range there.
Ghostal is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Lil III throws an off balance right hand
letting Ghostal counter with a right hand.
Ghostal takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ghostal looks to land a body kick but Lil III moved away.
Lil III scores with a hook to the body. Ghostal takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ghostal motions for Lil III to come forward. Ghostal throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Lil III jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ghostal. Lil III does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lil III takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Ghostal missing with a left hand there. Lil III was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal misses with a right hand

and Lil III counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Lil III.
Ghostal trying to keep a closed guard but Lil III is proving a slippery customer.
Lil III is in close to Ghostal's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Lil III wants to control from the top but Ghostal keeps moving.
Lil III missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ghostal preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ghostal is trying to control the position but Lil III postures up.
Lil III trying to control the position from guard on top but Ghostal is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Lil III ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ghostal moves away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lil III darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Lil III with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ghostal throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lil III sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ghostal throws a sloppy head kick

and Lil III counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Ghostal looking to control.
Lil III sitting in guard here, content to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lil III postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Lil III pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ghostal is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ba Lil III dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Lil III punishes Ghostal's body with a nice straight punch.
Lil III walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ghostal checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Lil III misses with a hook.
A jab from Ghostal does it's job there.
Lil III cracks Ghostal with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Lil III buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ghostal drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Nice straight punches there by Lil III. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Lil III.
Ghostal throws a head kick that misses.
Ghostal lands a nice shot that snaps Lil III's head back.
Lil III shoots in but no luck this time.
Lil III misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lil III moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Lil III throws a jab when Ghostal was well out of range.
Ghostal dips to his left and cracks Lil III with an uppercut!
Lil III throws a leg kick but Ghostal sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ghostal staying out of range there.
Ghostal slaps away a takedown attempt from Lil III, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Tad Ghostal is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lil III feints and then cracks Ghostal's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ghostal down.
Ghostal throws a low kick but Lil III moves out of range easily.
Ghostal bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ghostal throws a leg kick but Lil III checks it.
Donk. Lil III catches Ghostal right on the button with a cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lil III moves away.
Lil III scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Lil III checks a leg kick.
Ghostal lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Lil III throws a hook to the side of Ghostal's head but Ghostal sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ghostal on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Ghostal takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ghostal lands with a right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lil III throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ghostal misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lil III.
Ghostal misses with an uppercut.
Lil III misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lil III decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Ghostal is looking to control Lil III's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ghostal avoid being mounted?
Lil III is looking to pass Ghostal's guard but actually Ghostal recovers to full guard.

Lil III has gone for a leg lock! Ghostal slips out almost immediately though and dives into Lil III's guard.
Ghostal wants to stand but Lil III has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Ghostal is pushing down on Lil III's leg trying to pass to half guard. Lil III is fighting to maintain full guard but Ghostal has managed to sneak the leg through.
Ghostal throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ghostal lands with a punch from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lil III is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ghostal pulls his head out easily.
Lil III is trying to maintain the position but Ghostal is very close to passing his half guard.
Ghostal trying to pass the guard but Lil III defending well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice strikes from Ghostal there.
Lil III taking some punishment here, with Ghostal in his half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lil III wants to improve his position but Ghostal is controlling well.

Lil III actively working from the bottom here.
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 Ba Lil III will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A big right from Lil III misses.
Ghostal doesn't manage to clinch there - Lil III circles away.
Ghostal looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Lil III feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Ghostals jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Ghostal misses with a body shot.
Lil III misses with a leg kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
A good leg kick by Lil III.
Nice uppercut there from Lil III.
Ghostal misses with a body kick.
Lil III tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ghostal was well out of range. Poor timing from Lil III.
A slow jab from Ghostal misses its intended target.
Ghostal throws a leg kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lil III tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ghostal was well out of range. Poor timing from Lil III.
A nice leg kick lands there from Lil III.
Ghostal connects with a body shot that sends Lil III's belly button to the back.
Ghostal tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Lil III paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Lil III.
Lil III fails with a takedown attempt.
Lil III lands with a thumping leg kick.
Lil III checks the leg kick.
Lil III lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal lands a jab to the nose.
Ghostal's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Decent striking displayed by Ghostal there.
Lil III throws a hook to the side of Ghostal's head but Ghostal sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A telegraphed right hand from Ghostal misses the target.
Ghostal connects with a nice looking jab.
Jab from Ghostal.
Ghostal misses the jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Good leg kick by Lil III there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Lil III looks to land a combination. Ghostal sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Ghostal connects with a good right hand that stumbles Lil III. Lil III circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Lil III is looking to chop away at Ghostal's legs.
Lil III looks to land a left hand but Ghostal moved out of range nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Lil III.
Lil III with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Ghostal throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Lil III fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Ghostal keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ghostal lands with a right hand.
Ghostal lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Lil III slips under a jab from Ghostal.
Ghostal throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Lil III misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ghostal.
Lil III just misses with a punch to the body.
Ghostal throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Lil III.
Lil III connects with an inside leg kick.
Ghostal throws a body shot but no joy.
Lil III throws an off balance right hand
and Ghostal counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Ghostal walks into a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
That kick from Ghostal tenderised Lil III's leg. Lil III is trying to keep his angry face on.
Lil III checks the leg kick.
Ghostal tries to score with a low kick but Lil III moves his leg out of the way.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ghostal darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A low kick from Lil III misses
and Ghostal counters with a nice body kick.
Lil III stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ghostal.
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.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A big left from Lil III misses.
Lil III sizes up Ghostal with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Lil III connects with a jab.
Lil III is looking to score with low kicks.
Ghostal throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lil III sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Lil III slips a jab from Ghostal.
Lil III is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ghostal.
Lil III will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Lil III motions for Ghostal to come forward. Lil III throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ghostal throws a poor cross that misses

and Lil III counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Ghostal pulls Lil III in close to his closed guard and prevents Lil III from doing any damage or advancing position.
Lil III stopping the sweep attempt from Ghostal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lil III lands a couple of elbows.
Lil III throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ghostal works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ghostal trying to control the position here.
Lil III working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ghostal's head.
Lil III wants to control from the top but Ghostal keeps moving.
Lil III postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lil III accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ghostal has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Lil III has passed into side control.
Lil III in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
You can see the frustration on Ghostal's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Lil III working the head with strikes.
Lil III trying to control the action but Ghostal is working from the bottom.
Ba Lil III overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lil III is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Ghostal has escaped the position, nice work there.
Lil III misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Ghostal is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Lil III off and has taken his back!
Ghostal controlling well, preventing Lil III from escaping the position.
Lil III looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Ghostal lands shots from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal is hanging on to Lil III's back as he tries to escape.
Ghostal lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Lil III hold on?!
Lil III turns into Ghostal and is now in his guard.
Lil III throwing strikes but missing.
Lil III is looking to work some ground and pound but Ghostal has wrist control.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Lil III throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ghostal utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ghostal is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lil III throws a big elbow that misses.
Ghostal is trying to keep Lil III in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ba Lil III had his way with Tad Ghostal in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Donk. Ghostal catches Lil III right on the button with a cross.
Ghostal thumps Lil III with a low kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Ghostal misses the target.
Lil III throws an overhand right that lands on Ghostal's shoulder, as Ghostal tries to avoid the shot.
Lil III throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ghostal takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Ghostal lands a head kick. Lil III smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
A punch combination from Ghostal misses.
Lil III takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Ghostal throws a combination that misses

and Lil III counters with a takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lil III working the strikes but Ghostal uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lil III not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ghostal won't allow Lil III to pass to mount.
Ghostal wants to control but Lil III is keeping busy.
Ghostal avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Lil III.
Lil III moves into full mount! Ghostal won't be happy about that!
Lil III scoring with strikes but Ghostal is staying in there.
Ghostal is trying desperately to improve position.
Lil III lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Lil III can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ghostal is looking to escape.
Tad Ghostal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal avoids a series of strikes thrown by Lil III.
Ghostal is in all sorts of trouble here.
Lil III unloads with some shots from mount but Ghostal bucks and avoids them well.
Ghostal blocking the ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Lil III jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Ghostal is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Ghostal and Lil III has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Lil III tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Lil III wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ghostal keeps working.
Ghostal manages to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal is trying to get back to full guard.
Lil III throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ghostal wants to control but Lil III is keeping busy.
Lil III trying to control the action but Ghostal is working from the bottom.
Lil III passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Ghostal!
Ba Lil III is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lil III looking to control but Ghostal is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Lil III throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Ghostal because Lil III loaded up on that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ghostal flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Ghostal is desperately trying to improve his position but Lil III has a good base and remains in mount.
Ghostal keeps trying to improve his position.
Ghostal is squirming around, avoiding Lil III's attempts to control the action.
Lil III with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Lil III looking to control but Ghostal is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Lil III 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.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ba Lil III showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Lil III has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 49:46
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 49:46
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ba Lil III!
Ba Lil III retains his featherweight title!
Ba Lil III decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.