PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nick Cave (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexi Lihakovich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nick Cave could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Alexi Lihakovich's chin.

Cave
vs
Lihakovich

184 cm
29
220 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

190 cm
26
226 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Good gas tank

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 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Nick Cave!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alexi Lihakovich!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Donatello Bradman and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lihakovich fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lihakovich tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Lihakovich moves into range and clinches up with Cave.
Lihakovich using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cave has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Cave escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lihakovich throws a lazy head kick
and Cave counters with a series of strikes. Lihakovich will be more careful next time no doubt.
Cave connects with a right hand. Lihakovich shakes it off.
Lihakovich throws a jab when Cave was well out of range.
Lihakovich misses with a lunging right hand
and Cave counters with a body kick.
Lihakovich misses with a wild body shot.
Cave throws a nice inside leg kick.
Lihakovich's coach down at Great Bash Heel was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Lihakovich's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Lihakovich throws a jab but it's blocked by Cave.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cave avoids the head kick by Lihakovich.
Cave lands a head shot.
Cave lands a nice looking body kick.

Cave fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lihakovich, pushing him back against the cage.
Cave with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Cave pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cave scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Lihakovich misses with a right hand
and Cave counters with a nice body shot.
Cave ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Cave swats away the attempt to clinch by Lihakovich.
Cave scores with the left hand. Lihakovich knows he should have avoided that one.
Cave lands a right hook to the body.
Lihakovich pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Alexi Lihakovich seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lihakovich tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lihakovich moves out of range as Cave throws a body kick.
Cave steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lihakovich.
Lihakovich throws a head kick but Cave moves out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for Cave.
A head kick misses from Lihakovich.
Cave lands a glancing blow to the side of Lihakovich's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lihakovich throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lihakovich takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Cave swats away the attempt to clinch by Lihakovich.
Lihakovich moves to clinch but Cave breaks away
and Cave counters with a solid body kick.

Lihakovich clinches up with Cave and pushes him back against the cage.

Cave breaks from the clinch.
Lihakovich misses with a head kick.
Cave throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lihakovich uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cave.
Lihakovich tries to clinch there but Cave circles away.
Lihakovich gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Cave counters with a leg kick.
Cave is looking to clinch but Lihakovich is avoiding it.
Lihakovich takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Lihakovich misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A big left from Lihakovich misses.
Cave is looking to wear down Lihakovich with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lihakovich throws a sloppy head kick
and Cave counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Lihakovich looks winded!
Cave's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Cave duly obliges.
Cave takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Cave moves out of range as Lihakovich throws a body kick.
Cave lands with a slapping head kick.

Lihakovich is rocked!
Lihakovich pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lihakovich chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Cave can pounce on him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lihakovich throws a sloppy head kick
and Cave counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Lihakovich misses with a hook.

Cave forces Lihakovich back against the cage and clinches.
Cave gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Cave misses with a knee to the head.
A bit of stalling here from Cave.
Cave blocks an elbow strike from Lihakovich.
Lihakovich throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lihakovich's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lihakovich swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Cave gets a clinch.
Lihakovich landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Lihakovich throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Cave on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A shot in the inside from Cave.
Cave trying to stall but Lihakovich improves his position.
Lihakovich looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Lihakovich manages to break the clinch.
Lihakovich lands a head kick!

It looks like Nick Cave has been cut.
Lihakovich misses the jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lihakovich wants to clinch but Cave slips to the side
and Cave counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Lihakovich thinking.

Cave fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lihakovich, pushing him back against the cage.
Lihakovich misses with an elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Cave dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nick Cave's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Lihakovich misses with a head kick.
Lihakovich is looking to clinch.
Lihakovich throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cave sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Lihakovich wants to clinch but Cave slips to the side
letting Cave counter with a right hand.
Lihakovich throws a hook to the side of Cave's head but Cave sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Lihakovich throws a sloppy head kick and Cave moves out of range easily.
Cave throws a right hand that Lihakovich ducks under and follows up with a left that Lihakovich also avoids with ease.
Lihakovich throws a head kick that misses.
Cave stuns Lihakovich with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Lihakovich takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Cave avoids the head kick by Lihakovich.
Cave tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Good leg kick by Cave there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Cave tries to clinch but Lihakovich is having none of it.
Lihakovich takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lihakovich is looking to clinch but Cave is avoiding it.
Lihakovich throws an off balance right hand
and Cave counters with a one-two to the body.
Cave is looking to clinch.
Cave lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Lihakovich at a distance.
Lihakovich is breathing heavily.
Lihakovich throws a sloppy head kick and Cave moves out of range easily.
Cave moves out of range of the body kick.
Cave throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Lihakovich is still on wobbly legs! Can Cave finish him?
Cave moves out of range of the strikes.
Lihakovich seems to have recovered his senses.
Cave lands a glancing blow to the side of Lihakovich's head.
Cave lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Lihakovich pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Cave has closed the distance and engaged Lihakovich in a clinch.
Cave misses with a knee to the head.
Cave leaning against his opponent.
Cave throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Lihakovich blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lihakovich lands a nice shot to the body.
Cave avoiding damage as Lihakovich throws knees to the body.
Lihakovich takes a shot to the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Lihakovich misses with a knee to the head.
Cave throws an elbow but it misses.
Lihakovich tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Cave lands a right hand that snaps the head of Lihakovich backwards.
Lihakovich lands an elbow inside that Cave shrugs off.
Lihakovich misses with a knee strike.
Cave using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Lihakovich has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Alexi Lihakovich seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Cave scores with a knee to the head.
Cave lands an elbow inside.
Cave scores a nice knee to the body.

Cave breaks from the clinch.
Lihakovich lands a head kick!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cave misses with a head kick.
Lihakovich is looking to clinch but Cave is avoiding it.
Cave tries to clinch but Lihakovich is having none of it.

Cave closes the distance and pushes Lihakovich back into the cage.
Lihakovich working Cave over with knees to the body.
Cave gets through Lihakovich's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Cave goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The referee calls for Cave to work.

Cave breaks from the clinch.
It looks like Cave has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Cave tries a head kick but it misses.
Lihakovich throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lihakovich connects with a right hand. Cave shakes it off.
Lihakovich has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Lihakovich there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Lihakovich has managed to clinch.
Lihakovich is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Lihakovich misses with the head strike.
Cave missing with knees to the body.
Cave blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cave.
Lihakovich working aggressively here.
Lihakovich throws a knee to the head but misses.
Knees in the clinch landing for Cave.
Cave just leaning against Lihakovich, taking a breather.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Cave just misses with a elbow thrown towards Lihakovich's brow.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lihakovich tries a knee to the head but Cave blocks it.
Cave using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Lihakovich has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lihakovich lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cave backwards.
Cave tries to land a knee to the head but Lihakovich blocks with his arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Cave dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Nick Cave's cut.
That's time! Cave's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Cave lands with a kick to the temple. Lihakovich shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Lihakovich tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cave swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cave misses with a few strikes there.
Cave falls off balance throwing a combination
and Lihakovich makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Lihakovich tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lihakovich tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cave paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Cave avoids the head kick by Lihakovich.
Nick Cave is winning the standup battle so far.
Lihakovich takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Lihakovich pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Cave takes a kick to the side of the head.
Lihakovich takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cave keeps the fight on the outside.
Lihakovich cracks a nice hook into Cave's ribs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lihakovich pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lihakovich moves into range and clinches up with Cave.
Lihakovich looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Lihakovich breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lihakovich swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lihakovich throws a shot from downtown. Cave moves away and avoids it.
A telegraphed right hand from Lihakovich misses the target.
Nick Cave is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lihakovich closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A left lands for Cave.
Lihakovich swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lihakovich swings widly with a right hand
and Cave counters with a body kick.
A slow jab from Lihakovich misses its intended target.
Cave takes a kick to the side of the head.
Cave throws a quick inside leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Cave darts in and clinches Lihakovich up against the cage.
Lihakovich has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Cave.
Lihakovich can't break the clinch.
Alexi Lihakovich has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cave using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Knees to the body from Cave.
Lihakovich wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cave content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Lihakovich tries a knee to the head but Cave blocks it.
Nice elbow from Cave.
Cave is struggling to control the position.
Cave tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Cave throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Lihakovich blocks it with crossed arms.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Lihakovich breaks the clinch.
Lihakovich pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cave scores with a nice strike.
Lihakovich misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cave fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Lihakovich.
Nice body kick there by Cave.
Cave bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lihakovich throws a head kick that misses
and Cave counters with a nice uppercut.
Lihakovich lands with a hook. Cave tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Lihakovich is looking to clinch but Cave is avoiding it.
Lihakovich misses with a kick to the body.

Cave closes the distance and pushes Lihakovich back into the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Lihakovich obliges.
Lihakovich tries to land knees in the clinch but Cave avoids the damage to the body.
Lihakovich trying to control the position but instead, Cave has worked for underhooks and has pushed Lihakovich into the cage.
Lihakovich with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Lihakovich.
Lihakovich tries a knee to the head but Cave blocks it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cave crunches a lovely knee into Lihakovich's ribcage.

Cave breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A slapping leg kick lands for Cave.
Nice body kick there by Lihakovich.
Cave displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Lihakovich throws a head kick but Cave moves out of range.

Cave drives through and clinches with Lihakovich against the cage.
Cave tries a knee to the head but Lihakovich blocks it.
Lihakovich tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Lihakovich breaks the clinch.
Cave tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lihakovich manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lihakovich misses with a head kick.
Nick Cave is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Cave gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

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 Nick Cave.
Well Cave 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Cave!
An intense looking Nick Cave took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: 'julius karneres...lets fight!'.