PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dan Liddell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Junior (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Liddell comes to the cage accompanied by George Straits- The Fireman. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Liddell
vs
Junior

190 cm
20
215 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

190 cm
24
209 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Monster MMA

Malicious Intent Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dan Liddell!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thiago Junior!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Alan Glass and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Junior gets a takedown into half guard.
Liddell pushes Junior off looking to stand but Junior dives back in and keeps control.

Junior is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Liddell is concentrating on defense, preventing Junior from advancing position.
Liddell trying to control but Junior postures up.
Liddell has his hands clasped together around Junior's back. He's all about the action.

Junior wants to work for an arm triangle but Liddell is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Junior prevents Liddell from improving his position.
Liddell tries to kick Junior off but Junior keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Junior shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Liddell but Liddell pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Junior avoids the body shot from Liddell.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Junior has a takedown stuffed.
Junior shoots in but Liddell avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Dan Liddell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thiago Junior.
Liddell throws a series of punches but Junior avoids them all with ease.
Junior shoots for a takedown but Liddell saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Junior tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Junior looks gassed!
Liddell's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Liddell duly obliges.

It looks like Thiago Junior has been cut.
Liddell connects with a high kick.
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!
Liddell scoring well with a low kick there.
Liddell ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nice cross by Liddell.
Liddell scores with a push kick.
Liddell digs a good body shot into Junior's ribs.
Liddell throws a big overhand right that connects, sending Junior tumbling to the canvas!

Junior is rocked!

That has opened up Thiago Junior's cut even more.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Liddell is stalling in the full guard.
Junior is still in real trouble! Can Liddell finish him?
Junior can't keep his opponent in guard - Liddell advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Junior seems to have recovered his senses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liddell controlling the action here.

Liddell decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Liddell lands a jab to Junior's midsection.
Liddell throws a right and a left that Junior avoids nicely.
Liddell with a nice cross.
Junior fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Liddell moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Nice uppercut there from Liddell.

The cut above Thiago Junior's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Junior takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Junior walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nice shot by Liddell.
Liddell misses with a kick to the body.
Liddell lands an uppercut out of nowhere! Junior falls backwards - clearly groggy! Liddell dives in and finishes the fight with more strikes for a TKO finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:18 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Dan Liddell!
Dan Liddell retains his light heavyweight title!