PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Chuck Liddell (ranked 6714 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jason Borne (ranked 6822 p4p, 0 weight class). Jason Borne acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Liddell
vs
Borne

225 cm
18
135 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

150 cm
18
130 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Chuck Liddell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jason Borne!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Roger Salmon and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Liddell tries to clinch but Borne moves out of range.
Liddell tries to clinch but Borne moves out of range.
Borne shoots for a takedown but Liddell saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Borne lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Liddell backs up against the cage.
Liddell defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Borne.

Borne fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Liddell, pushing him back against the cage.

Liddell breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Borne circles away from the clinch attempt.
Borne should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Borne misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Chuck Liddell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jason Borne.

Liddell closes the distance and pushes Borne back into the cage.
Borne stalling the fight.
Liddell stalling in the clinch but Borne improves position.

Liddell manages to break the clinch.
Liddell slaps away a takedown attempt from Borne, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Borne looks for a takedown but Liddell sprawls well.

Liddell closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Liddell throws an elbow but misses.

Liddell's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Liddell takes the fight into the clinch.

Liddell escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Liddell stuffs the takedown attempt from Borne. Borne gets slowly back to his feet.

Liddell rushes Borne and presses him up against the cage.
Borne tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Liddell breaks from the clinch.
Borne keeps the fight on the outside.
And Borne tries to counter it with a takedown but Liddell pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Liddell tries to clinch up but Borne circles away and keeps his distance.
Liddell looks to clinch
and Borne counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Borne throws a wild body kick that Liddell sees coming a mile off.
Liddell fails with an attempt to clinch.
Liddell is looking to clinch but Borne is avoiding it.
Borne keeps the fight on the outside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liddell tries to clinch but Borne is having none of it.
Liddell wants to clinch.
Liddell fails in his attempt to clinch.
Liddell fails in his attempt to clinch.
Liddell tries to close the distance and clinch but Borne swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Liddell is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Liddell moves in looking to clinch but Borne pushes him off.
Borne swats away the attempt to clinch by Liddell.

Liddell has taken the fight to the clinch.
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 manages to break the clinch.
Borne shoots in but Liddell avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liddell wants to clinch up but Borne keeps it at a distance.

Liddell forces Borne back against the cage and clinches.

Liddell breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Liddell wants to clinch.
Liddell fails with an attempt to clinch.
Chuck Liddell is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Borne closes the distance and clinches up with Liddell, looking for a takedown. Borne pushes Liddell against the cage but Liddell circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Liddell wants to clinch.
Borne shoots in for a takedown but Liddell shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Liddell tries to clinch up but Borne circles away and keeps his distance.
Liddell tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Borne makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Borne swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Liddell tries to clinch but Borne moves out of range.
Borne fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Liddell is out of range.
Liddell swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Liddell tries to close the distance and clinch but Borne swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Chuck Liddell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liddell tries to clinch but Borne moves out of range.
Liddell closes the distance but Borne moves to the side

so Borne counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Borne looks winded!

Borne thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Liddell knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Borne on the ground.
Liddell is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Liddell is looking to stand up but Borne isn't so interested in that idea.
Liddell is trying to keep Borne in close.

Liddell throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
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 Chuck Liddell will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Borne swats away the attempt to clinch by Liddell.
Borne shoots in but Liddell avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Liddell is looking to clinch.
Liddell wants to clinch up but Borne keeps it at a distance.
Liddell tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Borne manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Liddell tries to clinch but Borne is having none of it.
Borne lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Liddell moves in looking to clinch but Borne pushes him off.
Borne shoots in but no luck this time.
Liddell tries to clinch up but Borne circles away and keeps his distance.
Liddell moves in looking to clinch but Borne pushes him off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Borne finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Liddell appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Chuck Liddell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Liddell is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Liddell tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Borne paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Liddell stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Liddell wants it to stay on the feet.
Chuck Liddell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jason Borne.
The fight stays on the outside here - Liddell looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Borne tries to counter by closing the distance.
Jason Borne seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liddell doesn't manage to clinch there - Borne circles away.
Borne shoots in and drives through. Liddell sprawls well.
Liddell tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Liddell fails with an attempt to clinch.
Liddell sets himself, and Borne steps forward looking for the clinch! Liddell avoids it this time.
Borne avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Liddell is looking to clinch.
Borne lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Borne shoots in for a takedown but Liddell shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Borne is breathing heavily.
Borne closes the distance and clinches up with Liddell, looking for a takedown. Borne pushes Liddell against the cage but Liddell circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Liddell is looking to clinch but Borne is avoiding it.

Liddell closes the distance and clinches.
Liddell lands a right hand.

Liddell breaks the clinch.
Liddell tries to clinch but Borne is having none of it.
Borne unleashes a big counter combination but Liddell bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

Liddell clinches up against the cage.
Liddell with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Borne is trying to pull guard but Liddell has him pressed against the cage.

Borne escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liddell wants to clinch up but Borne keeps it at a distance.
Liddell tries to close the distance and clinch but Borne swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Liddell tries to close the distance and clinch up but Borne swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Borne swats away the attempt to clinch by Liddell.
Liddell doesn't manage to clinch there - Borne circles away.
And Borne responds with a good body kick, but Liddell manages to step out the way in time.
Liddell tries to clinch there but Borne circles away.
Borne throws a shot from downtown. Liddell moves away and avoids it.
Borne keeps the fight on the outside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Liddell is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Liddell tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Borne paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Borne tries a quick counter leg kick but Liddell is wise to it.
Liddell tries to clinch there but Borne circles away.
Liddell tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Borne throws a nice looking combination but Liddell bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Liddell clinches with his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Borne jumps guard but Liddell stands there with Borne around his waist. Borne gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Liddell's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Liddell is looking to clinch but Borne is avoiding it.
Borne shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Liddell as he avoids it easily.
Liddell wants to clinch up but Borne keeps it at a distance.
Borne lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Liddell has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Liddell fails in his attempt to clinch.
Borne changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Liddell closes the distance and pushes Borne back into the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Liddell throws an elbow but misses.
Liddell is struggling to control the position.
Liddell leaning his opponent against the cage.

Borne breaks from the clinch.
Borne keeps the fight on the outside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Liddell has taken the fight to the clinch.
Liddell leaning his opponent against the cage.

Liddell escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Liddell tries to clinch there but Borne circles away.
Liddell tries to clinch but Borne moves out of range.
Borne swats away the attempt to clinch by Liddell.
Borne shoots in for a takedown but Liddell shows good takedown defense.
Liddell wants to clinch.
Borne keeps the fight on the outside.
Borne is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Borne forces Liddell back against the cage and clinches.

Borne manages to pull guard.
Liddell is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jason Borne will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Borne tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Liddell manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Liddell moves in looking to clinch but Borne pushes him off.
Liddell tries to clinch up but Borne circles away and keeps his distance.
Liddell tries to clinch there but Borne circles away.

Liddell gets tackled into the cage by Borne. Borne maintains the clinch.
Borne can't get the takedown.
Borne can't get the takedown.

Liddell breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Liddell doesn't manage to clinch there - Borne circles away.
Borne avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Borne throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Liddell wants to clinch.
Liddell really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Liddell wants to clinch up but Borne keeps it at a distance.
Liddell tries to clinch up.
Borne circles away from the clinch attempt.
Borne swats away the attempt to clinch by Liddell.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liddell is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Borne fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Liddell avoids it really well and circles away.
Chuck Liddell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jason Borne.
Borne takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Liddell tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Borne manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Liddell tries to clinch but Borne moves out of range.

Liddell closes the distance and pushes Borne back into the cage.

Borne drags the fight down to the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Liddell slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Liddell trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Liddell will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Borne keeping moving, preventing Liddell from controlling successfully.
Borne thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Borne has his hands on Liddell's head, controlling the position.
Borne can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Liddell controls the pace.
Borne is trying to control the position but Liddell postures up.
Borne seems keen to control Liddell's posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Liddell looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Borne avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Liddell wants to clinch.
Liddell is looking to clinch but Borne is avoiding it.
Borne throws a counter combo.
Borne circles away from the clinch attempt.
Liddell moves to clinch but Borne breaks away
and Borne counters with a series of strikes. Liddell will be more careful next time no doubt.
Borne tries for a takedown but Liddell sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Liddell fails with an attempt to clinch.
Borne is looking for the big counter here.
Liddell doesn't manage to clinch there - Borne circles away.
Liddell moves in looking to clinch but Borne pushes him off.
Borne shoots in and drives through. Liddell sprawls well.
Liddell tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Borne swats away the attempt to clinch by Liddell.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Borne throws a sloppy head kick and Liddell moves out of range easily.
Borne circles away from the clinch attempt.
Borne pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Liddell tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Borne paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Liddell moves in looking to clinch but Borne pushes him off.
Borne swats away the attempt to clinch by Liddell.
Liddell wants to clinch.

Liddell fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Borne, pushing him back against the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Liddell misses with an elbow strike.
Liddell lands a right hand that snaps the head of Borne backwards.
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!
Borne tries to break the clinch but Liddell is controlling the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jason Borne comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Borne 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 Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 28:30
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Jason Borne!