PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Stephen Halliday (ranked 2814 p4p, 334 weight class) and Fjogren Morninglord (ranked 3879 p4p, 416 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Halliday
vs
Morninglord

194 cm
20
215 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

188 cm
20
210 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Stephen Halliday!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Fjogren Morninglord!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Bruno Lombardi and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Morninglord throws a series of punches but Halliday avoids them all with ease.
Morninglord throws a head kick that misses
and Halliday counters with a thumping low kick.
Halliday's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Halliday duly obliges.
Halliday throws a right hand that Morninglord ducks under and follows up with a left that Morninglord also avoids with ease.
Morninglord throws a counter combo.
No joy there for Halliday, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Halliday pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Halliday on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Morninglord moves out of range of the body kick from Halliday.
Halliday lands a jab to Morninglord's midsection.
Halliday blocks a head kick by Morninglord.
Halliday tries a head kick but it misses.
A big right from Morninglord misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Halliday clinches up against the cage.
A short left from Halliday.
Halliday lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Morninglord wants to break the clinch but can't.
Halliday is pushing Morninglord up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halliday effectively controlling the action here.
Halliday gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Morninglord is looking to break free of the clinch but Halliday has double underhooks.
Morninglord is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Morninglord escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fjogren Morninglord seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Morninglord missing with a left hand there. Halliday was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
We've been told by Halliday's head coaches at The Forge that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Halliday showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Morninglord.
Morninglord throws a jab but it's blocked by Halliday.

Halliday forces Morninglord back against the cage and clinches.
Halliday with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Morninglord takes a knee right on the jaw!
Halliday softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morninglord on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Halliday lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Halliday's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Morninglord is trying to stall.
Morninglord tries to pull guard but Halliday won't allow it.
Morninglord takes a knee right on the jaw!
Morninglord has had enough of the clinch but Halliday keeps him there for the moment.

Morninglord manages to break the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Halliday dodges the punch combination from Morninglord.
Morninglord scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Morninglord tries to keep at a distance but Halliday has taken the fight into the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Halliday.
Halliday throws an elbow that misses.
Halliday pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Halliday keeps control of Morninglord as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Halliday lands a nice knee to the body.
Halliday lands a left hand that snaps the head of Morninglord backwards.
Morninglord fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Morninglord wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Halliday obliges.
Halliday will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Morninglord up against the cage.
Morninglord misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Morninglord's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Halliday has Morninglord pushed against the cage.
Morninglord can't break the clinch.
Halliday connects with a knee to the head.
The referee is keeping an eye on Halliday - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
With the fighters up against the cage, Halliday throws an elbow but misses.
Halliday is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Halliday lands a right hand that snaps the head of Morninglord backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Morninglord breaks from the clinch.

Halliday gets a clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Halliday.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stephen Halliday dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Morninglord misses with a double jab
and Halliday counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Morninglord thinking.
Morninglord throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Morninglord throws a right and a left that both miss.
Halliday takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Halliday fails with an attempt to clinch.

Halliday moves into the clinch.
Halliday scores with a shoulder strike.
Morninglord leaning his opponent against the cage.
Halliday blocks a punch to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Halliday lands an uppercut.
Halliday has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Halliday takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Halliday keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Morninglord's efforts to push away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halliday comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Halliday holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Morninglord working hard to break the clinch.
Halliday is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Morninglord can do to turn this around?
Halliday with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Halliday has Morninglord pressed against the cage, preventing Morninglord from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Halliday is pushing Morninglord up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Halliday misses with a knee strike.
Halliday just leaning against Morninglord, taking a breather.
Halliday stalling.
Halliday taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morninglord wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Halliday has him pressed against the cage.

Morninglord breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Stephen Halliday is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Halliday is looking to clinch but Morninglord is avoiding it.
Halliday throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Morninglord thuds his right hand into Halliday's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

It looks like Stephen Halliday has been cut.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Halliday. Morninglord shrugs it off though.
Stephen Halliday is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Morninglord throws a nice looking combination but Halliday bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
It looked like Halliday wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

Halliday clinches.
Halliday taking a breather.
Morninglord blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Halliday.
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!
Morninglord prevents a body shot from Halliday.
Halliday lands a body shot in the clinch.
Halliday lands an elbow just above Morninglord 's eye.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halliday will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Morninglord up against the cage.
Knees to the body from Halliday.
Halliday looking to throw knees to the head but Morninglord is blocking nicely.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Halliday.
Morninglord is trying to break the clinch but Halliday has him pressed against the cage.
Halliday effectively controlling the action here.
Morninglord is trying to break free.
Halliday is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Halliday goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Halliday avoiding damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Halliday scores with a nice hook to the head.
Halliday effectively controlling the action here.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Stephen Halliday.
A head kick misses from Morninglord.
Morninglord goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Morninglord throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Halliday lets loose with a powerful body kick. Morninglord will feel that in the morning.
Morninglord throws a right hand that Halliday ducks under and follows up with a left that Halliday also avoids with ease.
Halliday is looking to counter with a body kick.
A head kick from Halliday lands but Morninglord takes it in his stride.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Halliday lands a nice looking body kick.
Halliday keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Morninglord is breathing heavily.
Morninglord throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Halliday swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Halliday tries to move into range but Morninglord moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Morninglord throws a hook to the side of Halliday's head but Halliday sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stephen Halliday dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Stephen Halliday's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Halliday tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Morninglord manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
As Halliday backs off Morninglord throws a huge counter combo but Halliday manages to avoid it all.
Morninglord tries for a takedown but Halliday sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Halliday throws a head kick but Morninglord moves out of range.
Halliday looks to land a combination but Morninglord avoids it well.
Morninglord lands a two punch combo.
Morninglord takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Halliday.
Morninglord shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Halliday eats them both and turns towards Morninglord to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Morninglord swings for the body but Halliday moves out of range.

Morninglord gets tackled into the cage by Halliday. Halliday maintains the clinch.
Nice elbow from Halliday.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Morninglord breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Halliday misses with a jab, cross combination.
Morninglord looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Halliday lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Morninglord takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Morninglord takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morninglord lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Morninglord gets tackled into the cage by Halliday. Halliday maintains the clinch.
Halliday stalling.
A bit of stalling here from Halliday.
Halliday has Morninglord pressed against the cage.
Halliday stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Halliday lands with a right to the head.
Halliday lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Halliday keeps control of Morninglord as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Morninglord has had enough of the clinch but Halliday keeps him there for the moment.
Halliday lands with a light punch inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Halliday stalling the fight.
Halliday is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Stephen Halliday.
Morninglord swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Halliday fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Morninglord lands with a shot to the body.
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!
Morninglord goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Halliday connects with a high kick.
Morninglord lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Halliday backs up against the cage.
Morninglord throws a body punch but Halliday moves out of range.
Morninglord falls off balance throwing a combination
and Halliday counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Left hook, right uppercut from Halliday.

Halliday forces Morninglord back against the cage and clinches.
Halliday lands a body punch in the clinch.
Halliday tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morninglord misses with some punches.
Stephen Halliday has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Halliday scores with a nice hook to the head.

Morninglord breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
No joy there for Halliday, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Halliday avoids a punch combination nicely.
A head kick misses from Halliday.

Halliday gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Halliday keeps control of Morninglord as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Halliday takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Halliday landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Halliday landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Halliday taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morninglord tries to break free but Halliday pushes him back against the cage.
Halliday connects with a knee to the head.
Halliday lands a knee to the head.
Stalling in the clinch from Halliday.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice elbow from Halliday.
Halliday avoiding damage.
Halliday throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Morninglords head.
Halliday scores with a knee to the head.
Halliday throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Fjogren Morninglord has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stephen Halliday is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Halliday scores with a nice hook to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
With the fighters up against the cage, Morninglord throws an elbow but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stephen Halliday showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Halliday, 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stephen Halliday!