PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Francesco Liberti (ranked 3971 p4p, 400 weight class) and Kris Kobbler (ranked 24077 p4p, 613 weight class). Kris Kobbler is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Liberti
vs
Kobbler

168 cm
25
156 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

177 cm
23
158 lbs
3 - 5 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Francesco Liberti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 1, fighting out of New York, Kris Kobbler!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Wesley Smith and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Liberti misses with a combination

and Kobbler moves into the clinch.

Kobbler has Liberti pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Kobbler pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Liberti tumbling to the mat - Kobbler dives into Liberti's guard.
Kobbler stays in close to Liberti's body and controls the position.
Kobbler wants to control from the top but Liberti keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Liberti working a defensive guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Liberti wants to stand and escape but Kobbler is having none of it.
Kobbler not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liberti looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kobbler is one step ahead there.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Liberti is trying to keep Kobbler in close.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Liberti drives through and clinches with Kobbler against the cage.
Liberti gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
The referee is keeping an eye on Kobbler - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Liberti missing with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liberti lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kobbler is trying to pull guard but Liberti has him pressed against the cage.
Kobbler avoiding damage as Liberti throws knees to the body.
Kobbler is trying to maintain a safe position but Liberti gets an underhook and turns Kobbler into the cage.
Kobbler is trying to pull guard but Liberti turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Liberti lands a hook to the side of the head.
Liberti stops a takedown attempt from Kobbler.
Francesco Liberti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kris Kobbler.
Liberti lands a nice shot to the body.
Kobbler blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Liberti landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kobbler has Liberti pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Liberti manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kobbler throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kobbler drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Kobbler breaks from the clinch.

Liberti clinches up against the cage.
Liberti landing knees to the head.

It looks like Kris Kobbler has been cut.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Kobbler breaks from the clinch.
Liberti throws a series of punches but Kobbler avoids them all with ease.
Liberti fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Liberti lands a front kick.
A right-left combo lands from Liberti.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liberti tries to clinch up.
Liberti misses with an attempted mid kick.

Liberti closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kobbler is pushing Liberti up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Kobbler jumps guard but Liberti turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Kobbler looking to slow down the pace here.
Nice body punch from Liberti - that landed with a thud.
Liberti tries a knee to the head but Kobbler blocks it.
Liberti connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kobbler's face.
Liberti misses with a body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francesco Liberti dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kris Kobbler's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Liberti tries to clinch but Kobbler moves out of range.
Liberti swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Liberti tries to bum rush Kobbler with a series of wild strikes but Kobbler uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kobbler is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Liberti.
Liberti fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kobbler has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Liberti changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Francesco Liberti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Liberti wants to clinch.
Kobbler on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Liberti. Liberti obviously looking to wear him down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Liberti feints a jab promting Kobbler to slip. Liberti then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Kobbler slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

Kobbler drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Liberti sneaks out the side door and pushes Kobbler away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kobbler misses with a wild body shot.
Francesco Liberti is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kobbler avoids a punch combination nicely.
Liberti tries to clinch but Kobbler moves out of range.

Kobbler closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Kobbler is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Liberti is pressing down on Kobbler's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kobbler landing some decent shots from guard.
Kobbler content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kobbler trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Liberti manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

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!
Kobbler preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Liberti stays in close to Kobbler's body and controls the position.
Liberti works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kobbler trying to control here.
Liberti thows a huge punch but Kobbler dodges it nicely.

Kobbler kicks off Liberti and gets to his feet.
Kobbler chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Liberti can pounce on him.

Liberti tries to keep at a distance but Kobbler has taken the fight into the clinch.

Kobbler breaks the clinch.
Liberti looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kobbler fails with a takedown attempt.
Kobbler shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Kobbler bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kobbler working away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Kobbler is trying to get an arm triangle but Liberti is defending well.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

Kobbler goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Liberti rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Kobbler's guard! Nice work there by Liberti!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francesco Liberti dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Kris Kobbler's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Kobbler gets tackled into the cage by Liberti. Liberti maintains the clinch.
Kobbler on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Liberti missing with knees to the body.
Kobbler wants to take the fight to the mat but Liberti manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Liberti prevents the takedown attempt.

Kobbler breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
An inside leg kick lands from Kobbler.
A nice combination there by Liberti.

Kobbler looking to score a takedown here. Liberti is defending well but Kobbler drives through and ends up in Liberti's guard.

Liberti has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Kobbler off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Liberti misses with a jab, cross combination.
Liberti tries to close the distance and clinch but Kobbler swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Francesco Liberti is winning the standup battle so far.
Liberti tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kobbler paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liberti tries to clinch up.
Liberti throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Liberti throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kobbler is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

Kobbler darts in and clinches Liberti up against the cage.

Kobbler breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Liberti lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Kobbler circles away from the clinch attempt.
Francesco Liberti is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Liberti wants to clinch but Kobbler slips to the side
and Kobbler counters with a one-two to the body.
Liberti tries to bum rush Kobbler with a series of wild strikes but Kobbler uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Liberti's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Liberti duly obliges.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kobbler misses with the combination.
Kobbler tries for a takedown but Liberti sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Francesco Liberti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kris Kobbler.
Kobbler takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kobbler takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Liberti takes the fight into the clinch.
Kobbler tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Liberti just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kobbler tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Liberti just stands there and leans against the cage.
Liberti looking to slow down the pace here.
Kobbler takes a shot to the head.
Liberti lands a shoulder strike.

Kobbler manages to break the clinch.
Kobbler dives in and grabs Liberti's left leg, looking for a takedown. Liberti pushes down on Kobbler's head and hops out.
Liberti tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Kobbler manages to circle out of the way.
A nice combination there by Liberti.
Liberti throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kobbler.

Liberti has managed to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kobbler throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kobbler jumps guard but Liberti turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

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

Kobbler bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Liberti explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

Liberti drives through and clinches with Kobbler against the cage.
Kobbler on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Liberti working Kobbler over with knees 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!
Kobbler jumps guard but Liberti stands there with Kobbler around his waist. Kobbler gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kobbler tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Liberti just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kobbler pressing his opponent against the cage.
Kobbler jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Liberti walks away with a smile on his face. Kobbler gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kobbler tries to land a body kick
and Liberti counters with a series of strikes. Kobbler will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kobbler circles away from the clinch attempt.

Liberti clinches up against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kobbler.
Kobbler jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Liberti walks away with a smile on his face. Kobbler gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Liberti scores with a kick to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Liberti tries to close the distance and clinch but Kobbler swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Francesco Liberti is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Danga de danga de dang - Liberti scores with a four punch combination!
Kris Kobbler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Liberti slips a jab from Kobbler.

And that's the end of the fight!
Francesco Liberti showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Liberti 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Francesco Liberti!
A very excited looking Francesco Liberti made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.