PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joe Tidd (ranked 917 p4p, 823 weight class) and Roberto Soldic (ranked 118 p4p, 106 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Soldic's choice of entrance music: Come With Me. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Tidd
vs
Soldic

155 cm
31
149
13 - 8 - 0

175 cm
24
149
8 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hardcore Alchemy
HELLBENT

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Joe Tidd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Roberto Soldic!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Steve Montenegro and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tidd shoots in for a takedown but Soldic shows good takedown defense.
Soldic misses the shot to the body.
Tidd attempts a counter takedown but Soldic avoids it well and moves away.
Soldic misses with a hook to the body

and Tidd counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Tidd.
Tidd is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Soldic is defending well.
A short right from Soldic on the inside.
A right hand to the body from Soldic.
Soldic works on Tidd's body with a couple of short punches.
Tidd drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Tidd. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tidd is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Soldic lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Soldic scores with an uppercut up the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tidd is working for takedown but Soldic is calmly controlling the position for now.
Soldic has a couple of punches blocked by Tidd.

Tidd gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Soldic kicks off Tidd and gets to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Soldic misses the shot to the body.
Soldic stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Roberto Soldic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soldic throws a body punch but Tidd moves out of range.
Tidd throws a wild body kick that Soldic sees coming a mile off.
Soldic displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Tidd.
Soldic moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Tidd takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Soldic scores with a jab. Tidd acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Soldic walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Tidd checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Soldic swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Tidd counters with a shoot takedown. Soldic fights it but they end up in guard.

Soldic uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Soldic has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
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!
Soldic plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tidd stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Soldic.
Soldic throws a sloppy head kick and Tidd moves out of range easily.
Tidd changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Soldic connects with a solid leg kick.
Soldic misses with a jab, cross combination.
Soldic lands a jab to the nose.
Soldic throws a head kick that misses.
A jab from Soldic misses.
Tidd looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Tidd fails with the takedown
and Soldic counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tidd tries to clinch up but Soldic circles away and keeps his distance.
Soldic jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tidd looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Soldic scores with a head kick.

Tidd gets the takedown into side control.
Tidd lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Soldic down.
Tidd in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Tidd sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Soldic is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Tidd throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

Tidd is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Soldic knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Soldic tries to improve position but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tidd tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Soldic avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Tidd.
Tidd lands some shots froms side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tidd moves into full mount!
Tidd has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Tidd raining down hammerfists from mount.
Tidd raining down shots from the mount!
Soldic is trying to escape the mount.
Soldic is bucking up trying to escape but Tidd cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tidd has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Soldic's face.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Roberto Soldic dominated that round.
That's time! Tidd's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Soldic misses with a wild body shot.
Soldic scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Soldic scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Soldic looks to score with a jab to the body but Tidd is just out of range.
Tidd throws a head kick that misses.
Joe Tidd is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Soldic misses with a kick to the body

and Tidd counters with a single leg into guard. Soldic didn't expect that.
Tidd might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Tidd stops Soldic from standing up.
Soldic utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Soldic wants to get back to his feet but Tidd is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Tidd working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tidd landing some decent shots from guard.
Tidd postures up and lands a big shot to Soldic's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soldic looking for a sweep. Not yet Soldic, not yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tidd trying to control but Soldic is working from the bottom.
Soldic preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Soldic has his feet on Tidd's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
A decent looking cross lands there for Soldic.
A head kick by Soldic misses

and Tidd decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Soldic's guard.
Tidd postures up in Soldic's guard and throws a big left but Soldic blocks it.
Tidd trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Tidd stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Soldic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Soldic working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tidd.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tidd lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Tidd prevents Soldic from getting back to his feet.
Tidd scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Soldic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Soldic is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Soldic looking to control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tidd postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Soldic is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Soldic wants to take a breather but Tidd is having none of it.
Tidd is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Tidd is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tidd is trying to control but can't.
Soldic is just content to waste time from the top position. Tidd takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Tidd has his hands on Soldic's head, controlling the position.
Tidd is trying to keep Soldic in close.
Tidd seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Tidd looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Soldic slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Tidd is trying to keep Soldic in close.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Roberto Soldic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Soldic tests Tidd's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Tidd avoids the head kick by Soldic.
Tidd half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Soldic throws a shot to the body.
Roberto Soldic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tidd throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A big right from Soldic misses.
Tidd appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Tidd looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Soldic is fending him off so far but Tidd persists. Nope, Soldic circles away and we're back to standing.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Roberto Soldic 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!

Nice sprawl there from Soldic as Tidd shoots in.
Soldic now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
A chopping leg kick lands by Soldic.
Tidd misses with a lunging right hand
and Soldic counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Soldic wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Tidd moves away from the strike by Soldic.
Soldic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sloppy strikes from Tidd. Those never looked like landing.
Soldic clobbers Tidd with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tidd displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Soldic throws out the jab.
Tidd drops down looking for a counter takedown but Soldic sprawls and moves away.
Tidd takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Soldic throws a half hearted mid kick.
Tidd tries to counter with a takedown but Soldic is quick to defend against it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soldic throws a leg kick but Tidd checks it.
Soldic plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Soldic misses with a two punch combination.
Soldic works the jab nicely.
Tidd is trying hard to land a takedown here. Soldic sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Soldic is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Tidd takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Soldic misses the shot to the body.
Tidd looks to land a right hand but Soldic moved out of range.
Soldic looks to throw a body kick

so Tidd counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Tidd throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Soldic works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tidd makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tidd won't allow Soldic to get back to his feet.
Soldic has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tidd wants to control from the top but Soldic keeps moving.
Tidd stops Soldic from standing up.
Soldic not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Soldic is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tidd is controlling him.
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!
Soldic tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tidd works over Soldic with some ground and pound from guard.

Soldic is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Tidd presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Tidd has Soldic pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Soldic manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Tidd. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A right hand to the body from Soldic.
Soldic goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tidd wants a takedown.
Tidd goes for a takedown attempt but Soldic pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soldic connects with an inside leg kick.
Soldic lands with a thumping leg kick.
Soldic takes a swing at Tidd's ribcage but misses.
Tidd throws a leg kick that is checked
and Soldic counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Soldic with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Soldic has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Soldic lands with a slapping head kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Soldic misses the target.
Nice defenses there by Tidd.
Tidd tries to counter with a takedown but Soldic is quick to defend against it.

Tidd shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Soldic manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soldic wants to get back to his feet but Tidd is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Tidd working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tidd postures up in Soldic's guard and throws a big left but Soldic blocks it.
Soldic trying to control the position here.
Tidd works over Soldic with some ground and pound from guard.
Tidd throwing strikes from guard but Soldic blocks nicely.
Tidd trying to control but Soldic is working from the bottom.
Joe Tidd has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tidd in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roberto Soldic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Soldic winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roberto Soldic!
Our winner, Roberto Soldic, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.