PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tae Shik Cha (ranked 3097 p4p, 2287 weight class) and Lester Limbaugh (ranked 294 p4p, 242 weight class). Cha's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Gaullin - Moonlight. Limbaugh has chosen TNT as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Cha
vs
Limbaugh

178 cm
37
145
20 - 16 - 0

172 cm
31
148
10 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 20 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tae Shik Cha!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lester Limbaugh!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Tiny Johnson and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Limbaugh is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cha sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Cha fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Limbaugh.
Limbaugh tries a head kick but it misses.
Cha throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cha misses the shot to the body.
Limbaugh shoots in but no luck this time.
Cha keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Limbaugh.
Limbaugh on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A slow jab from Limbaugh misses its intended target.
Cha leaves Limbaugh with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Tae Shik Cha has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lester Limbaugh.
Limbaugh staying out of range there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Limbaugh throws a jab but it's blocked by Cha.
Cha sizes up Limbaugh with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A clash of legs there as Cha blocks the low kick.
Cha seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Cha fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Limbaugh manages to avoid it.
Limbaugh uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cha.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cha thumps Limbaugh with a low kick.
A leg kick checked by Cha.
Cha misses the shot to the body.
Limbaugh fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Cha.
Limbaugh misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cha scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Limbaugh throws a hook but Cha avoids it easily.
Cha throws a right and a left that both miss.
Lester Limbaugh seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Limbaugh looks for a takedown but Cha sprawls well.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Cha, as that shot connected.
Cha works Limbaugh's body with a nice hook.
A chopping leg kick lands by Cha.
A big right from Cha misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cha throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Limbaugh sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cha paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Limbaugh throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cha.
Limbaugh staying out of range there.
Cha checks the leg kick nicely there.
Limbaugh takes one to the chin there.
Cha throws out a leg kick but Limbaugh moves out of range and Cha only half commits.
Limbaugh tries to counter by closing the distance.
Cha lands a nice shot that snaps Limbaugh's head back.
Limbaugh connects with a body shot.
Limbaugh throws a head kick but Cha moves out of range.
Cha swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Cha misses with a hook.
Cha throws out a loose jab but Limbaugh uses good head movement to avoid it.

Cha moves into the clinch.
Cha throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Limbaughs head.
Limbaugh cracks Cha with a nice body shot.
Cha lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cha misses with the head strike.
Cha misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cha lands with a right to the head.
Cha tries to throw a body punch but Limbaugh avoids it by throwing Cha back against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Cha creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Cha fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Cha.
Cha lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Limbaugh.
Cha throws a punch but it's blocked by Limbaugh.
Cha tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Limbaugh's elbow.
Cha misses with the head strike.
Cha working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Cha.

Limbaugh pulls Cha into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cha throwing strikes from guard but Limbaugh blocks nicely.
Cha is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Cha has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Cha preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cha showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Cha looking to pass the guard.
Cha slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Cha has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Limbaugh is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cha throws a big elbow that misses.
Cha trying to control but Limbaugh is working from the bottom.
Cha showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Cha won't allow Limbaugh to sweep him here.
Cha trying to control the position from guard on top but Limbaugh is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cha controls from within his opponent's guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tae Shik Cha dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Limbaugh has managed to clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cha.

Limbaugh ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Limbaugh no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Limbaugh has his foot on Cha's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cha works his way back into a safe position though.
Cha wants to control from the top but Limbaugh keeps moving.
Cha not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Cha preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Limbaugh keeping moving, preventing Cha from controlling successfully.
Cha showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Cha looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Limbaugh is pulling down on Cha's head. It's preventing any offense from Cha, at least for the moment.
Limbaugh not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Limbaugh looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cha is one step ahead there.
Limbaugh keeping moving, preventing Cha from controlling successfully.
Cha is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Limbaugh keeping moving, preventing Cha from controlling successfully.
Cha showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Cha throws a shot from downtown. Limbaugh moves away and avoids it.
Cha lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
A swing and a miss from Limbaugh.
Cha is looking to counter punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cha is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Limbaugh.
A little jabbing left from Limbaugh on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Nice defenses there by Cha.
Cha throws a hook but Limbaugh avoids it easily.
Limbaugh looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Cha waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Limbaugh.
Tae Shik Cha is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cha avoids the body shot from Limbaugh.
Cha is looking to counter punch.
Limbaugh throws a low kick but Cha moves out of range easily.
No joy there for Limbaugh, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
We've been told by Cha's head coaches at Gonzasco Hydropathy that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Limbaugh steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cha.
Limbaugh misses with an attempted mid kick.
Cha lands with a straight right. Limbaugh didn't see that one coming.
Cha misses with an uppercut.
Cha slips a jab and a cross from Limbaugh.
Cha takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cha scores with a nice right hand.
Cha scores with a leg kick.
Limbaugh ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cha throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Limbaugh lands with a cross.
Tae Shik Cha is winning the standup battle so far.
Cha throws a low kick, looking for Limbaugh's leg but Limbaugh calmly moves out of range.
Limbaugh walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Cha checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Cha swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Cha throws a right and a left that Limbaugh avoids nicely.
Left hook, right uppercut from Cha.
Limbaugh displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cha throws out the jab.
Limbaugh throws a looping overhand right but Cha ducks down to avoid it.
Cha scores with a decent looking hook.
Cha with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Limbaugh to score with a decent uppercut.
Cha connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Limbaugh momentarily.

Limbaugh is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Limbaugh scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Cha is trying to control but can't.
Cha wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cha is looking to control Limbaugh's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Cha avoid being mounted?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cha is looking to improve his position.
Limbaugh lands strikes from half guard.
Limbaugh throwing shots but Cha is blocking nicely.
Limbaugh is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Cha wants to get back to full guard.
Cha is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Limbaugh's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Limbaugh's back!
Cha slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Limbaugh is in bad spot here.
Cha controls the position.
Cha trying to control.
Limbaugh is trying to remain composed but Cha is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tae Shik Cha dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Limbaugh takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Cha uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Limbaugh.
Cha jabs Limbaugh right on the nose. Limbaugh blinks but takes it well.
Limbaugh dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Cha. That did some damage!

Limbaugh drives through with a takedown into Cha's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Cha seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Cha looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cha is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Limbaugh can do to turn this around?
Limbaugh throwing strikes but missing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Limbaugh trying to control but Cha is working from the bottom.
Limbaugh working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Cha pulls Limbaugh in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lester Limbaugh has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cha manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Limbaugh manages to get himself to full guard.

Cha seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Limbaugh has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cha can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Limbaugh working a defensive guard here.
Limbaugh is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Cha looking to pass the guard.

Limbaugh has his foot on Cha's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cha works his way back into a safe position though.
Cha trying to control but Limbaugh is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cha looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Limbaugh is trying to keep Cha in close.
Cha postures up in Limbaugh's guard and throws a big left but Limbaugh blocks it.
Cha looking to pass the guard.
Cha preventing the sweep.
Limbaugh keeping moving, preventing Cha from controlling successfully.
Cha engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Limbaugh keeping full guard, as Cha tries to pass.
Cha slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cha takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Cha blocks a leg kick.
The fighters circling - Limbaugh throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Limbaugh looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A good leg kick by Cha.
Cha tries to close the distance and clinch up but Limbaugh swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cha dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Limbaugh throws a leg kick but Cha sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Limbaugh throws a big shot that misses.
Limbaugh slips under a jab from Cha.
Limbaugh swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Limbaugh takes a swing at Cha's ribcage but misses.
Limbaugh connects with a jab.
Cha throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Limbaugh looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Limbaugh blocks a head kick by Cha.
A left lands for Cha.
Cha connects with a right hand. Limbaugh shakes it off.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cha connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Lester Limbaugh has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cha slips a straight right by Limbaugh.
Limbaugh feints and then cracks Cha's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cha down.
Limbaugh jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Limbaugh throws a lazy right hand but Cha sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Limbaugh changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Cha slips under a jab.
Cha tried to counter with a leg kick but Limbaugh avoided it.
Cha checks a leg kick nicely.
Limbaugh misses with a straight left.
Cha connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Limbaugh throws a poor cross that misses

and Cha counters with a crisp one two that drops Limbaugh! Cha thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Limbaugh to his feet! Limbaugh is in big trouble!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Lester Limbaugh.
I think Cha has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tae Shik Cha!
Tae Shik Cha was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.