PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Billabong (ranked 321 p4p, 648 weight class) and Mamed Khalidovic (ranked 41 p4p, 89 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Billabong might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Waltzing Matilda. Khalidovic has chosen Зима-мама 25/17 as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Billabong
vs
Khalidovic

171 cm
24
155
12 - 4 - 1

183 cm
23
157
8 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conquer
Voodoo Nutrition

HELLBENT
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 12 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Johnny Billabong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mamed Khalidovic!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Chad Campbell and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Billabong fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Billabong scores with a sloppy right hand. Khalidovic should have avoided that one.
Khalidovic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Billabong takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Nice straight punches there by Billabong. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Billabong.
Billabong fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Khalidovic manages to avoid it.
Billabong slips a jab from Khalidovic.
Billabong changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Khalidovic throws a jab when Billabong was well out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Billabong on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Billabong throws a looping overhand right but Khalidovic ducks down to avoid it.
Khalidovic swings for the body but Billabong moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khalidovic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Billabong misses with an uppercut
enabling Khalidovic to counter with a crisp jab.
Khalidovic misses with a left hand
and Billabong counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Billabong scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Khalidovic throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nice straight punches there by Billabong. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Billabong.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khalidovic looks to land a left hand but Billabong moved out of range nicely.
Billabong is looking to counter punch.

Billabong gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Billabong goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A right hand to the body from Billabong.
Billabong misses with a hook from the clinch.

Khalidovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Billabong throws a body punch but Khalidovic moves out of range.
A big right from Khalidovic misses.
Mamed Khalidovic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Khalidovic looks to score with a jab to the body but Billabong is just out of range.
Billabong throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Khalidovic looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Billabong throws a right and a left that both miss.
Khalidovic misses the jab.
Billabong scores with a jab to the head.
Khalidovic looks to land a right hand but Billabong moved out of range.
Khalidovic scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
A cross from Khalidovic lands.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Khalidovic is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Billabong.
Khalidovic doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khalidovic slips a straight right by Billabong.
Khalidovic throws a big shot that misses.
Khalidovic throws a hook to the side of Billabong's head but Billabong sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Khalidovic throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Billabong drops down looking for a counter takedown but Khalidovic sprawls and moves away.
Billabong jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Khalidovic throws a big counter head kick but Billabong avoids it with no problem.
A telegraphed right hand from Khalidovic misses the target.
Billabong steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Khalidovic.
Billabong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Khalidovic was well out of range. Poor timing from Billabong.

Billabong clinches up against the cage.

Khalidovic breaks from the clinch.
Khalidovic rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Billabong makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Khalidovic waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Billabong.
A quick step to the side and Billabong tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
A telegraphed right hand from Khalidovic misses the target.
Billabong slips a jab from Khalidovic.
Khalidovic throws a lazy right hand but Billabong sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Billabong bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Khalidovic jabs Billabong to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Billabong misses with a hook to the body
and Khalidovic connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Khalidovic throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Billabong tries to close the distance and clinch but Khalidovic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Khalidovic throws out a counter right but Billabong avoids it with no problem.
Khalidovic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Billabong.
Mamed Khalidovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Khalidovic throws a hook to the side of Billabong's head but Billabong sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A looping hook to the body misses from Billabong. Khalidovic does a little dance to reset his feet.
Khalidovic bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Billabong throws a shot to the body.
Khalidovic jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Khalidovic lands a body shot.
Khalidovic loads up on a big right hand but Billabong slips the punch.
Khalidovic lands a jab to the head.
Khalidovic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Billabong moves away.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Billabong.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Khalidovic is looking to reverse the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Billabong tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Billabong tries to move into full mount but can't pass Khalidovic's legs.
Billabong scores with a couple of short elbows.
Billabong lands an elbow.
Billabong throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Billabong throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Khalidovic manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Billabong seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
We've been hearing that Billabong has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Billabong lands with a punch from half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mamed Khalidovic will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Khalidovic takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Khalidovic swings widly with a right hand
and Billabong counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Khalidovic scores with a jab to the jaw.
A big left from Khalidovic misses.
Billabong tries to counter by clinching up but Khalidovic breaks away and moves out of range.
Billabong misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Khalidovic.
Billabong scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Billabong throws a big shot that misses.
Nice body punch from Khalidovic.
Billabong throws a body punch but Khalidovic moves out of range.
Khalidovic tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Billabong was well out of range. Poor timing from Khalidovic.
Billabong tries to counter with a takedown but Khalidovic is quick to defend against it.
Khalidovic walks into a left hand.
Khalidovic throws a hook but Billabong blocks it.
Good shot there by Khalidovic.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Billabong moves out of range of the strikes.
Billabong tries to clinch but Khalidovic is having none of it.
Billabong cracks Khalidovic with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Billabong shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Khalidovic but Khalidovic pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khalidovic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Billabong will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Khalidovic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Billabong uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Khalidovic.
Billabong slips under a jab.
Khalidovic misses with a head kick.
A quick step to the side and Billabong tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Khalidovic lands a jab to the head.
Billabong doesn't manage to clinch there - Khalidovic circles away.
Khalidovic clobbers Billabong with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
A decent looking cross lands there for Khalidovic.
Khalidovic misses with a straight left.
Billabong uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Khalidovic.

Billabong looking to score a takedown here. Khalidovic is defending well but Billabong drives through and ends up in Khalidovic's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Billabong is working Khalidovic over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Our spies down at at Far-Q Fight Club inform us that Khalidovic has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khalidovic is pulling down on Billabong's head to control his posture.
Khalidovic is trying to control the position but Billabong postures up.
Khalidovic wants to stand but Billabong is controlling the position.
Billabong loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Billabong is looking to advance position but Khalidovic has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Khalidovic tries to control but Billabong wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khalidovic controlling the pace for now.
Johnny Billabong overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Khalidovic prevents Billabong from getting the reversal.
Khalidovic tries to control but Billabong wriggling away.
Billabong working to try and regain half guard.

Khalidovic is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Khalidovic misses with a straight left.
Khalidovic throws a lazy right hand but Billabong sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khalidovic throws a hook but Billabong blocks it.
Nice uppercut there from Billabong.
Khalidovic scores with a jab to the head.
Khalidovic misses with an uppercut

and Billabong counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Khalidovic!
Khalidovic can't do much from the bottom here.
Billabong scoring with punches and elbows.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Billabong is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Khalidovic has escaped the position, nice work there.
Khalidovic tries to bench press Billabong off him but Billabong keeps the position.
Khalidovic is trying to get back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mamed Khalidovic will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Khalidovic clobbers Billabong with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Billabong swings for the body but Khalidovic moves out of range.
Khalidovic looks to score with a jab to the body but Billabong is just out of range.
Khalidovic misses with a left hand
and Billabong counters with a straight right hand.

Billabong gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Khalidovic wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A short left from Khalidovic.
Khalidovic swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Good body shot from Billabong.
Khalidovic swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Khalidovic scores with a shot to the side of Billabong's head.
Billabong lands a hook that snaps the head of Khalidovic backwards.

Khalidovic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Khalidovic swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Billabong.
Billabong with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Khalidovic to score with a decent uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Billabong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Khalidovic was well out of range. Poor timing from Billabong.
Khalidovic looks to land a right hand but Billabong moved out of range.
Billabong just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khalidovic feints a jab promting Billabong to slip. Khalidovic then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Billabong slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Billabong lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Khalidovic circles away quickly and effectively.
Billabong misses the shot to the body.
Khalidovic looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Mamed Khalidovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Khalidovic misses with a jab to the body
and Khalidovic takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Khalidovic misses the shot to the body.
Khalidovic connects with a good right hand that stumbles Billabong. Billabong circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Billabong tries to clinch there but Khalidovic circles away.
Khalidovic throws a combination that misses
and Billabong counters with a right hand to the body.
Khalidovic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Billabong shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Billabong showed some decent athleticism there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Billabong throwing shots but Khalidovic is blocking nicely.
Khalidovic taking some punishment here, with Billabong in his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khalidovic wants to improve his position but Billabong is controlling well.
Khalidovic is trying to maintain the position but Billabong is very close to passing his half guard.
Johnny Billabong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Billabong lands strikes from half guard.
Khalidovic tries to get to full guard but Billabong has control of the leg.
Billabong is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Billabong thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Khalidovic's head.
Khalidovic trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khalidovic pushes Billabong off looking to stand but Billabong dives back in and keeps control.
Khalidovic on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Khalidovic looks like he's trying to stand up.

Billabong is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Khalidovic defends it well.
Mamed Khalidovic is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Khalidovic slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Khalidovic looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Billabong puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Billabong 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.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khalidovic on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are battling for position here. Khalidovic manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Billabong trying to control the position from guard on top but Khalidovic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Billabong stopping the sweep attempt from Khalidovic.
Khalidovic trying to control the position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Khalidovic wants to improve his position but instead Billabong has moved into half guard.
Khalidovic trying to hold on to Billabong's head to control him but Billabong postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Johnny Billabong.
I think Khalidovic 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 29:29
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 28:30

The fight is ruled a draw!