PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Liam Dublin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Malachy Neill (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Dublin
vs
Neill

193 cm
20
210 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

190 cm
21
219 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Liam Dublin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Malachy Neill!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Patrick Alders and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Neill.
Dublin with a lazy takedown attempt

and Neill counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Dublin has a closed guard, preventing Neill from standing up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Dublin looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Dublin keeping moving, preventing Neill from controlling successfully.

Dublin looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Neill has picked Dublin up and slammed him! Dublin can't keep hold of the triangle and Neill manages to pass to side control!
Dublin tries to buck Neill off but Neill is having none of it.
You can see the frustration on Dublin's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Neill cracks Dublin with an elbow. That is naaassty.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neill stands up.
Neill fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Dublin is out of range.
Neill gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Dublin counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Neill!

Dublin looking to secure an arm triangle but Neill defends it well.
Dublin can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Neill is looking to escape.
Dublin is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dublin thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Neill tries to control the position but Dublin now has his back.
Neill controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Dublin tries to keep control of the position but Neill is staying busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dublin patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Dublin tightening his grip on Neill, looking for the choke.

Dublin has his opponent's back but Neill is looking to stand. He manages to get to his feet and shakes off Dublin.
Neill looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Liam Dublin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Malachy Neill.
Dublin shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Neill counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dublin has an active guard here but Neill has managed to pass into half guard.
Dublin wants to improve his position but Neill is controlling well.
Neill is trying to control. Dublin wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dublin makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Dublin.

Dublin has his foot on Neill's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Neill works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malachy Neill dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Neill with a poor takedown
and Dublin counters with a stiff right hand.
Dublin throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
A solid body kick from Dublin.

Dublin takes the fight into the clinch.

Dublin has hold of one of Neill's legs. Neill is fighting the takedown attempt but Dublin gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Dublin thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Dublin drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Neill dives on top into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Neill is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neill has gone for a leg lock! Dublin slips out almost immediately though and dives into Neill's guard.
Dublin trying to control but Neill is working from the bottom.
Dublin makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Neill wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two 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.
Neill is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Dublin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Dublin is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Dublin works over Neill with some ground and pound from guard.
Neill keeping moving, preventing Dublin from controlling successfully.
Dublin won't allow Neill to sweep him here.
Dublin looking to sit in guard and control but Neill gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Neill gets to his feet. Dublin looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neill throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Dublin was covering up waiting for the punch and Neill finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Dublin working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Neill doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Neill manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Dublin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neill keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Dublin's head.
Neill tries to free his leg and advance position but Dublin is retaining full guard.
Dublin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Neill trying to control but Dublin is working from the bottom.
Neill throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Neill wants to stand and escape but instead Dublin has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Liam Dublin dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Dublin closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Dublin jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Neill walks away with a smile on his face. Dublin gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Neill has his takedown stuffed

and Dublin counters with a shoot takedown. Neill fights it but they end up in guard.

Dublin drops back, looking for a kneebar! Neill looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Neill looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Neill!
Dublin is trying to improve his position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dublin is not content to let Neill control the position.
Dublin is looking to reverse the position.
Dublin knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Neill on the ground.
Dublin tries to contro but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Dublin is looking to improve his position but Neill isn't that keen on the idea.

That's two 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.
Neill scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Dublin?
Dublin slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Neill perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Neill seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Neill keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Dublin is looking to control Neill's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Dublin avoid being mounted?

Neill stands up and beckons Dublin to join him on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dublin with a lazy takedown attempt

and Neill counters with a nice double leg into side control. Dublin won't be happy with that.
Neill has control of an arm but Dublin manages to advance to Neill's back!

Dublin looking for the choke from the back.
Dublin keeps control of the position easily here as Neill tries to buck him off.
Neill trying to control the action but Dublin just sinks the hooks in.
Dublin scores with punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Neill is trying escape back to his feet. He turns into his opponent's guard and eventually finds his way back to his feet.
Liam Dublin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dublin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Neill.
Neill swats away the attempt to clinch by Dublin.
Neill doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Dublin decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Neill's guard.
Liam Dublin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Malachy Neill.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Neill striking off his back but it's not causing Dublin any problems.

Neill is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

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 Liam Dublin.
I think Dublin 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 29:28
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Liam Dublin!