PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Martin Libertadore (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mamed Khalidov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Libertadore
vs
Khalidov

165 cm
20
186 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
22
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Crashforce Voodoo Labs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Martin Libertadore!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mamed Khalidov!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Paulsen Ambrosius and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Khalidov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Libertadore sprawls well initially but Khalidov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Khalidov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Khalidov is nestled in close to Libertadore, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Khalidov seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

Khalidov decides to return to a standing position.

Khalidov shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Khalidov was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Libertadore on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Libertadore tries to get out of the position.
Khalidov working Libertadore over with strikes here.
Khalidov punching from mount but Libertadore doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Libertadore tries to hold on but Khalidov pushes him away.
Libertadore is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Khalidov is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Libertadore is squirming around, avoiding Khalidov's attempts to control the action.
Khalidov with the ground and pound from mount.
Khalidov lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Khalidov landing shots from mount.
Libertadore is in all sorts of trouble here.
Libertadore is in a horrible position here. Khalidov smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khalidov trying to control but Libertadore is having none of it.
Libertadore could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Khalidov working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Libertadore keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Libertadore is squirming around, avoiding Khalidov's attempts to control the action.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Khalidov cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Libertadore sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Libertadore wants to control but Khalidov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Khalidov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Khalidov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Libertadore tries to get to full guard but Khalidov has control of the leg.
Khalidov working Libertadore over with strikes.
Khalidov looks gassed!
Khalidov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Libertadore moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Khalidov stands and steps away. Libertadore gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Libertadore misses with a takedown
letting Khalidov counter with a right hand.
Libertadore fails with a takedown attempt.
Libertadore showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Khalidov.
Khalidov doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Libertadore counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Khalidov!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libertadore lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Libertadore looking to control but Khalidov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Libertadore goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Khalidov is on top in guard.
Libertadore might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Khalidov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Khalidov passes Libertadore's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Libertadore is staying active underneath Khalidov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Libertadore missing with punches from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Libertadore is trying to control but can't.
Khalidov sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Libertadore blocking the ground and pound attempt from Khalidov.

Libertadore pushes Khalidov off and gets back to his feet.
Libertadore on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Khalidov throws a body punch but Libertadore moves out of range.

Libertadore drives through with a takedown into guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Libertadore stands and steps away. Khalidov gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Mamed Khalidov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Libertadore gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Khalidov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Libertadore won't be happy with that.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mamed Khalidov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Khalidov lands a head kick. Libertadore smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Khalidov keeps the fight on the outside.
Libertadore doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Khalidov counters with a leg kick.
Libertadore avoids a punch combination nicely.
Libertadore takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Libertadore on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Khalidov. Khalidov obviously looking to wear him down.
Libertadore tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Khalidov counters with a one-two to the body.
Libertadore tries to clinch up but Khalidov circles away and keeps his distance.
Khalidov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Libertadore counters with a shoot takedown. Khalidov fights it but they end up in guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Libertadore looking to sit in guard and control but Khalidov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Libertadore looking to control.
Khalidov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Khalidov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Libertadore is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Khalidov preventing the sweep.
Khalidov working some strikes from top position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Khalidov falls off balance throwing a combination

and Libertadore counters by moving into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Libertadore takes a knee right on the jaw!
Libertadore takes an elbow to the forehead.
Khalidov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Libertadore fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Libertadore goes for a takedown in the clinch but Khalidov prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Martin Libertadore. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Libertadore jumps guard but Khalidov stands there with Libertadore around his waist. Libertadore gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Khalidov lands a nice knee to the body.
Libertadore pushes Khalidov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Libertadore has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Khalidov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Khalidov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Libertadore tries to pull guard but Khalidov won't allow it.
Khalidov has a couple of punches blocked by Libertadore.
Khalidov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Libertadore's defenses.
Libertadore fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Khalidov misses with the head strike.
Khalidov working Libertadore over with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khalidov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Libertadore wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Khalidov has him pressed against the cage.
Libertadore fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Libertadore gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Khalidov is not content to let Libertadore control the position.
Khalidov gets back to full guard.
Khalidov controls Libertadore momentarily but Libertadore frees himself.
Libertadore throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Libertadore 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.
Khalidov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Libertadore is looking to work some ground and pound but Khalidov has wrist control.
Mamed Khalidov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Khalidov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Libertadore stands up from Khalidov's guard - Libertadore perhaps looking for a knockout.
Libertadore has his takedown stuffed

and Khalidov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mamed Khalidov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Libertadore fails in his attempt to clinch.
Libertadore avoids a punch combination nicely.
Libertadore is trying hard to land a takedown here. Khalidov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Libertadore is looking to clinch but Khalidov is avoiding it.
Khalidov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Khalidov moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
A clash of legs there as Khalidov blocks the low kick.
Khalidov throws a head kick that half lands.
Khalidov lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Khalidov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khalidov lands with a slapping head kick.
Libertadore shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Khalidov sprawls well. Khalidov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Libertadore gets slowly back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Libertadore tries for a takedown but Khalidov circles away easily
and Khalidov counters with a left and a right that stings Libertadore.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Martin Libertadore. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Khalidov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khalidov doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Libertadore counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Khalidov wants to improve his position but Libertadore is controlling well.
Khalidov manages to get to full guard.
Libertadore thows a big elbow that misses.
Khalidov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khalidov can't keep his opponent in guard - Libertadore advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Khalidov trying to control from the bottom.
Libertadore is looking to take a break and control but Khalidov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Khalidov keeping control of the position.
Libertadore trying to control from Khalidov's half guard. Khalidov has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Libertadoreis looking to pass into half guard but Khalidov pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Khalidov is in guard.
Libertadore looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Khalidov wants to control from the top but Libertadore keeps moving.
Libertadore trying to keep a closed guard but Khalidov is proving a slippery customer.
Libertadore working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Khalidov.
Khalidov wants to pass the guard but Libertadore is keeping the position.
Khalidov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Libertadore is trying to control the position but Khalidov postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Khalidov lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Libertadore blocks a head kick by Khalidov.
Khalidov misses with a body punch

and Libertadore counters with a nice double leg into side control. Khalidov won't be happy with that.
Khalidov is looking for a sweep.
Khalidov is not content to let Libertadore control the position.

Libertadore goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Khalidov rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Libertadore's guard! Nice work there by Khalidov!
Khalidov throwing strikes from guard but Libertadore blocks nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Martin Libertadore showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Khalidov 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mamed Khalidov!