PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lyoto Liddell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Travis Simon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Simon is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Enter Sandman - Metallica. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Liddell
vs
Simon

185 cm
18
204 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
21
203 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes ground

Attliction

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lyoto Liddell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Travis Simon!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Joseph Jones and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Simon moves into the clinch.

Simon has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Liddell regains guard immediately.

Simon decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Liddell scores with a head kick.
Liddell misses with a jab, cross combination.
Simon misses with the combination.
Simon has a takedown stuffed.
Travis Simon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Liddell darts in trying to clinch

and Simon counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Liddell throws an elbow that misses.
Simon leaning against his opponent.
Liddell trying to stall but Simon improves his position.
Liddell missing with knees to the body.
Liddell throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Simon blocks it with crossed arms.
Simon on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Liddell tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Liddell is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Liddell misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Simon.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Simon breaks the clinch.
Liddell looks to clinch

and Simon counters by clinching up.
Liddell tries to break the clinch but Simon is controlling the position.
Liddell misses with a knee to the head.
Liddell stalling the fight.
Liddell stalling in the clinch but Simon improves position.
Liddell can't break the clinch.

Simon breaks from the clinch.
Liddell closes the distance looking to clinch

and Simon counters by moving into the clinch.
Liddell wants to get back to striking at distance but Simon won't allow it.
Simon is trying to break the clinch but Liddell has him pressed against the cage.
Liddell fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Simon tries to score a body lock takedown but Liddell shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Simon lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Simon lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Liddell throws a punch but it's blocked by Simon.

Simon pulls guard.
Simon looking to hit a scissor sweep but Liddell is one step ahead there.
Simon is controlling Liddell's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liddell stopping the sweep attempt from Simon.
Simon is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Liddell would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Liddell stopping the sweep attempt from Simon.
Simon is trying to control the position but Liddell postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simon pulls Liddell in close to prevent any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Liddell darts in trying to clinch

and Simon counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Liddell throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Simon blocks it with crossed arms.
Liddell avoiding damage as Simon throws knees to the body.
Liddell trying to stall but Simon improves his position.

Simon has Liddell pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Simon pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Liddell tumbling to the mat - Simon dives into Liddell's guard.
Liddell is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Simon dives into side control.

Simon decides to stand back up. Simon steps back and let's Liddell get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liddell tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Simon counters by clinching up.

Simon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Liddell throws a head kick that misses.
Liddell closes the distance looking to clinch

and Simon holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Liddell is breathing heavily.

Simon manages to pull guard.
Liddell would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Liddell preventing the sweep.
Liddell would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Simon has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Simon wriggles free and stands up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Liddell throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Liddell tries to clinch up

and Simon counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Simon is pushing down on Liddell's leg trying to pass to half guard. Liddell is fighting to maintain full guard but Simon has managed to sneak the leg through.

Simon decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Liddell tries to clinch but Simon moves away

and Simon counters by moving into the clinch.
Liddell is trying to maintain a safe position but Simon gets an underhook and turns Liddell into the cage.
Simon is trying to break the clinch but Liddell has him pressed against the cage.

Simon pulls guard.
Liddell won't allow Simon to sweep him here.
Liddell trying to control but Simon is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Simon not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simon lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Liddell!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Liddell is trying to stand.
Simon tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Liddell bucks Simon off and manages to get back to his feet!
Simon throws a right hand that Liddell ducks under and follows up with a left that Liddell also avoids with ease.
Liddell tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Simon moves into the clinch.

Simon breaks from the clinch.
Liddell tries to clinch but Simon moves away
and Simon counters with a stiff right hand.
Simon tries to clinch there but Liddell circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liddell lands with a kick to the temple. Simon shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Simon takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Simon throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Liddell.
Simon showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Liddell.
Liddell looks to clinch

and Simon moves into the clinch.
Liddell working aggressively here.

Simon manages to break the clinch.
Liddell lands with a slapping head kick.
Simon circles away from the clinch attempt

and Simon counters by moving into the clinch.

Simon breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Liddell tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Simon counters by clinching up.
Simon wants to get back to striking at distance but Liddell won't allow it.
Liddell misses with a knee to the head.
Liddell misses with a knee strike.
Liddell missing with knees to the body.
Liddell looking to stall.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Simon.
Liddell is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Simon is keeping busy.
Simon jumps guard but Liddell stands there with Simon around his waist. Simon gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Simon.
Simon wants to break free but Liddell has control.
Liddell trying to land knees to the body.
Liddell throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Simon blocks it with crossed arms.
Liddell throws an elbow but it misses.
Liddell looking to slow down the pace here.
Liddell misses with an elbow over the top.
Liddell misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Simon.
Liddell with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Liddell wants to get back to striking at distance but Simon won't allow it.
Simon wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Liddell gets underhooks to prevent Simon's takedown attempt.
Liddell tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Liddell prevents Simon from breaking the clinch.
Liddell misses with a knee strike.
Liddell tries to stall but Simon uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Liddell throws an elbow that misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Liddell just misses with a elbow thrown towards Simon's brow.
Liddell misses with a hook from the clinch.
Liddell tries to land a knee to the head but Simon blocks with his arms.
Simon fails to pull guard.
Lyoto Liddell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Travis Simon.
Liddell using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Simon has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Liddell can't break the clinch.
Simon on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Simon is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Liddell struggles to land a body shot inside as Simon controls his hands.

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.
Liddell wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Simon breaks from the clinch.
Liddell darts in trying to clinch

and Simon counters by moving into the clinch.

Simon works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Liddell being controlled here, momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Travis Simon showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Simon shoots in for a double leg but Liddell sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Lyoto Liddell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Liddell closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Simon works on Liddell's body with a couple of short punches.
Liddell tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Simon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Simon has taken the fight to the clinch.
Liddell stalling in the clinch but Simon improves position.
Liddell wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Simon has him pressed against the cage.

Simon breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Simon takes a kick to the side of the head.
Simon shoots in but Liddell avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Liddell tries to clinch but Simon moves away
and Simon counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A head kick misses from Liddell.
Liddell tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Simon counters with a nice double leg into side control. Liddell won't be happy with that.

Liddell is rocked!
Liddell takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Oh Liddell is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Liddell tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Liddell seems to have got his legs back now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simon connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Liddell some visible discomfort.

Simon decides to stand back up. Simon steps back and let's Liddell get back to his feet.

Simon has Liddell up against the cage in a clinch.
Liddell wants to break the clinch but can't.

Simon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Liddell tries to keep at a distance but Simon has taken the fight into the clinch.

Simon works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Simon stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Simon feints and as Liddell raises his hands in defense, Simon changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Liddell is working an open guard so Simon takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Liddell closes the distance but Simon moves to the side

and Simon counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Liddell is looking to break free of the clinch but Simon has double underhooks.
Simon managing to block the knees to the body from Liddell.
Liddell is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Liddell looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Liddell wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Simon breaks from the clinch.
Simon moves in looking to clinch but Liddell pushes him off.

Simon has Liddell up against the cage in a clinch.
Simon blocks an elbow strike.
Liddell throws a punch but it's blocked by Simon.
Liddell is trying to stall.
Simon is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Liddell tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Liddell throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Simon blocks it with crossed arms.
Simon is trying to break free.
Simon has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Liddell throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Liddell tries a knee to the head but Simon blocks it.
Liddell wants to break the clinch but can't.
Simon blocking some punches.
Liddell is looking to control Simon's arms but Simon gets an underhook and turns him. Now Liddell has his back to the cage.
Liddell is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Simon manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liddell uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Simon.
Liddell closes the distance but Simon moves to the side

and Simon counters by moving into the clinch.
Simon lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Simon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lyoto Liddell is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Liddell misses with an attempted mid kick.
Liddell closes the distance looking to clinch

and Simon holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Simon blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Simon breaks the clinch.
Liddell lands a high kick!

Simon has closed the distance and engaged Liddell in a clinch.

Simon breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Simon misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Simon moves into range and clinches up with Liddell.

Simon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Liddell darts in trying to clinch

and Simon counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Liddell doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Simon can't break the clinch.
Simon is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Lyoto Liddell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Travis Simon.
Liddell is trying to stall.

Simon manages to break the clinch.
Liddell tries to clinch up

and Simon counters by clinching up.
Liddell missing with knees to the body.
Liddell misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Simon.
Simon blocks the elbow strike.

Simon escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Liddell closes the distance but Simon moves to the side

and Simon counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Simon is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Simon sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Liddell is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Travis Simon comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Simon has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Travis Simon!