PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chuck Liddell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Damien Botswell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Liddell
vs
Botswell

200 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
198 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Silver Dragon Nutrition

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, Chuck Liddell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Damien Botswell!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Alyssa Summers and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Liddell fails with the takedown.
Botswell tries to clinch there but Liddell circles away.
Liddell avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Liddell circles away from the clinch attempt.
Botswell blocks a head kick by Liddell.
Botswell moves in looking to clinch but Liddell pushes him off.
Liddell swats away the attempt to clinch by Botswell.
Liddell shoots in looking for a takedown. Botswell tries to sprawl out of it but Liddell keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Botswell manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Liddell has closed the distance and engaged Botswell in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Liddell fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chuck Liddell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Liddell has had enough of the clinch but Botswell keeps him there for the moment.
Botswell stalling in the clinch.
Liddell jumps guard but Botswell stands there with Liddell around his waist. Liddell gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liddell on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Liddell fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Botswell prevents the takedown attempt.
Botswell lands an elbow that stopped Liddell in his tracks for a moment.
Liddell tries for a takedown. No joy.
Liddell is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Liddell tries for a takedown. No joy.

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

Botswell gets a clinch.
Liddell fails to pull guard.
Liddell wants to get back to striking at distance but Botswell won't allow it.
Botswell throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Liddell tries to pull guard but Botswell holds him up against the cage and eventually Liddell drops back down to his feet.
Liddell on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liddell wants to get back to striking at distance but Botswell won't allow it.
Liddell trying to land knees to the body.
A short right from Liddell on the inside.
Liddell wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Liddell prevents a takedown attempt there.
Liddell tries for a takedown but Botswell manages to get underhooks.
Botswell lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Liddell drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Liddell is breathing heavily.
Botswell looking to slow down the pace here.
Botswell throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Liddell blocks it with crossed arms.
Liddell tries to pull guard but Botswell holds him up against the cage and eventually Liddell drops back down to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liddell holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Nice elbow from Botswell.
Liddell tries to pull guard but Botswell won't allow it.
Botswell missing with knees to the body.
Botswell missing with knees to the body.
Liddell is trying to stall.
Liddell drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Botswell gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Botswell misses with a knee to the head.
Botswell landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Liddell wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Botswell has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Liddell is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Botswell is keeping busy.
Liddell has had enough of the clinch but Botswell keeps him there for the moment.
Liddell avoiding damage as Botswell throws knees to the body.
Botswell misses with a knee to the head.
Liddell takes an elbow to the temple.
Botswell trying to land knees to the body.
Botswell wants to break the clinch but can't.
Liddell managing to block the knees to the body from Botswell.
Botswell with a knee to the head.
Botswell landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Botswell wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Botswell is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Liddell is keeping busy.
Botswell will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Liddell up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Liddell circles away from the clinch attempt.
Botswell looks to clinch

and Liddell counters by clinching up.

Liddell pulls guard.
Botswell wants to stand but Liddell has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Botswell postures up.
Botswell wanted to stand there but Liddell had control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Botswell wants to control from the top but Liddell keeps moving.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Liddell throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Botswell's waist but Botswell gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Liddell off to one side.

Liddell closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Botswell using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Liddell has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Liddell drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Botswell gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Botswell wants to stall.
Botswell managing to block the knees to the body from Liddell.
Liddell stalls.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Liddell tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Botswell just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chuck Liddell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Liddell tries to break the clinch but Botswell is controlling the position.
Liddell trying to stall but Botswell improves his position.
Liddell missing with knees to the body.
Liddell can't get the takedown.
Liddell fails to pull guard.
Liddell using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Botswell has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Liddell.
Botswell looking to stall.

Liddell pulls guard.
Liddell on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Liddell tries to get out of the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Liddell is on top in guard.

Liddell stands and steps away. Botswell gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Botswell closes the distance but Liddell moves to the side
and Liddell counters with a good low kick that Botswell was not able to check.
Chuck Liddell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Botswell rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Liddell moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Liddell looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Liddell wants to control from the top but Botswell keeps moving.
Liddell will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Botswell is working an open guard so Liddell takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Liddell misses with a takedown attempt - Botswell sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Botswell tries to clinch but Liddell moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liddell fails with a takedown attempt.
Botswell doesn't manage to clinch there - Liddell circles away.
No luck for Liddell with that takedown attempt.
Botswell tries to close the distance and clinch up but Liddell swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A head kick from Liddell lands but Botswell takes it in his stride.

It looks like Damien Botswell has been cut.
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 looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Botswell is fending him off so far but Liddell persists. Nope, Botswell circles away and we're back to standing.
Liddell tries to close the distance and clinch up but Botswell swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Liddell avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Liddell connects with a vicious head kick that knocks Botswell to the floor! Liddell dives in looking for the finish!

Botswell is rocked!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Liddell wants to pass the guard but Botswell is defending well.
Botswell is still in real trouble! Can Liddell finish him?
Botswell keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chuck Liddell dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Damien Botswell's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Botswell stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Liddell.
Botswell seems to have recovered his senses.
Liddell throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Botswell circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Botswell. No joy for Liddell on that attempt.

Liddell clinches with his opponent.
Liddell jumps guard but Botswell stands there with Liddell around his waist. Liddell gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Liddell tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chuck Liddell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Botswell scores a nice knee to the body.
Botswell gets underhooks to prevent Liddell's takedown attempt.
Botswell avoiding damage as Liddell throws knees to the body.
Liddell is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Liddell has Botswell pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Botswell manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Liddell fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Liddell wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Botswell has him pressed against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liddell with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Liddell can't get the takedown.
Botswell's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Liddell tries to pull guard but Botswell holds him up against the cage and eventually Liddell drops back down to his feet.
Botswell lands a damaging elbow.
Botswell lands a knee to the body.
Botswell stalling.
Liddell wants to break the clinch but can't.
Botswell stops a takedown attempt from Liddell.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Botswell lands a nice knee to the body.
Liddell wants to get back to striking at distance but Botswell won't allow it.
Liddell is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Liddell goes for a takedown in the clinch but Botswell prevents it.
Liddell managing to block the knees to the body from Botswell.
Botswell misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Liddell.
Liddell looking to stall.
Liddell blocks the elbow strike.

Liddell breaks the clinch.
Liddell tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Botswell paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Liddell is looking to clinch.
Botswell takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Liddell fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Botswell, pushing him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liddell is trying to break free.
Botswell letting Liddell take a breather here.
Botswell has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Liddell avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Botswell keeps control of Liddell as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Liddell can't break the clinch.
Liddell is stalling here.
Liddell has had enough of the clinch but Botswell keeps him there for the moment.
Liddell drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Botswell gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Liddell tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Botswell just stands there and leans against the cage.
Liddell has Botswell pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Botswell manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Liddell tries to land a knee to the head but Botswell blocks with his arms.
Liddell has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Botswell is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Liddell gets underhooks to prevent Botswell's takedown attempt.

Botswell successfully pulls guard.
Botswell looking to hit a scissor sweep but Liddell is one step ahead there.

Botswell has his feet on Liddell's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Botswell tries to clinch up.
Chuck Liddell is winning the standup battle so far.
A leg kick checked by Botswell.
Botswell tries to clinch

and Liddell moves into the clinch.
Liddell tries to break the clinch but Botswell is controlling the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chuck Liddell showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Liddell 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chuck Liddell!