PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between CHUCK LIDDELL (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mario De Luca (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mario De Luca has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with CHUCK LIDDELL's chin.

LIDDELL
vs
De Luca

188 cm
23
220 lbs
1 - 2 - 1

191 cm
18
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, CHUCK LIDDELL!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mario De Luca!
The judges for this bout are , and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
LIDDELL displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as De Luca throws out the jab.
De Luca scores with a crisp jab that stopped LIDDELL in his tracks.
De Luca throws a hook but LIDDELL blocks it.

LIDDELL takes the fight into the clinch.

LIDDELL has De Luca pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. LIDDELL pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending De Luca tumbling to the mat - LIDDELL dives into De Luca's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
LIDDELL throwing strikes but missing.
De Luca is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
LIDDELL missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
LIDDELL stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. De Luca swivels though and keeps the full guard.
LIDDELL postures up in De Luca's guard and throws a big left but De Luca blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LIDDELL trying to control the position from guard on top but De Luca is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
LIDDELL controls from within his opponent's guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
De Luca is trying to keep LIDDELL in close.
De Luca lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for LIDDELL!
De Luca avoids the attempt from LIDDELL to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
LIDDELL tries to reverse the position but De Luca maintains control.
LIDDELL is working hard here to advance position.
De Luca unloads with some shots from mount but LIDDELL bucks and avoids them well.
LIDDELL blocking the ground and pound.
De Luca punching from mount but LIDDELL doing a good job of avoiding damage.
De Luca thowing shots but they're missing.

De Luca swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and LIDDELL is now in De Luca's guard. A big mistake from De Luca there, giving up the dominant position!
LIDDELL is breathing heavily.
LIDDELL trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LIDDELL throwing strikes from guard but De Luca blocks nicely.
LIDDELL wants to pass the guard but De Luca is keeping the position.
De Luca keeping moving, preventing LIDDELL from controlling successfully.
De Luca tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

LIDDELL 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.
LIDDELL won't allow De Luca to sweep him here.
De Luca manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. LIDDELL manages to get himself to full guard.
De Luca trying to control the position from guard on top but LIDDELL is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
De Luca throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario De Luca dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

De Luca tries to clinch but fails miserably

and LIDDELL decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in De Luca's guard.

De Luca is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and LIDDELL defends well.
De Luca is trying to control the position but LIDDELL postures up.
LIDDELL is stalling in the full guard.

LIDDELL drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and LIDDELL jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
De Luca is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Luca is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
De Luca throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

LIDDELL avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
LIDDELL preventing the sweep.
LIDDELL trying to control but De Luca is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

De Luca escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. LIDDELL gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
LIDDELL postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
LIDDELL passes into half guard.
LIDDELL trying to control the action but De Luca is working from the bottom.
LIDDELL throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Luca is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
De Luca gets back to full guard.

LIDDELL got a little sloppy there for a moment and De Luca has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, LIDDELL has managed to get both his arms back between De Luca's legs - danger averted.
LIDDELL trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
LIDDELL in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

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.
De Luca can't keep his opponent in guard - LIDDELL advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
LIDDELL thows a huge punch but De Luca dodges it nicely.
LIDDELL lands strikes from half guard.
De Luca gets full guard.
LIDDELL in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
LIDDELL wants to control from the top but De Luca keeps moving.
De Luca working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from LIDDELL.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

CHUCK LIDDELL dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

De Luca lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
De Luca wants to clinch up but LIDDELL keeps it at a distance.
De Luca tries to clinch there but LIDDELL circles away.
Danga de danga de dang - LIDDELL scores with a four punch combination!
Mario De Luca seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
LIDDELL circles away from the clinch attempt

and LIDDELL decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in De Luca's guard.
De Luca keeping moving, preventing LIDDELL from controlling successfully.
LIDDELL is looking to advance position but De Luca has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
De Luca unloads with some shots from mount but LIDDELL bucks and avoids them well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Luca throws some wild stikes that LIDDELL manages to avoid easily.
LIDDELL keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
LIDDELL tries to lock up and control but De Luca gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

De Luca with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
LIDDELL is trying desperately to improve position.
De Luca can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as LIDDELL is looking to escape.

De Luca wants to finish this one by submission but LIDDELL is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from De Luca.

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.
LIDDELL tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
De Luca thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
LIDDELL wants to control but De Luca is having none of it.
LIDDELL really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

De Luca looking to secure an arm triangle but LIDDELL defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

LIDDELL bucks De Luca off and manages to get back to his feet!

LIDDELL scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
De Luca is trying to maintain the position but LIDDELL is very close to passing his half guard.
De Luca is trying to get back to full guard.
De Luca pushes LIDDELL off looking to stand but LIDDELL dives back in and keeps control.
De Luca trying to control from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Luca is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
LIDDELL throwing shots but De Luca is blocking nicely.
LIDDELL drops an elbow to the side of De Luca's head.
LIDDELL is trying to control the action in half guard but De Luca is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
LIDDELL is controlling the pace.
LIDDELL not landing any meaningful shots this time.

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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... CHUCK LIDDELL!