PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Liam Neeson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tokyo Drift (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Liam Neeson looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Neeson
vs
Drift

175 cm
24
148 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

167 cm
28
148 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Liam Neeson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tokyo Drift!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Ren Mimura and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Drift misses with a head kick.
Neeson slaps away a takedown attempt from Drift, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Drift swinging wildly here.
Drift shoots in looking for a takedown but Neeson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Drift's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Neeson shoots in but Drift avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Drift pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Neeson looking to score a takedown here. Drift is defending well but Neeson drives through and ends up in Drift's guard.
Neeson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Drift really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Neeson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Drift is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neeson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Drift wants to stand and escape but Neeson is having none of it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Liam Neeson.
Neeson fails with the takedown.
Drift defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Neeson.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Liam Neeson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Drift scores with a head kick.

It looks like Liam Neeson has been cut.
Neeson leaves Drift with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Drift pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Neeson back to the cage. Drift follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Drift has Neeson up against the cage in a clinch.
Drift connects with a knee to the head.
Neeson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Drift pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neeson jumps guard but Drift turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Neeson is breathing heavily.
Neeson tries to pull guard but Drift won't allow it.

Drift has clasped his hands together around Neeson's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Neeson tries to buck Drift off but Drift is having none of it.

Drift wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Neeson, who protects the arm well.

Drift stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Drift moves into the clinch.
Drift misses with a knee to the head.
Neeson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Drift to keep the fight standing.
Neeson wants a takedown but no success here.
Drift misses with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Drift pulls guard successfully.
Neeson slips nicely into half guard.
Drift is looking to escape.
Drift is looking for a sweep. Neeson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Neeson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Neeson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Drift wants to get back to his feet.
Neeson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Neeson trying to control the action but Drift is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Neeson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neeson seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Drift is not content to let Neeson control the position.
Neeson not doing much here.
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!
Drift is looking for a sweep. Neeson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Drift wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Neeson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Drift sees it coming and defends easily.
Drift gets back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tokyo Drift dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Liam Neeson's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

No luck for Drift with that takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Drift. No joy for Neeson on that attempt.
Neeson keeps the fight on the outside.
Drift misses with a two punch combination.
Drift goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Drift is looking to clinch but Neeson is avoiding it.
Drift throws a one two combo.
No luck for Drift with that takedown attempt.
Neeson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Drift tries to clinch there but Neeson circles away.
Drift tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Neeson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Drift shoots in looking for a takedown but Neeson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Drift's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Liam Neeson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tokyo Drift.
Drift is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drift throws a head kick but Neeson moves out of range.
Drift fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Drift tries a head kick but it misses.
Neeson shoots in for a double leg but Drift sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Neeson shoots in for a double leg but Drift sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Neeson shoots in looking for a takedown. Drift tries to sprawl out of it but Neeson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Drift manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Drift misses with a double jab.
Neeson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Drift misses with a two punch combination.
Drift tries to clinch there but Neeson circles away.
Neeson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Drift moves in looking to clinch but Neeson pushes him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neeson avoids the head kick by Drift.
Drift stuffs the takedown attempt from Neeson. Neeson gets slowly back to his feet.

Drift clinches up against the cage.
Drift lands a right hand.
A right handed body shot lands from Drift.
Drift connects with a knee to the head.
Drift scores with a knee to the head.
Drift tries to land a knee to the head but Neeson blocks with his arms.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Neeson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Drift just stands there and leans against the cage.
Drift tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Neeson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Drift successfully pulls guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Drift has his feet on Neeson's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Drift shoots in but no luck this time.
Neeson shoots for a double leg takedown but Drift sprawls well. He's pushed Neeson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Tokyo Drift seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Drift throws a head kick but Neeson moves out of range.
Neeson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Drift as he avoids it easily.

Drift closes the distance and clinches.

Drift pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Drift lands a nice looking body kick.
Neeson keeps the fight on the outside.
Drift shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Neeson pinned against the cage. Neeson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Tokyo Drift seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Neeson fails to land the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drift shoots in but no luck this time.
Neeson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Drift dives in and grabs Neeson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Neeson pushes down on Drift's head and hops out.
Drift tries to clinch but Neeson moves out of range.
Neeson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Drift clinches with his opponent.
Neeson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Neeson is trying to drag Drift to the mat but Drift just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Drift with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Neeson jumps guard but Drift stands there with Neeson around his waist. Neeson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tokyo Drift showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Liam Neeson's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Drift throws a head kick that Neeson semi-blocks.
Neeson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Drift swivels and escapes.
Drift pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Drift closes the distance and pushes Neeson back into the cage.
Neeson tries to score a body lock takedown but Drift shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Drift lands an uppercut.
A right hand to the body from Drift.
Neeson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Drift to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Liam Neeson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Drift is working Neeson over against the cage.
Drift lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Drift with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drift stops a takedown attempt from Neeson.
Drift lands a knee to the body.
Neeson takes an elbow to the forehead.

Drift manages to break the clinch.
Drift shoots in but Neeson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Drift lands a right hook to the body.
Drift scores with a crisp jab that stopped Neeson in his tracks.
Drift scores with a nice right hand.
No luck for Neeson with that takedown attempt.
Drift lands a nice shot that snaps Neeson's head back.
Drift is looking to clinch.
Neeson shoots in for a takedown but Drift shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drift tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Drift lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Drift feints and as Neeson raises his hands in defense, Drift changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Neeson looking for a sweep. Not yet Neeson, not yet.
Drift tries to free his leg and advance position but Neeson is retaining full guard.

Neeson pushes Drift off and gets back to his feet.
Drift tries to score a power double leg takedown but Neeson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Drift somewhat.
Drift tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Drift tries to clinch up but Neeson circles away and keeps his distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neeson avoids a punch combination nicely.

Neeson gets the takedown into side control.
Drift is looking for a sweep.
Neeson is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Drift will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Neeson in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Drift seems a little lost for a moment, as Neeson dominates the positioning.
Neeson has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Neeson trying to control the action but Drift is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neeson landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Drift manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Drift is looking to take a break and control but Neeson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Neeson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Drift pulls his head out easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Neeson wants to improve his position but Drift is controlling well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Drift escapes and gets back to his feet.
Liam Neeson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Drift scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tokyo Drift comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Drift winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Tokyo Drift!
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Tokyo Drift!
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight for Tokyo Drift!

Tokyo Drift wins by unanimous decision!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Tokyo Drift waved his t-shirt featuring 1337 ANZAC 's logo in front of the cameras.