PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexi Lihakovich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bran Szorcowka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Lihakovich
vs
Szorcowka

190 cm
24
226 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

200 cm
18
205 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good knees
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Sydney BEAST Clothing

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alexi Lihakovich!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bran Szorcowka!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Steve Erwin and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lihakovich throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Szorcowka sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Szorcowka fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Szorcowka moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Szorcowka misses with an uppercut.
Szorcowka feints and then cracks Lihakovich's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Lihakovich down.
Szorcowka fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Szorcowka gets tackled into the cage by Lihakovich. Lihakovich maintains the clinch.
Lihakovich wants to stall.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Lihakovich.
Lihakovich goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Lihakovich landing knees to the head.

It looks like Bran Szorcowka has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Szorcowka misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Lihakovich stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Lihakovich.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lihakovich struggles to land a body shot inside as Szorcowka controls his hands.
Szorcowka lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Szorcowka blocks an elbow strike.
Lihakovich just leaning against Szorcowka, taking a breather.
Lihakovich throws an elbow that misses.
Lihakovich blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Szorcowka letting Lihakovich take a breather here.
Szorcowka avoids the elbow strike from Lihakovich, against the cage.
Lihakovich tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Lihakovich lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Lihakovich just misses with a elbow thrown towards Szorcowka's brow.
Szorcowka prevents a body shot from Lihakovich.
Szorcowka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lihakovich's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Szorcowka has a couple of punches blocked by Lihakovich.
Szorcowka blocks a body shot from Lihakovich.
Lihakovich tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Szorcowka avoiding damage as Lihakovich throws knees to the body.
Lihakovich tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Lihakovich fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Szorcowka.
Lihakovich looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Szorcowka pushes Lihakovich back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Szorcowka tries a body shot but Lihakovich blocks it.
Szorcowka working aggressively here.
Szorcowka avoids the elbow strike from Lihakovich, against the cage.
Lihakovich misses with a body punch.
Szorcowka is trying to break the clinch but Lihakovich is controlling him.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Szorcowka.
Lihakovich goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Szorcowka throws a punch but it's blocked by Lihakovich.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Szorcowka fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Szorcowka has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Lihakovich seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Szorcowka can turn it around.
Szorcowka blocks a body shot from Lihakovich.
Lihakovich throws an elbow that misses.
Szorcowka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lihakovich dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Lihakovich misses with the head strike.
Lihakovich throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Lihakovich tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Lihakovich can't find room to land a body shot as Szorcowka controls the action.
Lihakovich looking to slow down the pace here.
Lihakovich blocks a body shot from Szorcowka.
Szorcowka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Lihakovich connects with a nasty looking knee right to Szorcowka's face.
Lihakovich blocks an uppercut.
Lihakovich with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Szorcowka on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Szorcowka is trying to push Lihakovich away but Lihakovich has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Szorcowka wants to break free but Lihakovich has control.
Szorcowka working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Szorcowka avoids the elbow strike from Lihakovich, against the cage.
Lihakovich tries a knee to the head but Szorcowka blocks it.
Lihakovich struggles to land a body shot inside as Szorcowka controls his hands.
Lihakovich lands with a short punch from the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Lihakovich misses with a knee strike.
Lihakovich lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Szorcowka pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Szorcowka scores with a shot to the body.
Szorcowka uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lihakovich.
Lihakovich tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Szorcowka paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Szorcowka slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Alexi Lihakovich will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Bran Szorcowka's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Szorcowka throws a head kick but Lihakovich moves out of range.
Lihakovich tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Szorcowka counters with a nice uppercut.
Lihakovich tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Szorcowka manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Szorcowka throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lihakovich checks a leg kick.
Lihakovich is looking to clinch but Szorcowka is avoiding it.
Lihakovich moves forwards but Szorcowka connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Lihakovich misses with a series of wild punches.
Lihakovich closes the distance but Szorcowka moves to the side
and Szorcowka counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Szorcowka throws the kick towards the body but Lihakovich avoids it.
Lihakovich fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lihakovich moves to clinch but Szorcowka breaks away
and Szorcowka counters with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Szorcowka circles away from the clinch attempt
and Szorcowka counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lihakovich throws the kick towards the body but Szorcowka avoids it.
Szorcowka throws a head kick but Lihakovich moves out of range.
Lihakovich throws a push kick but Szorcowka slaps the foot to one side.
The fighters circle momentarily. Szorcowka darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Szorcowka throws a sloppy head kick and Lihakovich moves out of range easily.
Lihakovich looks to clinch
and Szorcowka counters with a three punch combo that has Lihakovich backing up. Lihakovich nods at Szorcowka to acknowledge the strikes.
A slow jab from Szorcowka misses its intended target.
Szorcowka lets loose with a powerful body kick. Lihakovich will feel that in the morning.
Szorcowka throws a hook to the side of Lihakovich's head but Lihakovich sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Lihakovich goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lihakovich wants to clinch up but Szorcowka keeps it at a distance.
Lihakovich tries a head kick but it misses.
Lihakovich tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Szorcowka looks to land a combination. Lihakovich sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lihakovich tries to clinch there but Szorcowka circles away.
Bran Szorcowka seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lihakovich avoids the head kick by Szorcowka.
Lihakovich tries to close the distance and clinch but Szorcowka swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Szorcowka has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Lihakovich tries to clinch but Szorcowka moves out of range.
Szorcowka moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Lihakovich tries to clinch but Szorcowka is having none of it.
Lihakovich tries to clinch but Szorcowka is having none of it.
Szorcowka circles away from the clinch attempt
and Szorcowka counters with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lihakovich has closed the distance and engaged Szorcowka in a clinch.
Szorcowka wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Lihakovich connects with a knee to the head.
Lihakovich tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Szorcowka's elbow.
Szorcowka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Lihakovich.
Szorcowka blocking some punches.
Szorcowka misses with some punches.
Szorcowka wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Szorcowka prevents a body shot from Lihakovich.
A right hand to the body from Lihakovich.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Szorcowka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Lihakovich manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Lihakovich misses with a knee strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Lihakovich fails to land.
Lihakovich lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Szorcowka backwards.
Lihakovich tries a body shot but Szorcowka blocks it.
With the fighters up against the cage, Lihakovich throws an elbow but misses.
Szorcowka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Lihakovich misses with a knee strike.
Szorcowka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Lihakovich tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Szorcowka's elbow.

Szorcowka breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lihakovich tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Szorcowka manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lihakovich throws a series of punches but Szorcowka avoids them all with ease.
Szorcowka blocks a head kick by Lihakovich.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Alexi Lihakovich will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Bran Szorcowka's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Lihakovich walks forward, straight into a front kick from Szorcowka.
Lihakovich wants to clinch but Szorcowka slips to the side
and Szorcowka counters with a leg kick.
Lihakovich looks to clinch
and Szorcowka counters with a nice uppercut.
Lihakovich stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Szorcowka.
Szorcowka slips a jab and a cross from Lihakovich.
Szorcowka lands with a nice body kick.
Lihakovich has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Lihakovich fails with an attempt to clinch.
Szorcowka avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lihakovich is looking to clinch.
Szorcowka misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lihakovich.
Szorcowka misses with a head kick.
Szorcowka lands a slapping body shot.
Szorcowka throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lihakovich tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lihakovich is looking to clinch.
Szorcowka misses with a lunging right hand

and Lihakovich counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A head punch on the inside from Lihakovich fails to land.
Szorcowka misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Szorcowka.
Lihakovich misses with a body punch.
Szorcowka avoids the elbow strike from Lihakovich, against the cage.
Lihakovich is leaning against Szorcowka and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Lihakovich takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Lihakovich misses with a hook to the ribs.
Lihakovich misses with a knee strike.
Lihakovich misses with a short punch on the inside.
Lihakovich misses with some punches.
A right hand to the body from Lihakovich.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lihakovich gets through Szorcowka's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Lihakovich throws a head punch that misses.
Lihakovich blocks a body shot from Szorcowka.
Lihakovich tries a knee to the head but Szorcowka blocks it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Szorcowka scores with a nice hook to the head.
Lihakovich throws a knee to the head but misses.
Lihakovich lands a hook to the side of the head.
Szorcowka lands a shot to the body.
Alexi Lihakovich has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Lihakovich is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Lihakovich blocks an uppercut.
Szorcowka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lihakovich is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Szorcowka throws a punch but it's blocked by Lihakovich.

Szorcowka's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lihakovich tries to close the distance and clinch up but Szorcowka swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Lihakovich moves into the clinch.
Lihakovich using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Szorcowka has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Szorcowka.
Alexi Lihakovich is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Szorcowka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lihakovich is pushing Szorcowka up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Szorcowka struggles to land a body shot inside as Lihakovich controls his hands.
Bran Szorcowka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lihakovich lands a hook that snaps the head of Szorcowka backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lihakovich blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Szorcowka misses with the head strike.

Szorcowka breaks the clinch.
Szorcowka attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Szorcowka looks to land a right hand but Lihakovich moved out of range.
Lihakovich uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Szorcowka.
Lihakovich is looking to clinch but Szorcowka is avoiding it.
Lihakovich darts in trying to clinch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Szorcowka wants to slow Lihakovich down by chopping away at his legs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lihakovich keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Szorcowka.
Lihakovich moves in looking to clinch but Szorcowka pushes him off.
Lihakovich tries to clinch up.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Bran Szorcowka.
I think Lihakovich 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 Francis DeMontford scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Alexi Lihakovich!