PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Cromwell (ranked 4540 p4p, 516 weight class) and Weimin Liaw (ranked 8624 p4p, 739 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Cromwell
vs
Liaw

186 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
21
187 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Big heart

Decent wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight 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, Thomas Cromwell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Weimin Liaw!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, John Roberts and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cromwell gets tackled into the cage by Liaw. Liaw maintains the clinch.

Liaw manages to break the clinch.
Cromwell throws a head kick but Liaw moves out of range.
Liaw only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Cromwell connects with a looping right hand.
Liaw throws a head kick but Cromwell moves out of range.
Cromwell throws a sloppy head kick and Liaw moves out of range easily.

Liaw gets a clinch.
Cromwell fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Liaw tries for a takedown. No joy.
Liaw keeps control of Cromwell as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Liaw has Cromwell pressed against the cage, preventing Cromwell from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Liaw breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Liaw tries a head kick but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Liaw tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cromwell swivels and escapes.
Cromwell lands a jab to Liaw's midsection.
Cromwell lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Cromwell looks to land a body kick but Liaw moved away.
Cromwell ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Liaw moves away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Liaw gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Cromwell.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liaw slips under a jab from Cromwell.
Liaw shoots in but Cromwell avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Thomas Cromwell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Weimin Liaw.
Cromwell looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cromwell throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Liaw counters by moving into the clinch.
Cromwell is trying to break the clinch but Liaw is controlling him.
Liaw dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Cromwell looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Cromwell has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Liaw manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

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

Liaw gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Liaw keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cromwell's efforts to push away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cromwell has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Cromwell working hard to break the clinch.
Liaw blocking some punches.
Liaw has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Cromwell after a bit of a struggle.

Liaw pulls guard successfully.
Liaw trying to keep a closed guard but Cromwell is proving a slippery customer.

Liaw is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cromwell defends well.
Liaw is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cromwell controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Cromwell is fighting to break Liaw's control of his arms but Liaw is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Liaw is trying to keep Cromwell in close.
Liaw manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Cromwell manages to get himself to full guard.

Cromwell controls Liaw momentarily but Liaw frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Liaw stopping the sweep attempt from Cromwell.
Cromwell being controlled here, momentarily.
Liaw postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cromwell misses with a hook. Liaw ducked under it nicely.
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 Thomas Cromwell will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Liaw forces Cromwell back against the cage and clinches.
Cromwell is trying to break free.

Liaw decides to pull guard.
Liaw wants to sweep but no luck.
Liaw working a defensive guard here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Liaw can do anything to dispel that myth.
Liaw controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cromwell knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Liaw on the ground.
Cromwell trying to stand up but can't free himself from Liaw's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Liaw tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cromwell swivels and escapes.
Liaw staying out of range there.
Cromwell leaves Liaw with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Cromwell avoids the head kick by Liaw.
Cromwell tries to bum rush Liaw with a series of wild strikes but Liaw uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Liaw tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A left lands for Cromwell.
Thomas Cromwell is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Cromwell, as that shot connected.

Liaw clinches up with Cromwell and pushes him back against the cage.
Liaw lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Liaw has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Cromwell after a bit of a struggle.
Thomas Cromwell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Weimin Liaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cromwell is trying to break the clinch but Liaw has him pressed against the cage.
Liaw has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Cromwell avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Cromwell wants to break the clinch but can't.

Cromwell pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A jab from Cromwell misses.
Thomas Cromwell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Liaw has a takedown stuffed.
Liaw shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cromwell pinned against the cage. Cromwell gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Liaw is breathing heavily.
A big left from Cromwell misses.
Cromwell tries a head kick but it misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Liaw misses the jab.
Jab, jab by Cromwell - just one landing.
Cromwell feints and then cracks Liaw's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Liaw down.
Cromwell scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cromwell just misses with a punch to the body.
Danga de danga de dang - Cromwell scores with a four punch combination!
Cromwell tries to bum rush Liaw with a series of wild strikes but Liaw uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Cromwell misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nice takedown defense from Cromwell. No joy for Liaw on that attempt.
Cromwell appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Cromwell throws a shot from downtown. Liaw moves away and avoids it.
Cromwell scores with a head kick. Liaw tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Liaw tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cromwell swivels and escapes.
Cromwell went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
A shot to the liver by Cromwell. Beautiful body shot.
Thomas Cromwell is winning the standup battle so far.
A head kick from Cromwell lands but Liaw takes it in his stride.
Cromwell swinging wildly here.
Cromwell throws a wild body kick that Liaw sees coming a mile off.
Cromwell swings for the body but Liaw moves out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Liaw throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cromwell throws a head kick but Liaw moves out of range.
Cromwell will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Liaw has managed to clinch.
Cromwell wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Liaw breaks from the clinch.
Cromwell throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Liaw throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Liaw shoots for a double leg takedown but Cromwell sprawls well. He's pushed Liaw's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cromwell swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Cromwell with a nice cross.
Cromwell missing with a left hand there. Liaw was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Cromwell throws a series of punches but Liaw moves out of range.
Liaw avoids a punch combination nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Cromwell dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Cromwell pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Thomas Cromwell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Liaw drives through and clinches with Cromwell against the cage.
Cromwell avoiding damage as Liaw throws knees to the body.
Liaw has Cromwell pressed against the cage, preventing Cromwell from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Liaw scores with a nice hook to the head.
Cromwell has had enough of the clinch but Liaw keeps him there for the moment.
Cromwell is pressed up against the cage. Liaw has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Cromwell down to the mat. Cromwell avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Cromwell takes a swing at Liaw's ribcage but misses.
Cromwell misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Liaw tries to counter by closing the distance.

Liaw pushes Cromwell up against the cage in a clinch.
Cromwell wants to get back to striking at distance but Liaw won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cromwell is trying to break the clinch but Liaw is controlling him.
Liaw jumps guard but Cromwell turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Cromwell has had enough of the clinch but Liaw keeps him there for the moment.
Cromwell tries to circle away but Liaw has him pinned against the cage.
Liaw stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liaw keeps control of Cromwell as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Cromwell tries to break free but Liaw pushes him back against the cage.
Cromwell has had enough of the clinch but Liaw keeps him there for the moment.
Cromwell doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Liaw avoiding damage.
Cromwell is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Liaw is defending well for now.

Liaw pulls guard.
Liaw is trying to keep Cromwell in close.

Liaw is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Liaw trying to control the position.
Thomas Cromwell is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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.
Cromwell stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Liaw swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Liaw 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.
Liaw has his hands on Cromwell's head, controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cromwell fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Liaw manages to avoid it.
Danga de danga de dang - Liaw scores with a four punch combination!
Cromwell throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Cromwell takes a swing at Liaw's ribcage but misses.
Liaw shoots in but Cromwell avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Thomas Cromwell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Weimin Liaw.
Cromwell misses with a double jab.
A nice combination there by Cromwell.
Cromwell is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Liaw can do to turn this around?
Cromwell throws a head kick but Liaw moves out of range.
Cromwell jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Cromwell misses with a jab to the body
and Liaw counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Cromwell throws a head kick but Liaw moves out of range.
Liaw uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cromwell.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Liaw has his takedown stuffed
and Cromwell counters with a stiff right hand.
Liaw takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cromwell throws a head kick but Liaw moves out of range.
Some wild striking there from Cromwell.
Cromwell misses with a hook. Liaw ducked under it nicely.
Liaw shoots in but Cromwell avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Cromwell tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cromwell throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cromwell throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Liaw counters with a left to the body.
Liaw blocks a head kick by Cromwell.
Liaw blocks a head kick by Cromwell.
Weimin Liaw has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Liaw scores with a jab to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Thomas Cromwell.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cromwell, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight for Thomas Cromwell!
Judge John Roberts scores the fight for Thomas Cromwell!
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight for Thomas Cromwell!

Thomas Cromwell wins by unanimous decision!