PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Francesco Liberti (ranked 2996 p4p, 333 weight class) and Motu Te Tai (ranked 4151 p4p, 406 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.

Liberti
vs
Te Tai

168 cm
24
156 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
158 lbs
2 - 3 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Francesco Liberti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 1, fighting out of New York, Motu Te Tai!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Donatello Bradman and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Te Tai throws a head kick that misses.
Liberti misses with a kick to the body.
Liberti is looking to land body kicks.
Te Tai throws a fast counter high kick but Liberti manages to duck under it in time.
Te Tai throws a head kick that misses.
Liberti looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Liberti swinging wildly here.
Liberti swinging wildly here.
Liberti swinging wildly here.
Motu Te Tai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Te Tai lunges at Liberti with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Liberti's hand.
Liberti misses with a jab, cross combination.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Te Tai throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Te Tai has Liberti up against the cage in a clinch.
Liberti misses with a hook to the ribs.
Liberti is looking to control Te Tai's arms but Te Tai gets an underhook and turns him. Now Liberti has his back to the cage.

Te Tai pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Liberti throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Te Tai.
Liberti moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromTe Tai.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Te Tai tries to keep at a distance but Liberti has taken the fight into the clinch.

Te Tai breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Some wild striking there from Liberti.

Liberti moves into range and clinches up with Te Tai.
Liberti tries a knee to the head but Te Tai blocks it.

Te Tai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Te Tai has closed the distance and engaged Liberti in a clinch.
Liberti trying to land knees to the body.

Te Tai breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Liberti avoids the head kick by Te Tai.
Liberti appears to be looking for a big counter.

Liberti closes the distance and clinches.
Liberti stalling the fight.
Still in the clinch, Liberti scores with a nice short uppercut.
Liberti looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Liberti works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Te Tai pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Te Tai has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Liberti is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Te Tai showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Liberti.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Liberti clinches up against the cage.

Te Tai breaks the clinch.

Te Tai drives through and clinches with Liberti against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Liberti takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Te Tai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Liberti throws a series of punches but Te Tai avoids them all with ease.
Liberti throws a right and a left that Te Tai avoids nicely.

Te Tai rushes Liberti and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Liberti throws a head punch that misses.

Te Tai breaks the clinch.

Liberti gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A short body shot lands from Liberti as the two fighters clinch.
Liberti misses with a short punch on the inside.
Te Tai avoiding damage as Liberti throws knees to the body.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Te Tai closes the distance and clinches.

Te Tai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Te Tai connects with a vicious head kick that knocks Liberti to the floor! Te Tai dives in looking for the finish!

It looks like Francesco Liberti has been cut.

Te Tai stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Liberti closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

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

Te Tai knocks Liberti to the floor with a head kick! Can he finish him!?

Liberti is rocked!

Te Tai stands up.
Oh Liberti is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Liberti throws a series of punches but Te Tai avoids them all with ease.
Liberti will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Liberti seems to have got his legs back now.

Te Tai closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Te Tai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A head kick misses from Te Tai.
Liberti tries to bum rush Te Tai with a series of wild strikes but Te Tai uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Liberti moves into the clinch.
Te Tai blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Te Tai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Liberti gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A short right from Liberti.
Liberti lands a hook to the side of the head.

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

Liberti clinches.
Te Tai on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Te Tai breaks from the clinch.
Liberti swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Te Tai rushes Liberti and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Te Tai managing to block the knees to the body from Liberti.
A right handed body shot lands from Liberti.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Te Tai breaks from the clinch.
Liberti throws a nice looking combination but Te Tai bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Liberti clinches.

Te Tai's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Motu Te Tai will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Francesco Liberti's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Te Tai closes the distance and clinches.

Te Tai's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Liberti wants to land a leg kick but Te Tai is out of range.
Liberti misses with a few strikes there.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.

Te Tai closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Te Tai on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Te Tai's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Liberti tries to keep at a distance but Te Tai has taken the fight into the clinch.
Liberti is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Te Tai is defending well for now.

Te Tai's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Liberti is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Te Tai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Liberti blocks a head kick by Te Tai.

Liberti gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Te Tai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Te Tai.
As Te Tai looks to move away, Liberti throws a big counter combo but Te Tai just gets out of the way.
Te Tai pulls out of a head kick attempt.
An inside leg kick lands from Liberti.
Liberti will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Liberti pushes Te Tai up against the cage in a clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Liberti misses with a knee strike.

Te Tai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Liberti throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Liberti takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Te Tai takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Motu Te Tai seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Liberti moves into the clinch successfully.

Te Tai breaks from the clinch.
Liberti misses with a straight right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Te Tai throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Te Tai clinches up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Te Tai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Te Tai lands a head kick!
Liberti throws a right hand that Te Tai ducks under and follows up with a left that Te Tai also avoids with ease.

Liberti instigates a clinch.
Liberti scores with an uppercut up the middle.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Liberti creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Te Tai's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Francesco Liberti is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Liberti tries to keep at a distance but Te Tai has taken the fight into the clinch.
Liberti is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Liberti with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Te Tai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Te Tai clinches with his opponent.
Francesco Liberti has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Liberti lands a nice knee to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liberti missing with knees to the body.

Te Tai breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Liberti moves in looking to clinch but Te Tai pushes him off.
Te Tai throws a head kick that misses.
Te Tai throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Liberti.

Francesco Liberti's cut is getting worse.

Liberti has taken the fight to the clinch.
Liberti with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Liberti lands with a right to the head.
Liberti scores with a shot to the side of Te Tai's head.

Te Tai manages to break the clinch.

Liberti takes the fight into the clinch.
Liberti is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Liberti throws a knee to the head but misses.

Te Tai breaks from the clinch.

Te Tai gets a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Te Tai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Te Tai closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Te Tai breaks from the clinch.

Liberti clinches.

Te Tai breaks from the clinch.

Te Tai knocks Liberti to the floor with a head kick! Can he finish him!?
Liberti gets back to half guard.

Te Tai postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Liberti to stand up.

Te Tai clinches up against the cage.
Liberti scores with a shoulder strike.

Te Tai pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Decent striking displayed by Liberti there.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Liberti tries to clinch but Te Tai moves out of range.
Te Tai misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Te Tai is breathing heavily.
Te Tai keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

Te Tai has managed to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Motu Te Tai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Francesco Liberti's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Liberti fails to land with a series of punches.

Liberti clinches with his opponent.
A nice right hand lands inside from Liberti.

Te Tai breaks from the clinch.
Te Tai tries a head kick but it misses.

A big head kick from Te Tai and Liberti is sent sprawling to the canvas!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Liberti controlling the position.
Liberti's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Liberti is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Te Tai is trying to stand back up but Liberti is controlling him
Te Tai pushes Liberti off but Liberti dives into side control.
The referee asks Liberti politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Liberti prefers to stall for the moment though.
Te Tai pushes Liberti away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Liberti gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Liberti stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Te Tai takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Liberti looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Liberti.
Liberti avoids the head kick by Te Tai.
Sloppy strikes from Liberti. Those never looked like landing.
Liberti blocks a head kick by Te Tai.
Liberti doesn't manage to clinch there - Te Tai circles away.

Te Tai rushes Liberti and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Liberti stalling.

Te Tai manages to break the clinch.

Liberti instigates a clinch.
Te Tai blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Liberti throws a punch but it's blocked by Te Tai.

Te Tai pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A head kick misses from Te Tai.
Liberti looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Some wild striking there from Liberti.

Te Tai has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Liberti tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Te Tai breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Liberti scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Liberti.
Liberti rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Te Tai moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Te Tai throws a fast counter high kick but Liberti manages to duck under it in time.

Liberti gets tackled into the cage by Te Tai. Te Tai maintains the clinch.
Liberti putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Te Tai in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

Te Tai manages to break the clinch.
Te Tai tries a head kick but it misses.
Liberti misses with an attempted mid kick.

Te Tai instigates a clinch.

Te Tai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A head kick from Te Tai lands but Liberti takes it in his stride.
Liberti fails to land with a series of punches.

Liberti drives through and clinches with Te Tai against the cage.

Te Tai breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liberti looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Sloppy strikes from Liberti. Those never looked like landing.
Liberti moves in looking to clinch but Te Tai pushes him off.
Liberti stalks Te Tai and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Te Tai's face. Te Tai staggers backwards, shaken.

Te Tai rushes Liberti and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Te Tai breaks the clinch.
Te Tai lands a high kick!

Francesco Liberti's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Te Tai scores with a head kick. Liberti tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Te Tai takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Te Tai showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Liberti.

Te Tai gets a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Te Tai pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Liberti forces Te Tai back against the cage and clinches.
Liberti tries to land knees in the clinch but Te Tai avoids the damage to the body.
Liberti is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Te Tai's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Liberti swinging wildly here.

Liberti has closed the distance and engaged Te Tai in a clinch.

Te Tai breaks the clinch.
A head kick misses from Te Tai.

Liberti rushes Te Tai and presses him up against the cage.
Liberti tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Te Tai avoids it.
Liberti lands a right hand that snaps the head of Te Tai backwards.
Liberti tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Liberti missing with knees to the body.
Francesco Liberti has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Liberti throws an elbow that misses.
Motu Te Tai is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Te Tai blocking some punches.
Liberti tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

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 Francesco Liberti.
I think Te Tai has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Motu Te Tai!
The defeated Francesco Liberti had this to say: 'The best won.'.