PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mark Latham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Block Liddell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Latham comes to the cage accompanied by Frontier Psychiatrist - The Avalanches. Liddell has chosen Slayer - Raining Blood as his entrance music. Block Liddell has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Latham
vs
Liddell

185 cm
26
215 lbs
13 - 8 - 0

185 cm
26
219 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Good low kicks
Powerful

Ka-POW 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 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mark Latham!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Block Liddell!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Robert Twigg and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Latham throws a head kick that misses.
Jab by Latham.
Latham throws a hook to the side of Liddell's head but Liddell sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Liddell fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Latham.
Latham misses with an uppercut.
Liddell throws a head kick but Latham moves out of range.
Latham looks for a takedown but Liddell sprawls well.
Liddell avoids the head kick by Latham.
Latham takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Latham is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Liddell's half guard.

Latham is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Liddell doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Latham.
Liddell won't allow Latham to pass to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Latham is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Liddell doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Latham.
Liddell holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Liddell is trying to stand.
Latham tries to pass to full mount but Liddell defends it.

Latham is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Liddell sees it coming and defends easily.

Latham is looking for a kimura but Liddell is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Latham to get the leverage.
Liddell is staying active underneath Latham, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A jab from Latham misses.
Liddell displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Latham throws out the jab.

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.
Liddell is looking to chop away at Latham's legs.
Liddell feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Latham's calf.

Latham looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Latham wants to control from the top but Liddell keeps moving.
Liddell wants to stand but Latham is controlling the position.
Latham looking to pass the guard.
Latham wants to control from the top but Liddell keeps moving.
Liddell is controlling Latham's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Latham postures up in Liddell's guard and throws a big left but Liddell blocks it.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Liddell finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Liddell takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Latham throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Liddell misses with a low kick.
Latham fails with the takedown.
Latham lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Liddell avoids the body shot from Latham.
Latham lands a two punch combo.
Latham throws an overhand right that lands on Liddell's shoulder, as Liddell tries to avoid the shot.
Latham ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Liddell moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liddell tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Liddell plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Latham throws a body punch but Liddell moves out of range.
Liddell pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Latham thows a body shot but no joy.
Block Liddell is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Latham scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Latham tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Liddell throws a head kick that misses.
Latham shoots for a double leg takedown but Liddell sprawls well. He's pushed Latham's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Latham. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Latham misses with a jab, cross combination.
Liddell shoots for a takedown but Latham saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A slow jab from Latham misses its intended target.
Latham wants to clinch.
Liddell moves away from the strike by Latham.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Block Liddell will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A telegraphed right hand from Latham misses the target.
Liddell throws a head kick that misses.
Liddell throws a wild body kick that Latham sees coming a mile off.
Latham checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Latham misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Liddell.
Latham just misses with a punch to the body.
Latham thows a body shot but no joy.
Latham throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Latham tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Liddell was well out of range. Poor timing from Latham.
Latham shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Liddell but Liddell pushes him off and we're back to square one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Latham looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Liddell ducks under a wild hook from Latham.
Latham throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Liddell.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Latham rushes Liddell and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Liddell's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Liddell.
A looping hook to the body misses from Latham. Liddell does a little dance to reset his feet.

Latham closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Liddell did well to prevent Latham getting side control.

Latham is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Latham is working for a submission of some sort.
Liddell looks like he's trying to stand up.
Latham lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liddell is trying to get back to full guard.

Latham is working for a kimura but Liddell is defending it quite comfortably.

Latham is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Liddell sees it coming and defends easily.
Liddell tries to get to full guard but Latham has control of the leg.

Latham is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Latham prevents Liddell from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Latham seems to be looking for submissions.

Liddell pushes Latham off and gets back to his feet.
A punch combination from Liddell misses.
Liddell is breathing heavily.
Liddell pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Liddell does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Latham checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Latham drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Latham trying to control but Liddell is working from the bottom.
Latham tries to free his leg and advance position but Liddell is retaining full guard.

Liddell has his feet on Latham's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Latham blocks a head kick by Liddell.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Latham looks to land a left hand but Liddell moved out of range nicely.
Mark Latham is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Liddell leaves Latham with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Latham decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Latham wants to lay and pray for a moment but Liddell keeps working.

Latham is working for a submission of some sort.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Liddell has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Latham is working away from the top position though.

Latham is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Liddell sees it coming and defends easily.

Latham is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Latham dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Latham throws a body punch but Liddell moves out of range.
Liddell connects with a high kick.
Liddell moves out of range as Latham strikes.
Some wild striking there from Latham.
Liddell avoids a punch combination nicely.
Liddell throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Some wild striking there from Latham.
Latham throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Liddell sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Liddell bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Latham closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Liddell to the mat! Liddell manages to get full guard.
Latham forces his way into half guard.

Latham seems to be working for a kimura but Liddell defends the submission attempt.
Liddell tries to kick Latham off but Latham keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Liddell takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Liddell is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Latham wants to free his trapped foot but Liddell is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Latham not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Latham missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Latham trying to pass the guard but Liddell defending well.
Latham throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Latham looks to land a left hand but Liddell moved out of range nicely.
Liddell slips under a jab.
Latham misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Latham misses the shot to the body.
Latham changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Liddell tries to avoid it but Latham manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Liddell to the ground. Liddell escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Latham avoids the head kick by Liddell.
Latham with a nice cross.
A slow jab from Liddell misses its intended target.
Liddell misses with a head kick.
Latham jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Liddell keeps the fight on the outside.
Latham tries to clinch there but Liddell circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liddell uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Latham.
Liddell keeps the fight on the outside.
Latham takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Liddell ducks under a wild hook from Latham.
Liddell uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Latham.
Liddell throws a head kick that misses.
Latham tried to score with a low kick but Liddell checks it.
Latham shoots in but no luck this time.
Latham tries to close the distance and clinch but Liddell swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Latham looks to land a left hand but Liddell moved out of range nicely.
A slapping leg kick lands for Liddell.
Latham is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Liddell.
Latham takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liddell avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Liddell swats away the attempt to clinch by Latham.
Latham fails to land with a series of punches.
Latham darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Latham wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Latham shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Liddell as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mark Latham. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Liddell.
Liddell throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Liddell avoids the head kick by Latham.
A combination from Latham does no damage.
Latham blocks a leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Block Liddell comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Liddell 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Block Liddell!