PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chuck Liddell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hank Hardwick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chuck Liddell has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Liddell
vs
Hardwick

225 cm
22
230 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

170 cm
19
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Chuck Liddell !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hank Hardwick!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Ivan Kurochkin and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Liddell misses with a hook. Hardwick ducked under it nicely.
Liddell looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!

Hardwick shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Hardwick has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Hardwick landing strikes from the mount.
Hardwick landing shots from mount.
Hardwick scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Liddell ?
Hardwick connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

Liddell is rocked!
Liddell on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Liddell tries to get out of the position.
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!
Hardwick fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Oh Liddell is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Liddell in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Liddell knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Hardwick on the ground.
Hardwick lands a big shot there that rocks Liddell but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
A nice elbow there by Hardwick.
Hardwick lands a big elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hardwick with the ground and pound from mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardwick connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Hardwick pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
A nice elbow there by Hardwick.
Hardwick lands a big shot there that rocks Liddell but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Hardwick working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Hardwick scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Hardwick lands with some strikes.
Liddell is in a horrible position here. Hardwick smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Liddell really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hardwick landing shots from mount.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The referee warns Liddell that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Hardwick should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Hardwick is in the full mount, landing strikes.
The referee warns Liddell that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hardwick looking to finish Liddell with some ground and pound. This is bad for Liddell !
Liddell is bucking up trying to escape but Hardwick cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hardwick lands a heavy elbow.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Hardwick cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Hardwick unloading with bombs!
A nice elbow there by Hardwick.
Hardwick lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Hardwick lands a heavy elbow.
Hardwick landing strikes from the mount and Liddell is in trouble!
Liddell takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Hardwick landing punches.
Liddell takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Hardwick with good strikes from the mount here!
Hardwick lands a big shot there that rocks Liddell but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Hardwick cracks Liddell with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Hardwick looking to finish Liddell with some ground and pound. This is bad for Liddell !
Hardwick connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardwick with the ground and pound from mount.
Hardwick lands a big elbow.
Hardwick working Liddell over with strikes here.
Hardwick has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hardwick fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Hardwick scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Liddell ?
Hardwick looking to finish Liddell with some ground and pound. This is bad for Liddell !
Hardwick working the ground and pound effectively.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Liddell taking shots to the head.
Hardwick is landing with some decent strikes but Liddell is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
A nice elbow there by Hardwick.
BOOM! Hardwick connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Hardwick lands a heavy elbow.
Hardwick pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Hardwick has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Liddell 's face.
Hardwick blocks Liddell 's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardwick lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Hardwick has eaten all the pies!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Hardwick cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Hardwick cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Hardwick looking to finish Liddell with some ground and pound. This is bad for Liddell !
Hardwick punishing his opponent with strikes.
Hardwick is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Liddell can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Hardwick dominating with strikes here.
Hardwick lands with some strikes.
Hardwick fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Hardwick unloading with bombs!
Hardwick looking to finish Liddell with some ground and pound. This is bad for Liddell !
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Liddell is in a horrible position here. Hardwick smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Liddell is in a horrible position here. Hardwick smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Hardwick lands a big elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hank Hardwick dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Hardwick fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hardwick shoots for a takedown but Liddell saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hardwick looks to land a right hand but Liddell moved out of range.
Hardwick misses with a two punch combination.
Hardwick misses with a head kick.
Hardwick shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Liddell pinned against the cage. Liddell gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Chuck Liddell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hank Hardwick.
Hardwick shoots in looking for a takedown. Liddell tries to sprawl out of it but Hardwick keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Liddell manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hardwick shoots in but no luck this time.
Hardwick shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Liddell as he avoids it easily.
Hardwick fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hardwick doesn't manage to clinch there - Liddell circles away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hardwick tries a head kick but it misses.
Hardwick wants to clinch.
Hardwick throws a low kick but it's checked well by Liddell .

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardwick wants to clinch.
Hardwick shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Liddell but Liddell pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hardwick wants to clinch up but Liddell keeps it at a distance.
Hardwick tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Liddell swivels and escapes.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hardwick looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hardwick is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hardwick will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hardwick shoots for a double leg takedown but Liddell sprawls well. He's pushed Hardwick's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hardwick fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Chuck Liddell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hardwick tries for a takedown but Liddell sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hardwick fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hardwick shoots for a double leg takedown but Liddell sprawls well. He's pushed Hardwick's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Chuck Liddell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hardwick has a takedown stuffed.
Hardwick fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liddell blocks a head kick by Hardwick.
Hardwick tries to clinch there but Liddell circles away.
A choreographed right hand from Hardwick misses the target.
Hardwick tries for a takedown but Liddell sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hardwick looks frusrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hardwick fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hardwick tries to clinch there but Liddell circles away.
Hardwick has a takedown stuffed.
Hardwick tries to clinch there but Liddell circles away.
Hardwick changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Liddell tries to avoid it but Hardwick manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Liddell to the ground. Liddell escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hardwick shoots in for a double leg but Liddell sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hardwick shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Liddell as he jumps to the side.
No luck for Hardwick with that takedown attempt.
Hardwick fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hardwick shoots in but Liddell avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hardwick closes the distance and clinches up with Liddell , looking for a takedown. Hardwick pushes Liddell against the cage but Liddell circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardwick has a takedown stuffed.
Hardwick is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hardwick shoots in and drives through. Liddell sprawls well.
Hardwick wants to clinch up but Liddell keeps it at a distance.
Liddell keeps the fight on the outside.
Hardwick wants to clinch up but Liddell keeps it at a distance.
Hardwick fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hardwick doesn't manage to clinch there - Liddell circles away.
Hardwick doesn't manage to clinch there - Liddell circles away.
Hardwick looks for a takedown but Liddell sprawls well.
Hardwick shoots in and drives through. Liddell sprawls well.
Hardwick tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hardwick shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Liddell pinned against the cage. Liddell gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hardwick fails with a takedown attempt.
Hardwick looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Liddell is fending him off so far but Hardwick persists. Nope, Liddell circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Hardwick shoots in looking for a takedown. Liddell tries to sprawl out of it but Hardwick keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Liddell manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hardwick shoots in but Liddell avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hardwick has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hardwick has a takedown stuffed.
Hardwick looks for a takedown but Liddell sprawls well.
Hardwick fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hardwick fails with the takedown.
Hardwick tries to clinch up but Liddell circles away and keeps his distance.
Hardwick throws a looping overhand right but Liddell ducks down to avoid it.
Liddell keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hardwick looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Liddell stuffs the takedown attempt from Hardwick. Hardwick gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chuck Liddell dominated that second round.
That's time! Liddell 's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Hardwick shoots for a double leg takedown but Liddell sprawls well. He's pushed Hardwick's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hardwick is looking to clinch but Liddell is avoiding it.
Hardwick wants to clinch up but Liddell keeps it at a distance.
Hardwick shoots for a takedown but Liddell saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hardwick shoots for a double leg takedown but Liddell sprawls well. He's pushed Hardwick's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Chuck Liddell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hank Hardwick.
Hardwick is looking to clinch but Liddell is avoiding it.
Hardwick fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hardwick is looking to clinch but Liddell is avoiding it.
No luck for Hardwick with that takedown attempt.
Hardwick fails with a takedown attempt.
Hardwick throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hardwick will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hardwick shoots in looking for a takedown. Liddell tries to sprawl out of it but Hardwick keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Liddell manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hardwick misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardwick shoots for a double leg takedown but Liddell sprawls well. He's pushed Hardwick's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hardwick wants to clinch.
Hardwick tries to clinch but Liddell moves out of range.
Hardwick fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hardwick shoots in but no luck this time.
Nice takedown defense from Liddell . No joy for Hardwick on that attempt.
Hardwick tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Liddell swivels and escapes.
Hardwick fails to land the takedown.
Hardwick throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Liddell 's waist but Liddell gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hardwick off to one side.
Hardwick changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Liddell tries to avoid it but Hardwick manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Liddell to the ground. Liddell escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hardwick shoots in for a double leg but Liddell sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hardwick throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Liddell 's waist but Liddell gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hardwick off to one side.
Hardwick shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Liddell as he avoids it easily.
Hardwick fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hardwick tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Liddell paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hardwick shoots for a double leg takedown but Liddell sprawls well. He's pushed Hardwick's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Liddell as Hardwick shoots in.
Hardwick changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Liddell tries to avoid it but Hardwick manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Liddell to the ground. Liddell escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hardwick misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hardwick throws a poor cross that misses
letting Liddell counter with a right hand.
Hardwick tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Liddell paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hardwick fails with a takedown attempt.
Hardwick tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Liddell paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hardwick moves in looking to clinch but Liddell pushes him off.
Hardwick closes the distance and clinches up with Liddell , looking for a takedown. Hardwick pushes Liddell against the cage but Liddell circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Liddell swats away the attempt to clinch by Hardwick.
Hardwick moves in looking to clinch but Liddell pushes him off.
Hardwick closes this distance looking for a takedown but Liddell circles away.
Hardwick tries to close the distance and clinch up but Liddell swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hardwick shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Liddell pinned against the cage. Liddell gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nice takedown defense from Liddell . No joy for Hardwick on that attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardwick wants to clinch up but Liddell keeps it at a distance.
Hardwick fails to land the takedown.
Hardwick moves in looking to clinch but Liddell pushes him off.
Hardwick looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Liddell is fending him off so far but Hardwick persists. Nope, Liddell circles away and we're back to standing.
Hardwick has a takedown stuffed.
Hardwick shoots in for a double leg but Liddell sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Liddell stuffs the takedown.
Hardwick shoots in looking for a takedown. Liddell tries to sprawl out of it but Hardwick keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Liddell manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hardwick fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hardwick tries to clinch but Liddell moves out of range.
Hardwick throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Liddell 's waist but Liddell gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hardwick off to one side.
Hardwick fails in his attempt to clinch.
Liddell keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hardwick tries to clinch up but Liddell circles away and keeps his distance.
Nice sprawl there from Liddell as Hardwick shoots in.
Chuck Liddell is winning the standup battle so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardwick tries to clinch up.
Hardwick misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hardwick throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hardwick shoots in for a takedown but Liddell shows good takedown defense.
Hardwick tries to close the distance and clinch up but Liddell swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hardwick fails with the takedown.
Hardwick misses with a takedown attempt - Liddell sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hardwick fails to land the takedown.
Hardwick closes this distance looking for a takedown but Liddell circles away.
Hardwick moves in looking to clinch but Liddell pushes him off.
Hardwick shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Liddell as he jumps to the side.
Liddell keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hardwick tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Liddell swivels and escapes.
Hardwick tries to clinch up.
Hardwick fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chuck Liddell showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Liddell 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:28
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 28:28

The fight is ruled a majority draw!