PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between QL Hicks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Hicks
vs
James

183 cm
27
186 lbs
13 - 7 - 1

185 cm
18
188 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Asphyxiation Ltd.
Asphyxiation Ltd.

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 13 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, QL Hicks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alex James!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Damien Edna and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
James throws a series of punches but Hicks moves out of range.
James takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A jab from James misses.

Hicks looking to score a takedown here. James is defending well but Hicks drives through and ends up in James's guard.
James is looking to stand up but Hicks isn't so interested in that idea.
Hicks with a flurry of punches that miss.
James keeping full guard, as Hicks tries to pass.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hicks accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hicks stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. James swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
James keeping moving, preventing Hicks from controlling successfully.
Hicks content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hicks with a flurry of punches that miss.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hicks looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hicks postures up in James's guard and throws a big left but James blocks it.
Hicks forces his way into half guard.
James is trying to stand.
Hicks working James over with strikes.
Hicks thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed James's head.
Hicks throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hicks missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hicks stops James from getting back to his feet.
James is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Hicks throwing shots but James is blocking nicely.
James blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hicks.
Hicks is keen to just control but James is a slippery customer.
James really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hicks. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hicks wants to free his trapped foot but James is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James is trying to stand.
Hicks is trying to control. James wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Hicks is nestled in close to James, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hicks missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Hicks is working for a kimura but James is defending it quite comfortably.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
James is staying active underneath Hicks, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
James tries to kick Hicks off but Hicks keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Hicks throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hicks tries to pass to full mount but James defends it.
Hicks has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Hicks seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but James does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James is trying to stand up here but Hicks is controlling him well.
James blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hicks.
James regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Hicks.
James utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hicks stands up over James, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
James wants to stand and escape but Hicks is having none of it.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if James can do anything to dispel that myth.
James looks gassed!
Hicks throwing strikes from guard but James blocks nicely.
Hicks missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hicks tries to free his leg and advance position but James is retaining full guard.
Hicks is looking to work some ground and pound but James has wrist control.
James preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hicks trying to control but James is working from the bottom.
James wants to stand but Hicks is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hicks works a leg free and moves into half guard.
James tries to kick Hicks off but Hicks keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hicks working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Hicks is pressing down on James's thigh, looking to free his foot. James is holding on for now.
Hicks looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks James with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Hicks working the head and body with strikes.
Hicks is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for James!
Hicks won't let James get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hicks lands with some strikes.
Hicks landing punches.

Hicks is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but James is surviving well by controlling Hicks's body position as best he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

QL Hicks 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.

Hicks closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. James quickly recovers to half guard.
Hicks sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. James defending well though.
Hicks lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Hicks works his way into side control.

Hicks is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, James has escaped the position, nice work there.
Hicks in side control, throwing shots but James defends.
QL Hicks overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
James is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Hicks throwing shots but missing, from side control.
A big shot lands for Hicks! That's hurt James! Will he recover? Hicks fires away with more strikes and the referee has to step in to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:01 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). QL Hicks!
QL Hicks spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a big arrogant.