PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chuck Liddell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kareem Said (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Liddell
vs
Said

187 cm
20
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Powerful

Team S.W.A.T.

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, 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 Rio de Janeiro, Kareem Said!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Thiago Cunha and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Liddell. No joy for Said on that attempt.
Liddell fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Liddell shoots in for a takedown but Said shows good takedown defense.
Said shoots and misses

and Liddell counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Said looking for a sweep. Not yet Said, not yet.
Said utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Said throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Said can do anything to dispel that myth.
Said throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Said trying to strike off his back.
Liddell preventing the sweep.
Said punching from the bottom.
Said trying to strike off his back.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Said doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Liddell counters with a nice body kick.
Chuck Liddell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kareem Said.
Said looks gassed!
Liddell lands a body shot.
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!
Said steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Liddell. That one must have hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Said tries to keep at a distance but Liddell has taken the fight into the clinch.

Liddell ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Liddell no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Said trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Liddell looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Liddell is trying to keep Said in close.
Liddell is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Said is controlling him.

Liddell has his foot on Said's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Said works his way back into a safe position though.
Liddell knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Said on the ground.
Said in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Said working some strikes from top position.
Liddell is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Said is controlling him.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A low kick from Said is predictable there
and Liddell counters with a big head kick but Said shrugs it off.
Said with a lazy takedown attempt
and Said takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Said misses with a takedown attempt

and Liddell counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Said!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Liddell has hold of Said's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Said manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Said throwing hammer fists to the chest of Liddell. What's that going to do exactly?
Said throwing hammer fists to the chest of Liddell. What's that going to do exactly?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Said sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Said tries to get to full guard but Liddell has control of the leg.
Said throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Liddell throwing shots but Said is blocking nicely.
Liddell not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Said has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Said throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Said gets full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Said doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Liddell wants to control from the top but Said keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Said misses with a hook. Liddell ducked under it nicely.
A low kick from Said misses

and Liddell counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Said trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Said thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Said trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Liddell's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Liddell is looking to work some ground and pound but Said has wrist control.
Said throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Said throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Said trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Liddell sizes up Said with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Liddell clinches up with Said and pushes him back against the cage.

Liddell manages to break the clinch.

Liddell darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Said lands with a few short shots to the body.
Liddell seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Said does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Said is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Liddell's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Liddell's back!
Said connects with a big shot to the side of Liddell's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Said.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Liddell is covering up but some of the strikes from Said are getting through and doing damage.
Said lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Liddell covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chuck Liddell dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Said has his takedown stuffed
and Liddell counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Said is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Said with a lazy takedown attempt
and Liddell counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Said is lucky that one didn't land flush.

Liddell fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Said sprawls well initially but Liddell persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Said is looking for a sweep. Liddell is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Said flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Said tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Said punching from the bottom.
Said strikes from the bottom but Liddell passes into mount!
Liddell trying to control but Said is having none of it.
Liddell blocks Said's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Liddell is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Said can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Said is looking to get to half guard.

Said bucks Liddell off and manages to get back to his feet!
Liddell shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Said misses with a takedown
and Liddell counters with a nice kick to the body.
Chuck Liddell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kareem Said.
Liddell shoots in and drives through. Said sprawls well.
Kareem Said seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Said throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Said swings for the body but Liddell moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Liddell shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Liddell showed some decent athleticism there.
Chuck Liddell overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The fighters are battling for position here. Said manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Liddell trying to control the position from guard on top but Said is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Said lands an upkick as Liddell stands over him.
Liddell wants to stand but Said is controlling his posture from full guard.
Said will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Said is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Said is nestled in close to Liddell, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Said stops Liddell from getting back to his feet.
Liddell taking some punishment here, with Said in his half guard.
Said winds up and cracks Liddell with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Liddell taking some punishment here, with Said in his half guard.
Said winds up and cracks Liddell with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Said is nestled in close to Liddell, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Liddell has hold of Said's hands but Said slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Said landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Liddell pushes Said off looking to stand but Said dives back in and keeps control.
Nice strikes from Said there.
Said working over Liddell with some ground and pound. Liddell looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Said looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Liddell with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Said 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Said lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liddell is trying to stand back up but Said is controlling him
Said is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Said working over Liddell with some ground and pound. Liddell looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Liddell wants to control but Said is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Said connects with a nice short shot to Liddell's temple.
Said takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Said lands strikes from half guard.
Said landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Said is nestled in close to Liddell, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Said escapes and gets back to his feet.
Liddell misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Said misses with an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Chuck Liddell will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Said misses with a takedown

and Liddell counters with a nice double leg into side control. Said won't be happy with that.
Said is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Liddell has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Said is looking for a sweep.
Said misses with a strike from the bottom.
Said is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Said taking punishment in the form of punches.
Liddell in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Said is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Liddell's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Liddell is tying to control. Said wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Liddell doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Said counters with a nice low kick that buckles Liddell's knee momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Said shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Liddell counters with an inside leg kick.
Said is looking to chop away at Liddell's legs.
Said throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A good leg kick by Liddell.

Liddell clinches up with Said and pushes him back against the cage.

Liddell breaks the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Said is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Liddell gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Chuck Liddell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kareem Said.
Said prevents the takedown attempt.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Liddell as Said tries to tie him up.

Liddell escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Said shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Liddell but Liddell pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Liddell wants to clinch up but Said keeps it at a distance.
Liddell with a lazy takedown attempt

and Said counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Liddell's guard now.
Said lands a couple of elbows.
Said preventing the sweep.
Said is working Liddell over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Said with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Said missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Said's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Said postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Said chips away with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
An inside leg kick lands from Liddell.
Liddell connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Said with a lazy takedown attempt
and Liddell counters with a head kick. That will keep Said thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Said misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Chuck Liddell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Liddell bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Liddell wants to lay and pray for a moment but Said keeps working.
Said is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Liddell's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Said works his way to full guard. Good work.
Said tries to strike from the bottom.
Said thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Said preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Said pushes Liddell off and scrambles back to his feet.
Liddell throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Said shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Liddell taking shots to the head.
Said scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Liddell is trying to stand.
Said landing shots from mount.
Said lands a heavy elbow.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Liddell is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Liddell slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kareem Said.
Well Liddell has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:28
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 29:28

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