PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Xxtreme MMA (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricardo Limoncello (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). MMA comes to the cage accompanied by Im Shipping Up To Boston. Limoncello has chosen Swamped - Lacuna Coil as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

MMA
vs
Limoncello

200 cm
21
265 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

190 cm
21
240 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Solid
Solid

ZSTAR

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Xxtreme MMA!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ricardo Limoncello!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, John Mangel and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Limoncello misses with a few strikes there.
MMA will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Limoncello circles away from the clinch attempt.
Limoncello shoots in looking for a takedown. MMA tries to sprawl out of it but Limoncello keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. MMA manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Limoncello shoots in but MMA avoids the takedown attempt easily.
MMA throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
A punch combination from Limoncello misses.
Limoncello looks for a takedown but MMA sprawls well.
Xxtreme MMA has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricardo Limoncello.
Limoncello tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and MMA holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Limoncello tries to break the clinch but MMA is controlling the position.
MMA with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Limoncello goes for a takedown in the clinch but MMA prevents it.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Limoncello throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Limoncello fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt MMA.
Limoncello avoids the head kick by MMA.
Ricardo Limoncello seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
MMA falls off balance throwing a combination
and Limoncello counters with a three punch combo that has MMA backing up. MMA nods at Limoncello to acknowledge the strikes.
MMA throws a head kick but Limoncello moves out of range.
Limoncello closes the distance but MMA moves to the side
and MMA counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Limoncello is lucky that one didn't land flush.

MMA drives through with a takedown into guard.
Limoncello trying to control the position here.
MMA wants to control from the top but Limoncello keeps moving.
Limoncello trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MMA trying to control the position from guard on top but Limoncello is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Limoncello trying to keep a closed guard but MMA is proving a slippery customer.
MMA is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
MMA seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Limoncello for as long as he can get away with.
Limoncello throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
MMA postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Limoncello keeping moving, preventing MMA from controlling successfully.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Limoncello is on top in guard.
MMA is trying to control the position but Limoncello postures up.
Limoncello wants to control from the top but MMA keeps moving.
MMA has control of Limoncello's left arm, preventing Limoncello from doing any damage.
Limoncello trying to control the position from guard on top but MMA is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Limoncello trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four 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.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
MMA is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
MMA looking to control but Limoncello passes into half guard.
MMA tries to roll over but Limoncello keeps him under control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Limoncello throws a leg kick
and MMA counters with a head kick. That will keep Limoncello thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Limoncello doesn't succeed with the takedown

and MMA counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by MMA.
Limoncello looks gassed!
MMA tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Limoncello managing to block the knees to the body from MMA.
MMA using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Limoncello on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Limoncello letting MMA take a breather here.
Limoncello drops to a knee looking for a takedown but MMA gets the underhooks and prevents it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xxtreme MMA dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nice straight punches there by MMA. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of MMA.
A combination from Limoncello does no damage.
Limoncello misses with a few strikes there.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Limoncello, right into the meat.
A jab lands there for MMA.
Limoncello misses with a combination
and MMA counters with a head kick. That will keep Limoncello thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
MMA fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Limoncello manages to avoid it.
MMA feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Limoncello's calf.
MMA tries to close the distance and clinch but Limoncello swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

MMA gets caught flat footed, as Limoncello shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Limoncello is breathing heavily.
MMA looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Limoncello stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. MMA swivels though and keeps the full guard.
MMA working a defensive guard here.
MMA pulls Limoncello in close to his closed guard and prevents Limoncello from doing any damage or advancing position.
Limoncello trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
MMA has control of Limoncello's left arm, preventing Limoncello from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Limoncello throws a sloppy body shot
and MMA counters with a low kick, right behind Limoncello 's knee.
Horrible takedown by Limoncello or perhaps it was just good defense by MMA which made him look bad.
Limoncello with a lazy takedown attempt
and MMA counters with a one-two to the body.

MMA clinches up with Limoncello and pushes him back against the cage.
MMA prevents the takedown attempt.
Xxtreme MMA has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricardo Limoncello.
Limoncello avoiding damage as MMA throws knees to the body.
MMA throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Limoncello blocks it with crossed arms.
Limoncello is looking for a takedown up against the cage. MMA gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Limoncello changes levels and goes for a takedown here. MMA fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Limoncello misses with a takedown attempt
and MMA counters with an inside leg kick.
Limoncello throws a front kick aimed at MMA's knee but MMA avoids it well.
A low kick from Limoncello is predictable there

and MMA counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by MMA.
Limoncello wants to get back to striking at distance but MMA won't allow it.

Limoncello breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Limoncello throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Limoncello takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Limoncello avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Limoncello tries to close the distance and clinch but MMA swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Limoncello tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but MMA swivels and escapes.
MMA stuffs the takedown.
Limoncello throws a leg kick
and MMA counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
MMA connects with a good right hand that stumbles Limoncello. Limoncello circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
MMA throws a big shot that misses.
Limoncello shoots and misses
and MMA counters with a thumping low kick.
Donk. MMA catches Limoncello right on the button with a cross.
Limoncello thows a leg kick but MMA checks it
and MMA counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
MMA tries to close the distance and clinch but Limoncello swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Limoncello blocks a head kick by MMA.
Xxtreme MMA is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A slapping leg kick lands for MMA.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Limoncello pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
MMA throws a looping overhand right but Limoncello ducks down to avoid it.
Limoncello throws a combination that misses
and MMA counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
MMA lands a nice hook to Limoncello's body. Limoncello takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Limoncello thows a leg kick but MMA checks it
and MMA counters with a good low kick that Limoncello was not able to check.
MMA is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Limoncello.
MMA lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Limoncello throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Limoncello gets the takedown into side control.
Limoncello scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at MMA to see if he's OK.
Limoncello landing strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Limoncello tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Limoncello is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, MMA has escaped the position, nice work there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xxtreme MMA dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nice uppercut there from MMA.
MMA stuffs the takedown attempt from Limoncello. Limoncello gets slowly back to his feet.
MMA fails with the takedown.
MMA throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Limoncello's head.
MMA lands with an uppercut that bounces Limoncello off the cage and back into rage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Limoncello swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Limoncello throws a combination but it was largely blocked by MMA.
MMA tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Limoncello takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
MMA stuffs the takedown.
MMA throws a right hand that Limoncello ducks under and follows up with a left that Limoncello also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Limoncello misses.
MMA will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

MMA instigates a clinch.
MMA fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Limoncello changes levels and goes for a takedown here. MMA fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Xxtreme MMA has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricardo Limoncello.
Limoncello doesn't succeed with the takedown

and MMA moves into the clinch.
MMA lands a knee to the head.
MMA keeps control of Limoncello as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Limoncello can't get the takedown.
Limoncello is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
MMA misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Limoncello.

Limoncello breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A head kick by Limoncello misses
and MMA counters with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Limoncello lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Limoncello throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Limoncello shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and MMA counters with a big head kick but Limoncello shrugs it off.
Limoncello tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and MMA counters with a series of strikes. Limoncello will be more careful next time no doubt.

Limoncello scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
MMA gets full guard.
Limoncello looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Limoncello loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Limoncello wants to control from the top but MMA keeps moving.
Limoncello preventing the sweep.
MMA is trying to keep Limoncello in close.
MMA wants to control the position but Limoncello says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
MMA moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
MMA is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Limoncello working some strikes from top position.

That's four 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.
Limoncello preventing the sweep.
MMA lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Limoncello!
MMA controlling the position easily from mount.
MMA trying to control but Limoncello is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
MMA looking to control and managing it successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xxtreme MMA clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

MMA throws a sloppy head kick and Limoncello moves out of range easily.

Limoncello feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
MMA trying to control the position.
MMA bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Limoncello's guard.
Limoncello wants to sweep but no luck.
MMA distracts Limoncello with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
MMA trying to control but Limoncello is working from the bottom.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
MMA trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Limoncello trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Limoncello keeping moving, preventing MMA from controlling successfully.
Limoncello looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Limoncello throws a low kick, looking for MMA's leg but MMA calmly moves out of range.
MMA buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Limoncello fails with the takedown.

MMA drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
MMA looking to pass the guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Limoncello can do anything to dispel that myth.
Limoncello looking for a sweep. Not yet Limoncello, not yet.

MMA avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Limoncello is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Limoncello doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Limoncello is on top in guard.
MMA looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
MMA has momentary wrist control but Limoncello slips an elbow through the middle.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Limoncello accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Limoncello working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Limoncello thows a big elbow that misses.
Limoncello wants to control from the top but MMA keeps moving.
Limoncello stays in close to MMA's body and controls the position.
Limoncello scoring with punches to the head and body.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
A solid leg kick lands there for MMA.
Limoncello swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Limoncello is on the wrong end of a nice combination from MMA.
Limoncello throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and MMA counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
MMA scores with the left hand. Limoncello knows he should have avoided that one.
MMA throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
MMA loads up on a big right hand but Limoncello slips the punch.
Limoncello takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Limoncello throws a body kick the misses

and MMA counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Limoncello taking a breather.
MMA stalling in the clinch but Limoncello improves position.
MMA keeps control of Limoncello as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
MMA gets underhooks to prevent Limoncello's takedown attempt.
MMA prevents Limoncello from breaking the clinch.
MMA is looking to control Limoncello's arms but Limoncello gets an underhook and turns him. Now MMA has his back to the cage.

Limoncello gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Limoncello is trying to control the action in half guard but MMA is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Limoncello wants to pass the guard but MMA is defending well.
MMA tries to roll over but Limoncello keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Ricardo Limoncello will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Limoncello misses with a series of wild punches.
Limoncello showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from MMA.
Limoncello throws a leg kick but MMA sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Limoncello is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by MMA.
Limoncello swats away the attempt to clinch by MMA.
Limoncello tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MMA looks to score with a jab to the body but Limoncello is just out of range.
No joy there for Limoncello, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Limoncello is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
MMA moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Limoncello goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

MMA is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
MMA throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Oh MMA is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Limoncello lands with a jab that stuns his opponent. MMA is looking to close the distance but Limoncello sees it coming and throws a beautiful knee! MMA crumbles to the mat and that's all she wrote! Let's hope MMA is OK because that was naaaaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:14 of round 5, we have a winner by way of KO (Knee). Ricardo Limoncello!
Ricardo Limoncello is the new heavyweight champion!