PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Paulo Rua (ranked 5888 p4p, 7829 weight class) and Wang Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Li has chosen Space Cowboy as his entrance music. Wang Li is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Rua
vs
Li

185 cm
18
180
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
176
3 - 3 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Paulo Rua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Wang Li!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Daniel Cesar and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rua clinches up against the cage.
Rua tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Li just leaning against Rua, taking a breather.
Li lands an uppercut.
Li wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rua has him pressed against the cage.
Rua will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Li up against the cage.
Rua keeps control of Li as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Rua breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rua tries to clinch up
and Li counters with a right hand to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rua circles away from the clinch attempt.
Li misses with a head kick.
Nice cross by Li.

Li moves into the clinch.

Li pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Li.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua throws the kick towards the body but Li avoids it.
Rua tries to clinch there but Li circles away.
Rua has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Li instigates a clinch.
Rua tries to pull guard but Li forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Rua looking to stall.

Li breaks from the clinch.
Rua looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Rua clinches up with Li and pushes him back against the cage.
Rua is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Li pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paulo Rua. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rua has picked Li up - he's going for a ride! Rua dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Li tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Rua manages to move to mount!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rua misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li wants to control but Rua is having none of it.
Rua in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

Rua looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Li really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rua. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rua tries to control but Li wriggling away.
Li slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Li throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Li is trying to stand up here but Rua is controlling him well.
Li tries to get to full guard but Rua has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua throwing shots but Li is blocking nicely.
Li wants to control but Rua is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Rua wants to get back to his feet.
Rua wants to control but Li is keeping him busy.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Rua is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Li is just riding it out for now. Rua eventually gives up the hold.
Li is staying active underneath Rua, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Li is looking to escape.

Rua is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Li doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Rua.
Rua prevents Li from improving his position.
Rua blocks the strikes from Li.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Li takes the fight into the clinch.

Li breaks from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Wang Li will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Li darts in and clinches Rua up against the cage.
Rua drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Li gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Li pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Li rushes Rua and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Li is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Rua is defending well.

Li breaks the clinch.

Rua shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Rua was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Li sneaks out the side door and pushes Rua away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Li lands a head shot.

Li gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Li successfully pulls guard.
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.
Rua slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Li is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Li keeping moving, preventing Rua from controlling successfully.
Rua is stalling in the full guard.

That's two 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.
Rua trying to control but Li is working from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Rua prevents Li from getting back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rua takes one on the button.
Nice takedown defense from Rua. No joy for Li on that attempt.

Li clinches with his opponent.
Li managing to block the knees to the body from Rua.

Rua has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Li regains guard immediately.
Li trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Li preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rua is controlling him.
Rua won't allow Li to sweep him here.
Rua controlling from the top position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rua's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Li controlling the position.
Rua sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Li's guard.

Li has one foot on Rua's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Rua gets tackled into the cage by Li. Li maintains the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Li pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rua's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Li connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Rua scrambles back to his feet.
Rua avoids the head kick by Li.
Li is breathing heavily.
Li throws a sloppy head kick and Rua moves out of range easily.
Rua looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Rua gets tackled into the cage by Li. Li maintains the clinch.
Rua tries to pull guard but Li holds him up against the cage and eventually Rua drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paulo Rua. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rua's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rua with a poor takedown
enabling Li to counter with a crisp jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Li goes for a double leg but Rua avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rua continues to drive forward.
Rua is looking to counter the offense by Li and move into the clinch.
Rua tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wang Li showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Rua changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Li tries to avoid it but Rua manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Li to the ground. Li escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Li has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Rua is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Li throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rua seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Wang Li seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rua fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Li closes the distance and clinches.
Rua looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paulo Rua. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rua tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Li avoids it.
Li tries to pull guard but Rua won't allow it.

Li pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Rua tries to keep at a distance but Li has taken the fight into the clinch.
Rua tries a body shot but Li blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rua wants to take the fight to the mat but Li manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Li manages to break the clinch.
Rua looks to clinch
and Li counters with a stiff right hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rua has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Li finds it's way round the side to connect with Rua's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rua fails with the takedown
and Li cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Li instigates a clinch.

Li successfully pulls guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rua advances to half guard.
Rua prevents Li from standing back up.
Rua prevents Li from improving his position.
Li is trying to stand.
Li is looking to improve his position.
Li is trying to stand back up but Rua is controlling him

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Li manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Rua keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Rua tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Li breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Rua gets tackled into the cage by Li. Li maintains the clinch.
Rua jumps guard but Li stands there with Rua around his waist. Rua gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Li pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Li moves into the clinch.
Rua is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Li to keep the fight standing.
Li jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rua walks away with a smile on his face. Li gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Rua on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Li clinches up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Wang Li seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Rua fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Rua is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Li is defending well.

Li pulls guard successfully.
Li working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rua.
Li is looking to stand up but Rua isn't so interested in that idea.
Rua trying to control the position from guard on top but Li is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wang Li is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rua accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua stopping the sweep attempt from Li.
Rua wants to control from the top but Li keeps moving.
Rua stays in close to Li's body and controls the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Li takes the fight into the clinch.
Rua is trying to pull guard but Li has him pressed against the cage.

Li breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Paulo Rua has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rua throws a lazy body kick
and Li counters with a lovely straight right hand!

And that's the end of the fight!
Wang Li comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Li has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:30
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wang Li!
As Wang Li got his breath back, he grabbed the microphone and managed to blurt out the following: Thank you to my team, thank you to my trainers, thank you to my fans, without them, I don't have this victory, now I want to share this victory with you。'.