PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wu Li (ranked 4234 p4p, 4225 weight class) and John Willbuck (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.

Li
vs
Willbuck

191 cm
18
199
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
210
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 Las Vegas, Wu Li!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Willbuck!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Gwen Towbar and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Li gets caught napping as Willbuck dives in and scores a takedown. Li manages to retain guard.
Li will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Willbuck drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Willbuck jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Li knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Willbuck on the ground.

Willbuck gets to his feet - Li follows without any prompting.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Li enables Willbuck to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Li manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Li is trying to control the position but Willbuck postures up.

Willbuck thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Willbuck sitting in guard here, content to control.
Li is trying to control the position but Willbuck postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Willbuck stands and steps away. Li gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Li clinches.
Willbuck is trying to break the clinch but Li has him pressed against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Li obliges.
Li is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Willbuck looks winded!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Willbuck takes a knee right on the jaw!
Li lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Li landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Li with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Li connects with a nasty looking knee right to Willbuck's face.
Li scores with a knee to the head.
Li lands a knee to the body.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Willbuck has eaten all the pies!
Li scores a nice knee to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Li lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Li lands a good knee to the midsection. Willbuck won't want to take too many of those.
Li with a knee to the head.
Li unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Li scores with a knee to the head.
Li is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Li with a knee to the head.
Willbuck jumps guard but Li turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Li scores with a knee to the head.
Li missing with knees to the body.
Li using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Willbuck has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Willbuck goes for a takedown in the clinch but Li prevents it.
Li scores a nice knee to the body.
Li using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Willbuck takes a knee to the side of the body.
Li misses with a knee to the head.

Willbuck pulls Li into guard.
Li wants to pass the guard but Willbuck is keeping the position.

Willbuck is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Li defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li wants to control from the top but Willbuck keeps moving.
Willbuck keeping full guard, as Li tries to pass.
Willbuck 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.
Li wants to control from the top but Willbuck keeps moving.
Li is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Willbuck is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Willbuck working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Li doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Li manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Li trying to move into half guard but instead Willbuck has managed to sweep!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Willbuck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Willbuck not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Li is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Willbuck seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Wu Li dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Willbuck gets a clinch.
Li tries a knee to the head but Willbuck blocks it.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Li here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Li scores with a knee to the head.
Li lands a knee to the body.
Willbuck lands with a right to the head.
Li tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Willbuck avoids it.
Li crunches a lovely knee into Willbuck's ribcage.
Willbuck is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Li is defending well for now.
Knees in the clinch landing for Li.
Li is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Willbuck can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A knee to the head by Li.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Li landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Li landing knees to the head.
Li putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Willbuck in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Li obliges.
Li crunches a lovely knee into Willbuck's ribcage.
Li lands a knee to the body.
Li is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Li lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Li misses with a knee strike.
Li utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Willbuck jumps guard but Li turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Li connects with a nasty looking knee right to Willbuck's face.
Willbuck has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Li avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Li connects with a nasty looking knee right to Willbuck's face.
Willbuck tries to break free but Li pushes him back against the cage.
Li connects with a nasty looking knee right to Willbuck's face.
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!
Knees in the clinch landing for Li.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Willbuck blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Willbuck can't break the clinch.
Willbuck taking a breather.
Li scores a nice knee to the body.
Li scores a nice knee to the body.
Li using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Willbuck has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Willbuck wants to take the fight to the mat but Li manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Wu Li has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Willbuck.
Knees in the clinch landing for Li.
Li blocks an elbow strike from Willbuck.
Knees to the body from Li.
Li tries to land knees in the clinch but Willbuck avoids the damage to the body.

Willbuck drags the fight down to the ground.
Willbuck is pulling down on Li's head to control his posture.
Li stopping the sweep attempt from Willbuck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Willbuck swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Li trying to control but Willbuck is working from the bottom.
Willbuck keeping full guard, as Li tries to pass.
Li wants to control from the top but Willbuck keeps moving.
Willbuck seems keen to control Li's posture.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Willbuck has a takedown stuffed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Li tries to clinch up but Willbuck circles away and keeps his distance.

Li has closed the distance and engaged Willbuck in a clinch.
Willbuck is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Li is defending well.
Li with a knee to the head.
Li scores a nice knee to the body.
Li using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Li scores a nice knee to the body.
Willbuck is trying to pull guard but Li turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Willbuck takes a knee right on the jaw!
Willbuck on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Li tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Willbuck on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Li tries to land knees in the clinch but Willbuck avoids the damage to the body.
Willbuck can't find room to land a body shot as Li controls the action.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Wu Li dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Li pivots, looking for a leg kick but Willbuck is out of range and Li settles back down.
Li throws a leg kick but Willbuck sees it coming and checks it nicely.

Willbuck gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Li trying to land knees to the body.
Willbuck blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Willbuck has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Li misses with a knee strike.
Willbuck taking a breather.
Willbuck blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Willbuck throws a punch but it's blocked by Li.
Li missing with knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Willbuck tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A knee to the head by Li.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Li connects with a nasty looking knee right to Willbuck's face.
Willbuck takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Willbuck managing to block the knees to the body from Li.
Li keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Willbuck's efforts to push away.
Willbuck wants a takedown but no success here.
Li connects with a nasty looking knee right to Willbuck's face.
Li trying to land knees to the body.
Willbuck takes a knee right on the jaw!
Li tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Li gets underhooks to prevent Willbuck's takedown attempt.
Wu Li has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Willbuck.
Willbuck is trying to pull guard but Li has him pressed against the cage.
Li connects with a nasty looking knee right to Willbuck's face.
Wu Li has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Li landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Li connects with a nasty looking knee right to Willbuck's face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Willbuck managing to block the knees to the body from Li.

Willbuck has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Li is trying to keep an underhook but Willbuck manages to get the takedown into half guard.
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!
Willbuck wants to get back to his feet.
Li wants to control but Willbuck is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Li trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Willbuck manages to pass to mount!
Willbuck looking to control and managing it successfully.
Willbuck prevents Li from getting the reversal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Willbuck takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Willbuck landing punches.
Li takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Willbuck breaks from Li's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Willbuck postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Li looks a forlorn figure.
Li is just holding on here. Willbuck manages to take his back.

Willbuck working for a choke but Li is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Willbuck just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Let's hope that Willbuck has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Willbuck is hanging on to Li's back as he tries to escape.
Willbuck controls the position.
John Willbuck has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wu Li is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Willbuck is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Li defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Wu Li.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Li, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wu Li!