PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Li Xiaodong (ranked 127 p4p, 318 weight class) and Keith Kenneth Ferkingstad (ranked 13 p4p, 29 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Xiaodong
vs
Ferkingstad

165 cm
32
143
26 - 10 - 0

175 cm
31
156
18 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Red Belt
World class MT
Granite chin

NARCOS
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Conviction
Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Li Xiaodong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Keith Kenneth Ferkingstad!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yuuki Gou and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ferkingstad lands a right hand.
Ferkingstad scores with a shot to the side of Xiaodong's head.
Ferkingstad misses with a short punch on the inside.
Xiaodong doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ferkingstad has Xiaodong pressed against the cage.
Xiaodong lands a hook that snaps the head of Ferkingstad backwards.
Ferkingstad blocking some punches.
Xiaodong misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Ferkingstad fails to land.
Xiaodong blocking some punches.

Ferkingstad manages to break the clinch.
Xiaodong waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ferkingstad.
Ferkingstad flicks out a counter leg kick but Xiaodong steps away.
Ferkingstad takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Xiaodong throws a quick inside leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Xiaodong looks to score with a jab to the body but Ferkingstad is just out of range.
Xiaodong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ferkingstad was well out of range. Poor timing from Xiaodong.

Xiaodong takes the fight into the clinch.
Xiaodong misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiaodong throws a head punch that misses.
Xiaodong throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Xiaodong fails to land.
Xiaodong lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Xiaodong lands with a left to the head.
Ferkingstad fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Ferkingstad lands a body shot in the clinch.
Xiaodong misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ferkingstad lands a hook that snaps the head of Xiaodong backwards.
Xiaodong lands a hook to the side of the head.
The referee calls for Xiaodong to work.
Ferkingstad scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ferkingstad tries to stall but Xiaodong uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Ferkingstad fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Xiaodong scores with a hook to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ferkingstad creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ferkingstad lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A shot in the inside from Ferkingstad.
Xiaodong blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Xiaodong lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferkingstad softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ferkingstad has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Xiaodong seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Ferkingstad can turn it around.
Xiaodong misses with a hook from the clinch.
Xiaodong throws a punch but it's blocked by Ferkingstad.
Xiaodong blocking some punches.
Xiaodong is leaning against Ferkingstad and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Xiaodong misses with a hook from the clinch.
Xiaodong tries to throw a body punch but Ferkingstad avoids it by throwing Xiaodong back against the cage.
Ferkingstad misses with the head strike.
Ferkingstad lands with a light punch inside.
Ferkingstad is trying to maintain a safe position but Xiaodong gets an underhook and turns Ferkingstad into the cage.
Ferkingstad lands a nice uppercut.
Ferkingstad tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Xiaodong smiles and moves away.
Ferkingstad takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Xiaodong connects with a solid leg kick.
Xiaodong throws a body shot but no joy.
A low kick from Xiaodong is predictable there
and Ferkingstad counters with a slapping leg kick.
Ferkingstad avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Ferkingstad.
A nice side step and Ferkingstad releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Xiaodong works Ferkingstad's body with a nice hook.
A telegraphed right hand from Xiaodong misses the target.
Ferkingstad is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Xiaodong with a body shot.
Xiaodong throws a nice outside leg kick.
Xiaodong stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ferkingstad.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Xiaodong, as that shot connected.
Xiaodong throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Ferkingstad throws a series of punches but Xiaodong avoids them all with ease.
Li Xiaodong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Xiaodong wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Ferkingstad lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Xiaodong dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Xiaodong is looking to wear down Ferkingstad with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Xiaodong throws a series of punches but Ferkingstad avoids them all with ease.
Ferkingstad now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Ferkingstad misses with a leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ferkingstad rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Xiaodong connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferkingstad looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Xiaodong on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ferkingstad. Ferkingstad obviously looking to wear him down.
Ferkingstad lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Xiaodong at a distance.
Ferkingstad misses with a left hand
and Xiaodong counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Xiaodong misses the shot to the body.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Xiaodong, as that shot connected.
Xiaodong checks a leg kick nicely.
A nice inside leg kick there by Xiaodong. That's going to slow Ferkingstad down.
Ferkingstad walks into a left hand.
Xiaodong looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ferkingstad bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Xiaodong's head backwards.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ferkingstad throws a leg kick that misses.
Xiaodong throwing a counter right hand but Ferkingstad manages to avoid it.
Ferkingstad tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Xiaodong cracks Ferkingstad with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Xiaodong misses with a leg kick
and Ferkingstad finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Li Xiaodong 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.

Xiaodong goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Ferkingstad fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Xiaodong manages to avoid it.
Xiaodong pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ferkingstad! But no joy.
Xiaodong throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ferkingstad counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ferkingstad looks to land a left hand but Xiaodong moved out of range nicely.
Xiaodong was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Xiaodong is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ferkingstad can do to turn this around?
Ferkingstad turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
It looks like Xiaodong has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Ferkingstad takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Xiaodong doesn't manage to clinch there - Ferkingstad circles away.
Ferkingstad appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Ferkingstad throws a shot from downtown. Xiaodong moves away and avoids it.
Ferkingstad throws a low kick but it's checked well by Xiaodong.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Xiaodong moves into range and clinches up with Ferkingstad.
Ferkingstad has a couple of punches blocked by Xiaodong.
A short left from Ferkingstad.
Xiaodong misses with a hook from the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ferkingstad blocks a body shot from Xiaodong.
Xiaodong tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Xiaodong tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiaodong cracks Ferkingstad with a nice body shot.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Nice body punch from Xiaodong.
Ferkingstad digs a right hand into Xiaodong's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Xiaodong's gas tank.
Xiaodong swings wildly with an uppercut but Ferkingstad uses good head movement to avoid it.
A body shot lands from Ferkingstad.
Keith Kenneth Ferkingstad seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ferkingstad pushes Xiaodong back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Xiaodong.
Xiaodong lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ferkingstad.
Xiaodong can't find room to land a body shot as Ferkingstad controls the action.
Ferkingstad scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ferkingstad swings wildly with an uppercut but Xiaodong uses good head movement to avoid it.
Xiaodong blocks an uppercut.
Xiaodong struggles to land a body shot inside as Ferkingstad controls his hands.
Xiaodong tries a body shot but Ferkingstad blocks it.
Xiaodong misses with a hook from the clinch.
Xiaodong misses with a hook from the clinch.
Xiaodong throws a punch but it's blocked by Ferkingstad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ferkingstad.
Xiaodong struggles to land a body shot inside as Ferkingstad controls his hands.
Xiaodong misses with a punch on the inside.
Ferkingstad scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Xiaodong scores with an uppercut up the middle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Xiaodong misses with a body punch.
Xiaodong struggles to land a body shot inside as Ferkingstad controls his hands.
Xiaodong prevents a body shot from Ferkingstad.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ferkingstad.
Ferkingstad can't find room to land a body shot as Xiaodong controls the action.
Xiaodong tries a body shot but Ferkingstad blocks it.
A hook to the body from Xiaodong.
A right hand to the body from Xiaodong.
Ferkingstad misses with a hook from the clinch.
Xiaodong lands a shoulder strike.
Nice body punch from Ferkingstad - that landed with a thud.
Xiaodong struggles to land a body shot inside as Ferkingstad controls his hands.
Xiaodong blocks an uppercut.
Xiaodong lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ferkingstad lands a left hand that snaps the head of Xiaodong backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferkingstad lands a hook that snaps the head of Xiaodong backwards.
Xiaodong blocks a body shot from Ferkingstad.
Ferkingstad lands a right hand that snaps the head of Xiaodong backwards.
Xiaodong throws a punch but it's blocked by Ferkingstad.

Ferkingstad jumps into guard, dragging Xiaodong to the mat.

Xiaodong avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Xiaodong would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Xiaodong trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Xiaodong wants to stand and escape but instead Ferkingstad has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Ferkingstad trying to control the position from guard on top but Xiaodong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferkingstad preventing the sweep.
Xiaodong is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Xiaodong can't keep his opponent in guard - Ferkingstad advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Xiaodong has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ferkingstad is working away from the top position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ferkingstad is looking for a kimura here.
Ferkingstad is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Keith Kenneth Ferkingstad showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Xiaodong throws a big shot that misses.
Xiaodong lands a jab to the nose.
Ferkingstad misses with a leg kick
letting Xiaodong counter with a right hand.
Ferkingstad walks into a jab.
Xiaodong looks to land a left hand but Ferkingstad moved out of range nicely.
Ferkingstad steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Xiaodong uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ferkingstad.
Ferkingstad chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Xiaodong misses the body punch
enabling Ferkingstad to counter with a crisp jab.
Xiaodong throws a hook but Ferkingstad blocks it.
Nice shot lands for Xiaodong.
Xiaodong throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ferkingstad with a nice cross.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ferkingstad misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ferkingstad jabs Xiaodong right on the nose. Xiaodong blinks but takes it well.
Xiaodong lands a leg kick that knocks Ferkingstad off balance momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferkingstad takes one on the button.
A lazy left from Xiaodong finds it's target.
Li Xiaodong is winning the standup battle so far.
Xiaodong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ferkingstad was well out of range. Poor timing from Xiaodong.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Ferkingstad lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Xiaodong has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Xiaodong and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Xiaodong swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Xiaodong misses with a straight left.
A bone on bone clash there as Xiaodong blocks the leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Xiaodong looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ferkingstad thumps Xiaodong with a low kick.
Xiaodong chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ferkingstad can pounce on him.
Xiaodong looks to clinch
and Ferkingstad counters with a nice low kick that buckles Xiaodong's knee momentarily.
Xiaodong's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Ferkingstad connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Xiaodong scrambles back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferkingstad motions for Xiaodong to come forward. Ferkingstad throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ferkingstad feints and then cracks Xiaodong's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Xiaodong down.
Ferkingstad connects with a single shot there.
Xiaodong wants to clinch.
Ferkingstad looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Xiaodong avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Xiaodong misses the shot to the body.
Xiaodong rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Ferkingstad counters with a nice uppercut.
Xiaodong tests Ferkingstad's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Xiaodong. Ferkingstad does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ferkingstad throws an overhand right that lands on Xiaodong's shoulder, as Xiaodong tries to avoid the shot.
Ferkingstad has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Xiaodong misses with a leg kick
and Ferkingstad counters with a nice leg kick.
Xiaodong misses with an uppercut. Ferkingstad saw that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong lands a glancing blow to the side of Ferkingstad's head.
Ferkingstad throws a chopping leg kick but Xiaodong manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Xiaodong throws a big counter combination but Ferkingstad scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Ferkingstad misses with a low kick.
Ferkingstad ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ferkingstad tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Xiaodong tries to close the distance and clinch but Ferkingstad swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Xiaodong throws a lazy uppercut
and Xiaodong takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A jab from Xiaodong misses.
Xiaodong throws a leg kick which misses Ferkingstad's front leg but catches the back leg as Ferkingstad tries to avoid it.
Ferkingstad misses with a lunging right hand
and Xiaodong counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Xiaodong scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ferkingstad doesn't seem bothered though.
Xiaodong looks to score with a jab to the body but Ferkingstad is just out of range.
Ferkingstad misses with a low kick.
Xiaodong displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ferkingstad throws out the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Xiaodong.
Xiaodong steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Ferkingstad. That one must have hurt.
Ferkingstad throws a head kick but Xiaodong moves out of range.
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!
Ferkingstad lands a nice shot to the body.
Xiaodong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Xiaodong finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Ferkingstad swings widly with a right hand
and Ferkingstad takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Xiaodong lands a right hook to the body.
An inside leg kick from Ferkingstad misses.
Xiaodong scores with a hook to the body. Ferkingstad takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ferkingstad fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Xiaodong manages to avoid it.
Ferkingstad misses with a looping right.
Xiaodong slips a straight right by Ferkingstad.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Keith Kenneth Ferkingstad.
I think Ferkingstad has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Keith Kenneth Ferkingstad!
During a confident post fight interview, Keith Kenneth Ferkingstad thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
Li Xiaodong spoke after the fight, saying 'IQ 123'.