PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Li Xiaodong (ranked 321 p4p, 511 weight class) and Anurak Bualuang (ranked 26 p4p, 39 weight class). Bualuang has chosen シャンティ as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Xiaodong
vs
Bualuang

165 cm
32
143
26 - 11 - 0

170 cm
36
142
23 - 9 - 3

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

NARCOS
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Conviction
Silverguard Outfitters 🛡

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Li Xiaodong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 9 - 3, fighting out of Montreal, Anurak Bualuang!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Glass and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xiaodong avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Xiaodong on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Bualuang. Bualuang obviously looking to wear him down.
Bualuang lands a lovely overhand right.
Xiaodong on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Bualuang misses the shot to the body.
Xiaodong throws a big shot that misses.
Bualuang misses with an uppercut.
Xiaodong throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bualuang sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Xiaodong is looking to chop away at Bualuang's legs.
Bualuang throws a looping overhand right but Xiaodong ducks down to avoid it.
Bualuang keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Xiaodong takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Xiaodong lands a nice looking body shot.
Bualuang swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bualuang misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Xiaodong checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A little feinted left hand from Xiaodong on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Bualuang connects with the punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bualuang lands with a shot to the body.
Xiaodong pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bualuang swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Bualuang lands with a straight right. Xiaodong didn't see that one coming.
Xiaodong ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Bualuang throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Bualuang 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bualuang on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Xiaodong. Xiaodong obviously looking to wear him down.
Bualuang moves out of range as Xiaodong strikes.
Bualuang ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Xiaodong moves away.
Bualuang slips a straight right by Xiaodong.
Bualuang throws the left hand but Xiaodong avoids the punch easily.
Xiaodong turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Xiaodong takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Bualuang misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bualuang throws a jab when Xiaodong was well out of range.
Bualuang throws a body kick that misses.
Xiaodong uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bualuang.
A looping hook to the body misses from Xiaodong. Bualuang does a little dance to reset his feet.
Xiaodong throws out a leg kick but Bualuang moves out of range and Xiaodong only half commits.
Bualuang misses with a looping left.
Bualuang throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Xiaodong scores with a nice right hand.
Bualuang checks a low kick from Xiaodong.
Anurak Bualuang seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bualuang looks to score with a jab to the body but Xiaodong is just out of range.
Bualuang throws a poor cross that misses
and Xiaodong counters with a stiff right hand.
Bualuang thumps Xiaodong with a low kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bualuang displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Xiaodong throws out the jab.
Bualuang will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bualuang lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Xiaodong jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bualuang works the jab nicely.
Bualuang avoids the body shot from Xiaodong.
Bualuang misses with a straight left.
Bualuang dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Xiaodong on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Bualuang lands with an overhand left.
Xiaodong throws a good cross that connects.
Xiaodong misses with a straight left.

Xiaodong rushes Bualuang and presses him up against the cage.
Xiaodong throws a punch but it's blocked by Bualuang.
Bualuang misses with the head strike.
Xiaodong misses with a punch to the body.
Xiaodong working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Xiaodong works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Xiaodong misses with a punch to the body.
Bualuang lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Xiaodong lands with a light punch inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bualuang breaks from the clinch.
Bualuang throws a hook to the side of Xiaodong's head but Xiaodong sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Xiaodong fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A little jabbing left from Bualuang on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Xiaodong misses with a straight left.
Xiaodong throws a jab when Bualuang was well out of range.
No joy there for Bualuang, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Xiaodong slips a jab from Bualuang.
Bualuang is looking to score with low kicks.
Bualuang throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Xiaodong is looking to clinch.
Bualuang looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Xiaodong throws a body shot but no joy.
Bualuang bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Xiaodong on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Xiaodong looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Bualuang swings for the body but Xiaodong moves out of range.
Xiaodong walks into a left hand.
Xiaodong fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
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!
Xiaodong tries to clinch there but Bualuang circles away.
Bualuang misses with a hook.
Xiaodong feints and then cracks Bualuang's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bualuang down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong lands with a shot to the body.
Bualuang fails to land with a series of punches.
Xiaodong misses with a straight left.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Bualuang! But no joy.
Xiaodong throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bualuang throws a body shot but no joy.
Xiaodong misses with a hook.
Xiaodong throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A slow jab from Xiaodong misses its intended target.
Xiaodong lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Xiaodong swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Bualuang misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Xiaodong.
Xiaodong throws a body shot but no joy.
Bualuang missing with a left hand there. Xiaodong was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bualuang thows a left - swing and a miss!
Xiaodong throws out a powerful jab.
Bualuang moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bualuang looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Bualuang looks to land a right hand but Xiaodong moved out of range.
Xiaodong is looking to counter punch.
Xiaodong throws a leg kick but Bualuang sees it coming and moves out of range.
Bualuang jabs Xiaodong right on the nose. Xiaodong blinks but takes it well.
Bualuang lands the left hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bualuang lands a right hook to the body.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bualuang.
Bualuang thows a left - swing and a miss!
Xiaodong fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bualuang manages to avoid it.

Xiaodong has closed the distance and engaged Bualuang in a clinch.
Bualuang takes a shot to the head.
Bualuang misses with a short punch on the inside.

Bualuang pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bualuang lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Bualuang scores with a three punch combo!

Bualuang tries to keep at a distance but Xiaodong has taken the fight into the clinch.
Bualuang is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Bualuang fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bualuang tries to throw a body punch but Xiaodong avoids it by throwing Bualuang back against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bualuang misses with a body punch.
I was talking to Xiaodong's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Bualuang lands with a light punch inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Xiaodong.
Bualuang softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Xiaodong scores with a nice hook to the head.
Bualuang misses with a punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bualuang blocking some punches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Bualuang creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Xiaodong working aggressively here.
Xiaodong lands an uppercut.
Bualuang has a couple of punches blocked by Xiaodong.
Xiaodong is working Bualuang over against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Xiaodong.
Bualuang misses with a punch on the inside.
Xiaodong lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Xiaodong tries to throw a body punch but Bualuang avoids it by throwing Xiaodong back against the cage.
Bualuang lands with a left to the head.
Xiaodong has a couple of punches blocked by Bualuang.
Xiaodong blocks an uppercut.
Xiaodong tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bualuang's elbow.
Bualuang has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bualuang prevents a body shot from Xiaodong.
Bualuang blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Xiaodong throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bualuangs head.
Xiaodong lands a nice shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bualuang tries to circle away but Xiaodong has him pinned against the cage.
Bualuang misses with some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong lands with a right to the head.
Bualuang tries to break free but Xiaodong pushes him back against the cage.
Nice body punch from Xiaodong - that landed with a thud.
Xiaodong gets through Bualuang's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Bualuang.
Xiaodong misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bualuang fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Xiaodong scores with a nice hook to the head.
A hook to the body from Xiaodong.
A nice right hand lands inside from Xiaodong.
Xiaodong lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Xiaodong blocks a body shot from Bualuang.
Bualuang lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Xiaodong backwards.
Bualuang misses with a hook from the clinch.
Xiaodong doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Xiaodong lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Bualuang backwards.
Xiaodong lands a body shot in the clinch.
Bualuang lands with a left to the head.
Bualuang softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short uppercut from Bualuang.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Bualuang.
Bualuang misses with the head strike.
Bualuang blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bualuang tries a body shot but Xiaodong blocks it.
A short uppercut from Bualuang.
Still in the clinch, Xiaodong scores with a nice short uppercut.
Xiaodong blocking some punches.
Xiaodong blocking some punches.

Bualuang escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Xiaodong uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Bualuang misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Xiaodong.
The fighters circling - Bualuang throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Xiaodong scores with a jab to the jaw.
Bualuang misses with a hook
and Xiaodong counters with a left to the body.
Xiaodong scores with a jab. Bualuang acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Xiaodong takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Bualuang throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bualuang lands a right hook to the body.
Xiaodong connects with a nice looking jab.
Xiaodong is looking to score with low kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bualuang takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Bualuang looks to throw the jab but Xiaodong is out of range.
Bualuang misses with a hook.
Bualuang thows a left - swing and a miss!
Xiaodong on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Xiaodong is looking to score with low kicks.
Xiaodong backing away here, and Bualuang unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Xiaodong lands a nice leg kick that just misses Bualuang's sensitive parts.
Xiaodong takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Bualuang scores with a jab. Xiaodong acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Bualuang on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Xiaodong uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bualuang.
Bualuang swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bualuang lands a right hook to the body.
Some bone on bone action there as Xiaodong checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Xiaodong was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Bualuang defending well as Xiaodong loads up on a big left hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Xiaodong just misses with a punch to the body.

Xiaodong clinches.
Bualuang is trying to force a seperation but Xiaodong has the dominant position.
Xiaodong throws a punch but it's blocked by Bualuang.
Bualuang lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Xiaodong backwards.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Anurak Bualuang will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Xiaodong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bualuang was well out of range. Poor timing from Xiaodong.
Xiaodong scores with a nice head shot.
Bualuang throws a jab when Xiaodong was well out of range.
Xiaodong looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Xiaodong cracks Bualuang with an open hand slap.
Bualuang lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Xiaodong misses the jab.
Xiaodong looks to throw the jab but Bualuang is out of range.
Bualuang sizes up Xiaodong with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Bualuang scores with a body shot.
Bualuang swats away the attempt to clinch by Xiaodong.
Xiaodong moves away from the strike by Bualuang.
Bualuang takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Bualuang throws a shot from downtown. Xiaodong moves away and avoids it.
Bualuang on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Xiaodong misses the jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bualuang looks to land a left hand but Xiaodong moved out of range nicely.
Xiaodong lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Bualuang.
Bualuang lands a nice shot that snaps Xiaodong's head back.
Bualuang connects with a right hand. Xiaodong shakes it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bualuang looks to score with a jab to the body but Xiaodong is just out of range.
Xiaodong was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Bualuang scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Xiaodong getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Bualuang is looking to slow Xiaodong down with leg kicks.
Nice cross by Bualuang.
The crowd cheers as Bualuang lands an impressive looking overhand right. Xiaodong doesn't seem phased though.
Jab, jab by Bualuang - just one landing.
Good standup being displayed there by Bualuang as he connects with a hook.
Xiaodong looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Xiaodong tests Bualuang's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Xiaodong missing with a left hand there. Bualuang was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bualuang ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Xiaodong moves away.
Xiaodong throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A swing and a miss from Xiaodong.
A jab from Bualuang misses.
Bualuang stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Xiaodong ducks under a wild hook from Bualuang.
Xiaodong displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bualuang throws out the jab.
Bualuang takes one to the chin there.
Xiaodong ducks under a wild hook from Bualuang.
Bualuang looks to throw the jab but Xiaodong is out of range.
Anurak Bualuang is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong lands with an uppercut that bounces Bualuang off the cage and back into range.
Bualuang throws a head kick that Xiaodong semi-blocks.
Xiaodong with the inside leg kick.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Bualuang - that will leave a mark!
Anurak Bualuang seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bualuang swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bualuang moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Bualuang avoids the body shot from Xiaodong.
Xiaodong swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Li Xiaodong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Xiaodong moves out of range as Bualuang strikes.
Bualuang keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bualuang on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Xiaodong moves out of range as Bualuang strikes.
Xiaodong lands a jab to the head.
Xiaodong lands a jab to the nose.
Bualuang tests Xiaodong's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Xiaodong wants to land a leg kick but Bualuang is out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Bualuang! But no joy.
Bualuang throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bualuang slips under a jab from Xiaodong.
Xiaodong connects with a good right hand that stumbles Bualuang. Bualuang circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Bualuang misses with a straight right.
A little feinted left hand from Xiaodong on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bualuang.
Xiaodong with a hook.
A slow jab from Bualuang misses its intended target.
Bualuang throws a right and a left that both miss.
Xiaodong throwing a counter right hand but Bualuang manages to avoid it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Xiaodong.
Xiaodong is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Bualuang lands the left hand.
Xiaodong ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Xiaodong wants to clinch up but Bualuang keeps it at a distance.
Bualuang keeps the fight on the outside.
Bualuang uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Bualuang fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Xiaodong on the side of the head.
A slow jab from Xiaodong misses its intended target.
Bualuang fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Bualuang throws a shot from downtown. Xiaodong moves away and avoids it.
Bualuang throws a low kick, looking for Xiaodong's leg but Xiaodong calmly moves out of range.
Bualuang lands a nice leg kick that just misses Xiaodong's sensitive parts.
Xiaodong jabs Bualuang to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Bualuang takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Xiaodong fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bualuang manages to avoid it.

Xiaodong clinches up with Bualuang and pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Bualuang up against the cage.
Xiaodong swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Xiaodong misses with a hook from the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bualuang.
Xiaodong lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Xiaodong misses with a hook from the clinch.
Xiaodong swings wildly with an uppercut but Bualuang uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bualuang blocking some punches.

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 Li Xiaodong.
I think Bualuang 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 28:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 29:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anurak Bualuang!
Anurak Bualuang seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
The defeated Li Xiaodong had this to say: 'IQ 123'.