PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Xiang Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daquan Battle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Li
vs
Battle

188 cm
19
225 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

196 cm
18
260 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Xiang Li!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Daquan Battle!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Battle keeps the fight on the outside.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Battle escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Li misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Li darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Battle pushes Li off and gets back to his feet.

Li closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Li lands in his opponent's guard.
Battle is looking to stand up but Li isn't so interested in that idea.

Battle manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Li fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Li avoids the body shot from Battle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Battle with a lazy takedown attempt

and Li counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Li is breathing heavily.
Battle regains full guard. Nicely done.
Battle wants to stand but Li is controlling the position.

Li thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Battle wants to get back to his feet but Li is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Li forces his way into half guard.
Li prevents Battle from improving his position.
Battle is trying to stand up here but Li is controlling him well.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Li tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Battle tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Battle throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Battle throws a predictable looking body shot

and Li counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Li thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Li works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Li working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Battle is refusing to be controlled, as Li sits in half guard.
Battle tries to kick Li off but Li keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Battle is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Li seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Battle does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Battle looks like he's trying to stand up.

Battle kicks off Li and gets to his feet.
Li throws a head kick but Battle moves out of range.

Li looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Battle punching from the bottom.

Battle looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li prevents Battle from standing back up.
Battle regains full guard. Nicely done.
Battle wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Battle throws a right and a left that Li avoids nicely.
Battle throws a sloppy body shot

and Li counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Li passes the guard and advances to mount!

Li is working to isolate an arm here. It's a choreographed submission attempt but he's gone for it anyway - and he's got it! Li extends the arm and Battle is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:01 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Xiang Li!