PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brian Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Cunns II (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
Cunns II

196 cm
24
283 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

194 cm
21
280 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Brian Li!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Mark Cunns II!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Glass and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cunns II throws a nice looking combination but Li bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cunns II slaps away a takedown attempt from Li, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Li shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cunns II sprawls well. Cunns II wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Li gets slowly back to his feet.

Li feints and as Cunns II raises his hands in defense, Li changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Li working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Cunns II's head.
Li working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Cunns II's head.
Li preventing the sweep.
Li postures up.
Li throwing strikes from guard but Cunns II blocks nicely.
Cunns II is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Li thows a big elbow that misses.
Cunns II working a defensive guard here.
Li is looking to work some ground and pound but Cunns II has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunns II avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Cunns II lands with a straight right. Li didn't see that one coming.

It looks like Brian Li has been cut.
Li walks into a left hand.

Li shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Li showed some decent athleticism there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Li throws a strike but Cunns II avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Li has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Cunns II looking for a sweep. Not yet Cunns II, not yet.
Li loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Li working some strikes from top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Li connects with a couple of short punches.
Li is looking to work some ground and pound but Cunns II has wrist control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Li accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li throwing strikes from guard but Cunns II blocks nicely.
Li postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Cunns II controls Li momentarily but Li frees himself.
Li in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Li keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Cunns II's head.
Cunns II is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Li landing some decent shots from guard.
Li works over Cunns II with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li prevents Cunns II from getting back to his feet.
Li stands up over Cunns II, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Li controlling from the top position.
Li trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Li is looking to work some ground and pound but Cunns II has wrist control.
Li throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cunns II works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Li landing with the ground and pound.
Li postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Cunns II can't keep his opponent in guard - Li advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cunns II trying to control here.
Cunns II blocking the ground and pound attempt from Li.
Cunns II blocking the ground and pound attempt from Li.
Li with the ground and pound but Cunns II uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Cunns II is looking to stand up but Li isn't so interested in that idea.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Li throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cunns II works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Li is looking to work some ground and pound but Cunns II has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Li dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Brian Li's cut.
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 shoots in looking for a takedown. Cunns II tries to sprawl out of it but Li keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cunns II manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Li shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Li sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Cunns II is trying to control but can't.
Ground and pound from Li.
Li sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cunns II defending well though.
Li takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Li lands strikes from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunns II trying to hold on to Li's head to control him but Li postures up.
Li missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Li wants to free his trapped foot but Cunns II is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Li slips a nice elbow through Cunns II's hands, connecting with Cunns II's forehead.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Li connects with a nice short shot to Cunns II's temple.
Li throwing shots but Cunns II is blocking nicely.
Cunns II tries to kick Li off but Li keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Cunns II is not content to let Li control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cunns II is looking to escape.
Li throwing shots but Cunns II is blocking nicely.
Li thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cunns II's head.
Cunns II blocking the ground and pound attempt from Li.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Cunns II!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cunns II fails to land the takedown.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Li closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cunns II circles away.
Li gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Li shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cunns II as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brian Li. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Li shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cunns II but Cunns II pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Li shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cunns II sprawls well. Cunns II wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Li gets slowly back to his feet.
Cunns II fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Li moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Brian Li seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cunns II throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Li.
Cunns II throws a lazy right hand but Li sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Li closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Brian Li's cut is getting worse.
A big left from Cunns II misses.
Cunns II stalks Li and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Li's face. Li staggers backwards, shaken.
A slow jab from Cunns II misses its intended target.
Cunns II throws a series of punches but Li moves out of range.

Li scores with a takedown into Cunns II's guard.
Cunns II is looking to stand up but Li isn't so interested in that idea.
Li lands a couple of digs.
Li working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Cunns II's head.
Li throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cunns II works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Li lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li looking to pass the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Li accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cunns II working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Li.
Cunns II wants to stand up but Li is controlling him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nice takedown defense from Cunns II. No joy for Li on that attempt.
Li looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Cunns II missing with a left hand there. Li was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mark Cunns II will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Brian Li's cut.
That's time! Li's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Li shoots in for a takedown but Cunns II shows good takedown defense.
Li tries for a takedown but Cunns II circles away easily
and Cunns II counters with a two punch combo.
Li on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Cunns II fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Li on the side of the head.
Cunns II with a nice cross.

Brian Li's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cunns II lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Cunns II looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Li drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Jeez, Brian Li's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Cunns II fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Li manages to avoid it.
Cunns II has a takedown stuffed.

Li feints and as Cunns II raises his hands in defense, Li changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Li landing with the ground and pound.
Li in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cunns II working a defensive guard here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li trying to control but Cunns II is working from the bottom.
Li throws a big right hand that misses.
Li trying to control but Cunns II is working from the bottom.
Cunns II is looking to stand up but Li isn't so interested in that idea.
Li working some strikes from top position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Li's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Li pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cunns II is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Li throwing strikes but missing.
Li postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Li distracts Cunns II with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Li in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Brian Li overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Li is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Cunns II wants to stand but Li is controlling the position.
Cunns II looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Li is looking to work some ground and pound but Cunns II has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Li stops Cunns II from standing up.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Li's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Li wants to control from the top but Cunns II keeps moving.
Li lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Li throwing strikes from guard but Cunns II blocks nicely.
Li keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Cunns II's head.
Cunns II is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Li is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li throwing strikes but missing.
Li in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Li distracts Cunns II with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Li throws a big right hand that misses.
Li wants to control from the top but Cunns II keeps moving.
Li scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Li postures up in Cunns II's guard and throws a big left but Cunns II blocks it.
Cunns II is looking to stand up but Li isn't so interested in that idea.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Cunns II comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Cunns II 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 28:29
Judge James Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mark Cunns II!