PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Lee Chao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Hetfield (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chao comes to the cage accompanied by Metallica-The Unforgiven. Hetfield has chosen seek & destroy as his entrance music. Lee Chao had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Chao
vs
Hetfield

175 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

170 cm
22
176 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lee Chao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, James Hetfield!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chao throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Chao closes the distance and pushes Hetfield back into the cage.
Hetfield can't break the clinch.
The referee calls for Hetfield to work.

Hetfield breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Chao scores with a leg kick.
Chao is looking to clinch.

Hetfield scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Chao trying to control but Hetfield postures up.
Hetfield throws a strike but Chao avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Hetfield throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hetfield with a flurry of punches that miss.

Chao is looking for a triangle but Hetfield pushes his legs off easily.
Chao is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hetfield pushes Chao off looking to stand but Chao dives back in and keeps control.
Hetfield is staying active underneath Chao, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hetfield is trying to stand up here but Chao is controlling him well.
Chao seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Chao stops Hetfield from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chao thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Chao tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Hetfield.
Chao is pressing down on Hetfield's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hetfield is holding on for now.
Chao is trying to control. Hetfield wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

We're going to have a standup here because Lee Chao wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Chao will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Hetfield drives through and clinches with Chao against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Chao takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Chao keeps control of Hetfield as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hetfield is trying to break the clinch but Chao is controlling him.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Chao.
Chao looking for a takedown.
Chao wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lee Chao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hetfield tries to pull guard but Chao holds him up against the cage and eventually Hetfield drops back down to his feet.
Chao drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hetfield tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Chao avoids it.
Hetfield wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hetfield wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hetfield is trying to break the clinch but Chao is controlling him.

Chao breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hetfield throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hetfield throws a body kick the misses
and Chao counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Chao fails with the takedown.
Hetfield throws a sloppy head kick and Chao moves out of range easily.
Hetfield is looking to land body kicks.
Hetfield throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hetfield looks gassed!
Hetfield misses with a wild combination.
Hetfield throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Chao.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Chao wants to clinch.

Chao moves into the clinch successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but James Hetfield will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A jab from Hetfield misses.
Hetfield tries to clinch but Chao is having none of it.
Hetfield misses with the combination.
Hetfield swings away with a body shot that misses
and Chao counters with a big head kick but Hetfield shrugs it off.
Chao fails to land the takedown.
Chao takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Chao moves in looking to clinch but Hetfield pushes him off.
Hetfield throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Chao on the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hetfield misses with a two punch combination.
Lee Chao is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Chao lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hetfield circles away quickly and effectively.
Hetfield with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Chao to score with a decent uppercut.
Chao fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hetfield defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Chao.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lee Chao. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hetfield is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hetfield throws a low kick but Chao avoids it.
Chao stalks Hetfield and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Hetfield's face. Hetfield staggers backwards, shaken.

Chao closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hetfield can't break the clinch.
Chao is struggling to control the position.

Chao has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Hetfield uses from the top position.
Hetfield throws a big elbow that misses.

Hetfield stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Hetfield throws a quick inside leg kick.
Lee Chao is winning the standup battle so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hetfield's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Hetfield duly obliges.
Chao circles away from the clinch attempt

and Chao counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Chao.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hetfield wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Chao wants to take the fight to the mat but Hetfield manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Hetfield is trying to break free.
Hetfield is trying to force a seperation but Chao has the dominant position.
Hetfield tries to stall but Chao uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Chao keeps control of Hetfield as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Hetfield breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Chao fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hetfield tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hetfield throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

Hetfield has Chao up against the cage in a clinch.
Hetfield pressing his opponent against the cage.
Hetfield continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Chao is working for takedown but Hetfield is calmly controlling the position for now.
Hetfield gets underhooks to prevent Chao's takedown attempt.
Hetfield wants to break free but Chao has control.
Hetfield is trying to force a seperation but Chao has the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hetfield gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Chao.
Chao wants a takedown.

Hetfield breaks from the clinch.
Hetfield looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hetfield tries to clinch up but Chao circles away and keeps his distance.
Hetfield misses with a few strikes there.
Hetfield misses with a head kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hetfield leaves Chao with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hetfield defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Chao.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Hetfield showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hetfield tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Chao manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Chao has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hetfield.
A big right from Hetfield misses.
Hetfield throws a predictable looking body shot
and Chao counters with a right hand to the body.
Hetfield tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Hetfield looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Hetfield has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Chao is proving hard to escape from.
Chao has his hands on Hetfield's head, controlling the position.
Hetfield takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chao not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Lee Chao just wasn't active enough.
Hetfield is looking to land body kicks.
Chao throws a head kick that misses.
Chao shoots in looking for a takedown but Hetfield manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Chao's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
James Hetfield seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Chao looks for the body kick but Hetfield saw that one coming.
Hetfield tries to clinch but Chao moves out of range.
Hetfield misses with a wild combination.
Chao shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hetfield pinned against the cage. Hetfield gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Some wild striking there from Hetfield.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Chao or perhaps it was just good defense by Hetfield which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lee Chao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head kick misses from Hetfield.
Hetfield fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hetfield scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Chao shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hetfield as he avoids it easily.
Chao wants to clinch up but Hetfield keeps it at a distance.
Chao shoots for a takedown but Hetfield saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Chao on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hetfield looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chao walks into a jab.
Left hook, right uppercut from Hetfield.
Hetfield throws a looping overhand right but Chao ducks down to avoid it.
Chao tries to clinch but Hetfield is having none of it.
A combination from Chao does no damage.
Hetfield swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Chao lands a nice shot that snaps Hetfield's head back.
Hetfield lands with a kick to the ribs.
Chao lands with a kick to the temple. Hetfield shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Hetfield tries a head kick but it misses.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Chao. Hetfield shrugs it off though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chao punishes Hetfield's body with a nice straight punch.
Chao throws a combination. Hetfield tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Chao tries to keep at a distance but Hetfield has taken the fight into the clinch.
Chao is looking to take this one to the mat.
Chao is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
James Hetfield seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Hetfield manages to break the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hetfield tries to clinch but Chao moves out of range.
Hetfield swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Chao shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Hetfield wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Hetfield really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hetfield throws a wild body kick that Chao sees coming a mile off.
Hetfield throws a right and a left that Chao avoids nicely.
Chao shoots in for a takedown but Hetfield shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Hetfield misses with a series of wild punches.

Hetfield forces Chao back against the cage and clinches.
Chao jumps guard but Hetfield stands there with Chao around his waist. Chao gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Chao wants to take the fight to the mat but Hetfield manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lee Chao. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Hetfield breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hetfield throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Chao bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Hetfield dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Chao. That did some damage!
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Hetfield.
A head kick misses from Hetfield.
Hetfield stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hetfield wants it to stay on the feet.
Chao fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hetfield throws a series of punches but Chao moves out of range.
Chao throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Hetfield fails to land the takedown.
Chao looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hetfield is fending him off so far but Chao persists. Nope, Hetfield circles away and we're back to standing.
Chao takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Chao has Hetfield up against the cage in a clinch.

Chao wants the takedown. Hetfield is fighting it off but Chao persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Hetfield's guard against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hetfield is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Chao is controlling him.

Chao gets to his feet - Hetfield follows without any prompting.
Chao is looking to clinch but Hetfield is avoiding it.

Chao fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hetfield, pushing him back against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Chao escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hetfield stuffs the takedown attempt from Chao. Chao gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hetfield tries to land a leg kick but Chao saw it coming and moves away.
Chao avoids the body shot from Hetfield.

Chao takes the fight into the clinch.
Chao jumps guard but Hetfield stands there with Chao around his waist. Chao gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Hetfield tries to break free but Chao pushes him back against the cage.
Hetfield wants to break the clinch but can't.

Hetfield gets control of Chao's arms and successfully pulls guard. Hetfield will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Chao advances position into side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chao takes a little break here. Hetfield wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

Chao stands up.
Hetfield shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Chao sprawls well. Chao wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hetfield gets slowly back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Chao is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Hetfield's half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Lee Chao will probably get the nod.
That's time! Chao's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Hetfield doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Chao looks for a takedown but Hetfield sprawls well.
Hetfield fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Chao avoids it really well and circles away.
A head kick misses from Hetfield.
Hetfield takes one to the chin there.
Hetfield tries to clinch but Chao is having none of it.
Chao avoids the head kick by Hetfield.
Chao avoids the head kick by Hetfield.
Chao scores with a hook.
Hetfield is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Chao.
The ground and pound from Chao seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Chao content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

Chao tries for a kimura but Hetfield is defending well.
Chao working the ground and pound but Hetfield is defending the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chao wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hetfield keeps working.
A lull in the action here.
Chao seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Hetfield for as long as he can get away with.
Hetfield wants to get back to his feet but Chao drags him back down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ground and pound from Chao seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Chao wants to control but Hetfield is keeping him busy.

Lee Chao has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Chao has closed the distance and engaged Hetfield in a clinch.
Hetfield jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Chao walks away with a smile on his face. Hetfield gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Chao tries for a takedown but Hetfield sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hetfield pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Chao avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Chao doesn't manage to clinch there - Hetfield circles away.
Hetfield throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Chao counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Chao is looking to advance position but Hetfield won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chao is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
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!

Chao stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Chao moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Chao avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lee Chao showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hetfield 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight as a draw!
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight as a draw!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Lee Chao!

The fight ends as a draw!