PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jet Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zach Gates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zach Gates has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Li
vs
Gates

174 cm
25
185 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

184 cm
19
194 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Fight Night Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jet Li!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zach Gates!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gates shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Li has one foot on Gates's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Gates takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Li throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gates looks to score with a jab to the body but Li is just out of range.
Gates cracks a nice hook into Li's ribs.
Jet Li seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gates throws an overhand right that lands on Li's shoulder, as Li tries to avoid the shot.
Gates swings away with a body shot that misses

and Li moves into the clinch.
Gates is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Li gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Gates can't find room to land a body shot as Li controls the action.

Li's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Li throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gates.
Li shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Gates eats them both and turns towards Li to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Li uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gates.
Gates misses with a body shot.
Gates throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gates on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Li fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Gates misses with a wild body shot.
Gates shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Li as he jumps to the side.
Li will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gates closes the distance and clinches up with Li, looking for a takedown. Gates pushes Li against the cage but Li circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Jet Li has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zach Gates.
Li keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A right-left combo lands from Li.
Gates waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Li.
Some wild striking there from Li.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Li throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Li pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Li steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gates.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gates swings for the body but Li moves out of range.
Li is looking to land body kicks.
Li scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Li lands a really nice looking cross but Gates seems unphased.
Gates avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gates is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Li rather than just go for the knockout.
Li misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gates misses the body punch
and Li counters with a two punch combo.
Li is breathing heavily.
Gates throws a jab but it's blocked by Li.
Li ducks under a wild hook from Gates.
Li misses with a series of wild punches.
Li scores with a body shot.
Gates misses the shot to the body.
A combination from Li does no damage.
Gates throws a looping overhand right but Li ducks down to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gates swings for the body but Li moves out of range.
Li misses with the combination.
Li is working the combinations to good effect here.
A head kick misses from Li.
Gates misses the jab.
Li's corner calls for a 1-2. Li obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nice uppercut lands for Li. That snapped Gates's head back.
Gates throws a big shot that misses.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Li.
Li loads up on a big right hand but Gates slips the punch.
Gates ducks right into an uppercut from Li.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gates. Li does a little dance to reset his feet.
Some wild striking there from Li.
Some wild striking there from Gates.
Gates blocks a head kick by Li.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Li closes the distance and lands a one-two.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Li throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gates.
Gates misses with a body shot.
Li uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gates.
Jet Li is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Li gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Gates.
Li listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Gates walks into a left hand.
Gates misses the body punch

and Li counters by clinching up.
Li has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Li breaks the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gates throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Li stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Gates thows a body shot but no joy.
Li throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gates.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jet Li dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Li is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Gates.
Gates takes a swing at Li's ribcage but misses.
Li throws a jab but it's blocked by Gates.
Gates swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gates looks to land a right hand but Li moved out of range.
Gates just misses with a punch to the body.
Gates lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Li circles away quickly and effectively.
Li tries to bum rush Gates with a series of wild strikes but Gates uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Li keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Li fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Gates with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Li to score with a decent uppercut.
Gates misses with a hook. Li ducked under it nicely.
Jet Li is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Li fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Gates takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Li ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Danga de danga de dang - Li scores with a four punch combination!
Gates takes a swing at Li's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li misses the shot to the body.
Li uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gates.
Gates loads up on a big right hand but Li slips the punch.
Jet Li is winning the standup battle so far.
Gates throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Li thows a left - swing and a miss!
Li looks to throw the jab but Gates is out of range.
Li swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Gates counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gates in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gates pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Li is keeping the position for now.
Gates slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Li avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Gates.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Li stops Gates from passing to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li is looking for a sweep.
Gates tries to advance to mount but Li denies him.
Li is looking for a sweep.

Gates is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Li knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Li trying to remain calm as Gates controls from the top position.
Gates misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Gates is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Li is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Li manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Li has one foot on Gates's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Gates misses with a lunging right hand

and Li counters by moving into the clinch.
Gates can't break the clinch.

Li breaks the clinch.
Gates moves out of range as Li throws a body kick.
Gates misses the shot to the body.
Li looks to land a left hand but Gates moved out of range nicely.
Li throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Gates throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gates misses with a body shot
and Gates takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Li misses with the combination.
Gates misses with a wild body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gates misses with an uppercut.
Gates dodges the punch combination from Li.
Some wild striking there from Li.
Gates swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Li scores with a jab. Gates acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
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!
Gates misses with a straight left.
Li lands a really nice looking cross but Gates seems unphased.
Li scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Li throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Li misses with a wild combination.
Gates swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Zach Gates will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Gates misses with the combination.
Gates looks to throw the jab but Li is out of range.
Li swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Gates.
Li lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gates circles away quickly and effectively.
Li uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Gates has time to react.
Some wild striking there from Gates.
Li staying out of range there.
Gates tries to bum rush Li with a series of wild strikes but Li uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A jab from Gates misses.
Gates looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gates misses with a hook

and Li counters by clinching up.
Gates takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Li escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gates avoids a kick to the body.
Gates cracks Li with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gates fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gates just misses with a punch to the body.
Li slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Gates just misses with a punch to the body.
Good shot there by Li.
Li lands with a right hand.
Gates throws a body punch but Li moves out of range.
Gates has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Gates thows a left - swing and a miss!
Li lands with an overhand left.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Li shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Gates eats them both and turns towards Li to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Li swinging wildly here.
Li connects with a crisp jab.
A clash of legs there as Gates blocks the low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gates throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sloppy strikes from Li. Those never looked like landing.
Gates pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Li looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gates throws an off balance right hand

and Li counters by clinching up.
Li wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gates has him pressed against the cage.
Gates stalling in the clinch but Li improves position.
Li blocks a body shot from Gates.
Gates is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Li is pressed up against the cage. Gates has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Li down to the mat. Li avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Jet Li has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zach Gates.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gates takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Li scores with a decent looking hook.
Gates misses the shot to the body.
Gates ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Li moves away.
Li throws out a powerful jab.
Gates throws a hook to the side of Li's head but Li sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Li throws a series of punches but Gates moves out of range.
Li lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Gates misses with a straight right.
Li lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Li throws a right hand that Gates ducks under and follows up with a left that Gates also avoids with ease.
Li looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gates misses with a wild body shot.
Gates shoots in for a takedown but Li shows good takedown defense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gates closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Li's guard.
Zach Gates has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gates stopping the sweep attempt from Li.
Gates is fighting to break Li's control of his arms but Li is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Li is trying to control the position but Gates postures up.
Gates wants to control from the top but Li keeps moving.
Li can't keep his opponent in guard - Gates advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Li is trying to maintain the position but Gates is very close to passing his half guard.
Gates throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jet Li showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Li has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jet Li!
Jet Li was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.