PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jet Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tatsuya Aoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Li's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Tourniquet by Evanescence. 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
Aoki

167 cm
31
175 lbs
33 - 18 - 0

178 cm
38
181 lbs
37 - 22 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

AnonymouS
Milwaukee's Best 160 (80% laundry)

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 33 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jet Li!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 37 - 22 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Tatsuya Aoki!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Elvis Blanc and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aoki misses the jab.
Nice cross by Li.

It looks like Tatsuya Aoki has been cut.
Aoki 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.
Aoki tries for a takedown but Li sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Li lands with a good body shot.
Aoki gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Li.
A looping hook to the body misses from Aoki. Li does a little dance to reset his feet.
Li misses with an uppercut.
Li tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Aoki was well out of range. Poor timing from Li.
Aoki shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Li sprawls well. Li wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Aoki gets slowly back to his feet.
Li appears to be looking for a big counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aoki keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Li wants to land a leg kick but Aoki is out of range.
Aoki drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Li defends it well.
Aoki ducks under a wild hook from Li.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li throws an overhand right that lands on Aoki's shoulder, as Aoki tries to avoid the shot.
Li throws a leg kick that is checked
and Li takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Li lands with a straight right. Aoki didn't see that one coming.
Li swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Aoki drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Li defends it well.
Aoki walks forward, straight into a front kick from Li.
Li throws a hook to the side of Aoki's head but Aoki sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Li throws a jab when Aoki was well out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Li.

Li drives through and clinches with Aoki against the cage.
Aoki tries to pull guard but Li forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Jet Li has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tatsuya Aoki.
A short right from Li on the inside.
Li lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Li tries to work over Aoki's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Li misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Li tries to work over Aoki's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Li throws a head punch that misses.
A short left from Li.
Aoki is trying to break the clinch but Li is controlling him.
Li misses with a body punch.
Aoki goes for a takedown in the clinch but Li prevents it.
A head punch on the inside from Li fails to land.
The referee calls for Aoki to work.
Li swings wildly with an uppercut but Aoki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Li has Aoki pressed against the cage.
Aoki fails to pull guard.
Aoki is trying to pull guard but Li has him pressed against the cage.
Li swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Li after a bit of a struggle.
Aoki tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Li smiles and moves away.
Li lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Aoki circles away quickly and effectively.
Jet Li is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Li clinches up with Aoki and pushes him back against the cage.
Li lands a shoulder strike.
Li stalling.
Li lands with a right to the head.
Aoki struggles to land a body shot inside as Li controls his hands.
Li scores with a shoulder strike.
Li stops a takedown attempt from Aoki.
Li misses with a short punch on the inside.
Li swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Li misses with a body punch.

Aoki manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Li stands and throws Aoki's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Aoki is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li trying to control the position but Aoki is working away.
Aoki regains half guard.

Li is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Aoki is looking for a sweep. Li is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jet Li dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tatsuya Aoki's cut.
That's time! Li's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Aoki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Li.
Li throws a body shot but no joy.
A countering left hand to the body from Aoki misses.
Li throws a head kick that misses.
Aoki slips a jab from Li.
Li throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Li looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Li lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Li throws a shot from downtown. Aoki moves away and avoids it.
Li misses with a looping left.
Aoki is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
A looping hook to the body misses from Li. Aoki does a little dance to reset his feet.
Aoki now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aoki fails to land the takedown.
Li was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Aoki misses the shot to the body.
Li connects with a single shot there.
Aoki ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li tries to clinch but Aoki is having none of it.
Aoki appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Li misses with a wild body shot.
Jet Li seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick misses from Li.
Aoki is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Li turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Li enables Aoki to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Li manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Li kicks Aoki off and gets to his feet.
Li throws a looping overhand right but Aoki ducks down to avoid it.
Aoki avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Despite the aggression on Aoki's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Li turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Aoki closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aoki tries to score with some ground and pound. Li controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Aoki fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Aoki content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li dodges the ground and pound from Aoki.
Aoki lands an elbow.

Aoki tries for a kimura but Li is defending well.

Aoki tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Li is looking for a sweep.
Aoki throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Li is trying to improve his position.
Aoki in side control lands a decent elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li gets back to half guard.
Aoki trying to control from Li's half guard. Li has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Li utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Aoki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Aoki connects with a couple of short punches.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aoki trying to control but Li is working from the bottom.
Aoki looking to sit in guard and control but Li gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Aoki had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Li defends it easily.

Aoki isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Li stacks Aoki on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Li!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Aoki is looking to reverse the position.
Li trying to control the action but Aoki is working from the bottom.
Aoki is looking to regain half guard here but Li keeps moving and retains side control.
Aoki is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aoki is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tatsuya Aoki is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Li with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jet Li dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Tatsuya Aoki's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Aoki avoids the head kick by Li.
Li tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Aoki with the counter takedown but Li avoids it easily.
Li throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Aoki changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Li is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Aoki thows a left - swing and a miss!
Li is looking to slow Aoki down with leg kicks.
Aoki circles away from the clinch attempt.

Li gets a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Jet Li has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Li manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Li tries to throw a body punch but Aoki avoids it by throwing Li back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki wants a takedown but no success here.
Li misses with a punch to the body.
Aoki blocks a body shot from Li.
Aoki is looking to take this one to the mat.
Li looking to stall.
Li has a couple of punches blocked by Aoki.
Li misses with the head strike.
Li tries to throw a body punch but Aoki avoids it by throwing Li back against the cage.
Li misses with the head strike.
Li tries to throw a body punch but Aoki avoids it by throwing Li back against the cage.
Li digs a right hand underneath Aoki's ribcage. Aoki let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Li lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Li throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Aoki drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Li gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Jet Li has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tatsuya Aoki.
Aoki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aoki has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Li is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Aoki takes a shot to the head.
Li doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Li.
Aoki blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Aoki's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Li goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A shot in the inside from Li.
Li is pushing Aoki up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Aoki can't get the takedown.
Li lands with a left to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Aoki wants a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Li.
Aoki can't find room to land a body shot as Li controls the action.
Aoki drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Li gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Li is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Aoki can do to turn this around?
Still in the clinch, Li scores with a nice short uppercut.
Li lands a left hand.
Li lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Aoki is rocked!
Aoki is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Aoki is still on wobbly legs! Can Li finish him?
Aoki tries a body shot but Li blocks it.
Aoki blocks a body shot from Li.
Li content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Aoki seems to have recovered his senses.
Li is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Nice body punch from Li - that landed with a thud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li prevents a body shot from Aoki.
Aoki tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Li tries to work over Aoki's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Li slowing the pace effectively.

Aoki has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Li regains guard immediately.
Aoki throws an elbow that misses. Li uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Aoki's guard. Nice move by Li!
Li trying to control but Aoki is working from the bottom.

Aoki is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Li defends well.
Aoki keeping moving, preventing Li from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jet Li clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Tatsuya Aoki's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Li pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Aoki gets tackled into the cage by Li. Li maintains the clinch.
Li makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Aoki blocking some punches.
Li will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Aoki up against the cage.
Aoki tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Aoki has picked Li up - he's going for a ride! Aoki dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Li kicks off Aoki and gets to his feet.
Li throws a hook to the side of Aoki's head but Aoki sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A countering left hand to the body from Aoki misses.
Li tries to land a leg kick but Aoki saw it coming and moves away.
Aoki avoids a kick to the body.

Li pushes Aoki up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aoki is looking to take this one to the mat.
Nice body punch from Li - that landed with a thud.
Aoki tries to score a body lock takedown but Li shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Jet Li has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tatsuya Aoki.
Aoki is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Li throws a head punch that misses.
Aoki is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Li is defending well.
Aoki letting Li take a breather here.
Li misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nice body punch from Li.
Li misses with some punches.
Li can't find room to land a body shot as Aoki controls the action.
Li misses with the head strike.
Aoki being controlled against the cage.
Aoki tries for a takedown but Li manages to get underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li lands a hook that snaps the head of Aoki backwards.
Li is stalling here.
Aoki's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Li misses with a hook to the ribs.
Li lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Li digs a right hand underneath Aoki's ribcage. Aoki let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Li stalling against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Li.
Li throws a punch but it's blocked by Aoki.
Li pressing his opponent against the cage.
Aoki tries to break free but Li pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aoki wants to break the clinch but can't.
Li scores with a hook to the body.
Li slows down the pace here.
Li taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Li scores with a hook to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Li.
Li lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A hook to the body from Li.
Li goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Li scores with a nice hook to the head.
Aoki letting Li take a breather here.
Aoki is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Li gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Li.
Li lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Aoki backwards.
Aoki blocks a body shot from Li.
Li scores with a shot to the side of Aoki's head.
Li lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Li prevents the takedown attempt.
Li misses with the head strike.
Aoki can't get 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 pushes Aoki back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Li tries a body shot but Aoki blocks it.
Li unloads with a big right hand that wobbles Aoki! He's leaning against the cage trying to keep his feet but Li is unloading with more strikes now! Aoki drops to his knees and the referee stops the fight for a TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jet Li!
Jet Li retains his welterweight title!
Jet Li managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Fury Nutrition Inc., into his post fight interview.