PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Danny Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kaleva Mansikkamaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Li comes to the cage accompanied by Tai Chi master. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Li
vs
Mansikkamaa

173 cm
25
163 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

181 cm
26
159 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Leviathan Clothing

Sully's Bar & Grill

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Danny Li!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kaleva Mansikkamaa!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Santiago Holmes and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mansikkamaa uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Li.
And Mansikkamaa responds with a good body kick, but Li manages to step out the way in time.
Mansikkamaa takes a shot to the body in his stride.
We've been informed that Mansikkamaa has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Mansikkamaa walks into a left hand.
Li ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mansikkamaa moves away.
Mansikkamaa takes a swing at Li's ribcage but misses.
Mansikkamaa throws a nice outside leg kick.
Li misses with a body shot.
Mansikkamaa is looking to score with low kicks.
Mansikkamaa misses with a looping left.
Li seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Mansikkamaa throws a left and a right that both miss
and Li counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Li uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mansikkamaa.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li with a jab.
Mansikkamaa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Li misses the target.
Mansikkamaa throws a shot from downtown. Li moves away and avoids it.
Mansikkamaa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Li was well out of range. Poor timing from Mansikkamaa.
Mansikkamaa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Li sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Li is looking to counter punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Mansikkamaa.
Mansikkamaa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Li.
Mansikkamaa thumps Li with a low kick.
Li checks a leg kick.
Mansikkamaa connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Mansikkamaa throws a quick inside leg kick.
Mansikkamaa throws out a leg kick but Li moves out of range and Mansikkamaa only half commits.
Li swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Mansikkamaa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A punch lands to the side of Mansikkamaa 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Mansikkamaa staying out of range there.
Mansikkamaa takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A big right from Mansikkamaa misses.
A jab from Mansikkamaa misses.
Li misses with a straight left.
An inside leg kick from Mansikkamaa misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice cross by Li.
Kaleva Mansikkamaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Li just misses with a punch to the body.
Mansikkamaa throws a body shot but no joy.
It looked like Li wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Mansikkamaa misses with an uppercut
and Li counters with a straight right hand.
Li checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Donk. Li catches Mansikkamaa right on the button with a cross.
Li lands a jab to Mansikkamaa's midsection.
A jab from Li misses.
Li takes one to the chin there.
Li has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Li there as he acknowledges the shot.
Left hook, right uppercut from Mansikkamaa.

It looks like Danny Li has been cut.
A low kick from Mansikkamaa is predictable there
and Li cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Mansikkamaa throws a front kick aimed at Li's knee but Li avoids it well.
Mansikkamaa rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Li counters with a left to the body.
Mansikkamaa pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mansikkamaa ducks under a wild hook from Li.
Li scores with a nice strike.
Li lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

It looks like Kaleva Mansikkamaa has been cut.
Mansikkamaa misses with a body shot.
Mansikkamaa scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Li feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Mansikkamaas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
A telegraphed right hand from Mansikkamaa misses the target.
Li misses the shot to the body.
Mansikkamaa misses with a hook
and Mansikkamaa takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd cheers as Li lands an impressive looking overhand right. Mansikkamaa doesn't seem phased though.
Li uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mansikkamaa.
Li tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mansikkamaa throws a low kick, looking for Li's leg but Li calmly moves out of range.
Mansikkamaa feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Li's calf.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick from Mansikkamaa misses.
Li appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Mansikkamaa is looking to score with low kicks.
Mansikkamaa with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Mansikkamaa does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Mansikkamaa throws a sloppy body shot
and Li counters with a stiff right hand.
Mansikkamaa misses with an uppercut
and Li counters with a nice uppercut.
A clash of legs there as Li blocks the low kick.
Li uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mansikkamaa.
Nice defenses there by Li.
It looked like Li wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Li throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Li misses with a looping left.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice uppercut lands for Li. That snapped Mansikkamaa's head back.
Li ducks under a wild hook from Mansikkamaa.
It looked like Li was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Mansikkamaa.
Mansikkamaa motions for Li to come forward. Mansikkamaa throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Danny Li will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Mansikkamaa scores with a leg kick.
Li stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Mansikkamaa.
Li connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Mansikkamaa's hands.
Mansikkamaa looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Mansikkamaa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mansikkamaa misses with a head kick.
Li swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Mansikkamaa finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Nice straight punches there by Mansikkamaa. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Mansikkamaa.
Li throws a hook but Mansikkamaa blocks it.
Mansikkamaa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Li throwing a counter right hand but Mansikkamaa manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mansikkamaa throws a chopping leg kick but Li manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
It looked like Li was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Mansikkamaa.
That kick from Mansikkamaa tenderised Li's leg. Li is trying to keep his angry face on.
A nice leg kick lands there from Mansikkamaa.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mansikkamaa misses the shot to the body.
Li was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li thows a left - swing and a miss!
Li paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Mansikkamaa attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Mansikkamaa throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Mansikkamaa thumps Li with a low kick.
Li connects with a crisp jab.
Mansikkamaa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Li.
A slow jab from Li misses its intended target.
Mansikkamaa unleashes a big counter combination but Li bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Danny Li is winning the standup battle so far.
Li lands a nice looking body shot.
Li uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mansikkamaa.
Mansikkamaa fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Li checks it well.
Mansikkamaa slips under a jab.
Mansikkamaa has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Mansikkamaa misses with a hook
and Li counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A swing and a miss from Li.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mansikkamaa tries a head kick but it misses.
Li was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Mansikkamaa throws a low kick, looking for Li's leg but Li calmly moves out of range.
Mansikkamaa lands with a thumping leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice uppercut lands for Li. That snapped Mansikkamaa's head back.
Mansikkamaa throws a head kick that Li semi-blocks.
Mansikkamaa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Li.
Li throws an overhand right that lands on Mansikkamaa's shoulder, as Mansikkamaa tries to avoid the shot.
It seemed like Mansikkamaa was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Li rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Li takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mansikkamaa misses with a body shot
letting Li counter with a right hand.
Mansikkamaa connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Good standup being displayed there by Li as he connects with a hook.
A big left from Mansikkamaa misses.
A good leg kick by Mansikkamaa.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li defending well as Mansikkamaa loads up on a big left hand.
Li on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Mansikkamaa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mansikkamaa swings for the body but Li moves out of range.
Mansikkamaa misses the shot to the body.
Mansikkamaa dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Li. That did some damage!
Mansikkamaa misses with a straight right.
Li with a jab.
Li scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Li throws an off balance right hand
and Mansikkamaa counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Mansikkamaa.
Mansikkamaa misses the body punch
and Li counters with a nice body shot.
The crowd cheers as Mansikkamaa lands an impressive looking overhand right. Li doesn't seem phased though.
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!
Mansikkamaa misses the body punch
and Mansikkamaa takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mansikkamaa lands a nice hook to Li's body. Li takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Li is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Mansikkamaa pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Li throws the left hand but Mansikkamaa avoids the punch easily.
Mansikkamaa doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Li looks to land a left hand but Mansikkamaa moved out of range nicely.
Li needs to keep his hands up - Mansikkamaa had a free shot at his head there.
Mansikkamaa misses with a two punch combination.
Mansikkamaa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Li was well out of range. Poor timing from Mansikkamaa.
Mansikkamaa ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Mansikkamaa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Li.
Mansikkamaa scores with a jab to the jaw.
Nice uppercut lands for Li. That snapped Mansikkamaa's head back.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mansikkamaa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Li.
Mansikkamaa appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Mansikkamaa chopping away at his opponent's legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kaleva Mansikkamaa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Li throws a body punch but Mansikkamaa moves out of range.
Mansikkamaa swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Mansikkamaa on the wrong end of a nice jab.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
A chopping leg kick lands by Mansikkamaa.
Li jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mansikkamaa swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Li connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Li throws a jab when Mansikkamaa was well out of range.
Li thuds a left hand into Mansikkamaa's body.
Li misses the jab.
Mansikkamaa feints a counter leg kick.
Mansikkamaa misses with a low kick.
Mansikkamaa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Li.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mansikkamaa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A counter left hand to the body from Li misses its target.
Li takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Mansikkamaa throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Li counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Li takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mansikkamaa waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Li.
A lazy body kick from Mansikkamaa
and Li counters with a straight right hand.
Mansikkamaa scores with a leg kick.
Li lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Mansikkamaa at a distance.
Nice jab there from Mansikkamaa.
Mansikkamaa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Li moves away.
Mansikkamaa with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A good leg kick by Mansikkamaa.
Mansikkamaa has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Li finds it's way round the side to connect with Mansikkamaa's head.
Li missing with a left hand there. Mansikkamaa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A jab from Mansikkamaa misses.
Mansikkamaa chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Mansikkamaa's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Li connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Mansikkamaa scrambles back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Li misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mansikkamaa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li misses the shot to the body.
Li 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.
Li throws a body punch but Mansikkamaa moves out of range.
Mansikkamaa pivots, looking for a leg kick but Li is out of range and Mansikkamaa settles back down.
Mansikkamaa dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Li. That did some damage!
Mansikkamaa misses with an uppercut. Li saw that one coming.
Li ducks under a wild hook from Mansikkamaa.
Li moves away from the strike by Mansikkamaa.
Mansikkamaa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mansikkamaa misses with a lunging right hand
and Li counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Mansikkamaa thinking.
Li takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Li throws an overhand right that lands on Mansikkamaa's shoulder, as Mansikkamaa tries to avoid the shot.
As Li backs off Mansikkamaa throws a huge counter combo but Li manages to avoid it all.
Mansikkamaa misses with an uppercut
and Li counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mansikkamaa scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Mansikkamaa scores with a push kick.
Li tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A shot to the liver by Li. Beautiful body shot.
Mansikkamaa throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Li throws a body punch but Mansikkamaa moves out of range.
Li steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mansikkamaa.
Mansikkamaa blocks a jab.
Mansikkamaa let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Mansikkamaa swings widly with a right hand
enabling Li to counter with a crisp jab.
Mansikkamaa misses with an uppercut
enabling Li to counter with a crisp jab.
Li pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Li lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Mansikkamaa at a distance.
Mansikkamaa lands a leg kick that knocks Li off balance momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mansikkamaa throws a leg kick but Li sees it coming and moves out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A big left from Mansikkamaa misses.
Li was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Nice defenses there by Li.
Li is looking to counter punch.
A head kick by Mansikkamaa misses
and Li counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mansikkamaa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Li moves away.
Mansikkamaa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Li scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Mansikkamaa throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Li cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Mansikkamaa looks to land a right hand but Li moved out of range.
Li thuds a left hand into Mansikkamaa's body.
Li's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
Mansikkamaa lands the left hand.
Mansikkamaa takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Mansikkamaa throws a leg kick that is checked
letting Li counter with a right hand.
Mansikkamaa throws a poor cross that misses
letting Li counter with a right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Danny Li showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Li has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Peter Branson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Danny Li!
Danny 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.