PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Haki Hugbergsson (ranked 1441 p4p, 70 weight class) and Li Qiang (ranked 2545 p4p, 98 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Hugbergsson
vs
Qiang

190 cm
25
290 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

195 cm
25
273 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Haki Hugbergsson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Li Qiang!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Winston Alpacca and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hugbergsson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hugbergsson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Qiang sprawls well. Qiang wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hugbergsson gets slowly back to his feet.
Qiang is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Horrible takedown attempt by Hugbergsson or perhaps it was just good defense by Qiang, which made it look bad.
Qiang lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Hugbergsson misses with a hook to the body

and Qiang counters with a takedown into side control.
Qiang working the ground and pound from side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Qiang fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Qiang really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hugbergsson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hugbergsson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Qiang wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Hugbergsson has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Check out the look on Qiang's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Qiang cracks Hugbergsson with a big right hand but Hugbergsson just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hugbergsson is looking to reverse the position.
Qiang tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Hugbergsson struggling a bit here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Qiang works to advance to full mount. Hugbergsson defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Qiang has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Hugbergsson's face.
Qiang breaks from Hugbergsson's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Qiang controlling from the full mount.
Hugbergsson tries to hold on but Qiang postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hugbergsson regains half guard.
Hugbergsson is doing well to control the position and prevent Qiang from advancing to side control.
Hugbergsson trying to hold on to Qiang's head to control him but Qiang postures up.
Qiang seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Qiang lands strikes from half guard.
Hugbergsson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hugbergsson trying to get back to full guard but Qiang takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Hugbergsson manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hugbergsson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Qiang.
Qiang is trying to control the action in half guard but Hugbergsson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Hugbergsson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Qiang.
Hugbergsson is looking to improve his position.
Qiang looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Qiang thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hugbergsson on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Qiang is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Qiang is just content to waste time from the top position. Hugbergsson takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Qiang trying to control but Hugbergsson is working from the bottom.
Hugbergsson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Qiang scoring with some ground and pound.
Qiang with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hugbergsson is trying to control the position but Qiang postures up.
Qiang must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Qiang is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Qiang pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hugbergsson is keeping the position for now.
Qiang trying to control the position from guard on top but Hugbergsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Qiang is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Qiang lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Li Qiang dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hugbergsson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Hugbergsson throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Qiang tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Hugbergsson is in Qiang's guard.
Hugbergsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Qiang is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Qiang working a defensive guard here.
Hugbergsson preventing the sweep.
Hugbergsson wants to control from the top but Qiang keeps moving.
Qiang looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Qiang keeping full guard, as Hugbergsson tries to pass.
Qiang looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Qiang wants to sweep here but Hugbergsson controlling him for the moment.
Qiang looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Hugbergsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Qiang is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hugbergsson shoots in for a takedown but Qiang shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Li Qiang is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hugbergsson with a poor takedown

and Qiang counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Haki Hugbergsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Qiang seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hugbergsson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hugbergsson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Qiang scores with a couple of nice shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Qiang scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Qiang seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hugbergsson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Qiang lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Qiang lands a nice short elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hugbergsson controlling the position for now.
Qiang looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Hugbergsson with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Hugbergsson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hugbergsson trying to keep a closed guard but Qiang is proving a slippery customer.
Hugbergsson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Qiang distracts Hugbergsson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Hugbergsson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Qiang is aware though and is defending well.

Qiang avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Qiang showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hugbergsson lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Qiang pulls Hugbergsson in to control the position.
Qiang trying to control the position.
Qiang wants to sweep but no luck.
Qiang keeping moving, preventing Hugbergsson from controlling successfully.
Hugbergsson wants to pass the guard but Qiang is keeping the position.

That's four 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.
Qiang tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hugbergsson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Hugbergsson works to advance to full mount. Qiang defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Qiang regains half guard.

Hugbergsson is working for a submission of some sort.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Qiang is doing well to control the position and prevent Hugbergsson from advancing to side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Li Qiang 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.

Hugbergsson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Qiang cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Qiang leaves Hugbergsson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Qiang! But no joy.
Hugbergsson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Qiang was well out of range. Poor timing from Hugbergsson.
A little jabbing left from Qiang on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Hugbergsson fails with the takedown

and Qiang counters with a single leg into guard. Hugbergsson didn't expect that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Haki Hugbergsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hugbergsson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Qiang is aware though and is defending well.
Qiang chips away with some ground and pound.
Qiang working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hugbergsson's head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Qiang's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Qiang trying to control but Hugbergsson is working from the bottom.
Qiang is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Qiang is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Li Qiang has got the better of the ground game so far.
Qiang looking to sit in guard and control but Hugbergsson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Hugbergsson looking to pass the guard.
Qiang looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hugbergsson is one step ahead there.
Hugbergsson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Qiang swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hugbergsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Qiang is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hugbergsson passes Qiang's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Hugbergsson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Qiang keeping control of the position.

Hugbergsson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Qiang has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Qiang tries to get to full guard but Hugbergsson has control of the leg.
Qiang trying to control but Hugbergsson postures up.
The fighters are battling for position here. Qiang manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Hugbergsson won't allow Qiang to sweep him here.
Hugbergsson seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Hugbergsson drops back, looking for a kneebar! Qiang looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Qiang looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Qiang!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Qiang wants to control but Hugbergsson is keeping him busy.
Hugbergsson sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Ground and pound from Qiang.
Qiang has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hugbergsson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Qiang scores with a couple of nice shots.
Qiang lands with a punch from half guard.
Qiang seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hugbergsson wants to get back to full guard.
Qiang throwing shots but Hugbergsson is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Li Qiang really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hugbergsson shoots and misses
and Qiang counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hugbergsson fails with the takedown
and Qiang cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Qiang stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Haki Hugbergsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hugbergsson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
It seemed like Qiang was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hugbergsson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Qiang counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hugbergsson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Qiang counters with a crisp right that sends Hugbergsson to the canvas! Qiang follows up with punches from the mount and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:52 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Li Qiang!
Li Qiang is the new super heavyweight champion!