PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ascension Bjj Expert (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xiao Long Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Li comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Dragon Punch! kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Xiao Long Li has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bjj Expert
vs
Long Li

170 cm
32
155 lbs
12 - 9 - 0

172 cm
35
150 lbs
20 - 15 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Tab out

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ascension Bjj Expert!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Xiao Long Li!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bjj Expert shoots in but Li avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Bjj Expert tries to score with a low kick but Li moves his leg out of the way.
Bjj Expert fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Li avoids it really well and circles away.

Bjj Expert bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Li wants to control but Bjj Expert postures up.
Bjj Expert working the head with strikes.
Li is trying to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Li's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Li tries to bench press Bjj Expert off him but Bjj Expert keeps the position.
Bjj Expert trying to control the position but Li is working away.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bjj Expert is chipping away with strikes.
Bjj Expert working the ground and pound but Li is defending the strikes.
Bjj Expert tries to score with some ground and pound. Li controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Sloppy strikes there by Bjj Expert.
Li manages to work his way to half guard, despite Bjj Expert's best efforts.
Bjj Expert scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Bjj Expert missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bjj Expert not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bjj Expert prevents Li from improving his position.
Li trying to hold on to Bjj Expert's head to control him but Bjj Expert postures up.
Bjj Expert not doing much here.
Bjj Expert working the head and body with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bjj Expert performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bjj Expert missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bjj Expert has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Li is looking to improve his position.
Bjj Expert thows a huge punch but Li dodges it nicely.
Li avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bjj Expert.
Bjj Expert is trying to control. Li wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Bjj Expert is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Li is just riding it out for now. Bjj Expert eventually gives up the hold.
Li keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bjj Expert seems to be looking for submissions.
Bjj Expert throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Li slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Bjj Expert trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bjj Expert trying to control but Li is working from the bottom.
Li is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Bjj Expert avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bjj Expert working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Li's head.
Bjj Expert trying to control the position from guard on top but Li is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bjj Expert stands and throws Li's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Li struggling a bit here.
Li dodges the ground and pound from Bjj Expert.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bjj Expert has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Bjj Expert tries to control but Li wriggling away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bjj Expert landing strikes from the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ascension Bjj Expert dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bjj Expert checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Bjj Expert shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Li as he avoids it easily.
Bjj Expert takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Li bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bjj Expert is trying to control Li's posture but Li avoids it.
Li cracks Bjj Expert with a big elbow.
Bjj Expert tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Li misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Bjj Expert tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Li working the head and body with strikes.
Bjj Expert is trying to control Li's posture but Li avoids it.
Li working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li wants to control but Bjj Expert is keeping him busy.
Bjj Expert gets back to half guard.
Bjj Expert works his way to full guard. Good work.
Ascension Bjj Expert overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bjj Expert controls Li momentarily but Li frees himself.
Bjj Expert is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Bjj Expert escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Li gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Bjj Expert preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bjj Expert lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Li!
Li manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li is refusing to be controlled, as Bjj Expert sits in half guard.
Li gets full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bjj Expert missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Bjj Expert got a little sloppy there for a moment and Li has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Bjj Expert has managed to get both his arms back between Li's legs - danger averted.
Li wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Bjj Expert throws an elbow that misses. Li uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bjj Expert's guard. Nice move by Li!
Bjj Expert wants to sweep here but Li controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bjj Expert striking off his back but it's not causing Li any problems.
Bjj Expert looking for a sweep. Not yet Bjj Expert, not yet.

Bjj Expert throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Li trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Bjj Expert looking for a guillotine here but Li defends easily.

Bjj Expert is looking for a triangle but Li pushes his legs off easily.
Bjj Expert has Li pulled in close to control his posture.
Li throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bjj Expert is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Li wants to control from the top but Bjj Expert keeps moving.
Bjj Expert is trying to control the position but Li postures up.

Bjj Expert is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Bjj Expert looking to hit a scissor sweep but Li is one step ahead there.
Bjj Expert working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Li.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bjj Expert wants to sweep here but Li controlling him for the moment.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Bjj Expert has his foot on Li's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Li works his way back into a safe position though.
Li trying to control but Bjj Expert is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ascension Bjj Expert 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Bjj Expert ducks under a wild hook from Li.
Li connects with a body shot.
Li uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bjj Expert.
Bjj Expert throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bjj Expert uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Li.
Bjj Expert shoots for a takedown but Li saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Bjj Expert tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Li swivels and escapes.
Bjj Expert changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Li tries to avoid it but Bjj Expert manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Li to the ground. Li escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ascension Bjj Expert. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Li shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Li was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Bjj Expert tries to buck Li off but Li is having none of it.
Li scores with punches from side control.
Li throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Li wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bjj Expert keeps working.
Li lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Bjj Expert down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bjj Expert keeps working.
Bjj Expert is looking to reverse the position.
Bjj Expert manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Bjj Expert throws a strike but Li avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Bjj Expert postures up.
Bjj Expert stands and throws Li's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Li sneaks back into half guard.
Li works his way to full guard. Good work.
Bjj Expert engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Li avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li keeping full guard, as Bjj Expert tries to pass.
Li keeping moving, preventing Bjj Expert from controlling successfully.
Bjj Expert throwing strikes but missing.
Li keeping moving, preventing Bjj Expert from controlling successfully.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bjj Expert throwing strikes but missing.
Li is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bjj Expert wants to pass the guard but Li is keeping the position.
Bjj Expert engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Ascension Bjj Expert.
Li is looking to clinch.
Li swats away the attempt to clinch by Bjj Expert.

Bjj Expert tries to sprawl but Li drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Bjj Expert wants to control but Li is keeping busy.
Li working the head and body with strikes.

Bjj Expert actively working from the bottom here.
Bjj Expert trying to control but Li postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li is taking a breather. Bjj Expert says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Bjj Expert moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Bjj Expert keeping moving, preventing Li from controlling successfully.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Bjj Expert holds on and takes a little breather.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Bjj Expert has his foot on Li's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Li works his way back into a safe position though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Li lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Li preventing the sweep.
Li is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Xiao Long Li.
I think Bjj Expert 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight for Ascension Bjj Expert!
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Ascension Bjj Expert!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Ascension Bjj Expert!

Ascension Bjj Expert wins by unanimous decision!
A victorious Ascension Bjj Expert thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.