PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Yehia Kamel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yang Xinhai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Xinhai has chosen Loco as his entrance music. 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.

Kamel
vs
Xinhai

166 cm
26
130 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

169 cm
26
143 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yehia Kamel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yang Xinhai!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Anthony Taglia and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xinhai looks for the body kick but Kamel saw that one coming.
Yehia Kamel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kamel keeps Xinhai at a distance using the push kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Xinhai. That's going to slow Kamel down.
A lazy left from Kamel finds it's target.
Xinhai scores with a sloppy right hand. Kamel should have avoided that one.
Kamel throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kamel ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kamel takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Xinhai closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kamel uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Xinhai.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kamel throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Good leg kick by Kamel there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kamel throws a lazy uppercut
and Xinhai counters with a good low kick that Kamel was not able to check.
Xinhai avoids a kick to the body.
Kamel shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kamel motions for Xinhai to come forward. Kamel throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Good shot there by Kamel.
Xinhai steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Kamel. That one must have hurt.
Kamel moves out of range of the leg kick from Xinhai.
Kamel feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Xinhais jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xinhai checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Xinhai checks a low kick from Kamel.
Xinhai tries to clinch but Kamel moves out of range.
Xinhai uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kamel.
Kamel feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Xinhai's calf.
Kamel connects with an inside leg kick.
Kamel misses with a low kick as Xinhai jumps back.
Xinhai keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kamel.
Xinhai blocks the body kick.
Kamel misses with a hook
and Xinhai connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kamel shoots for a double leg takedown but Xinhai sprawls well. He's pushed Kamel's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Xinhai throws a right hand that Kamel ducks under and follows up with a left that Kamel also avoids with ease.
Xinhai takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kamel pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A low kick from Kamel misses
and Xinhai counters with a good, hard body kick but Kamel shrugs it off.
Kamel misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kamel takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Xinhai, right into the meat.
We've been informed that Xinhai 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Xinhai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Xinhai attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Xinhai.
Xinhai leaves Kamel with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kamel throws the kick towards the body but Xinhai avoids it.
Xinhai throws a low kick, looking for Kamel's leg but Kamel calmly moves out of range.
Kamel misses with a leg kick
and Xinhai counters with a slapping leg kick.
Kamel connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Xinhai tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kamel throws a leg kick that is checked
and Xinhai connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kamel misses with a body shot.
Xinhai checks a leg kick.
Xinhai throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Sloppy strikes from Kamel. Those never looked like landing.
Xinhai bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kamel's head.
Kamel's corner calls for a 1-2. Kamel obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kamel tries to move into range but Xinhai moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kamel tried to score with a low kick but Xinhai checks it.
Good leg kick by Kamel there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Xinhai stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yehia Kamel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Xinhai throws an overhand right that lands on Kamel's shoulder, as Kamel tries to avoid the shot.
Kamel keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Xinhai.
Kamel throws out a leg kick but Xinhai moves out of range and Kamel only half commits.
Kamel wants to slow Xinhai down by chopping away at his legs.
Kamel looks for the body kick but Xinhai saw that one coming.
Xinhai throws a leg kick but Kamel sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kamel gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Xinhai counters with a body kick that stops Kamel in his tracks momentarily.
Xinhai throws a good cross that connects.
Kamel throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Kamel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Xinhai.
Xinhai is looking to score with low kicks.
Kamel pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Xinhai fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Kamel lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick from Xinhai.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Good leg kick by Xinhai there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kamel jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A lazy left from Xinhai finds it's target.

Kamel is rocked!
Xinhai connects with an inside leg kick.
Xinhai walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kamel checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Kamel ducks under a wild hook from Xinhai.
Xinhai will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kamel bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Xinhai's head.
Good leg kick by Kamel there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Xinhai blocks a jab.
Xinhai throws a body punch but Kamel moves out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kamel lands a leg kick that knocks Xinhai off balance momentarily.
Kamel on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kamel throws a front kick aimed at Xinhai's knee but Xinhai avoids it well.
Kamel throws a leg kick but Xinhai checks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Yang Xinhai will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kamel swings for the body but Xinhai moves out of range.
Kamel thows a left - swing and a miss!
Xinhai wants to land a leg kick but Kamel is out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Xinhai.
Xinhai lands with a kick to the ribs.
Good work by Xinhai as he checks the leg kick.
Kamel lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kamel pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Yang Xinhai seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Xinhai doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kamel throws a sloppy head kick
and Xinhai counters with an inside leg kick.
Xinhai slips under a jab.
Xinhai throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kamel throws a solid leg kick but Xinhai takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kamel.
Xinhai dives in for a single leg takedown but Kamel sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kamel is trying to pull guard but Xinhai has him pressed against the cage.
Kamel prevents a body shot from Xinhai.
Xinhai lands an uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kamel lands a nice uppercut.

Xinhai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A low kick from Kamel is predictable there
and Xinhai counters with a thumping low kick.
Kamel moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Xinhai scores with a leg kick.
Xinhai throws a front kick that sends Kamel stumbling back into the cage.
Xinhai checks a leg kick.
Kamel takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Kamel blocks a head kick by Xinhai.
Good work by Kamel as he checks the leg kick.
Kamel moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Xinhai misses with a straight right.
Xinhai throws a wild body kick that Kamel sees coming a mile off.
Xinhai throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Kamel throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kamel throws a leg kick but Xinhai sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kamel checks the leg kick.
Kamel misses with a kick to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kamel looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kamel scores with a head kick.
Xinhai gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kamel throws a push kick but Xinhai slaps the foot to one side.
Nice cross by Kamel.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kamel checks a leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Xinhai.
Kamel throws a push kick but Xinhai slaps the foot to one side.
Kamel goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Xinhai ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kamel will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Xinhai with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Nice shot lands for Xinhai.
Xinhai fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kamel has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Xinhai throws a leg kick but Kamel sees it coming and moves out of range.
Xinhai misses with a jab, cross combination.
A swing and a miss from Kamel.
Xinhai tries to clinch up but Kamel circles away and keeps his distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kamel ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kamel tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kamel throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Xinhai misses with an uppercut. Kamel saw that one coming.
Kamel stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Xinhai.
Kamel fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Xinhai is out of range.
Kamel dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Xinhai. That did some damage!
Kamel misses the body punch
and Xinhai counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kamel goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Kamel.

Xinhai shoots in and bounces Kamel off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Kamel working for a triangle but Xinhai defends it easily.

Kamel is looking for a triangle but Xinhai pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kamel working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Xinhai.
Xinhai trying to control but Kamel is working from the bottom.
Xinhai lands a couple of elbows.
Xinhai wanted to stand there but Kamel had control of the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Xinhai working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Xinhai postures up in Kamel's guard and throws a big left but Kamel blocks it.
Kamel avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Kamel is looking for a triangle but Xinhai pushes his legs off easily.

Kamel has his foot on Xinhai's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Xinhai works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yang Xinhai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Kamel moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Xinhai 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.
A slapping leg kick lands for Xinhai.
That kick from Xinhai tenderised Kamel's leg. Kamel is trying to keep his angry face on.
Good work by Xinhai as he checks the leg kick.
Good shot there by Xinhai.
Kamel tests Xinhai's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Xinhai pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kamel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Xinhai sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Xinhai's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kamel is defended easily by Xinhai.
Xinhai throws a solid leg kick but Kamel takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Xinhai.
Kamel throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Xinhai fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kamel misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xinhai takes a swing at Kamel's ribcage but misses.
Xinhai throws a sloppy head kick and Kamel moves out of range easily.
Kamel moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kamel walks into a stiff left hand from Xinhai.
Kamel scores with a jab to the head.
Xinhai throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kamel tries to move into range but Xinhai moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kamel 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.
Xinhai scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kamel checks a low kick from Xinhai.
Kamel takes a swing at Xinhai's ribcage but misses.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Kamel crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Xinhai - the referee stops the clock and Kamel gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Xinhai. Kamel manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Kamel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Xinhai manages to avoid it.
A bone on bone clash there as Xinhai blocks the leg kick.
Kamel throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Xinhai counters with a right hand to the body.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Xinhai, right into the meat.
Xinhai checks the leg kick.
Yehia Kamel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Xinhai lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kamel shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Xinhai defends it nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kamel throws a low kick but Xinhai avoids it.
Xinhai scores with a nice body kick.
Xinhai tries to clinch up.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kamel.
Xinhai ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kamel throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kamel checks a leg kick.
A solid body kick from Xinhai.
Kamel jabs Xinhai right on the nose. Xinhai blinks but takes it well.
Xinhai ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kamel tries to land a front kick but Xinhai steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kamel throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Xinhai cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kamel attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Xinhai lands a nice looking body kick.
A good leg kick by Xinhai.
Xinhai checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Kamel 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.
Xinhai takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Xinhai doesn't manage to clinch there - Kamel circles away.
Xinhai will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kamel tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Xinhai was well out of range. Poor timing from Kamel.
Xinhai pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kamel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Xinhai fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Xinhai blocks a low kick nicely.
Nice straight punches there by Xinhai. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Xinhai.
Kamel throws a leg kick but Xinhai checks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xinhai comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Xinhai avoids the head kick by Kamel.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Xinhai, right into the meat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Good work by Xinhai as he checks the leg kick.
Kamel throws a leg kick
and Xinhai counters with a good low kick that Kamel was not able to check.
Kamel throws a body punch but Xinhai moves out of range.
Xinhai feints and then cracks Kamel's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kamel down.
Xinhai feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kamel's calf.
Good leg kick by Xinhai there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kamel. Xinhai does a little dance to reset his feet.
A nice leg kick lands there from Xinhai.
Kamel swings for the body but Xinhai moves out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
An inside leg kick lands from Xinhai.
Kamel turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Kamel enables Xinhai to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Kamel manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Kamel seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Kamel throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yang Xinhai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Xinhai winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 28:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yang Xinhai!
A victorious Yang Xinhai thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.