QFC Tournament 931 Round 3 PBP Commentary

Co-main event

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Xi Li (ranked 3021 p4p, 342 weight class) and Doug Raimo (ranked 5095 p4p, 0 weight class). Li comes to the cage accompanied by HYFR by Drake featuring Lil Wayne. Doug Raimo will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Li
vs
Raimo

197 cm
24
204 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

175 cm
20
185 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Xi Li!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Doug Raimo!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Ren Mimura and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raimo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Raimo shoots in for a takedown but Li shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Li scores with a head kick. Raimo tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

It looks like Doug Raimo has been cut.
Raimo doesn't manage to clinch there - Li circles away.
Li throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Raimo tests Li's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A head kick misses from Li.
Despite the aggression on Raimo's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Li swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Li throws a head kick that half lands.

Li tries to keep at a distance but Raimo has taken the fight into the clinch.

Li breaks the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jab from Li.
Raimo misses with a kick to the body.
A head kick misses from Li.
Li throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Li throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Xi Li seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Li keeps the fight on the outside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raimo fails with a takedown attempt.
Xi Li has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Doug Raimo.
Li takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Raimo takes one to the side of the head.
Li defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Raimo.
Raimo moves in looking to clinch but Li pushes him off.
No joy there for Li, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Raimo tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Li circles away from the clinch attempt.
A nice combination there by Li.
Li misses with a body kick.
Li throws a nice looking combination but Raimo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A good leg kick by Li.
Li throws a sloppy head kick and Raimo moves out of range easily.

That's two 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!
Raimo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Raimo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Li.
Li swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Raimo counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Li is breathing heavily.
Raimo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Li bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Raimo's head backwards.
Li throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Raimo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Li lands a head kick!
Raimo takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Li lands a nice looking kick to the body. Raimo takes a step back to recover.
Raimo moves in looking to clinch but Li pushes him off.

Raimo clinches.

Li breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li misses with the combination.
Li looks for the body kick but Raimo saw that one coming.
Raimo shoots in for a takedown but Li shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Li misses with a series of wild punches.
Raimo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Li but Li pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Li connects with a high kick.
Raimo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Raimo tries for a takedown but Li sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Li throws a shot to the body.
A head kick by Li misses
and Raimo counters with a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raimo wants to clinch.
Li wants to land a leg kick but Raimo is out of range.
Li looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Li ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Raimo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Li sprawls well. Li wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Raimo gets slowly back to his feet.
Xi Li is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Li tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Raimo clinches.
Raimo has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Li after a bit of a struggle.

Li breaks the clinch.
Raimo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Li moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Li throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xi Li dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Doug Raimo's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Li stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Li wants it to stay on the feet.
Raimo fails with a takedown attempt.
Raimo takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Li goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Li tries a head kick but it misses.
Li throws a big shot that misses.
Li throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Li will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick by Li misses

and Raimo counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Raimo.

Li breaks the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A head kick misses from Raimo.
A head kick by Li misses
and Raimo counters with a left and a right that stings Li.
Raimo blocks a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Raimo blocks the leg kick.
Raimo misses with a body kick.
Raimo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Li as he jumps to the side.
Xi Li has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Doug Raimo.
Raimo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Li lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Raimo rushes Li and presses him up against the cage.
Raimo dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Li breaks from the clinch.
Li has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Raimo closes this distance looking for a takedown but Li circles away.
Li misses with a few strikes there.
Li is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Li throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Raimo avoids the head kick by Li.
Li pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Li throws a lazy right hand but Raimo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Li throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Xi Li is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Li avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Li throws a body shot but no joy.
Raimo steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Li.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Raimo shoots in for a takedown but Li shows good takedown defense.
Li throws a head kick that misses
and Raimo counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Li throws a sloppy body shot
and Raimo counters with a right hand to the body.
Li throws a sloppy head kick and Raimo moves out of range easily.

Raimo closes the distance and pushes Li back into the cage.
Raimo throws an elbow that misses.

Li pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Raimo counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Li thinking.
Raimo lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Li at a distance.
Li pivots, looking for a leg kick but Raimo is out of range and Li settles back down.
Good work by Raimo as he checks the leg kick.
Raimo tries to counter with a clinch but Li shakes him off and moves away.

Li gets tackled into the cage by Raimo. Raimo maintains the clinch.
Raimo lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Li or not.

Raimo manages to break the clinch.
Li throws a sloppy head kick and Raimo moves out of range easily.
Li avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Raimo scores with a punch to the head.
Raimo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Li as he avoids it easily.
Xi Li is winning the standup battle so far.
Li feints and then cracks Raimo's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Raimo down.
Li pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Raimo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Raimo shoots in looking for a takedown but Li manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Raimo's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li circles away from the clinch attempt.
Li fails to land with a series of punches.
Li throws a hook to the side of Raimo's head but Raimo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Raimo appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Raimo tries to clinch but Li is having none of it.
A good leg kick by Li.
Raimo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Li's waist but Li gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Raimo off to one side.
Raimo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Raimo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Li defends it nicely.
A nice inside leg kick there by Li. That's going to slow Raimo down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xi Li dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Doug Raimo's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Li throws a quick inside leg kick.
Raimo looks to land a combination. Li sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Li circles away from the clinch attempt.
A nice inside leg kick there by Li. That's going to slow Raimo down.
Li throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Li with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Li misses with a body kick.
Li lands with a slapping head kick.
Raimo is looking to clinch but Li is avoiding it.
Li tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Li throws a head kick that misses
and Raimo counters with a one-two to the body.
Li will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Raimo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Raimo misses with a series of wild punches.
Raimo's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li throws a lazy head kick
and Raimo counters with a nice uppercut.
Li lands with a slapping head kick.
Raimo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Li defends it nicely.
Li pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Raimo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Li, pushing him back against the cage.

Raimo breaks the clinch.
Raimo has a takedown stuffed.
Li takes a swing at Raimo's ribcage but misses.
Li throws a body kick that misses.
Li avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Raimo instigates a clinch.

Li manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Raimo.
Raimo tries to clinch there but Li circles away.
Li is looking to counter punch.
Raimo scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Li doesn't seem bothered though.
Raimo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Xi Li has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Doug Raimo.
Raimo takes a kick to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Li fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Li moves out of range as Raimo throws a body kick.

Raimo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Li, pushing him back against the cage.

Li breaks from the clinch.
Raimo shoots in looking for a takedown but Li manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Raimo's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Raimo has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Li throws a series of punches but Raimo moves out of range.
Raimo tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raimo checks a leg kick.

Raimo darts in and clinches Li up against the cage.
Raimo leaning against his opponent.

Li breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Li lands a high kick!
Raimo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Li but Li pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Raimo moves in looking to clinch but Li pushes him off.
Li throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Li misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Raimo.
Li lands with a kick to the temple. Raimo shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Li misses with a kick to the body.
Raimo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Li circles away quickly and effectively.
Some wild striking there from Li.
Raimo is trying desperately to land a takedown but Li is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Raimo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raimo moves out of range of the body kick.
Li takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Raimo showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Li.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Raimo scores with a punch to the head.
Li throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Li will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Li blocks a head kick by Raimo.
Raimo ducks under a wild hook from Li.
Raimo tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Raimo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Li throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Raimo.
Doug Raimo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Raimo tries a head kick but it misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Xi Li showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Li, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight for Xi Li!
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Xi Li!
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Xi Li!

Xi Li wins by unanimous decision!
An intense looking Xi Li took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: 'I'm winning this tournament. Remember my name!!'.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
68%

Main event

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Anton Marks (ranked 4479 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lyoto Machida (ranked 4365 p4p, 377 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Marks
vs
Machida

184 cm
24
200 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
24
220 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Anton Marks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lyoto Machida!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Yuuki Gou and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machida will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A combination from Machida does no damage.
Marks blocks a jab.
Marks swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Machida lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Machida misses with a few strikes there.
Machida connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Marks rushes Machida and presses him up against the cage.
Marks scores with a nice hook to the head.
Marks lands a right hand.

It looks like Lyoto Machida has been cut.
Marks stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Marks.
Machida looks winded!
Marks lands a right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Marks lands a hook that snaps the head of Machida backwards.
Marks scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Marks.
Marks lands a hook that snaps the head of Machida backwards.
Nice body punch from Marks.
Marks lands a right hand that snaps the head of Machida backwards.

Machida is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Marks as the two fighters clinch.
Marks scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Machida is still on wobbly legs! Can Marks finish him?
Marks lands with a light punch inside.
Marks lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Marks creates a bit of space for himself and rocks Machida with a big uppercut! Machida tries to clinch up but Marks pushes him back against the cage and lands another monster strike that crumples Machida to the mat! Machida covers up and Marks unloads with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:20 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Anton Marks!