PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Xi Li (ranked 2065 p4p, 3086 weight class) and Ralph Long (ranked 221 p4p, 310 weight class). Li kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is HYFR by Drake featuring Lil Wayne. 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.

Li
vs
Long

197 cm
29
213
12 - 8 - 0

193 cm
28
265
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Xi Li!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ralph Long!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Francis DeMontford and Ben Hemmingworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Long fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Li looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Li tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Long finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Long throws a nice outside leg kick.
Long throws a low kick but it's checked well by Li.

Long gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Li trying to land knees to the body.
A shot in the inside from Li.
Li misses with the head strike.
Li tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Long lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Xi Li has been cut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Li.
Long tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Long throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Li blocks it with crossed arms.
Li blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Li throws a punch but it's blocked by Long.
Long blocks a body shot from Li.
Li trying to land knees to the body.
Long blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Li swings wildly with an uppercut but Long uses good head movement to avoid it.

Long breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Long swats away the attempt to clinch by Li.
Li is looking to clinch but Long is avoiding it.

Li has taken the fight to the clinch.
Li misses with the head strike.
Long misses with a hook to the ribs.
Li connects with a nasty looking knee right to Long's face.
Long lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Li stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Still in the clinch, Li scores with a nice short uppercut.

Long manages to break the clinch.
Li tries to clinch but Long moves out of range.
Long throws a counter combo.
Li checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Long walks into a stiff left hand from Li.

Long clinches with his opponent.
Long misses with a knee to the head.
Li lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Li goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li tries a body shot but Long blocks it.
Long blocking some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Li.
Li can't find room to land a body shot as Long controls the action.
Li swings wildly with an uppercut but Long uses good head movement to avoid it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Li creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Long swings wildly with an uppercut but Li uses good head movement to avoid it.
Li throws a head punch that misses.
Li on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Long takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Li looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Li is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Long tries a body shot but Li blocks it.
Li is pushing Long up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Li throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Long blocks it with crossed arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Long is trying to pull guard but Li has him pressed against the cage.
Li goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Long takes a shot to the head.
Long is trying to push Li away but Li has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A hook to the body from Li.

Long escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Li drives through and clinches with Long against the cage.
Long prevents a body shot from Li.
Long blocks a body shot from Li.
Long tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Li's elbow.
Long scores with a shoulder strike.

Long breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Xi Li is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Li gets tackled into the cage by Long. Long maintains the clinch.
Li trying to control the position but instead, Long has worked for underhooks and has pushed Li into the cage.
Long goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Long misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Li misses with a short punch on the inside.
Li digs a right hand into Long's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Long's gas tank.
A short right from Long on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A short uppercut from Li.
Li has a couple of punches blocked by Long.
Li has Long pressed against the cage, preventing Long from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A nice left hand lands by Li.
Long tries to work over Li's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Long throws a punch but it's blocked by Li.
Long blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Li tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Long's elbow.
Long blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Li working aggressively here.

Long pulls guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Long wants to get back to his feet but Li passes into half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Xi Li will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Xi Li's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Long tries a head kick but it misses.
We've been told by Li's head coaches at Catch Wrestling L.A. that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Long misses with the combination.
Long throws a right and a left that both miss.

Li gets a clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Long.
Li lands a left hand.
Li misses with a punch to the body.
Li manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Long blocks an uppercut.
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.
Long is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Li is defending well for now.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Li.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Li lands a nice elbow.
Xi Li has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Li working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Long breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Xi Li is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Long looks to land a combination but Li avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Long circles away from the clinch attempt.

Li moves into range and clinches up with Long.
Long leaning against his opponent.
Li lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Li lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Long's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Li lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Long misses with a knee strike.
Long throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Lis head.
Li with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Li misses with a punch on the inside.
Li pressing his opponent against the cage.
Li throws a knee to the head but misses.
Long blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Long digs a right hand into Li's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Li's gas tank.
Li lands with a left to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Li working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A head punch on the inside from Li fails to land.
Li throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Long on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Li leaning against his opponent.

Long pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Long throws a leg kick but Li checks it.
Li tries to clinch there but Long circles away.
Long misses with a low kick.
Li misses with a wild combination.
Li tries to close the distance and clinch but Long swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Long throws a wild body kick that Li sees coming a mile off.
Xi Li seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Long avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Long throws a big counter head kick but Li avoids it with no problem.
Long takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Long circles away from the clinch attempt.
Long takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Long with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
The fight stays on the outside here - Li looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Despite the aggression on Long's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li doesn't manage to clinch there - Long circles away.
Long avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Li avoids the head kick by Long.
Li tries to clinch but Long is having none of it.

Long has closed the distance and engaged Li in a clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Li.
Li lands with a light punch inside.
Li lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Long or not.
Li misses with a short punch on the inside.
Long letting Li take a breather here.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Li throws a head punch that misses.
Long letting Li take a breather here.
Long is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Li to keep the fight standing.
Long misses with a hook from the clinch.
Li tries to work over Long's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Long blocks an elbow strike.
Li is leaning against Long and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Li is struggling to control the position.
Long pushes Li back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Li.
Long tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Li's elbow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Long avoiding damage as Li throws knees to the body.
Long lands a right hand.
Long stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Li lands with a light punch inside.
Li tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Long avoids it.
Long lands with a short shot to the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Long.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Long lands a left hand that snaps the head of Li backwards.
Li fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Li using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Long has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Long tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Long ducks under a wild hook from Li.
Long tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Long lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Li circles away quickly and effectively.

Long moves into range and clinches up with Li.
Long blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Knees to the body from Li.
Li lands a nice uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Long.
Li misses with a short punch on the inside.
Li presses Long against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Li softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Long is trying to pull guard but Li has him pressed against the cage.
Li tries a knee to the head but Long blocks it.
Li lands an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li throws a punch but it's blocked by Long.
Long blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Li throws a punch but it's blocked by Long.
Long is trying to push Li away but Li has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Li throws an elbow but it misses.
Li struggles to land a body shot inside as Long controls his hands.
Li tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Li avoiding damage as Long throws knees to the body.
Li tries to land a knee to the head but Long blocks with his arms.
Long lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Long creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Li.
Li lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Li lands a right hand.
A short uppercut from Li.
Li has a couple of punches blocked by Long.
Long tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Li just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li works on Long's body with a couple of short punches.
Li is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Long is keeping busy.
Long tries to pull guard but Li holds him up against the cage and eventually Long drops back down to his feet.
Xi Li has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ralph Long.
Long working some nice short punches in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Long breaks the clinch.

Li gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Li doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Long is struggling to control the position.
Li is trying to stall.
Li unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Long blocks an uppercut.
Li lands a hook that snaps the head of Long backwards.
Long blocks an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li lands a knee to the body.
Long takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Long has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Li lands a nice uppercut.
A short right from Li.
Long fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Li swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A hook to the body from Li.
Li just leaning against Long, taking a breather.
Li taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Long lands a hook to the side of the head.
Long tries to break the clinch but Li is controlling the position.
Long misses with a short punch on the inside.
Long tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Long tries for a takedown. No joy.
Long is trying to stall.
Long takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Long can't find room to land a body shot as Li controls the action.
Li with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Long has thrown a lot of knees so far in this fight and we're lead to believe that's something he's been working on the gym prior to this fight.
Li misses with a short punch on the inside.
Long tries a body shot but Li blocks it.
Li tries a knee to the head but Long blocks it.
Li takes a knee to the side of the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A right hand to the body from Long.

Long's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Li misses with a few strikes there.
Ralph Long seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Li fails in his attempt to clinch.
Long misses with a hook. Li ducked under it nicely.
Li appears to be looking for a big counter.
Li is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Long fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Li.
Ralph Long has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Li tries to close the distance and clinch but Long swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Long throws a push kick but Li slaps the foot to one side.

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 Winston Howard scores the fight 30:27
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Xi Li!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Xi Li waved his t-shirt featuring The Thrift Shop - Cheap Clothes and Laundry's logo in front of the cameras.