PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Li Xiaodong (ranked 574 p4p, 752 weight class) and Rex Gunn (ranked 39 p4p, 53 weight class). Gunn has chosen Miami 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.

Xiaodong
vs
Gunn

165 cm
32
143
26 - 12 - 0

166 cm
36
141
32 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

NARCOS

Bondi MMA ðŸï¸
Â© Trap House

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 26 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Li Xiaodong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rex Gunn!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Emerson Jorge and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gunn 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.

Gunn pushes Xiaodong up against the cage in a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gunn.
Xiaodong scores with a nice hook to the head.
Gunn throws a punch but it's blocked by Xiaodong.
Xiaodong lands a shot to the body.
I was talking to Xiaodong's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Gunn blocks an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gunn.
Xiaodong tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gunn's elbow.
Xiaodong misses with some punches.
Xiaodong blocks an uppercut.
Gunn wants to take the fight to the mat but Xiaodong manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Gunn swings wildly with an uppercut but Xiaodong uses good head movement to avoid it.
Xiaodong lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Gunn backwards.
Gunn misses with the head strike.
Xiaodong tries to throw a body punch but Gunn avoids it by throwing Xiaodong back against the cage.
Gunn looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Gunn.
Gunn tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Xiaodong's elbow.
Gunn lands a body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Xiaodong lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Xiaodong misses with a hook to the ribs.
A hook to the body from Xiaodong.
Xiaodong throws a punch but it's blocked by Gunn.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Gunn.
Gunn tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Xiaodong's elbow.
Xiaodong prevents a takedown attempt there.
Gunn blocks a body shot from Xiaodong.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Xiaodong.
Xiaodong pushes Gunn back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gunn misses with a body punch.
Gunn lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Gunn blocks an uppercut.
Gunn misses with a punch to the body.
Gunn tries for a takedown. No joy.
Li Xiaodong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rex Gunn.
A short right from Xiaodong.
Xiaodong prevents a body shot from Gunn.
Xiaodong tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gunn is leaning against Xiaodong and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Xiaodong lands an uppercut.
Xiaodong goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Gunn gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Gunn is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Gunn tries to free his leg and advance position but Xiaodong is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong keeping moving, preventing Gunn from controlling successfully.
Gunn tries to free his leg and advance position but Xiaodong is retaining full guard.
Xiaodong is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Gunn drops back looking for a leg! Xiaodong is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Xiaodong manages to kick Gunn off! Gunn jumps back into Xiaodong's guard.
Xiaodong looking for a sweep. Not yet Xiaodong, not yet.
Gunn trying to control but Xiaodong is working from the bottom.
Gunn passes Xiaodong's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Xiaodong keeps control of the position for the meantime.

Gunn is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Gunn is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gunn is looking for a kimura here.
Xiaodong controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gunn is working for a submission of some sort.
Xiaodong is looking to improve his position.
Xiaodong preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Gunn wants to take a breather but Xiaodong is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Gunn is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Xiaodong tries to get to full guard but Gunn has control of the leg.
Xiaodong is working hard here to advance position.
Xiaodong trying to control but Gunn postures up.
Xiaodong won't allow Gunn to pass to mount.
Xiaodong slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Gunn advances to half guard.
Gunn wants to control but Xiaodong is keeping him busy.
Xiaodong moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Gunn looking to pass the 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 Li Xiaodong will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gunn moves away from the strike by Xiaodong.
Xiaodong uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gunn.
Xiaodong keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Xiaodong lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Gunn throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Xiaodong counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Gunn misses with a body punch

and Xiaodong counters with a nice right hand that sends Gunn toppling to the canvas! Gunn scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Xiaodong finish him?!

Gunn is rocked!

Gunn rushes Xiaodong and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Xiaodong doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gunn misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Xiaodong lands a shoulder strike.
Gunn throws a punch but it's blocked by Xiaodong.
Gunn tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Xiaodong has a couple of punches blocked by Gunn.
Xiaodong struggles to land a body shot inside as Gunn controls his hands.
Gunn working aggressively here.
A right handed body shot lands from Gunn.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gunn.
Xiaodong works on Gunn's body with a couple of short punches.
Gunn blocks a body shot from Xiaodong.
Xiaodong swings wildly with an uppercut but Gunn uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gunn working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunn blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gunn working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A short right from Gunn.
Gunn misses with some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Xiaodong.
Xiaodong blocking some punches.
Gunn pushes Xiaodong back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Gunn has a couple of punches blocked by Xiaodong.
Xiaodong tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Gunn struggles to land a body shot inside as Xiaodong controls his hands.
The referee calls for Gunn to work.
Gunn prevents a body shot from Xiaodong.
Xiaodong tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Xiaodong misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gunn wants to take the fight to the mat but Xiaodong manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Gunn fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Xiaodong goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Xiaodong misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong tries to work over Gunn's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gunn misses with a hook to the ribs.
Xiaodong working aggressively here.
Xiaodong swings wildly with an uppercut but Gunn uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gunn scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Gunn stalling in the clinch but Xiaodong improves position.
Xiaodong swings wildly with an uppercut but Gunn uses good head movement to avoid it.
Xiaodong lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gunn lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Gunn tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Xiaodong's elbow.
Xiaodong misses with a short punch on the inside.
Xiaodong is pressed up against the cage. Gunn has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Xiaodong down to the mat. Xiaodong avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Gunn tries to clinch but Xiaodong moves away
and Xiaodong counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Xiaodong enables Gunn to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Xiaodong manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Xiaodong looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Xiaodong is adopting a defensive guard.
Xiaodong is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunn pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Xiaodong is keeping the position for now.
Gunn passes Xiaodong's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Gunn is trying to work for a kimura but Xiaodong is defending well.
Xiaodong is trying to maintain the position but Gunn is very close to passing his half guard.
Xiaodong is refusing to be controlled, as Gunn sits in half guard.
Gunn looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Gunn is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Xiaodong trying to hold on to Gunn's head to control him but Gunn postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Gunn is looking to advance position but Xiaodong won't allow it.

Gunn wants to work for an arm triangle but Xiaodong is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gunn is thwarting Xiaodong's attempts to control the position.

Gunn looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The fighters are battling for position here. Xiaodong manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Xiaodong keeping full guard, as Gunn tries to pass.

Gunn is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Xiaodong is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Xiaodong has escaped and now he's on top!

And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Li Xiaodong will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Gunn with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Gunn is looking to clinch.
Gunn slips under a jab from Xiaodong.
Gunn throws a hook but Xiaodong blocks it.
Xiaodong scores with a jab.
Xiaodong tries to move into range but Gunn moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Li Xiaodong is winning the standup battle so far.
Xiaodong takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Gunn rushes Xiaodong and presses him up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gunn can't get the takedown.
Gunn tries to throw a body punch but Xiaodong avoids it by throwing Gunn back against the cage.
Gunn tries a body shot but Xiaodong blocks it.
Gunn softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Xiaodong.
Gunn tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Xiaodong fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunn tries to work over Xiaodong's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Xiaodong lands a body punch in the clinch.
Gunn takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Xiaodong lands with a light punch inside.
Xiaodong lands a body shot.
Xiaodong blocks a body shot from Gunn.
Xiaodong lands an uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Xiaodong as the two fighters clinch.
Xiaodong stalls.
A left hand lands to the body for Xiaodong.
Xiaodong goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Gunn goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Gunn tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Xiaodong's elbow.
Xiaodong pushes Gunn back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gunn drops down looking for an ankle pick but Xiaodong pulls his leg out and moves away.
Xiaodong takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Rex Gunn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gunn is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Xiaodong rather than just go for the knockout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunn swings away with a body shot that misses
and Xiaodong counters with a nice uppercut.
Xiaodong lands with a cross.
Gunn is still on wobbly legs! Can Xiaodong finish him?
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gunn bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gunn throws a sloppy body shot
and Xiaodong counters with a straight right hand.
Gunn moves in looking to clinch but Xiaodong pushes him off.
Xiaodong lands a big head kick that sends Gunn to the canvas! Xiaodong follows up with strikes from the mount that forces the ref to step in and stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:25 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Li Xiaodong!
An out of breath Li Xiaodong thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.