PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Li Xiao Hu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Learmont (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Learmont has chosen Snoop Dogg and Young Jeezy - Wannabes as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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.

Xiao Hu
vs
Learmont

190 cm
23
180 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

175 cm
21
170 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Powerful

The Perfect Bloodline Laboratories

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Li Xiao Hu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Steve Learmont!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Wagner Zegers and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xiao Hu scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Xiao Hu checks a leg kick nicely.
Learmont looks to throw the jab but Xiao Hu is out of range.

Xiao Hu is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Learmont's half guard.
Xiao Hu seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Xiao Hu thows a huge punch but Learmont dodges it nicely.
Xiao Hu stops Learmont from getting back to his feet.
Xiao Hu wants to stand but Learmont has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Xiao Hu thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Learmont's head.
Xiao Hu stops Learmont from getting back to his feet.
Learmont is not content to let Xiao Hu control the position.
Xiao Hu seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A jab from Learmont misses.
Learmont on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Nice sprawl there from Learmont as Xiao Hu shoots in.
Xiao Hu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The fight stays on the outside here - Xiao Hu looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The fight stays on the outside here - Xiao Hu looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Learmont misses the shot to the body.
Xiao Hu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Learmont stuffs the takedown attempt from Xiao Hu. Xiao Hu gets slowly back to his feet.
Learmont tries to work over Xiao Hu's front leg with a kick but Xiao Hu checks it.
A swing and a miss from Learmont.
Learmont throws a leg kick
and Xiao Hu finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Learmont looks gassed!

Xiao Hu gets a clinch.
Learmont prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Li Xiao Hu. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Learmont manages to break the clinch.
Learmont avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xiao Hu fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Learmont throws out a loose jab but Xiao Hu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Learmont throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Xiao Hu goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Xiao Hu closes the distance and clinches.

Xiao Hu breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Steve Learmont is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Xiao Hu shoots in but Learmont avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Steve Learmont seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Learmont lands a glancing blow to the side of Xiao Hu's head.

Xiao Hu clinches up with Learmont and pushes him back against the cage.
Learmont is looking to break free of the clinch but Xiao Hu has double underhooks.
Xiao Hu keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Learmont's efforts to push away.
Learmont tries to break free but Xiao Hu pushes him back against the cage.

Xiao Hu's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Xiao Hu shoots in for a double leg but Learmont sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Xiao Hu tries to clinch up.
Learmont tries a head kick but it misses.
Learmont throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Xiao Hu tries to clinch but Learmont moves out of range.
Xiao Hu tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Xiao Hu keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Learmont.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Learmont avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Xiao Hu shoots in and drives through. Learmont sprawls well.
Learmont lands with a slapping head kick.
Horrible takedown by Xiao Hu or perhaps it was just good defense by Learmont which made him look bad.
Xiao Hu shoots for a takedown but Learmont saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Learmont throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Learmont misses with a leg kick

and Xiao Hu counters with a nice double leg into side control. Learmont won't be happy with that.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Learmont is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Xiao Hu asserts his dominance and retains side control.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Xiao Hu is looking to take a break and control but Learmont is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Learmont is pushing Xiao Hu's head away, looking to escape. Xiao Hu manages to hold on to the position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xiao Hu wants to control but Learmont is keeping him busy.
Xiao Hu throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Learmont works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Xiao Hu not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Li Xiao Hu dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Xiao Hu misses with a head kick.
Learmont throws a head kick that misses.
Learmont misses with an uppercut. Xiao Hu saw that one coming.
Xiao Hu tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Xiao Hu checks a leg kick.
Li Xiao Hu is winning the standup battle so far.
Xiao Hu shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Xiao Hu staying out of range there.
Learmont is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Learmont ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Xiao Hu moves away.

Xiao Hu takes the fight into the clinch.
Learmont is trying to break the clinch but Xiao Hu has him pressed against the cage.
Learmont has had enough of the clinch but Xiao Hu keeps him there for the moment.
Learmont is looking to break free of the clinch but Xiao Hu has double underhooks.
Learmont tries to break free but Xiao Hu pushes him back against the cage.
Xiao Hu putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Learmont in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

Xiao Hu pulls guard effortlessly.
Learmont won't allow Xiao Hu to sweep him here.
Xiao Hu is pulling down on Learmont's head. It's preventing any offense from Learmont, at least for the moment.
Xiao Hu wants to control but Learmont passes easily into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiao Hu wants to improve his position but Learmont is controlling well.

Learmont gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Learmont throws a lazy right hand but Xiao Hu sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Learmont swings and misses with a hook to the body.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Xiao Hu has Learmont pressed against the cage, preventing Learmont from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A knee to the head by Xiao Hu.
Xiao Hu wants a takedown.
Learmont tries to break free but Xiao Hu pushes him back against the cage.

Learmont breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Learmont throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Learmont stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Li Xiao Hu. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Xiao Hu gets a clinch.
Learmont wants to break free but Xiao Hu has control.
Learmont takes a knee right on the jaw!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xiao Hu with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Learmont tries to break free but Xiao Hu pushes him back against the cage.
Learmont working hard to break the clinch.

Learmont breaks from the clinch.
Xiao Hu throws a head kick that Learmont semi-blocks.
Xiao Hu defending well as Learmont loads up on a big left hand.
Xiao Hu lands a high kick!

Learmont gets caught flat footed, as Xiao Hu shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Xiao Hu wants to stand but Learmont has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Xiao Hu will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Learmont kicks Xiao Hu off and gets to his feet.
A big right from Learmont misses.
Learmont blocks a head kick by Xiao Hu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiao Hu blocks a low kick nicely.
Xiao Hu tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Learmont swivels and escapes.
Xiao Hu tries to clinch there but Learmont circles away.
Learmont lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Learmont looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Learmont throws a head kick but Xiao Hu moves out of range.
Learmont bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Xiao Hu's head.
Xiao Hu walks into a jab.

Xiao Hu feints and as Learmont raises his hands in defense, Xiao Hu changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Learmont uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Xiao Hu uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Learmont.

Xiao Hu shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Learmont's guard.
Xiao Hu won't allow Learmont to get back to his feet.
Learmont keeping full guard, as Xiao Hu tries to pass.
Xiao Hu working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Learmont's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Xiao Hu postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Learmont is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Xiao Hu, into his guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Xiao Hu looking to control.
Xiao Hu managing to control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Xiao Hu throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Li Xiao Hu dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Xiao Hu fails to land the takedown.
Learmont loads up on a big right hand but Xiao Hu slips the punch.
Xiao Hu fails in his attempt to clinch.
Learmont throws a lazy head kick
and Xiao Hu counters with a slapping leg kick.
Xiao Hu doesn't manage to clinch there - Learmont circles away.
Learmont misses with a looping right.
Learmont throws a hook to the side of Xiao Hu's head but Xiao Hu sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Learmont pivots, looking for a leg kick but Xiao Hu is out of range and Learmont settles back down.
Xiao Hu is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Xiao Hu shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Learmont pinned against the cage. Learmont gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Xiao Hu feints and then cracks Learmont's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Learmont down.
Learmont tries to work over Xiao Hu's front leg with a kick but Xiao Hu checks it.

Xiao Hu shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Learmont napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Learmont wants to get back to his feet but Xiao Hu drags him back down.
Learmont is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Xiao Hu has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Xiao Hu throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Learmont's waist but Learmont gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Xiao Hu off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Li Xiao Hu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Learmont smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Learmont throws a leg kick but Xiao Hu checks it.

Xiao Hu feints and as Learmont raises his hands in defense, Xiao Hu changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Learmont wants to get back to his feet but Xiao Hu is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Xiao Hu works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Xiao Hu not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Learmont is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Xiao Hu scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xiao Hu moves nicely into side control.
Xiao Hu working the head with strikes.
Xiao Hu tries to advance to mount but can't.
Learmont wants to get back to his feet.

Xiao Hu stands up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Learmont tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Xiao Hu was well out of range. Poor timing from Learmont.
Xiao Hu dives in and grabs Learmont's left leg, looking for a takedown. Learmont pushes down on Xiao Hu's head and hops out.
Xiao Hu is looking to clinch but Learmont is avoiding it.

Xiao Hu drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Xiao Hu wants to stand but Learmont has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Xiao Hu knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Learmont on the ground.
Xiao Hu tries to free his leg and advance position but Learmont is retaining full guard.

Learmont pushes Xiao Hu off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Learmont takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Learmont paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
The fight stays on the outside here - Xiao Hu looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Learmont lands with an uppercut that bounces Xiao Hu off the cage and back into rage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Learmont swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Xiao Hu shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Learmont avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Xiao Hu.
Xiao Hu not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Li Xiao Hu is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Xiao Hu lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Steve Learmont has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Learmont wants to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Li Xiao Hu showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Xiao Hu has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Li Xiao Hu!