PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ritchie Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Julian McKinney (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Li
vs
McKinney

185 cm
20
145 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

178 cm
22
154 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ritchie Li!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Julian McKinney!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Seu Braga and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A chopping leg kick lands by McKinney.
A decent looking cross lands there for McKinney.
Li throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McKinney shoots for a takedown but Li saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
McKinney shoots in for a double leg but Li sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
McKinney looks to land a combination but Li avoids it well.
Li tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McKinney fails with the takedown.
Ritchie Li has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Julian McKinney.
Li tries to clinch up but McKinney circles away and keeps his distance.
Li throws a head kick but McKinney moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McKinney shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Li is trying to defend but McKinney finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Li is trying to control but can't.
McKinney tries to pass the half guard into mount. Li knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
McKinney is keen to just control but Li is a slippery customer.
Li knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for McKinney on the ground.
Li is trying to maintain the position but McKinney is very close to passing his half guard.
McKinney is trying to control the action in half guard but Li is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Julian McKinney.
McKinney throws a right hand that Li ducks under and follows up with a left that Li also avoids with ease.
McKinney throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Li.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McKinney fails to land the takedown.
McKinney throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Li tries to clinch up.
Li really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
McKinney misses with a few strikes there.

Li clinches up against the cage.
Li lands a knee to the body.
Li putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has McKinney in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
McKinney looks gassed!
Li landing knees to the head.
Li with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Li scores with a knee to the head.
McKinney dodges an elbow strike from Li.
McKinney has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Li avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Li.
A knee to the head by Li.
Li lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Li with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Li crunches a lovely knee into McKinney's ribcage.
Li lands a knee to the head.
Li misses with a knee strike.
A knee to the head by Li.
Li tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Li with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Li is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Li.
Knees to the body from Li.
Li connects with a knee to the head.
Li with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Li tries a knee to the head but McKinney blocks it.
McKinney drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
McKinney is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Li with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Li tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
McKinney managing to block the knees to the body from Li.
Li gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from McKinney.
McKinney avoiding damage as Li throws knees to the body.
Li throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but McKinney blocks it with crossed arms.
Li tries a knee to the head but McKinney blocks it.
Li is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McKinney is defending well for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Li tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and McKinney avoids it.
McKinney is trying to drag Li to the mat but Li just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Li throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but McKinney blocks it with crossed arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Li avoids a punch combination nicely.
McKinney shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Li but Li pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Li wants to clinch up but McKinney keeps it at a distance.
Li tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Julian McKinney seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Li fails in his attempt to clinch.
Li stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Li wants it to stay on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li fails in his attempt to clinch.
McKinney swinging wildly here.
McKinney lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Li circles away quickly and effectively.
McKinney shoots for a double leg takedown but Li sprawls well. He's pushed McKinney's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ritchie Li has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Julian McKinney.
Li throws a sloppy head kick and McKinney moves out of range easily.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Li enables McKinney to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Li manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
McKinney is breathing heavily.
McKinney tries to free his leg and advance position but Li is retaining full guard.
Li is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Li on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Li tries to get out of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li pulls McKinney in close to prevent any damage.
Li looking to control.
Li is controlling McKinney's posture.

Ritchie Li has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
McKinney closes this distance looking for a takedown but Li circles away.
Li throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ritchie Li is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McKinney tries a head kick but it misses.
Li tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Julian McKinney is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Li ducks under a wild hook from McKinney.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McKinney takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Li fails in his attempt to clinch.
McKinney throws a hook but Li blocks it.
Some wild striking there from McKinney.
Li uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McKinney.
Li is looking to clinch but McKinney is avoiding it.
McKinney rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Li moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McKinney tries for a takedown but Li sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Li moves into the clinch.
McKinney tries to score a body lock takedown but Li shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Li with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Li tries a knee to the head but McKinney blocks it.
Li lands a knee to the body.
McKinney takes a knee right on the jaw!
Li unloads a knee to the mid-section. McKinney lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Li tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Li lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Li with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Li connects with a knee to the head.
Li lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
McKinney takes a knee right on the jaw!
Li using the Thai plumb to throw knees but McKinney has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ritchie Li dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Li bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
McKinney misses with a straight left.
McKinney tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
McKinney tries to score a power double leg takedown but Li sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten McKinney somewhat.
Li keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McKinney takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li throws a head kick that misses.
Li tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Li displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from McKinney.
Ritchie Li has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Julian McKinney.

Li lands a big head kick that sends McKinney tumbling to the mat! Li takes a step backwards and waves McKinney back to his feet - he wants the finish!

McKinney is rocked!

Li drives through and clinches with McKinney against the cage.
McKinney is still on wobbly legs! Can Li finish him?
Li putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has McKinney in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
McKinney seems to have recovered his senses.
McKinney is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Li landing knees to the head.
Li tries a knee to the head but McKinney blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Li with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Li prevents a takedown attempt there.
Li unloads a knee to the mid-section.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Li putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has McKinney in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Li connects with a knee to the head.
Li landing knees to the head.
Li lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Li gets underhooks to prevent McKinney's takedown attempt.
Li with a knee to the head.
Li trying to land knees to the body.
Li with a knee to the head.
Li throws a knee to the head but misses.
Li missing with knees to the body.
Li tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
McKinney drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Li gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li misses with a knee strike.
McKinney tries for a takedown but Li manages to get underhooks.
McKinney takes a knee right on the jaw!
Knees to the body from Li.
Li tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
McKinney drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Li lands a knee to the body.
Li landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Li looking to throw knees to the head but McKinney is blocking nicely.
Li tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and McKinney avoids it.

Li is fighting off a takedown attempt but McKinney is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Li to the mat. Li regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Li managing to control the position.
McKinney postures up.
Ritchie Li is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McKinney pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Li is keeping the position for now.
Li is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
McKinney wants to pass the guard but Li is keeping the position.

We're going to have a standup here because Ritchie Li wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Li keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Julian McKinney has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McKinney swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ritchie 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight for Ritchie Li!
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight for Ritchie Li!
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight for Ritchie Li!

Ritchie Li wins by unanimous decision!