PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Douglas Veloso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Li has chosen Give My Bullet Back as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Veloso
vs
Li

185 cm
26
190 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

176 cm
27
192 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Big right hand

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Douglas Veloso!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, James Li!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Viktor Lagutenko and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Veloso shoots and misses

and Li counters with a nice double leg into side control. Veloso won't be happy with that.

Li is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Veloso knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Veloso taking a bit of punishment here - Li scoring with strikes.

Li thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Veloso tries to improve position but can't.
Li trying to control the action but Veloso is working from the bottom.

Li tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Li tries for a kimura but Veloso is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Li looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Veloso manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Li landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Veloso wants to get back to full guard.
Veloso is working hard here to advance position.

Veloso looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Li lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Veloso actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Li is looking to take a break and control but Veloso is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Li is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Veloso is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Li pulls his head out easily.
Li working over Veloso with some ground and pound. Veloso looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Veloso looking for submissions off his back.
Li works his foot free and advances to mount.
Veloso tries to reverse the position but Li maintains control.
Li has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Li is working to isolate an arm here. It's a telegraphed submission attempt but he's gone for it anyway - and he's got it! Li extends the arm and Veloso is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:01 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). James Li!