PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ba Lil II (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Franky Finger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Finger is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Diabolic feat. Immortal Technique - Frontlines. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Lil II
vs
Finger

175 cm
22
150 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

177 cm
23
169 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter striker
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ba Lil II!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Franky Finger!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Ryoma Takatsuka and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Finger is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Finger throws a hook to the side of Lil II's head but Lil II sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Finger looks for the body kick but Lil II saw that one coming.

Finger instigates a clinch.
Finger has Lil II pushed against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Finger takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Finger prevents a body shot from Lil II.
Finger lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Finger lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Finger lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Ba Lil II has been cut.
Finger lands a damaging elbow.
Finger lands an elbow that stopped Lil II in his tracks for a moment.
Lil II is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Lil II fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Finger manages to break the clinch.
Finger tries to close the distance and clinch but Lil II swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lil II avoids the head kick by Finger.
Finger jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Finger pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Finger throws a head kick but Lil II moves out of range.

Finger moves into the clinch.

Finger's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Finger misses with the combination.
Lil II swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Finger bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lil II slips a jab from Finger.
Finger keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Finger misses the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finger doesn't manage to clinch there - Lil II circles away.
Lil II moves out of range as Finger throws a body kick.

Finger pushes Lil II up against the cage in a clinch.
Finger scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Finger scores with a shoulder strike.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Finger obliges.
Finger stalling.
Finger gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Finger stalling in the clinch but Lil II improves position.
Finger lands with a light punch inside.
Finger tries to land knees in the clinch but Lil II avoids the damage to the body.
Finger lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Finger pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Lil II blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Lil II is trying to force a seperation but Finger has the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lil II looking to stall.
Finger is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Finger lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Lil II decides to pull guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Finger has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Lil II is proving hard to escape from.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Finger is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Finger decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Franky Finger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Finger instigates a clinch.
Finger lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Finger lands an elbow just above Lil II 's eye.
A short right from Finger on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lil II takes an elbow to the temple.
The referee calls for Finger to work.
Finger lands a body punch.

Finger's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Finger misses with a double jab

and Lil II decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Finger's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Finger wants to stand up but Lil II is controlling him.
Lil II is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Lil II advances to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Finger is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Lil II is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Finger is just riding it out for now. Lil II eventually gives up the hold.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franky Finger dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ba Lil II's cut.
That's time! Lil II's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Finger is looking to land body kicks.
Lil II uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Finger.
Finger misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Finger tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Finger keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Finger doesn't manage to clinch there - Lil II circles away.
Finger looks to score with a jab to the body but Lil II is just out of range.
Lil II misses the shot to the body.
Lil II keeps the fight on the outside.
Lil II needs to keep his hands up - Finger had a free shot at his head there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lil II takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Finger tries to clinch up.
Finger throws a sloppy head kick and Lil II moves out of range easily.
Finger loads up on a big right hand but Lil II slips the punch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Finger looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Finger tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lil II paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lil II throws a lazy body kick

and Finger counters by moving into the clinch.
Finger controlling the action here for a moment.
Lil II working hard to break the clinch.
Franky Finger seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Finger is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Lil II is keeping busy.

Finger's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finger throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Finger thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lil II blocks a head kick by Finger.
Lil II tries to land a leg kick but Finger saw it coming and moves away.
Finger misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick by Lil II misses

and Finger moves into the clinch.
Finger blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Finger comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Lil II has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Lil II tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Finger avoids it.
Lil II can't break the clinch.
Finger lands an elbow that stopped Lil II in his tracks for a moment.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Finger lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Finger lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Finger lands a nice shot to the body.
Finger is pushing Lil II up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on Finger's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Finger lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Nice elbow from Finger.
Lil II avoiding damage as Finger throws knees to the body.
Finger lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Finger.
A shot in the inside from Finger.
Finger lands an elbow just above Lil II 's eye.
Finger throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Finger breaks the clinch.
Lil II has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Finger.
Finger throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Finger blocks the body kick.
Finger goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Finger misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Finger pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Finger tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lil II swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Finger moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

Lil II fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Finger sprawls well initially but Lil II persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Lil II missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Lil II is working for a kimura but Finger is defending it quite comfortably.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Finger pushes Lil II off looking to stand but Lil II dives back in and keeps control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franky Finger showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ba Lil II's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A telegraphed right hand from Finger misses the target.
Lil II misses with a left hand
and Finger counters with a right hand to the body.
Finger connects with a right hand. Lil II shakes it off.
Finger throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Lil II slips a straight right by Finger.
The fight stays on the outside here - Finger looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lil II throws a low kick, looking for Finger's leg but Finger calmly moves out of range.
Finger throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Finger throws a hook but Lil II blocks it.
Lil II takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Lil II avoids a kick to the body.
Lil II throws a hook to the side of Finger's head but Finger sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Finger misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lil II throws a leg kick but Finger checks it.
Finger turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Franky Finger is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Finger wants to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Finger looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lil II moves out of range of the body kick.
Lil II uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Finger.
Lil II sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Finger throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Lil II misses with a low kick.
Lil II shoots in for a takedown but Finger shows good takedown defense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Finger moves into the clinch successfully.
Lil II trying to land knees to the body.
Finger keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Lil II's efforts to push away.
The referee calls for Finger to work.
Finger lands a damaging elbow.
Finger missing with knees to the body.
Finger throws an elbow that misses.
Lil II blocks the elbow strike.
Lil II tries to score a body lock takedown but Finger shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Lil II tries to pull guard but Finger won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ba Lil II. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Finger leaning against his opponent.
Finger lands an elbow inside that Lil II shrugs off.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A frustrated look appears on Lil II's face as he tries to break the clinch.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lil II pivots, looking for a leg kick but Finger is out of range and Lil II settles back down.
Finger throws a nice looking combination but Lil II bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Finger blocks a jab.
Finger scores with a kick to the body.
No joy there for Finger, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Lil II closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Finger's guard.
Lil II postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Finger wants to stand up but Lil II is controlling him.
Finger takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Finger tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lil II throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lil II trying to control the position from guard on top but Finger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Finger has his feet on Lil II's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Lil II throws out a loose jab but Finger uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lil II swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Finger throws a right and a left that Lil II avoids nicely.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Finger.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Finger looks to land a right hand but Lil II moved out of range.
Finger misses the jab.
Finger paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franky Finger really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ba Lil II's cut.
That's time! Lil II's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Finger keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lil II.
Lil II tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Finger was well out of range. Poor timing from Lil II.
Finger misses with a hook. Lil II ducked under it nicely.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Finger.
Lil II moves out of range as Finger strikes.
Finger takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Lil II throws a looping overhand right but Finger ducks down to avoid it.
Lil II throws a poor cross that misses
and Finger counters with a solid body kick.
Franky Finger seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Finger throws a wild body kick that Lil II sees coming a mile off.
Lil II misses with a straight left.
Lil II walks into a jab.
Finger tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lil II avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Finger has managed to clinch.
Lil II blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Finger lands an elbow that stopped Lil II in his tracks for a moment.
Finger is trying to stall.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Finger.
Lil II tries to pull guard but Finger forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Finger with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Finger tries to land knees in the clinch but Lil II avoids the damage to the body.
Lil II jumps guard but Finger turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Lil II looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Finger is trying to maintain a safe position but Lil II gets an underhook and turns Finger into the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Finger manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finger tries to bum rush Lil II with a series of wild strikes but Lil II uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Lil II throws a head kick but Finger moves out of range.

Finger pushes Lil II up against the cage in a clinch.
Finger looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Lil II takes an elbow to the temple.
Finger lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Lil II or not.
Lil II on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Lil II jumps guard but Finger stands there with Lil II around his waist. Lil II gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ba Lil II. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Finger slows down the pace here.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Finger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lil II avoiding damage as Finger throws knees to the body.
Finger tries to land a knee to the head but Lil II blocks with his arms.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Finger softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Lil II takes an elbow to the forehead.
Finger swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Finger is struggling to control the position.
Finger is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Lil II is keeping busy.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Finger.

Lil II manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Ba Lil II overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Finger avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Finger got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lil II has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Finger has managed to get both his arms back between Lil II's legs - danger averted.
Finger has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Lil II is proving hard to escape from.
Finger trying to control the position from guard on top but Lil II is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Lil II had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Finger defends it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Finger is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Finger is looking to stand up but Lil II won't let him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franky Finger dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Ba Lil II's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Finger is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Lil II fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Lil II misses with a low kick as Finger jumps back.
Lil II keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lil II circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lil II throws a hook but Finger blocks it.
Finger tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lil II paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Finger throws a head kick that misses.
Lil II thows a body shot but no joy.
Finger wants to clinch.
Finger throws a right hand that Lil II ducks under and follows up with a left that Lil II also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lil II blocks the body kick.
Finger cracks Lil II with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Lil II misses with a looping right.
Lil II looks for a takedown but Finger sprawls well.
Finger tries to clinch but Lil II moves out of range.
Finger leaves Lil II with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ba Lil II. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice takedown defense from Finger. No joy for Lil II on that attempt.
Lil II has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Finger finds it's way round the side to connect with Lil II's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finger tries to land a front kick but Lil II steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Lil II tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Finger was well out of range. Poor timing from Lil II.
Finger avoids the body shot from Lil II.
Finger looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Lil II avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Finger tries to clinch up.
Lil II doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Finger leaves Lil II with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Finger wants to clinch but Lil II slips to the side

and Lil II counters with a shoot takedown. Finger fights it but they end up in guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lil II trying to control but Finger is working from the bottom.
Finger wants to get back to his feet but Lil II is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finger keeping moving, preventing Lil II from controlling successfully.
Finger working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lil II.
Lil II looking to pass the guard.
Franky Finger is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Finger preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Finger wriggles free and stands up.
Lil II fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Finger avoids it really well and circles away.
Lil II is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Finger.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Finger.
Finger avoids a kick to the body.
Finger tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lil II paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lil II uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Finger.
Finger tries to close the distance and clinch but Lil II swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Finger lands with a nice body kick.
Finger throws a jab when Lil II was well out of range.
Lil II avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ba Lil II 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.
Finger moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Lil II blocks a head kick by Finger.
Finger tries to clinch but Lil II is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Franky Finger.
I've got Finger winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 45:50
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 45:50
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Franky Finger!
Franky Finger is the new lightweight champion!
An out of breath Franky Finger thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.