PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Li Xiaolong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pablo Soriano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Soriano comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Bebot by The Black Eyed Peas kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Pablo Soriano acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Xiaolong
vs
Soriano

173 cm
27
146 lbs
17 - 5 - 0

165 cm
34
143 lbs
31 - 9 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Black Hand Fight Gear & Laundry

160!
Reaper Combatwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Li Xiaolong!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Pablo Soriano!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Winston Howard and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xiaolong misses with a looping left.
Nice body punch from Xiaolong.
Xiaolong throws a low kick but Soriano moves out of range easily.
A leg kick checked by Xiaolong.
That kick from Xiaolong tenderised Soriano's leg. Soriano is trying to keep his angry face on.
Xiaolong on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Soriano closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Soriano on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Xiaolong struggles to land a body shot inside as Soriano controls his hands.
Xiaolong comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Soriano stalling in the clinch.
Xiaolong lands with a short shot to the head.
Soriano on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Soriano blocks the elbow strike.
Xiaolong can't find room to land a body shot as Soriano controls the action.
Nice body punch from Soriano - that landed with a thud.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Soriano lands a shoulder strike.
Xiaolong cracks Soriano with a nice body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soriano trying to stall but Xiaolong improves his position.
Xiaolong working aggressively here.
Xiaolong throws an elbow but it misses.
Xiaolong throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Xiaolong tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Soriano avoids it.
Soriano fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Soriano misses with a hook to the ribs.
Soriano digs a right hand into Xiaolong's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Xiaolong's gas tank.
Xiaolong avoids the elbow strike from Soriano, against the cage.
Soriano can't find room to land a body shot as Xiaolong controls the action.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Xiaolong.
Soriano throws a head punch that misses.
Xiaolong misses with an elbow over the top.
Xiaolong is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Soriano is defending well for now.
Xiaolong blocks an uppercut.
Soriano tries to throw a body punch but Xiaolong avoids it by throwing Soriano back against the cage.
Soriano goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Xiaolong struggles to land a body shot inside as Soriano controls his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong can't find room to land a body shot as Soriano controls the action.
Soriano blocking some punches.
Soriano tries to work over Xiaolong's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Xiaolong tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Xiaolong lands with a left to the head.
Xiaolong doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Xiaolong digs a right hand into Soriano's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Soriano's gas tank.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Soriano is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Xiaolong misses with an elbow strike.
Xiaolong throws an elbow but it misses.
Xiaolong tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Soriano avoids it.
A head punch on the inside from Xiaolong fails to land.
A head punch on the inside from Xiaolong fails to land.
A short body shot lands from Xiaolong as the two fighters clinch.
Nice body punch from Soriano.
Soriano is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Xiaolong is keeping busy.
Soriano lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Li Xiaolong has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soriano lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Xiaolong or not.
Soriano misses with the head strike.
Soriano avoids a wild elbow strike from Xiaolong.
A right handed body shot lands from Xiaolong.
Soriano can't find room to land a body shot as Xiaolong controls the action.
Xiaolong lands an elbow that stopped Soriano in his tracks for a moment.
Soriano misses with a body punch.
A head punch on the inside from Xiaolong fails to land.
Xiaolong goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Soriano managing to block the knees to the body from Xiaolong.
Soriano scores with a nice hook to the head.
Soriano misses with the head strike.
Soriano is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Soriano lands with a right to the head.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Soriano takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Soriano misses with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soriano prevents a body shot from Xiaolong.
A frustrated look appears on Xiaolong's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Xiaolong stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Soriano pushes Xiaolong back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Soriano taking a breather.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Soriano blocks an elbow strike.
Xiaolong misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Soriano.
Soriano is struggling to control the position.
Xiaolong gets through Soriano's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Xiaolong working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Soriano content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Soriano tries to land a knee to the head but Xiaolong blocks with his arms.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A nice left hand lands by Soriano.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Still in the clinch, Xiaolong scores with a nice short uppercut.
Soriano can't find room to land a body shot as Xiaolong controls the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Li Xiaolong will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Li Xiaolong's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Soriano walks into a straight right hand from Xiaolong.
Xiaolong slips a straight right by Soriano.
Xiaolong pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Soriano fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Xiaolong looks to clinch
enabling Soriano to counter with a crisp jab.
Xiaolong throws a leg kick but Soriano moved away.
Soriano moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Xiaolong tries a head kick but it misses.
Soriano throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Xiaolong sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Xiaolong scores with a nice right hand.
Soriano misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Xiaolong connects with a solid leg kick.
Soriano throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Xiaolong connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Xiaolong waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Soriano.
Xiaolong throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Soriano counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiaolong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Soriano misses with a kick to the body.
Xiaolong throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Soriano counters with a nice leg kick.
Nice jab there from Xiaolong.
Xiaolong throws a hook but Soriano avoids it easily.
Xiaolong ducks under a wild hook from Soriano.
Xiaolong is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Xiaolong tries to land a leg kick but Soriano saw it coming and moves away.
Xiaolong is looking to slow Soriano down with leg kicks.
Soriano dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Xiaolong. That did some damage!
Xiaolong swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Xiaolong throws out a powerful jab.
Soriano tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Xiaolong manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Li Xiaolong is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soriano feints and then cracks Xiaolong's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Xiaolong down.
Xiaolong loads up on a big right hand but Soriano slips the punch.
Soriano pivots, looking for a leg kick but Xiaolong is out of range and Soriano settles back down.
Soriano misses with an uppercut. Xiaolong saw that one coming.
Xiaolong misses with an uppercut. Soriano saw that one coming.
Soriano lands a head kick!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Soriano motions for Xiaolong to come forward. Soriano throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Soriano thows a body shot but no joy.
Xiaolong lands a really nice looking cross but Soriano seems unphased.
Xiaolong checks a leg kick.
Soriano misses with a low kick.
Xiaolong fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Soriano looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Xiaolong ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Soriano moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong connects with a good right hand that stumbles Soriano. Soriano circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Xiaolong is looking to slow Soriano down with leg kicks.
Xiaolong is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Xiaolong lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Soriano cracks a nice hook into Xiaolong's ribs.
A solid leg kick lands there for Xiaolong.
Soriano works Xiaolong's body with a nice hook.
Xiaolong swinging wildly here.
Xiaolong throws a solid leg kick but Soriano takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Xiaolong.
Soriano throws a sloppy head kick and Xiaolong moves out of range easily.
Soriano misses the jab.
That kick from Xiaolong tenderised Soriano's leg. Soriano is trying to keep his angry face on.
Xiaolong fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Soriano has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Xiaolong avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Xiaolong pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Xiaolong jabs Soriano to the body, keeping him at a distance.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Xiaolong fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Soriano manages to avoid it.
A big left from Soriano misses.
Xiaolong throws a nice inside leg kick.
Xiaolong avoids the body shot from Soriano.
Li Xiaolong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Soriano scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Soriano throws a low kick, looking for Xiaolong's leg but Xiaolong calmly moves out of range.
Xiaolong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Soriano.
Nice jab there from Xiaolong.
Xiaolong looks to score with a jab to the body but Soriano is just out of range.
Xiaolong cracks a nice hook into Soriano's ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Li Xiaolong will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Li Xiaolong's cut.
That's time! Xiaolong's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Soriano slips under a jab.
Xiaolong throws a looping overhand right but Soriano ducks down to avoid it.
Xiaolong lands with a slapping head kick.
Soriano misses with a wild combination.
Soriano lands a lovely overhand right.

Soriano pushes Xiaolong up against the cage in a clinch.
Xiaolong blocks a body shot from Soriano.
Xiaolong looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Soriano tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Xiaolong avoids it.
Soriano lands with a light punch inside.
Soriano lands with a left to the head.
Xiaolong scores with a shoulder strike.
Soriano tries to throw a body punch but Xiaolong avoids it by throwing Soriano back against the cage.
Xiaolong blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Pablo Soriano seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
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!
A short uppercut from Soriano.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soriano doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Soriano has a couple of punches blocked by Xiaolong.
Soriano throws a punch but it's blocked by Xiaolong.
Soriano digs a right hand underneath Xiaolong's ribcage. Xiaolong let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Soriano looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Soriano's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Soriano breaks the clinch.
Soriano checks the leg kick nicely there.
Xiaolong fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Soriano.
Soriano throws a quick inside leg kick.
Xiaolong throws a leg kick but Soriano checks it.
Soriano throws a half hearted mid kick.
Xiaolong throws a nice outside leg kick.
Soriano is looking to clinch but Xiaolong is avoiding it.
Soriano misses with a hook.
Xiaolong checks the leg kick nicely there.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Soriano, right into the meat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soriano swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Xiaolong takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
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!
Xiaolong lands a leg kick that knocks Soriano off balance momentarily.
Soriano throws a hook but Xiaolong avoids it easily.
Xiaolong lands with a kick to the ribs.
Soriano feints and then cracks Xiaolong's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Xiaolong down.
Soriano throws a front kick that sends Xiaolong stumbling back into the cage.
Soriano throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Xiaolong lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Soriano wants to land a leg kick but Xiaolong is out of range.
Xiaolong gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Xiaolong with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Soriano misses with a wild body shot.
Xiaolong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Xiaolong avoids a kick to the body.
Xiaolong does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Xiaolong cracks the inside of Soriano's front leg.
A combination from Xiaolong does no damage.
Soriano misses with an attempted mid kick.
Xiaolong circles away from the clinch attempt.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Xiaolong, as that shot connected.
Xiaolong stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Soriano.
Xiaolong thows a left - swing and a miss!
Xiaolong moves out of range of the body kick from Soriano.
A head kick from Xiaolong lands but Soriano takes it in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soriano moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Xiaolong tries a head kick but it misses.
Xiaolong is looking to score with low kicks.
Soriano throws a wild body kick that Xiaolong sees coming a mile off.
Xiaolong tries to clinch but Soriano is having none of it.
Soriano tries a low kick but Xiaolong avoids it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Xiaolong misses the shot to the body.
Xiaolong's corner calls for a 1-2. Xiaolong obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Xiaolong lands a really nice looking cross but Soriano seems unphased.
Xiaolong walks into a stiff left hand from Soriano.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Xiaolong looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Soriano scores with a sloppy right hand. Xiaolong should have avoided that one.
Xiaolong tries to land a front kick but Soriano steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Soriano rushes Xiaolong and presses him up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pablo Soriano really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Li Xiaolong's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Soriano takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Xiaolong has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Soriano.
Xiaolong scores with a kick to the midsection.
Xiaolong takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Soriano chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Xiaolong can pounce on him.
Xiaolong rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Soriano moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Xiaolong takes a swing at Soriano's ribcage but misses.
Xiaolong throws a leg kick but Soriano moved away.
Xiaolong throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Soriano misses with a head kick.
Xiaolong misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Soriano counters with a leg kick.
Xiaolong avoids the head kick by Soriano.
Xiaolong fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Soriano checks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiaolong scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Soriano moves out of range as Xiaolong strikes.
Xiaolong fails with an attempt to clinch.
Soriano blocks a head kick by Xiaolong.
Soriano takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Soriano tries to clinch up.
Soriano takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sloppy strikes from Xiaolong. Those never looked like landing.
A swing and a miss from Soriano.
Xiaolong bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Soriano's head.
Xiaolong swings for the body but Soriano moves out of range.
Soriano tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Xiaolong was well out of range. Poor timing from Soriano.
Xiaolong lands a slapping body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soriano checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Xiaolong throws a right hand that misses
and Soriano counters with a stiff right hand.
Soriano blocks a leg kick.
Xiaolong misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Soriano.
Soriano throws an overhand right that lands on Xiaolong's shoulder, as Xiaolong tries to avoid the shot.
Xiaolong digs a good body shot into Soriano's ribs.
Xiaolong scores with a nice strike.
Soriano takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Soriano gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Xiaolong pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Soriano takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Soriano gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A head punch on the inside from Soriano fails to land.
Xiaolong takes a shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong tries to throw a body punch but Soriano avoids it by throwing Xiaolong back against the cage.
Soriano goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Soriano creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Xiaolong fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Soriano fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from Xiaolong on the inside.
Soriano blocks an elbow strike from Xiaolong.
Xiaolong misses with the head strike.
Soriano has Xiaolong pressed against the cage.
Xiaolong lands a nice elbow.
Soriano misses with a body punch.
Xiaolong unloads a knee to the mid-section. Soriano lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Soriano tries a body shot but Xiaolong blocks it.
Soriano landing knees to the body.
Xiaolong using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong lands an elbow just above Soriano 's eye.
Soriano goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Soriano trying to control the position but instead, Xiaolong has worked for underhooks and has pushed Soriano into the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A head punch on the inside from Xiaolong fails to land.
Soriano misses with a punch to the body.
Xiaolong lands an elbow just above Soriano 's eye.

It looks like Pablo Soriano has been cut.
Xiaolong misses with a hook from the clinch.
Soriano is working Xiaolong over against the cage.
Xiaolong throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Soriano is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Xiaolong is keeping busy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Xiaolong managing to block the knees to the body from Soriano.
Soriano misses with a body punch.
Xiaolong trying to land knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Li Xiaolong will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Xiaolong's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. 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.

Soriano gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Xiaolong.
Xiaolong scores with a kick to the body.
Soriano takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Soriano ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Xiaolong moves away.
Xiaolong misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Soriano.
Soriano tries to land a leg kick but Xiaolong saw it coming and moves away.
Xiaolong walks into a jab.
Soriano throws a half hearted mid kick.
Xiaolong lands with a nice body punch.
Xiaolong misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Soriano.
Xiaolong throws a leg kick but Soriano moved away.
Soriano misses with a straight left.
Xiaolong throws a front kick aimed at Soriano's knee but Soriano avoids it well.
Soriano avoids the body shot from Xiaolong.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soriano takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Xiaolong misses with a low kick.
Xiaolong throws a leg kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Xiaolong catches Soriano with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Soriano throws a hook to the side of Xiaolong's head but Xiaolong sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Xiaolong moves away from the strike by Soriano.
Soriano scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Xiaolong throws a leg kick which misses Soriano's front leg but catches the back leg as Soriano tries to avoid it.
Soriano cracks Xiaolong with an open hand slap.
Nice body punch from Soriano.
Soriano takes one to the side of the head.
Soriano misses with a body kick.
Xiaolong tries a low kick but Soriano avoids it.
Pablo Soriano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soriano throws a body kick that misses.
Xiaolong tries to move into range but Soriano moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Soriano tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Xiaolong lands with a shot to the body.
Xiaolong waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Soriano.
Xiaolong throws a combination. Soriano tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Xiaolong throws a half hearted mid kick.
Xiaolong misses with a straight right.
Xiaolong changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Xiaolong looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Xiaolong lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Xiaolong swings away with a leg kick that misses.

Soriano closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong prevents a body shot from Soriano.
Soriano blocks an uppercut.
Soriano misses with a body punch.
Xiaolong fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Soriano avoiding damage as Xiaolong throws knees to the body.
Xiaolong lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Soriano lands a hook that snaps the head of Xiaolong backwards.
Xiaolong working hard to break the clinch.
Xiaolong throws an elbow but it misses.
Xiaolong blocks a body shot from Soriano.
Xiaolong misses with a short punch on the inside.
Soriano lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Soriano throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Xiaolong blocks it with crossed arms.
Soriano tries to throw a body punch but Xiaolong avoids it by throwing Soriano back against the cage.
Xiaolong pushes off an throws an elbow but Soriano leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Xiaolong breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Xiaolong fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Soriano looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Xiaolong swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Xiaolong with a jab.
Xiaolong blocks the body kick.
Soriano throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Xiaolong digs a good hook to Soriano's body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
That kick from Xiaolong tenderised Soriano's leg. Soriano is trying to keep his angry face on.
Xiaolong takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Xiaolong misses with a body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Xiaolong doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Soriano cracks Xiaolong with a right hand to the side of the head.
Soriano misses with a body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Li Xiaolong.
I think Xiaolong has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 48:49
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 45:50
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pablo Soriano!
Pablo Soriano is the new bantamweight champion!
After winning the bout, Pablo Soriano thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.