PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Wai Man Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dimitri Kasavanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wai Man Li has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Man Li
vs
Kasavanov

176 cm
20
161 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

170 cm
27
168 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Outkast Clothing Line
Brute

Brute
Outkast Clothing Line

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 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Wai Man Li!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dimitri Kasavanov!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kasavanov misses with a looping right.
Li's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kasavanov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Li scrambles back to his feet.
Kasavanov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Li.
Li thows a body shot but no joy.

Li shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kasavanov is trying to defend but Li finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Kasavanov is refusing to be controlled, as Li sits in half guard.
Li throws a strike but Kasavanov avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Kasavanov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Li is stalling in the full guard.
Kasavanov is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li throwing strikes but missing.
Li trying to control but Kasavanov is working from the bottom.

Kasavanov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Li defends well.
Kasavanov wants to sweep but no luck.
Li looking to sit in guard and control but Kasavanov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Kasavanov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Li has his foot on Kasavanov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kasavanov works his way back into a safe position though.
Li lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Kasavanov!
Kasavanov is working to get back to half guard.
Kasavanov is squirming around, avoiding Li's attempts to control the action.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Li tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li throwing strikes but Kasavanov recovers to half guard. A much better position.
Kasavanov works his way to full guard. Good work.
Li in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Li throws a strike but Kasavanov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Kasavanov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Li is keeping the position for now.
Li tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kasavanov with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li working a defensive guard here.
Kasavanov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Li swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kasavanov trying to control but Li is working from the bottom.
Li not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Li manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Li with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kasavanov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wai Man Li dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Li slips a straight right by Kasavanov.
Li throws a body punch but Kasavanov moves out of range.
Li attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

Li bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Kasavanov parries the strikes from Li easily there. Li is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Kasavanov to escape.
Li trying to control the action but Kasavanov is working from the bottom.
Li working the body and head with strikes.
Li taking a break here but Kasavanov is having none of it and regains half guard.
Li tries to pass to full mount but Kasavanov defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kasavanov moves into full guard.
Wai Man Li overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kasavanov being controlled here, momentarily.

Li has gone for a leg lock! Kasavanov slips out almost immediately though and dives into Li's guard.
Kasavanov is looking to work some ground and pound but Li has wrist control.
Kasavanov forces his way into half guard.
Kasavanov prevents Li from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li works his way to full guard. Good work.
Li looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kasavanov is one step ahead there.
Li not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kasavanov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Li seems keen to control Kasavanov's posture.
Kasavanov stopping the sweep attempt from Li.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Wai Man Li wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Li throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Li throws a hook but Kasavanov blocks it.
Kasavanov throws a big shot that misses.
Li fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kasavanov keeps the fight on the outside.
Li thows a body shot but no joy.
Li misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Kasavanov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kasavanov dives in and grabs Li's left leg, looking for a takedown. Li pushes down on Kasavanov's head and hops out.
The crowd cheers as Kasavanov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Li doesn't seem phased though.
Li scores with a shot to the body.
Kasavanov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li closes the distance but Kasavanov moves to the side
letting Kasavanov counter with a right hand.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Li, as that shot connected.
Li slips under a jab.
Kasavanov loads up on a big right hand but Li slips the punch.
Kasavanov drops his hands momentarily and Li takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
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!
Li slips under a jab from Kasavanov.
Li blocks a jab.
Li wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A looping hook to the body misses from Li. Kasavanov does a little dance to reset his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Li looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Li leaves Kasavanov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Li is looking to wear down Kasavanov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Kasavanov swings widly with a right hand
and Li makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Li avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Li tries to clinch up.
Li throws a shot to the body.
Kasavanov misses with a hook.
Li throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Wai Man Li is winning the standup battle so far.
Li thows a body shot but no joy.
Kasavanov might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Li shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kasavanov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kasavanov avoids the body shot from Li.
Li doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Kasavanov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Li gets a double leg takedown into Kasavanov's guard.
Li trying to control the position from guard on top but Kasavanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li looking to pass the guard.
Li preventing the sweep.
Kasavanov being controlled here, momentarily.
Li looking to pass the guard.

We're going to have a standup here because Wai Man Li wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Kasavanov throws an overhand right that lands on Li's shoulder, as Li tries to avoid the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li tries to clinch there but Kasavanov circles away.
Li wants to clinch.
Nice jab there from Li.
Li tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Kasavanov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Li takes a swing at Kasavanov's ribcage but misses.
Kasavanov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kasavanov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Li's corner calls for a 1-2. Li obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li slips under a jab.
Kasavanov throws a lazy right hand but Li sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kasavanov connects with a looping right hand.

Li drives through and clinches with Kasavanov against the cage.
Li with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Li working aggressively here.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kasavanov tries for a takedown but Li manages to get underhooks.

Kasavanov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kasavanov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Li counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Kasavanov is rocked!
Li swings for the body but Kasavanov moves out of range.
Kasavanov lunges at Li with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Li's hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kasavanov was well out of range. Poor timing from Li.
Kasavanov moves away from the strike by Li.
Li tries to score with a low kick but Kasavanov moves his leg out of the way.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Li enables Kasavanov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Li manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Li is looking to stand up but Kasavanov isn't so interested in that idea.
Li tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Li is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Li keeping moving, preventing Kasavanov from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kasavanov prevents Li from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wai Man Li clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Li misses with a body shot.
Kasavanov loads up on a big right hand but Li slips the punch.
Kasavanov shoots for a takedown but Li saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kasavanov misses the jab.
Kasavanov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Li.
Kasavanov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Li misses with a hook. Kasavanov ducked under it nicely.
Li stalks Kasavanov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kasavanov's face. Kasavanov staggers backwards, shaken.
Kasavanov is still on wobbly legs! Can Li finish him?

Kasavanov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Kasavanov seems to have recovered his senses.
Kasavanov trying to control but Li is working from the bottom.
Li has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Kasavanov has passed into side control.
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!
Kasavanov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li is letting Kasavanov control him for a moment.
Kasavanov lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Li manages to get back to half guard.

Kasavanov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Li is just riding it out for now. Kasavanov eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Li is trying to maintain the position but Kasavanov is very close to passing his half guard.

Kasavanov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li gets full guard.
Li looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Li looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Kasavanov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Li trying to control the position here.
Kasavanov trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Li manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Li drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kasavanov dives on top into guard.
Li wants to sweep here but Kasavanov controlling him for the moment.

Li is looking for a triangle but Kasavanov pushes his legs off easily.
Li seems keen to control Kasavanov's posture.
Kasavanov trying to control the position from guard on top but Li is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kasavanov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kasavanov preventing the sweep.
Li keeping moving, preventing Kasavanov from controlling successfully.
Li wants to sweep here but Kasavanov controlling him for the moment.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Kasavanov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Li trying to control the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kasavanov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Li counter with a right hand.
Kasavanov loads up on a big right hand but Li slips the punch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Li uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kasavanov.
Li misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kasavanov.
Kasavanov fails with a takedown attempt.
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 Wai Man Li will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kasavanov is defended easily by Li.
Kasavanov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Li throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Li looks to score with a jab to the body but Kasavanov is just out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li misses with a body shot.
Kasavanov throws a hook but Li avoids it easily.
Kasavanov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Li decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Li is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kasavanov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Li.
Kasavanov is looking to control Li's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kasavanov avoid being mounted?
The fighters are battling for position here. Kasavanov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Li pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kasavanov is keeping the position for now.
Li throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kasavanov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Kasavanov trying to keep a closed guard but Li is proving a slippery customer.
Dimitri Kasavanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Kasavanov keeping full guard, as Li tries to pass.
Kasavanov keeping moving, preventing Li from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kasavanov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Li scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kasavanov doesn't seem bothered though.
Left hook, right uppercut from Li.
Kasavanov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kasavanov shoots in and drives through. Li sprawls well.
Wai Man Li has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dimitri Kasavanov.
Li misses with an uppercut.
Li swings for the body but Kasavanov moves out of range.
Kasavanov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Kasavanov throws a right hand that misses

and Li counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Li.
Kasavanov is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Li slips nicely into half guard.
Li uses his free foot to push down on Kasavanov's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Kasavanov.
Kasavanov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Li wants to control but instead Kasavanov manages to regain half guard.
Wai Man Li is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Li controlling the action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Li is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kasavanov sees it coming and defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wai Man Li showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Li 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 50:45
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 50:45
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wai Man Li!
Wai Man Li retains his lightweight title!
Wai Man Li really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Brute logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.