PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jon Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hong Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Li comes into a darkened arena with his song building. The Mars Volta - kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Jon Taylor has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Taylor
vs
Li

179 cm
30
155 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

167 cm
26
119 lbs
8 - 9 - 1

Good wrestling
Decent elbows
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

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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 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jon Taylor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 9 - 1, fighting out of New York, Hong Li!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Steve Smith and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Li leaves Taylor with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Taylor tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Li paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Taylor clinches up against the cage.
Taylor drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Li gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Taylor is trying to break the clinch but Li has him pressed against the cage.
Li is trying to break free.

Li has hold of one of Taylor's legs. Taylor is fighting the takedown attempt but Li gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Li is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Li wanted to stand there but Taylor had control of the position.

Taylor is looking for a triangle but Li pushes his legs off easily.
Li tries to stand but Taylor is controlling from the bottom.

Li stands up from Taylor's guard - Li perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Li clinches.
Li tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Taylor is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jon Taylor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
With the fighters up against the cage, Taylor throws an elbow but misses.

Li has picked Taylor up - he's going for a ride! Li dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Taylor is defending against the submission attempts here by Li.
Li seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Taylor is looking to escape.

Taylor pushes Li off and gets back to his feet.

Taylor closes the distance and pushes Li back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Li manages to break the clinch.
Li tries a head kick but it misses.
A left and a right from Li both land. Nice combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Taylor wants to clinch up but Li keeps it at a distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Taylor is defended easily by Li.
Taylor is looking to clinch.
Li buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

Li fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Taylor, pushing him back against the cage.
Taylor drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Li gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Taylor pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Taylor wants to clinch up but Li keeps it at a distance.
No luck for Taylor with that takedown attempt.
Taylor changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Li tries to avoid it but Taylor manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Li to the ground. Li escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor wants to clinch.
Taylor tries to clinch but Li is having none of it.

Li pushes Taylor up against the cage in a clinch.

Li's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hong Li seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Li scores with a kick to the midsection.
Taylor avoids the head kick by Li.
Li turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Li connects with an inside leg kick.
Crunch! Li slams his shin into Taylor's torso.
Taylor is breathing heavily.
Taylor tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Li manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Taylor misses with a takedown attempt - Li sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Li clinches with his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Taylor pushes off an throws an elbow but Li leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Li blocks an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Taylor fails to land.
Taylor keeps control of Li as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li tries to circle away but Taylor has him pinned against the cage.
Taylor has a couple of punches blocked by Li.
Taylor swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Taylor can't get the takedown.
Li tries to break the clinch but Taylor is controlling the position.

Li breaks from the clinch.
Li defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Taylor.
Li connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Taylor shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Li as he avoids it easily.

Taylor rushes Li and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Taylor is looking for a takedown.
Taylor wants a takedown but no success here.
Taylor looks to throw an elbow but misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Taylor.
Taylor tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Li pulls guard effortlessly.
Li lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Taylor!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hong Li dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Li clinches with his opponent.

Taylor decides to pull guard.

Taylor looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Taylor looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Li has picked Taylor up and slammed him! Taylor can't keep hold of the triangle and Li manages to pass to side control!

Li has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Li closes the distance and pushes Taylor back into the cage.

Li breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Li. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Taylor will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Li closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Taylor goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Taylor is trying to pull guard but Li has him pressed against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Taylor tries to pull guard but Li holds him up against the cage and eventually Taylor drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jon Taylor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Li wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Taylor has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor can't find room to land a body shot as Li controls the action.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Taylor successfully pulls guard.

Taylor is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Li is aware though and is defending well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Taylor is working an open guard so Li takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Li has closed the distance and engaged Taylor in a clinch.
Taylor wants to take the fight to the mat but Li manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Taylor wants a takedown.
Taylor looking for a takedown.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Taylor tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Li blocks an uppercut.
Hong Li seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Li wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Li is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Taylor blocks it with crossed arms.
Taylor tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch on the inside from Taylor fails to land.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Taylor is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Li has picked Taylor up - he's going for a ride! Li dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Li prevents Taylor from standing back up.

Li postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Taylor to stand up.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Li.

Taylor tries to keep at a distance but Li has taken the fight into the clinch.

Li lands a takedown into guard.

Taylor isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Li stacks Taylor on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Li!

Li decides to stand back up.
Hong Li seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taylor looks for a takedown but Li sprawls well.
Taylor sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

Li moves into range and clinches up with Taylor.

Li has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Taylor regains guard immediately.

Li avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Li stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Taylor shoots in looking for a takedown. Li tries to sprawl out of it but Taylor keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Li manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Li circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hong Li is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor tries to score a power double leg takedown but Li sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Taylor somewhat.

Taylor tries to keep at a distance but Li has taken the fight into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Li is trying to break free.

Li has Taylor pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Li pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Taylor tumbling to the mat - Li dives into Taylor's guard.
Li pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Taylor is keeping the position for now.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Taylor looking for subs off his back but Li has passed one foot through into half guard.
Taylor on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Taylor tries to get out of the position.

Taylor is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Li pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hong Li showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Li fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Li moves into range and clinches up with Taylor.
Taylor misses with a knee strike.
Li can't break the clinch.
Li tries to break the clinch but Taylor is controlling the position.
Taylor has a couple of punches blocked by Li.

Taylor manages to pull guard.

Taylor is looking for a triangle here but Li uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Taylor wants to get back to his feet.
Hong Li has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Li is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Taylor is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor is looking to reverse the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Li thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Li decides to stand back up.
Taylor tries to close the distance and clinch up but Li swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Li instigates a clinch.
Li is looking to control Taylor's arms but Taylor gets an underhook and turns him. Now Li has his back to the cage.
Taylor tries to score a body lock takedown but Li shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Li breaks the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Li manages to break the clinch.
Li connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Li throws a nice head kick!

Li moves into range and clinches up with Taylor.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Taylor misses with a punch on the inside.
Taylor wants a takedown but no success here.

Li has hold of one of Taylor's legs. Taylor is fighting the takedown attempt but Li gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Taylor working for a triangle but Li defends it easily.

Taylor is working an open guard so Li takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Taylor has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li misses with a head kick.
A jab lands there for Li.
Li scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Taylor looks for a takedown but Li sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jon Taylor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Taylor fails to land the takedown.
Taylor tries to clinch up.

Li moves into the clinch.
Hong Li is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Li blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Taylor misses with some punches.
Taylor misses with some punches.
Taylor working aggressively here.

Li's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Li misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taylor wants to clinch.
Jon Taylor is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Taylor moves into the clinch.
Li is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Taylor is defending well for now.

Li escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Taylor shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Li sprawls well. Li wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Taylor gets slowly back to his feet.
Li lands a head kick!
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 closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taylor fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Taylor fails to land.
Taylor misses with a punch on the inside.
Jon Taylor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Li.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hong Li comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Li has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hong Li!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Hong Li made sure he mentioned xXx - Voodoo Labs - 159++ Energy - $50, along with how happy he was to win his fight.