PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gustavo Toro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ba Lil II (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Toro kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Knife Party / Bonfire. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Toro
vs
Lil II

175 cm
24
163 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

175 cm
24
150 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Perkele!

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 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gustavo Toro!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ba Lil II!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Micheangelo Fripello and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Toro lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Lil II has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Lil II and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

Lil II shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Toro tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Toro blocking the ground and pound.
Lil II throws a sloppy strike and Toro uses the opportunity to reverse the position! A bit of a scramble here and Toro has ended up in Lil II's guard.

Lil II is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Lil II is trying to control the position but Toro postures up.

Lil II is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Lil II had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Toro defends it easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lil II can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Toro controls the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lil II trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Lil II isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Toro stacks Lil II 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 Toro!
Lil II prevents Toro from moving into mount.
Toro just content to control the position.
Lil II is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Toro decides to stand back up. Toro steps back and let's Lil II get back to his feet.
Lil II takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Lil II throws a body punch but Toro moves out of range.
Lil II tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Gustavo Toro is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Toro ducks under a wild hook from Lil II.
Lil II misses with a takedown attempt - Toro sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lil II misses with a body shot
and Toro counters with a right hand to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lil II.
Lil II shoots in but Toro avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Gustavo Toro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ba Lil II.
Toro punishes Lil II's body with a nice straight punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Toro connects with a good right hand that stumbles Lil II. Lil II circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Toro uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lil II.
Lil II tries a head kick but it misses.
Toro thows a body shot but no joy.
Toro keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Toro lands with a thumping leg kick.
Lil II ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Toro moves away.
Toro moves in looking to clinch but Lil II pushes him off.
Toro tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Lil II counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Toro is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Lil II throwing strikes from guard but Toro blocks nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lil II working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Lil II trying to control but Toro is working from the bottom.

Lil II drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Toro dives on top into guard.

Lil II is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Toro slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Toro wants to stand but Lil II has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Toro controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ba Lil II will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nice defenses there by Lil II.
Lil II throws a front kick aimed at Toro's knee but Toro avoids it well.
Lil II throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Lil II throws a head kick but Toro moves out of range.
Lil II misses the jab.
Nice sprawl there from Toro as Lil II shoots in.
Toro looks to score with a jab to the body but Lil II is just out of range.
Toro keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lil II throws a push kick but Toro slaps the foot to one side.
Lil II has a takedown stuffed.
Toro tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lil II paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Toro takes the fight into the clinch.
Toro lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Lil II or not.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Toro scores with a shot to the side of Lil II's head.
Lil II can't get the takedown.
Gustavo Toro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ba Lil II.
A right hook to the body lands for Toro.
Toro lands a shoulder strike.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Toro.
A right handed body shot lands from Toro.
Toro is leaning against Lil II and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Toro tries to work over Lil II's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Lil II tries to pull guard but Toro won't allow it.
Lil II wants to break free but Toro has control.
Toro misses with a hook from the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Toro.
Lil II is trying to maintain a safe position but Toro gets an underhook and turns Lil II into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Toro working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Lil II throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Toro blocks it with crossed arms.
Lil II tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Toro just stands there and leans against the cage.
Lil II jumps guard but Toro turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Toro doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Lil II tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Toro just stands there and leans against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Toro lands a shot to the body.
Toro lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Lil II.
A head punch on the inside from Toro fails to land.
Toro lands a hook to the side of the head.
Toro lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Lil II is working for takedown but Toro is calmly controlling the position for now.
Toro lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Toro lands a nice uppercut.
Lil II jumps guard but Toro turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lil II's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lil II moves out of range as Toro strikes.
Toro throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Lil II on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Toro 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 throws a head kick but Toro moves out of range.
Toro pivots, looking for a leg kick but Lil II is out of range and Toro settles back down.
Lil II fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Toro is out of range.
Toro swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Lil II.
Lil II doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Lil II swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Toro fails with an attempt to clinch.
Toro throws a shot from downtown. Lil II moves away and avoids it.
Toro scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Toro is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lil II just misses with a punch to the body.
Lil II throws a leg kick that misses.
A shot to the liver by Toro. Beautiful body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Toro pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Toro will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Lil II tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Toro lunges at Lil II with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Lil II's hand.
Toro lands a jab to the nose.
Toro cracks Lil II with an open hand slap.
Lil II shoots in but no luck this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Toro thows a body shot but no joy.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Lil II tries to break free but Toro pushes him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gustavo Toro dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Toro thuds a left hand into Lil II's body.
Toro misses with a hook. Lil II ducked under it nicely.
A head kick misses from Lil II.
Lil II circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lil II misses the body punch
and Toro counters with a right hand to the body.
Toro lands with a straight right. Lil II didn't see that one coming.
Toro lands a nice looking body shot.
Toro throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Toro fails in his attempt to clinch.
Toro misses with a body shot.
Lil II is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Toro rather than just go for the knockout.
Lil II throws a body punch but Toro moves out of range.
Toro throws a body punch but Lil II moves out of range.
Lil II throws a leg kick but Toro sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Lil II slips a jab from Toro.
Toro takes a swing at Lil II's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lil II shoots for a double leg takedown but Toro sprawls well. He's pushed Lil II's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Lil II shoots in and bounces Toro off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Lil II throwing strikes but missing.
Toro controlling Lil II's posture.
Lil II in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lil II loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lil II working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lil II tries to free his leg and advance position but Toro is retaining full guard.
Lil II trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lil II looking to sit in guard and control but Toro gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Toro wants to pass the guard but Lil II is keeping the position.
Lil II is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Lil II working a defensive guard here.
Toro controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Toro trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lil II trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Lil II throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Toro is looking to stand up but Lil II won't let him.
Lil II manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Toro manages to get himself to full guard.
Toro preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lil II has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lil II throwing strikes from guard but Toro blocks nicely.
Toro preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Toro has Lil II pulled in close to control his posture.
Toro is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Lil II tries to free his leg and advance position but Toro is retaining full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lil II throwing strikes from guard but Toro blocks nicely.
Lil II is looking to advance position but Toro has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Ba Lil II just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Back to the action!

Toro tests Lil II's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Toro scores with a punch to the head.
Lil II on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Toro misses with a hook.
Lil II fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Toro checks it well.
Toro lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Toro with a nice cross.
Toro slips under a jab.
Toro displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lil II.
Lil II dives in and grabs Toro's left leg, looking for a takedown. Toro pushes down on Lil II's head and hops out.
Lil II has a takedown stuffed.
Gustavo Toro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ba Lil II.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lil II uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Toro.
Left hook, right uppercut from Toro.
Nice sprawl there from Toro as Lil II shoots in.
Toro dips to his left and cracks Lil II with an uppercut!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Toro keeps control of Lil II as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Toro is working Lil II over against the cage.
Toro lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Toro lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lil II backwards.
Toro tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lil II's elbow.

Lil II pulls guard effortlessly.
Lil II can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Toro controls the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lil II throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Toro escapes and throws Lil II's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Ba Lil II has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lil II gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Toro in particular looking to stall.
Lil II is looking for a sweep. Toro is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Toro works his way into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lil II is looking to regain half guard here but Toro keeps moving and retains side control.

Toro has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Lil II pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Toro forces Lil II back against the cage and clinches.
Lil II fails to pull guard.
A nice right hand lands inside from Toro.
Lil II is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Toro to keep the fight standing.
Lil II has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Toro avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Toro scores with a nice hook to the head.
Lil II tries to pull guard but Toro holds him up against the cage and eventually Lil II drops back down to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Toro has a couple of punches blocked by Lil II.
Toro tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lil II can't get the takedown.
Lil II blocks a body shot from Toro.
Toro lands an uppercut.
Toro works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Toro throws a head punch that misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Toro lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Toro scores with a shot to the side of Lil II's head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Lil II breaks the clinch.

Toro clinches up against the cage.
Lil II wants to break the clinch but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gustavo Toro had his way with Ba Lil II in that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Toro lands with a shot to the body.
Toro tries to clinch but Lil II moves out of range.
Lil II misses with a body shot.
Lil II keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Toro.
Lil II looks to land a body kick but Toro moved away.
Toro pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nice cross by Toro.
Toro tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lil II paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Toro is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The fighters circle momentarily. Toro darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
A clash of legs there as Toro blocks the low kick.
Toro misses with a looping left.
Toro lands with a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Toro throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Toro scores with a sloppy right hand. Lil II should have avoided that one.
Toro tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Lil II manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lil II shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Toro moves in looking to clinch but Lil II pushes him off.
Toro scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Toro moves into range and connects with a jab.
Lil II throws a head kick but Toro moves out of range.
Toro loads up on a big right hand but Lil II slips the punch.
Toro with a nice cross.

Toro gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Lil II blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Toro lands a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lil II wants a takedown but no success here.
A right handed body shot lands from Toro.

Lil II turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Lil II is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
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!
Toro is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Lil II is just content to waste time from the top position. Toro takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Toro managing to control the position.
Lil II trying to control but Toro is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lil II wants to pass the guard but Toro is keeping the position.
Lil II throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Toro works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lil II trying to control but Toro is working from the bottom.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Toro tries to clinch but Lil II is having none of it.
Lil II throws a sloppy head kick and Toro moves out of range easily.
Toro throws a body punch but Lil II moves out of range.
Toro throws a hook to the side of Lil II's head but Lil II sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lil II looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gustavo Toro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ba Lil II.
Toro throws a nice inside leg kick.
Lil II uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Toro.
Lil II uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Toro.
Toro fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lil II avoids a punch combination nicely.

Lil II shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Toro is trying to defend but Lil II finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Lil II thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Toro's head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lil II not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gustavo Toro showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Toro 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 Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 48:47
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 48:47
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gustavo Toro!
Gustavo Toro retains his lightweight title!
An out of breath Gustavo Toro thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.