PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jia Le Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daniels Drinkis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Li kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Die Monster Die!. Jia Le Li has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Le Li
vs
Drinkis

185 cm
27
200 lbs
22 - 10 - 0

178 cm
26
220 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jia Le Li!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Daniels Drinkis!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Li finds it's way through Drinkis's defenses.
Drinkis moves out of range of the strikes.
Drinkis thows a left - swing and a miss!
Li jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Li takes the fight into the clinch.
Li is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Drinkis is defending well for now.
Li misses with a short punch on the inside.
Li misses with a knee strike.
Li tries to land a knee to the head but Drinkis blocks with his arms.
Drinkis blocks an elbow strike from Li.
Li using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Drinkis has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Li misses with a knee to the head.
Li utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Li missing with knees to the body.
Drinkis blocks an elbow strike from Li.
Li with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Drinkis.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Drinkis is working for takedown but Li is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drinkis fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nice body punch from Drinkis - that landed with a thud.
Drinkis on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Drinkis has a couple of punches blocked by Li.
Li misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Drinkis.
Li using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Drinkis has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Li trying to land knees to the body.
Li putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Drinkis in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Drinkis blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Drinkis lands with a left to the head.
Li tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Drinkis on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Li tries a knee to the head but Drinkis blocks it.
Li throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Li.
Drinkis managing to block the knees to the body from Li.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li trying to land knees to the body.
Drinkis stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Li trying to land knees to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Drinkis.
Li tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Li tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Drinkis avoids it.
Drinkis works on Li's body with a couple of short punches.
Li is breathing heavily.

Li is fighting off a takedown attempt but Drinkis is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Li to the mat. Li regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Drinkis trying to control but Li is working from the bottom.
Drinkis pushing down on Li's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Drinkis is looking to take a break and control but Li is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Drinkis tries to pass the half guard into mount. Li knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Drinkis trying to control from half guard but Li is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li is trying to get back to full guard.
Drinkis seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Li does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Drinkis lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Drinkis working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Drinkis is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Li has managed to free his arm - good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Li is not content to let Drinkis control the position.

Drinkis is working for a submission of some sort.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li is trying to maintain the position but Drinkis is very close to passing his half guard.
Li avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Drinkis.
Drinkis not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Li actively working from the bottom here.
Drinkis trying to control from half guard but Li is working away.
Drinkis seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniels Drinkis dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Drinkis tries to land a leg kick but Li saw it coming and moves away.
Li slips a jab from Drinkis.
Drinkis is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Drinkis doesn't manage to clinch there - Li circles away.
Drinkis attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Drinkis steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Li.
Li takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Drinkis thows a left - swing and a miss!
Li tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Drinkis moves forwards but Li connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Li throws a head kick that misses.
Li swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Drinkis misses with a kick to the body.

Drinkis closes the distance and clinches.
Drinkis takes a knee right on the jaw!

It looks like Daniels Drinkis has been cut.
Drinkis throws a head punch that misses.
Li tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drinkis avoids the elbow strike from Li, against the cage.
Drinkis misses with a body punch.
Li trying to land knees to the body.
Daniels Drinkis seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Li goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Li lands a body shot in the clinch.
Drinkis misses with a short punch on the inside.
Drinkis lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Li lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Drinkis tries a body shot but Li blocks it.
Drinkis is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Li pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Drinkis stalling in the clinch but Li improves position.
Li tries to throw a body punch but Drinkis avoids it by throwing Li back against the cage.
Li lands a hook that snaps the head of Drinkis backwards.
Li gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Drinkis.
Li trying to land knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drinkis misses with a body punch.
Li lands with a short shot to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Drinkis changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Li fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Jia Le Li has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniels Drinkis.
Li throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Li misses with a body shot.
Jia Le Li seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Li moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Li throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nice cross by Li.
Li throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Li throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Drinkis sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Good work by Drinkis as he checks the leg kick.
Li moves in looking to clinch but Drinkis pushes him off.
A looping hook to the body misses from Li. Drinkis does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Li. That's going to slow Drinkis down.
Nice defenses there by Drinkis.
Li cracks Drinkis with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Li fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Drinkis.
Li moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Li stuns Drinkis with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Drinkis pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Drinkis connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Drinkis clinches up with Li and pushes him back against the cage.
Drinkis works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Drinkis is leaning against Li and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Drinkis lands a hook that snaps the head of Li backwards.
Li lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Li trying to land knees to the body.
Drinkis lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drinkis can't find room to land a body shot as Li controls the action.
Drinkis lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Drinkis managing to block the knees to the body from Li.
Drinkis is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Li is defending well.
Li throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Li prevents the takedown attempt.

Drinkis manages to pull guard.
Li postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Li controlling from the top position.
Drinkis controls Li momentarily but Li frees himself.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jia Le Li dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Daniels Drinkis's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Li thows a leg kick but Drinkis checks it
and Drinkis counters with a nice uppercut.
Li slaps away a takedown attempt from Drinkis, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Drinkis checks a low kick from Li.
Drinkis throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Li slips a straight right by Drinkis.
Li throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
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.
Drinkis takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Li throws a half hearted mid kick.

Drinkis darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Li makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Li.
Li controls Drinkis momentarily but Drinkis frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drinkis postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Drinkis trying to control but Li is working from the bottom.
Drinkis throws a big elbow that misses.

Li is looking for a triangle but Drinkis pushes his legs off easily.
Drinkis scoring with punches to the head and body.
Drinkis trying to control the position from guard on top but Li is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Li is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Drinkis got a little sloppy there for a moment and Li has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Drinkis has managed to get both his arms back between Li's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drinkis slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Drinkis wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Li, who protects the arm well.
Drinkis landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Li is being controlled here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Drinkis wants to control but Li is keeping him busy.
Drinkis is working Li over with some ground and pound from side control.
Li is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Drinkis throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Drinkis is looking for a kimura but Li is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Drinkis to get the leverage.
Ground and pound from Drinkis.
Li keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Li trying to control here.
Drinkis thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Li's head.
Li tries to get to full guard but Drinkis has control of the leg.
Drinkis throwing shots but Li is blocking nicely.

Li looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Drinkis working over Li with some ground and pound. Li looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drinkis with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Drinkis trying to control the action but Li is working from the bottom.
Drinkis lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Li is looking for a sweep. Drinkis is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Daniels Drinkis has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Drinkis with the ground and pound but Li uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Drinkis chips away with some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Drinkis keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Li's head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Drinkis accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Drinkis is looking to work some ground and pound but Li has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniels Drinkis really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Daniels Drinkis's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Drinkis tries to move into range but Li moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Drinkis checks the leg kick.
Li throws a lazy uppercut
and Drinkis counters with a stiff right hand.

Li is rocked!
Li throws a low kick, looking for Drinkis's leg but Drinkis calmly moves out of range.
Li misses with a hook. Drinkis ducked under it nicely.
Drinkis throws a wild body kick that Li sees coming a mile off.
Drinkis scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Drinkis fails to land the takedown.
Drinkis blocks a leg kick.
Li lunges at Drinkis with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Drinkis's hand.
Drinkis throws out a loose jab but Li uses good head movement to avoid it.
Li keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Drinkis.
Li fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Drinkis manages to avoid it.
Drinkis tries to clinch there but Li circles away.
Drinkis stuns Li with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li throws a solid leg kick but Drinkis takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Li.
Li chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Li goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Drinkis tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Li was well out of range. Poor timing from Drinkis.
Li fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Drinkis misses with a body kick.
No luck for Drinkis with that takedown attempt.
Drinkis scores with a nice strike.
Li fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Drinkis manages to avoid it.
Drinkis checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Drinkis takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Drinkis tries to score a power double leg takedown but Li sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Drinkis somewhat.
Jia Le Li has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniels Drinkis.
Li attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Drinkis checks a leg kick.
Drinkis tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Li swivels and escapes.
Li fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Drinkis has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Li misses with a left hand
and Drinkis counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Drinkis avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Jia Le Li is winning the standup battle so far.
Li checks a leg kick.
Li scores with the left hand. Drinkis knows he should have avoided that one.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Drinkis tries a low kick but Li avoids it.
Drinkis darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Li looks to score with a jab to the body but Drinkis is just out of range.
Drinkis swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Li throws a big shot that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Drinkis presses Li against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Li blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Li with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Li with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A right handed body shot lands from Drinkis.
Li lands a hook that snaps the head of Drinkis backwards.

Drinkis pulls guard.
Li missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Li in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Drinkis is looking for a triangle but Li pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drinkis wants to sweep but no luck.
Li slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Drinkis can't do much from the bottom here.
Li creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Drinkis takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Li working away.
Drinkis might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Li haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Li is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Drinkis's shoulder. That is not cool.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jia Le Li had his way with Daniels Drinkis in that round.
The cut man is working on Daniels Drinkis'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. This is the final round!

Drinkis scores with a jab to the head.
Drinkis misses with an uppercut.
Drinkis connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Li's hands.
Drinkis cracks Li with a right hand to the side of the head.
Li connects with a nice looking jab.
Li misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Li.
Drinkis fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Li is out of range.
Li tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Drinkis checks the leg kick.
Drinkis throws a leg kick that misses.
Drinkis shoots in looking for a takedown but Li manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Drinkis's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Li is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Li looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Li is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Drinkis shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Li trying to hold on to Drinkis's head to control him but Drinkis postures up.
Li makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Li.
Drinkis throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Li works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Drinkis stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Li swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Drinkis trying to control but Li is working from the bottom.
Drinkis sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drinkis is working Li over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Li pulls Drinkis in close to his closed guard and prevents Drinkis from doing any damage or advancing position.
Li lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Drinkis!
Drinkis regains half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Drinkis is refusing to be controlled, as Li sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Drinkis looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Drinkis is pressing down on Li's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Drinkis working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Li doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Li manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Li sitting in guard here, content to control.
Li in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drinkis is looking to sweep but instead, Li has passed into half guard.
Li passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Drinkis!
Drinkis is in all sorts of trouble here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Li scoring with strikes but Drinkis is staying in there.
Drinkis is in a horrible position here. Li smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Li wants to finish this one by submission but Drinkis is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Li.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Daniels Drinkis.
I think Drinkis has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight for Daniels Drinkis!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Daniels Drinkis!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Daniels Drinkis!

Daniels Drinkis wins by unanimous decision!
Daniels Drinkis is the new light heavyweight champion!
A victorious Daniels Drinkis thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.