PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tony Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Li is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: 2pac - hit em up. John Li told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Thompson
vs
Li

190 cm
31
276 lbs
15 - 12 - 0

190 cm
30
274 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tony Thompson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, John Li!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Li shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Thompson napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Li looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

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

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

Li tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Li is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Thompson has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Li tries for a kimura but Thompson is defending well.

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

Li looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Thompson is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Li goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Thompson has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Li but great work by Thompson.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Thompson is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Li knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Li is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Li is looking to reverse the position.

Thompson is trying to get an arm triangle but Li is defending well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Li sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Li looking for submissions off his back.

Li looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Thompson 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. Thompson eventually gives up the hold.
Thompson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thompson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Li is trying to get back to full guard.

Li looking for submissions off his back.
Li is trying to get back to full guard.

Li is defending against the submission attempts here by Thompson.

Li is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Thompson pulls his head out easily.

Thompson looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Li is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Thompson pulls his head out easily.
Thompson moves nicely into side control.
Li is looking to regain half guard here but Thompson keeps moving and retains side control.
Li manages to get back to half guard.

Li actively working from the bottom here.

Thompson 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. Thompson eventually gives up the hold.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Li is not content to let Thompson control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but John Li will probably get the nod.
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.

Thompson throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Li tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Thompson is in Li's guard.

Thompson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Li is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Thompson defends well.

Li escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Thompson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Thompson scoring with some ground and pound.

Thompson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Thompson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Thompson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thompson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Thompson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Li looking for a guillotine here but Thompson defends easily.

Thompson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Li looking for a triangle here. Thompson is fighting it but it looks tight! Li pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Thompson is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:42 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). John Li!
John Li thanked the fans post fight for their support.