PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Li Xiaolong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steinar Sting (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Xiaolong
vs
Sting

173 cm
32
146 lbs
23 - 13 - 1

168 cm
35
148 lbs
33 - 19 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

TWGC Champion
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

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 23 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Li Xiaolong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Steinar Sting!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Sam Margolis and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xiaolong misses with a kick to the body.
Nice shot by Xiaolong.
Sting fails with a takedown attempt.
A combination from Sting does no damage.
Sting fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Xiaolong manages to avoid it.
A clash of legs there as Sting blocks the low kick.
Sting throws a solid leg kick but Xiaolong takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Sting.
Xiaolong has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Gym Beam in the buildup to the fight.
Xiaolong tries to score with a low kick but Sting moves his leg out of the way.
Xiaolong with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Xiaolong throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Xiaolong connects with a body shot.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Sting has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Xiaolong thuds his right hand into Sting's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A head kick misses from Sting.
Sting throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Xiaolong counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sting fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A jab from Xiaolong does it's job there.
Xiaolong thows a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiaolong tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sting swats him away and circles back towards the center.
An inside leg kick lands from Xiaolong.
Xiaolong looks to score with a jab to the body but Sting is just out of range.
Xiaolong throws a leg kick

and Sting counters with a takedown into side control.
Sting throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Xiaolong prevents Sting from moving into mount.
Xiaolong is working to avoid the ground and pound but Sting connects with a decent elbow.
Xiaolong can't do much from the bottom here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sting wants to control but Xiaolong is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sting tries to score with some ground and pound. Xiaolong controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Sting cracks Xiaolong with a big elbow.
Sting trying to control the action but Xiaolong is working from the bottom.
The strikes coming from Sting are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Sting works to advance to full mount. Xiaolong defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Xiaolong keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Sting throwing strikes here but Xiaolong is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Xiaolong keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Sting lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sting with shots to the head and body - Xiaolong looks very uncomfortable down there.
Xiaolong tries to lock up and control but Sting gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Sting trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Sting might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Xiaolong haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Sting unloading with bombs!
Sting fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Sting throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Xiaolong can't escape the position.
Sting landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sting thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Xiaolong keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Sting throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Xiaolong because Sting loaded up on that one.
Sting controlling the pace for now.
Sting lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Sting scores with a couple of good head shots there.

Sting moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Xiaolong has worked his arm free - good work by Xiaolong!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sting trying to control the position but Xiaolong is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steinar Sting dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Xiaolong moves into range and clinches up with Sting.
Sting misses with a body punch.
Sting misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sting can't find room to land a body shot as Xiaolong controls the action.
Sting can't find room to land a body shot as Xiaolong controls the action.
Xiaolong throws a punch but it's blocked by Sting.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Xiaolong obliges.
A left hand lands to the body for Xiaolong.
Xiaolong blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Sting breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Xiaolong throws a push kick but Sting slaps the foot to one side.
Xiaolong lands with a nice body punch.
Sting throws a right hand that Xiaolong ducks under and follows up with a left that Xiaolong also avoids with ease.
A head kick from Sting lands but Xiaolong takes it in his stride.
Jab from Sting.
Xiaolong throws a leg kick but Sting moved away.
Xiaolong is looking to wear down Sting with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Xiaolong swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Xiaolong forces Sting back against the cage and clinches.
Xiaolong blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sting tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Xiaolong swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sting can't get the takedown.
Xiaolong throws an elbow that misses.
Xiaolong can't find room to land a body shot as Sting controls the action.
Sting misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Xiaolong gets through Sting's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Xiaolong swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sting tries a body shot but Xiaolong blocks it.
Sting tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sting can't find room to land a body shot as Xiaolong controls the action.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Xiaolong.
Sting goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sting's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Sting lands a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sting tries to pull guard but Xiaolong won't allow it.
Xiaolong gets through Sting's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Sting misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Xiaolong is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sting is defending well for now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sting misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sting misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A left hand lands to the body for Xiaolong.
Still in the clinch, Xiaolong scores with a nice short uppercut.
Xiaolong lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Sting.
Xiaolong lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sting backwards.
Sting is trying to break the clinch but Xiaolong has him pressed against the cage.
Xiaolong lands an elbow that stopped Sting in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Steinar Sting has been cut.
Sting has Xiaolong pushed against the cage.
Sting lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Xiaolong backwards.
Sting misses with a hook from the clinch.
Xiaolong misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sting lands a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Xiaolong fails to land.
Sting blocks a body shot from Xiaolong.
Xiaolong lands an elbow inside.
Xiaolong pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Xiaolong blocking some punches.
Sting misses with some punches.
Xiaolong is pushing Sting up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Sting misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sting drops down looking for an ankle pick but Xiaolong pulls his leg out and moves away.
Li Xiaolong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steinar Sting.

Sting scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Sting in the domination position with Xiaolong hanging on.
Sting in side control, throwing shots but Xiaolong defends.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sting tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Xiaolong is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Sting throws an elbow but Xiaolong slips to the side and avoids it well.
Xiaolong wants to control but Sting postures up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sting is looking to take a break and control but Xiaolong is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sting landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Steinar Sting will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Steinar Sting's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Sting lands a nice shot to the body.
Xiaolong looks to land a left hand but Sting moved out of range nicely.
Xiaolong scores with a jab. Sting acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Xiaolong tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sting is able to avoid easily.
Sting avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sting moves in looking to clinch but Xiaolong pushes him off.
Xiaolong tries to clinch but Sting moves out of range.
Sting misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Xiaolong.
Xiaolong wants to land a leg kick but Sting is out of range.
Li Xiaolong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Xiaolong throws out a loose jab but Sting uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sting closes this distance looking for a takedown but Xiaolong circles away.
Sting thumps Xiaolong with a low kick.
Xiaolong looks to land a combination but Sting avoids it well.

Xiaolong moves into the clinch.
Xiaolong throws a punch but it's blocked by Sting.
Xiaolong lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Li Xiaolong has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiaolong creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Xiaolong struggles to land a body shot inside as Sting controls his hands.
A left hand lands to the body for Sting.
Sting blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sting lands an uppercut.
Xiaolong tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sting's elbow.
Xiaolong manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Sting can't find room to land a body shot as Xiaolong controls the action.
Sting has a couple of punches blocked by Xiaolong.
Sting can't break the clinch.
Sting tries to stall but Xiaolong uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A short uppercut from Xiaolong.
Sting lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Sting misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sting lands a body shot.
Li Xiaolong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Steinar Sting is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong working aggressively here.
A shot in the inside from Sting.
Xiaolong throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Xiaolong blocks an uppercut.
Xiaolong lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sting can't find room to land a body shot as Xiaolong controls the action.
Xiaolong throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Sting lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Xiaolong swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sting.
Xiaolong working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Xiaolong misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sting misses with the head strike.
Sting lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Sting blocks a body shot from Xiaolong.
Xiaolong throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sting is working Xiaolong over against the cage.
Sting tries to work over Xiaolong's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Xiaolong misses with a hook from the clinch.
Xiaolong scores with a shoulder strike.

Sting breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sting fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Xiaolong has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Xiaolong fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Sting on the side of the head.
Xiaolong looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Xiaolong lands with an overhand left.
Sting fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Xiaolong.
Xiaolong misses with an uppercut. Sting saw that one coming.
Sting circles away from the clinch attempt.

Sting clinches up with Xiaolong and pushes him back against the cage.
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!
Xiaolong unloads a knee to the mid-section. Sting lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Xiaolong gets through Sting's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Xiaolong lands an elbow that stopped Sting in his tracks for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xiaolong has a couple of punches blocked by Sting.
Xiaolong is pressed up against the cage. Sting has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Xiaolong down to the mat. Xiaolong avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Sting throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Xiaolong lunges at Sting with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Sting's hand.
Sting shoots in and drives through. Xiaolong sprawls well.
Li Xiaolong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steinar Sting.
Sting connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Xiaolong swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Xiaolong throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Sting feints and then cracks Xiaolong's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Xiaolong down.
Xiaolong misses with a straight left.
Li Xiaolong is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Xiaolong throws a leg kick that is checked

and Sting counters with a takedown into side control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Xiaolong is trying to work for a sweep but Sting has mounted him!
Xiaolong tries to hold on but Sting postures up.
Sting with good strikes from the mount here!

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Li Xiaolong.
I think Sting 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Steinar Sting!
After winning the bout, Steinar Sting thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.