PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mike Ross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wai Man Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Ross might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Neck of the Woods. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ross
vs
Man Li

169 cm
26
163 lbs
14 - 4 - 1

176 cm
27
161 lbs
19 - 10 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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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 14 - 4 - 1, fighting out of New York, Mike Ross!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Wai Man Li!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Phil Schofield and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Li has a takedown stuffed.
Ross throws a leg kick that misses.
Mike Ross seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ross does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Li throws a body punch but Ross moves out of range.
Ross throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ross throws a hook to the side of Li's head but Li sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ross is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Li scores with a decent looking hook.
Li fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ross manages to avoid it.
Li scores with a jab to the body.

Li gets tackled into the cage by Ross. Ross maintains the clinch.
Li pushes Ross back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ross doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Li tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ross lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
We've been informed that Li has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Ross slowing the pace effectively.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ross.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ross.
Ross tries to throw a body punch but Li avoids it by throwing Ross back against the cage.
Li being controlled against the cage.
Ross wants to stall.
The referee is keeping an eye on Ross - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Li jumps guard but Ross turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Mike Ross has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wai Man Li.
Ross holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Ross lands a body shot in the clinch.
Li misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ross manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
I was talking to Ross's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Li's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Ross breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ross looks to throw a body kick
and Li counters with a left to the body.
Li lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Ross scores with a takedown into Li's guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Li looking for a guillotine here but Ross defends easily.
Ross slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li wants to sweep here but Ross controlling him for the moment.
Li trying to control the position.

Li is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ross defends well.
Li keeping moving, preventing Ross from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Li isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Ross stacks Li 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 Ross!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ross wants to lay and pray for a moment but Li keeps working.
Ross cracks Li with a big elbow.
Li tries to buck Ross off but Ross is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ross scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Li to see if he's OK.
Li is trying to control Ross's posture but Ross avoids it.
Li is looking to reverse the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Ross dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ross lands with a nice body kick.
Li misses with the combination.
Li on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A left lands for Ross.
Ross scores with the left hand. Li knows he should have avoided that one.
Li takes a swing at Ross's ribcage but misses.
Li fails with a takedown attempt.
Li moves out of range of the body kick from Ross.
Li takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Li throws a right and a left that Ross avoids nicely.
Li connects with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Li is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Ross rather than just go for the knockout.
Li avoids a kick to the body.
Li avoids the body shot from Ross.
Li blocks the body kick.
Ross stuffs the takedown.
Ross is looking to slow Li down with leg kicks.
Ross misses with a left hand
and Li counters with a nice leg kick.
Ross uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Li.
Li tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ross defends well and Li ends up having to push Ross into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Mike Ross has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wai Man Li.
Li working aggressively here.
Ross scores with a nice hook to the head.

Ross escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mike Ross is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ross throws a hook but Li avoids it easily.
Li ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ross moves away.
Ross buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ross chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Ross looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Li ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Li takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Ross misses the shot to the body.
Ross throws a jab but it's blocked by Li.
Ross tries a head kick but it misses.
Ross pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ross bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A thudding body kick lands there by Ross!
Ross throws a head kick but Li moves out of range.
Ross swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Ross 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. Ross is in Li's guard.
Ross throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Li works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Li is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Li has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ross can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ross trying to control the position from guard on top but Li is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ross makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Li manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Li tries to control but Ross wriggling away.
Mike Ross overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ross is trying desperately to improve position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Li wants to control the pace but Ross is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ross lands a glancing blow to the side of Li's head.
Ross tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Li misses the shot to the body.
Ross scoring well with a low kick there.
Ross bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ross fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Li has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ross lands a really nice looking cross but Li seems unphased.
Li slips under a jab from Ross.
Ross with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Li scores with a nice right hand.
Li ducks right into an uppercut from Ross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Ross scores with a nice body kick.
Ross throws a head kick that misses.
Ross throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Li's head.
Ross misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A slow jab from Li misses its intended target.
Li checks the leg kick.

Ross shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Li has his foot on Ross's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ross works his way back into a safe position though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Ross has gone for a leg lock! Li slips out almost immediately though and dives into Ross's guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Ross holds on and takes a little breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ross's head.
Ross working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Li.
Ross wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Ross is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Li tries to free his leg and advance position but Ross is retaining full guard.
Li stopping the sweep attempt from Ross.
Li postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li looking to sit in guard and control but Ross gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Li working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ross doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ross manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Li looking for a guillotine here but Ross defends easily.

Li has his foot on Ross's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ross works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li trying to control the position.
Ross is working Li over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Li is trying to control the position but Ross postures up.
Ross pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Li is keeping the position for now.
Li looking for a sweep. Not yet Li, not yet.
Li bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ross's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ross is trying to control the position but Li postures up.
Li looking to pass the guard.
Ross pulls Li in close to prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Ross clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Li blocks a leg kick.
Ross misses with a looping left.
Li shoots in but no luck this time.
Ross shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Li throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Ross counters with a thumping low kick.
Ross throws a head kick that misses.
Ross feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Li's calf.

Ross scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Ross is taking a breather. Li says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ross looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Li has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ross is working away from the top position though.
Nice strikes from Ross there.
Ross wants to pass the guard but Li is defending well.
Ross passes the guard and advances to mount!
Ross tries to control but Li wriggling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ross controlling from the full mount.
Ross connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Li is looking to get to half guard.
Ross wants to control but Li has made it back to half guard. Nice work.
Li trying to control but Ross postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ross is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

Li looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Ross looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Li is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li looking for a sweep. Not yet Li, not yet.
Ross keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Li's head.
Ross is in close to Li's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Li looking for a sweep. Not yet Li, not yet.

Li is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Ross stopping the sweep attempt from Li.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ross's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Ross had his way with Wai Man Li in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Li lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Li throws a half hearted mid kick.
No luck for Li with that takedown attempt.
Ross throws a nice inside leg kick.
Li avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Ross lands a big head kick that sends Li tumbling to the mat! Ross takes a step backwards and waves Li back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Li is rocked!

It looks like Wai Man Li has been cut.
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!
Ross throws a leg kick which misses Li's front leg but catches the back leg as Li tries to avoid it.
Li is still on wobbly legs! Can Ross finish him?
Li lands a jab.
Li misses with a takedown attempt
and as Li loses concentration momentarily, Ross counters with a picture perfect head kick! Li goes down, out cold! The referee rushed in to check on his condition - I'm sure he'll be ok but that was a massive knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:52 of round 5, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Mike Ross!
Mike Ross retains his lightweight title!
A very excited looking Mike Ross made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
Wai Man Li was interviewed post fight and said 'I'd rather die than lose to a joker like this guy again. I don't know where things went wrong, but I guarantee a win next time out.'.