PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Chong Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joseph Wright (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Li's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Chong Li's Bloodlust. Chong Li has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Li
vs
Wright

168 cm
25
185 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

182 cm
25
190 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Chong Li!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Joseph Wright!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Santiago Holmes and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wright throws a body shot but no joy.
Li is looking to counter the offense by Wright and move into the clinch.
A punch combination from Li misses.
Li throws out a loose jab but Wright uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wright misses with a body shot.
Sloppy strikes from Li. Those never looked like landing.
Wright has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Li jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Wright throws a counter combo.
Wright throws a nice looking combination but Li bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Li defending well as Wright loads up on a big left hand.
Wright scores with a hook.
Wright takes a swing at Li's ribcage but misses.
Wright throws a body shot but no joy.
Wright misses with an uppercut. Li saw that one coming.
Wright throws a one two combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wright looks to score with a jab to the body but Li is just out of range.
Wright looks to throw the jab but Li is out of range.
Wright scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Wright throws a poor cross that misses

and Li counters by clinching up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Li pulls guard effortlessly.
Li has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Li working a defensive guard here.

Li is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Wright defends well.
Wright wants to pass the guard but Li is keeping the position.
Li working a defensive guard here.
Wright wants to stand but Li is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Wright stopping the sweep attempt from Li.
Wright stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Li swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Li is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Li working for a triangle but Wright defends it easily.

Li is looking for a triangle but Wright pushes his legs off easily.
Li might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wright avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Li is trying to control the position but Wright postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wright looking to pass the guard.
Wright wants to control from the top but Li keeps moving.
Wright really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Li. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Li holds on and takes a little breather.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Li shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Wright as he avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Wright scores with a three punch combo!
Li throws a hook but Wright avoids it easily.
Wright looks to land a left hand but Li moved out of range nicely.
Wright throws a right and a left that Li avoids nicely.
Li misses with a double jab.
Li steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Wright.
A big left from Wright misses.
Wright pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Li throwing a counter right hand but Wright manages to avoid it.
Wright keeps the fight on the outside.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Wright! But no joy.
Wright misses with a wild body shot.
Wright avoids a punch combination nicely.
Li closes the distance and clinches up with Wright, looking for a takedown. Li pushes Wright against the cage but Wright circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Wright throws a series of punches but Li moves out of range.
Wright throws a right and a left that both miss.
Wright cracks a nice hook into Li's ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Wright dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Wright swings for the body but Li moves out of range.
Wright has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Wright misses with a two punch combination.
Li takes a swing at Wright's ribcage but misses.
Li tries to clinch up.
No joy there for Wright, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Li is looking to counter the offense by Wright and move into the clinch.
Wright misses with the combination.
Li scores with a punch to the head.
Li jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Wright throws a right and a left that both miss.
Wright looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Wright.
Li lands with a straight right. Wright didn't see that one coming.
Li takes a swing at Wright's ribcage but misses.
Li dodges the punch combination from Wright.
Wright lands with a good body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wright scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Joseph Wright is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Li tests Wright's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Wright misses with a series of wild punches.
Wright swings for the body but Li moves out of range.
Chong Li is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wright misses with an uppercut.
Wright looks to score with a jab to the body but Li is just out of range.
Wright jabs at Li's body.
Wright misses with an uppercut. Li saw that one coming.
Li lands a jab-cross combination.
Li will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Wright scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wright throws a looping overhand right but Li ducks down to avoid it.
A swing and a miss from Wright.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Li lands a jab to the nose.
Wright throws a sloppy body shot
and Li counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Wright thinking.
Li swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Li staying out of range there.
The fighters circling - Li throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Wright now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Wright swings for the body but Li moves out of range.
Li throws the left hand but Wright avoids the punch easily.
Wright throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Li dives in for a single leg takedown but Wright sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Li swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Wright counters with a stiff right hand.
Wright takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Li lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
The fighters circle momentarily. Wright darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wright feints a jab promting Li to slip. Wright then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Li slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Wright avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Wright let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Wright throws a body punch but Li moves out of range.
Li throws an overhand right that lands on Wright's shoulder, as Wright tries to avoid the shot.
Li slips a jab and a cross from Wright.
Li connects with a crisp jab.
Li throws a series of punches but Wright moves out of range.
Wright lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Li circles away quickly and effectively.
A lazy left from Li finds it's target.
Wright jabs Li to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Wright bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Li is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Wright swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wright throws a body punch but Li moves out of range.
Wright throws a right hand that Li ducks under and follows up with a left that Li also avoids with ease.
Li ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Wright moves away.
A nice side step and Wright releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wright moves out of range of the strikes.
Wright throws a body shot but no joy.
An attempted straight right counter from Li misses the target.

Li has Wright up against the cage in a clinch.
Li is trying to pull guard but Wright turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Wright wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Li jumps guard but Wright turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chong Li. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Li tries to pull guard but Wright forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Li fails to pull guard.
Li tries to pull guard but Wright holds him up against the cage and eventually Li drops back down to his feet.
Li blocks a body shot from Wright.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Wright showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Wright swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Joseph Wright seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Li shoots in but Wright avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Wright now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Wright ducks under a wild hook from Li.
Li fails with an attempt to clinch.
Wright looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Wright lands a glancing blow to the side of Li's head.
Wright is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Li rather than just go for the knockout.
Li looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Wright avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Wright tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Li was well out of range. Poor timing from Wright.
Wright lands a glancing blow to the side of Li's head.
Wright is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Li.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Wright.
Li throws a body punch but Wright moves out of range.
Wright misses with a double jab
and Li counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Li tries to close the distance and clinch but Wright swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wright connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Wright throws a right and a left that both miss.
It looked like Li wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Wright scores with a nice strike.
Wright throws a right hand that Li ducks under and follows up with a left that Li also avoids with ease.
Li throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Wright dodges the punch combination from Li.
Wright misses with a hook.
Sloppy strikes from Wright. Those never looked like landing.
Wright takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Li throws out a loose jab but Wright uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wright misses with a hook. Li ducked under it nicely.
Wright swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wright works the jab nicely.
Wright fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Li manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li tries for a takedown but Wright circles away easily
and Wright counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Li moves in looking to clinch but Wright pushes him off.
Some wild striking there from Li.
A little jabbing left from Wright on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Wright lands a nice shot to the body.
Wright swings away with a body shot that misses
and Li connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Wright ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Li has Wright up against the cage in a clinch.
Wright looking to stall.
Wright wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li is trying to pull guard but Wright has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chong Li. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Li fails to pull guard.
Li jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Wright walks away with a smile on his face. Li gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Li shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Wright pinned against the cage. Wright gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Li tries to clinch up.
Wright misses with a combination
and Li counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Wright throws a hook but Li blocks it.
Li moves away from the strike by Wright.
Nice sprawl there from Wright as Li shoots in.
Wright fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Li manages to avoid it.
Wright works Li's body with a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li staying out of range there.
Wright fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Wright thuds a left hand into Li's body.
Wright lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Wright.
Wright defending well as Li loads up on a big left hand.
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!
Wright lands with a good body shot.
Wright throws a nice looking combination but Li bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Li closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Wright quickly recovers to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Li missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Li not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Li is working for a submission of some sort.
Li thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Wright's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Wright really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Li has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Li is trying hard to land a takedown here. Wright sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Li throws an overhand right that lands on Wright's shoulder, as Wright tries to avoid the shot.
No joy there for Li, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Li moves out of range as Wright strikes.
Wright works over Li's head and body with a nice combination.
Wright keeps the fight on the outside.
Li misses with a straight left.
As Li backs off Wright throws a huge counter combo but Li manages to avoid it all.
Wright misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Li closes the distance and clinches.
Wright throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Wright wants to break the clinch but can't.
Wright wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Li blocks a body shot from Wright.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Wright smiles and moves away.
Wright steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Li.
Wright avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Wright doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Li scores with a nice head shot.
Wright cracks Li with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Wright swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Li ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Wright looks to throw the jab but Li is out of range.
Wright just misses with a punch to the body.

Li drives through with a takedown into guard.
Li trying to control but Wright is working from the bottom.
Li working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wright preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Li trying to control the position from guard on top but Wright is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wright has his hands on Li's head, controlling the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Wright can do anything to dispel that myth.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Li accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Wright keeping moving, preventing Li from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Li shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wright bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Wright throws a body shot but no joy.
Li dives in for a single leg takedown but Wright sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chong Li. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice uppercut there from Li.
Wright Rushes Li and starts throwing punches like they are going out of style! Li is up against the cage and has nowhere to go. Wright Piles on the pressure and Li crumples to the floor! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:24 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Joseph Wright!
Joseph Wright is the new middleweight champion!
Post fight, Joseph Wright stared into the camera and said 'I told you I was here to take over this division!'.