PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Felix Basilan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jet Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Li has chosen Tourniquet by Evanescence as his entrance music. Felix Basilan is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Basilan
vs
Li

182 cm
36
177 lbs
42 - 18 - 2

167 cm
31
175 lbs
31 - 18 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
KO power

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Namunamu Clothing
Pitt Nutrition 160Q@$149

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 42 - 18 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Felix Basilan!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jet Li!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Robert Douchet and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Li uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Basilan.
Jet Li seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Basilan blocks a head kick by Li.
A counter left hand to the body from Basilan misses its target.
Basilan lands a nice shot that snaps Li's head back.
Basilan throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Basilan throws out a leg kick but Li moves out of range and Basilan only half commits.

Basilan gets tackled into the cage by Li. Li maintains the clinch.
Li lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Basilan backwards.
Basilan creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Basilan throws an elbow but it misses.
Basilan lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Li swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Basilan blocks a body shot from Li.
Li is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Basilan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Li misses with the head strike.
Li scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Li stalling against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Li cracks Basilan with a nice body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li lands a right hand that snaps the head of Basilan backwards.
Li fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Li misses with a hook from the clinch.
Li lands a shoulder strike.
Li cracks Basilan with a nice body shot.
Basilan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Basilan has a couple of punches blocked by Li.
Li scores with a nice hook to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Basilan.
Basilan is trying to stall.
Basilan swings wildly with an uppercut but Li uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Basilan.
A shot in the inside from Li.
Li avoids a wild elbow strike from Basilan.
Basilan misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Stalling in the clinch from Li.
Li lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Li swings away with an uppercut that misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Basilan tries to throw a body punch but Li avoids it by throwing Basilan back against the cage.
Li holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Li lands a left hand.
Li misses with the head strike.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Basilan takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Li scores with a shot to the side of Basilan's head.
Basilan trying to control the position but instead, Li has worked for underhooks and has pushed Basilan into the cage.
Basilan takes a shot to the head.
Li trying to stall but Basilan improves his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Basilan.
Li scores with a hook to the body.
Basilan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Li's elbow.
Basilan misses with the head strike.
Li blocks an uppercut.
Still in the clinch, Li scores with a nice short uppercut.
Li slowing the pace effectively.
Li is looking to control Basilan's arms but Basilan gets an underhook and turns him. Now Li has his back to the cage.
Nice body punch from Li.
Li lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Basilan backwards.
Basilan creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Li misses with a short punch on the inside.
Li lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Basilan backwards.
Li lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Li lands an uppercut.
Li blocking some punches.
Basilan blocks an uppercut.
Li swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Basilan throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Li can't find room to land a body shot as Basilan controls the action.
Basilan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Li fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Li blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Li.
Li goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Li blocks an uppercut.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Basilan lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Basilan misses with a punch to the body.
Basilan misses with a short punch on the inside.
Li lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Basilan.
Basilan misses with a punch to the body.
Li blocks an elbow strike from Basilan.
Basilan blocking some punches.
Basilan tries to throw a body punch but Li avoids it by throwing Basilan back against the cage.
Basilan misses with some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jet Li 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.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Li lands a lovely overhand right.
Li has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Li clinches with his opponent.
Li lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Li.
Basilan takes a shot to the head.
Basilan struggles to land a body shot inside as Li controls his hands.
Li blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Li is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
A nice right hand lands inside from Li.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Li.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li stalling against the cage.
Li blocks the elbow strike.
Basilan misses with a punch on the inside.
Jet Li seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Come on Basilan - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Basilan lands with a light punch inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li misses with a body punch.
Basilan crunches a lovely knee into Li's ribcage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Basilan presses Li against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Basilan breaks the clinch.
Basilan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Basilan slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Li tests Basilan's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Basilan uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Li has time to react.
Basilan smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Li tries to close the distance and clinch but Basilan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Basilan connects with a body shot that sends Li's belly button to the back.
Li throws a sloppy head kick and Basilan moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li tries to clinch
and Basilan counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Li has managed to clinch.
Basilan throws a head punch that misses.
Basilan softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Basilan scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Li tries to work over Basilan's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Li stalling in the clinch but Basilan improves position.
Still in the clinch, Li scores with a nice short uppercut.
Basilan blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Basilan blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Li lands with a short shot to the head.
Li misses with a punch to the body.
Li is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Basilan is keeping busy.
Basilan tries to stall but Li uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Li tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Basilan's elbow.
Basilan misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Basilan tries to work over Li's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Li lands with a short shot to the head.
Basilan misses with the head strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Li.
Li misses with a body punch.
Basilan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A right hand to the body from Li.
Basilan tries a knee to the head but Li blocks it.
Good body shot from Li.
Basilan misses with some punches.
Li lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Basilan backwards.
Li tries to work over Basilan's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Li tries a body shot but Basilan blocks it.
Li tries to throw a body punch but Basilan avoids it by throwing Li back against the cage.
Basilan blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Basilan misses with a punch to the body.
Li scores with a shot to the side of Basilan's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li struggles to land a body shot inside as Basilan controls his hands.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Basilan.
Li is leaning against Basilan and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Li.
Basilan comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Basilan misses with an elbow over the top.
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!
Li swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Li lands a body punch in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Li softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Li manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Li misses with a body punch.
Li stalling in the clinch.
Basilan has a couple of punches blocked by Li.
Basilan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jet Li will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Basilan slips under a jab.
Basilan throwing a counter right hand but Li manages to avoid it.
Li throws a body shot but no joy.
A big right from Li misses.
Basilan thinks about countering with a body kick.
Li throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Li closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Basilan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Li.
No joy there for Li, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Li wants to clinch up but Basilan keeps it at a distance.
Basilan looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Basilan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Li.
An inside leg kick lands from Basilan.
Basilan is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Li throws a lazy uppercut
and Li takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Basilan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Li was well out of range. Poor timing from Basilan.
A countering left hand to the body from Li misses.
Li pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Basilan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Li now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Li cracks the inside of Basilan's front leg.
Basilan moves forwards but Li connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Li throws a lazy uppercut
and Basilan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li fails in his attempt to clinch.
Basilan tried to counter with a leg kick but Li avoided it.

Li moves into the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Li.
Basilan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Li gets through Basilan's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Li fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Li has Basilan pushed against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Basilan.
Basilan scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Li manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Basilan misses with a body punch.
Basilan lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Basilan blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Li fails to land.
Li lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Li swings wildly with an uppercut but Basilan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Basilan lands with a left to the head.
Li struggles to land a body shot inside as Basilan controls his hands.
Li cracks Basilan with a nice body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Li.
Basilan misses with a short punch on the inside.
Li digs a right hand underneath Basilan's ribcage. Basilan let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Li scores with a shot to the side of Basilan's head.
Li lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Basilan is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Li.
Li scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Still in the clinch, Li scores with a nice short uppercut.
Li presses Basilan against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Li tries a body shot but Basilan blocks it.
A right hook to the body lands for Li.
Li gets through Basilan's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Basilan is rocked!

It looks like Felix Basilan has been cut.
Basilan blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Li tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Basilan's elbow.
Li pushes Basilan back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Oh Basilan is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Basilan misses with a hook to the ribs.
Basilan seems to have got his legs back now.
Li is stalling here.

Li drops Basilan with a big right hand! Li charges in looking to finish - Basilan manages to keep Li in his guard and seems to have recovered somewhat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Li tries to free his leg and advance position but Basilan is retaining full guard.
Li not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Li passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li trying to control the action but Basilan is working from the bottom.

Li decides to stand back up. Li steps back and let's Basilan get back to his feet.
Basilan misses with a wild body shot.
Li is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

Li pushes Basilan up against the cage in a clinch.
Basilan lands with a short shot to the head.
Li's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Li misses with a punch on the inside.
Li tries a body shot but Basilan blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jet Li really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Felix Basilan's cut.
That's time! Basilan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Basilan blocks a head kick by Li.
Basilan misses with a body shot.
Li tries to counter with a clinch but Basilan shakes him off and moves away.
Basilan misses with an uppercut.
Li jabs Basilan right on the nose. Basilan blinks but takes it well.
Li cracks the inside of Basilan's front leg.
Li avoids a kick to the body.
Li lands with a thumping leg kick.
Li takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Basilan takes one on the button.

Basilan tries to keep at a distance but Li has taken the fight into the clinch.
Li tries to stall but Basilan uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Basilan tries to land knees in the clinch but Li avoids the damage to the body.
Basilan tries a body shot but Li blocks it.
Basilan working aggressively here.
Li blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li lands a hook that snaps the head of Basilan backwards.
Li looking to slow down the pace here.
Basilan blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Li blocks an uppercut.
Basilan throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Basilan blocks a body shot from Li.
A short uppercut from Basilan.
Li's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Basilan swings wildly with an uppercut but Li uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Li.
Li lands a right hand that snaps the head of Basilan backwards.
Basilan blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Li softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Basilan is looking to control Li's arms but Li gets an underhook and turns him. Now Basilan has his back to the cage.
Li misses with some punches.
Li throws a head punch that misses.
Basilan tries a body shot but Li blocks it.
Li blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Li lands a right hand that snaps the head of Basilan backwards.
Basilan lands a body punch.
Basilan working aggressively here.
Basilan blocks an uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Li blocking some punches.
Basilan lands a right hand that snaps the head of Li backwards.
Basilan blocks an uppercut.
Li struggles to land a body shot inside as Basilan controls his hands.
Li stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Li swings wildly with an uppercut but Basilan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Li tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Basilan misses with a hook from the clinch.
Basilan tries to work over Li's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Li has a couple of punches blocked by Basilan.
Li misses with a short punch on the inside.
Basilan blocks an uppercut.
Li will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Basilan up against the cage.
Li misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Li is pushing Basilan up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
A head punch on the inside from Li fails to land.
Li blocking some punches.
Basilan takes a shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Basilan lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A short right from Li on the inside.
Li tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Basilan's elbow.
Basilan misses with some punches.
Stalling in the clinch from Li.
Nice body punch from Li - that landed with a thud.
Li lands a right hand that snaps the head of Basilan backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Basilan fails to land.
Li misses with the head strike.
Li fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Li working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
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!
Basilan misses with a punch on the inside.
Li working aggressively here.
Basilan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The referee calls for Li to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jet Li dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Felix Basilan'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!

Basilan swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Li.
Li ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Li closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Basilan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Li misses with a short punch on the inside.
Li struggles to land a body shot inside as Basilan controls his hands.
Li softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Basilan swings wildly with an uppercut but Li uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Li.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Basilan displaying some good clinch control by pressing Li up against the cage.
Li throws a punch but it's blocked by Basilan.
Li tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li can't find room to land a body shot as Basilan controls the action.
Basilan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Li lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Basilan backwards.
Basilan blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Li on the inside.
Li trying to stall but Basilan improves his position.
Basilan trying to control the position but instead, Li has worked for underhooks and has pushed Basilan into the cage.
Basilan avoiding damage.
Li is trying to stall.
Li tries to throw a body punch but Basilan avoids it by throwing Li back against the cage.
Li is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Li tries to throw a body punch but Basilan avoids it by throwing Li back against the cage.
Felix Basilan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li scores with a nice hook to the head.
Basilan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Basilan using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Li has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Basilan lands a body punch.
Basilan misses with a punch to the body.
Basilan lands a damaging elbow.
Basilan scores with a shoulder strike.
Li throws a head punch that misses.
Basilan scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Li can't find room to land a body shot as Basilan controls the action.
Li works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
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!
Basilan misses with some punches.
Basilan blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Li misses with a hook to the ribs.
Li misses with a punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Basilan swings wildly with an uppercut but Li uses good head movement to avoid it.
Li stalling in the clinch.
Li blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Li scores with a shoulder strike.
Basilan blocks an uppercut.
Jet Li is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Li.
Li leaning against his opponent.
Li blocks an elbow strike.
Basilan swings wildly with an uppercut but Li uses good head movement to avoid it.
Basilan gets through Li's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Basilan lands with a short shot to the head.
Basilan digs a right hand underneath Li's ribcage. Li let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Li avoiding damage.
Basilan throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Lis head.
A head punch on the inside from Basilan fails to land.
Basilan tries to throw a body punch but Li avoids it by throwing Basilan back against the cage.
Basilan misses with a body punch.
Li avoids a wild elbow strike from Basilan.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Basilan lands a right hand.
Basilan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Li goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

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 Felix Basilan.
I think Li 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 46:49
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 46:49
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jet Li!
Jet Li is the new welterweight champion!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Jet Li made sure he mentioned Fury Nutrition Inc., along with how happy he was to win his fight.