PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Timo Skottilaine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Li Jiaxing (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Timo Skottilaine has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Skottilaine
vs
Jiaxing

185 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

174 cm
18
152 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Timo Skottilaine!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Li Jiaxing!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Winston Alpacca and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Skottilaine misses with a double jab

and Jiaxing decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Skottilaine's guard.

Skottilaine is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Jiaxing defends well.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Jiaxing working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Skottilaine manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Jiaxing manages to get himself to full guard.

Skottilaine wants to control from the top but Jiaxing keeps moving.
Jiaxing trying to keep a closed guard but Skottilaine is proving a slippery customer.
Skottilaine trying to control but Jiaxing is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jiaxing thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Jiaxing is trying to keep Skottilaine in close.
Skottilaine trying to control the position from guard on top but Jiaxing is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jiaxing looking for a sweep. Not yet Jiaxing, not yet.
Skottilaine wanted to stand there but Jiaxing had control of the position.
Skottilaine trying to control the position from guard on top but Jiaxing is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jiaxing working a defensive guard here.
Skottilaine pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jiaxing is keeping the position for now.
Skottilaine is working hard here to advance position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Jiaxing can do anything to dispel that myth.
Skottilaine trying to control the position from guard on top but Jiaxing is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Jiaxing has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Skottilaine can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Jiaxing looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

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.
Skottilaine wants to control from the top but Jiaxing keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Skottilaine looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Jiaxing shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Skottilaine manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Jiaxing with a nice head shot there.
Skottilaine controls Jiaxing momentarily but Jiaxing frees himself.
Jiaxing stopping the sweep attempt from Skottilaine.
Jiaxing slips nicely into half guard.
Ground and pound from Jiaxing.
Skottilaine makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Skottilaine.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Skottilaine is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skottilaine passes Jiaxing's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Jiaxing throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Jiaxing is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Skottilaine's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Skottilaine's back!
Skottilaine tries to roll but Jiaxing sticks to his back.
Jiaxing lands with a hammerfist to the side of Skottilaine's head.
Jiaxing doesn't have the hooks in and Skottilaine manages to turn into his guard.
Jiaxing looking to control.
Jiaxing lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Skottilaine not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Jiaxing is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Skottilaine has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Jiaxing is looking to defend but Skottilaine has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Jiaxing! Skottilaine pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Jiaxing taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Timo Skottilaine!
In his post fight interview, Timo Skottilaine started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.