PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nango Chekananwangi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yize Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Chekananwangi
vs
Li

190 cm
34
244 lbs
12 - 5 - 1

191 cm
36
265 lbs
19 - 18 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Nango Chekananwangi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Yize Li!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Yves DeLean and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chekananwangi's corner calls for a 1-2. Chekananwangi obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Li lands a nice shot that snaps Chekananwangi's head back.
A big left from Li misses.
Li fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Chekananwangi looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Chekananwangi misses with a looping left.
Li throws a hook but Chekananwangi avoids it easily.
Chekananwangi misses with a hook.
Li swinging wildly here.
Chekananwangi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li throws a left and a right that both miss
and Chekananwangi counters with a series of strikes. Li will be more careful next time no doubt.
Chekananwangi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Li slaps away a takedown attempt from Chekananwangi, before circling back to the center of the mat.
We've been told by Chekananwangi's head coaches at Montreal Athletic Center 5* spar that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Li throws a body punch but Chekananwangi moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chekananwangi slips under a jab from Li.
Chekananwangi seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Chekananwangi throws a lazy right hand but Li sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Chekananwangi throws a shot from downtown. Li moves away and avoids it.
Li slips under a jab from Chekananwangi.
Chekananwangi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Chekananwangi there as he acknowledges the shot.
Li throws out a powerful jab.
Li fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Chekananwangi manages to avoid it.
It looked like Chekananwangi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Chekananwangi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Chekananwangi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A left lands for Chekananwangi.
Chekananwangi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Li.
Chekananwangi throws the left hand but Li avoids the punch easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Chekananwangi.
Li chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Chekananwangi can pounce on him.
Chekananwangi throws out a loose jab but Li uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Li looks to land a left hand but Chekananwangi moved out of range nicely.
As Li looks to move away, Chekananwangi throws a big counter combo but Li just gets out of the way.
Chekananwangi scores with a jab. Li acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Li walks into a left hand.
Li throws a chopping leg kick but Chekananwangi manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Li steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Chekananwangi.
Li looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Chekananwangi misses with a two punch combination.
Chekananwangi lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Chekananwangi tries to move into range but Li moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Li throws out a loose jab but Chekananwangi uses good head movement to avoid it.
A quick step to the side and Chekananwangi tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Li lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Chekananwangi looks to land a combination but Li avoids it well.
Li throws a sloppy head kick
and Chekananwangi counters with a good, hard body kick but Li shrugs it off.
Nice sprawl there from Li as Chekananwangi shoots in.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Li! But no joy.
Li misses with a wild body shot.
Chekananwangi loads up on a big right hand but Li slips the punch.
Li swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Chekananwangi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Chekananwangi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice defenses there by Li.

Chekananwangi gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Chekananwangi lands a body shot.
Chekananwangi misses with a body punch.
Chekananwangi lands a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chekananwangi throws a head punch that misses.
Chekananwangi working aggressively here.
Chekananwangi tries to throw a body punch but Li avoids it by throwing Chekananwangi back against the cage.
Chekananwangi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Chekananwangi scores with a shot to the side of Li's head.
Chekananwangi misses with the head strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Chekananwangi tries to throw a body punch but Li avoids it by throwing Chekananwangi back against the cage.
Li is pressed up against the cage. Chekananwangi has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Li down to the mat. Li avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nango Chekananwangi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chekananwangi ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Jab from Li.
A jab lands there for Li.
Chekananwangi misses the jab.
Li looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Chekananwangi digs a good body shot into Li's ribs.
Li wants to clinch but Chekananwangi slips to the side
and Li takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A slow jab from Li misses its intended target.
Li throws an off balance right hand

and Chekananwangi counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Li makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Li throws a body punch but Chekananwangi moves out of range.
Chekananwangi has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Li.
Chekananwangi moves out of range of the strikes.
Li lands a head shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Li fails to land with a series of punches.
Li throws a jab when Chekananwangi was well out of range.
Chekananwangi is looking to counter punch.
Li throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Li throws a leg kick that is checked
and Chekananwangi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A nice inside leg kick there by Li. That's going to slow Chekananwangi down.
Chekananwangi missing with a left hand there. Li was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Li bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li misses with a two punch combination.
Chekananwangi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Li misses with a looping right.
Chekananwangi throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Li swings widly with a right hand
and Chekananwangi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Li swings widly with a right hand
and Chekananwangi counters with a three punch combo that has Li backing up. Li nods at Chekananwangi to acknowledge the strikes.
Li moves forwards but Chekananwangi connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Chekananwangi misses with a looping right.
Li throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Chekananwangi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Chekananwangi just misses with a punch to the body.
Li misses with a hook
and Chekananwangi counters with a stiff right hand.
Chekananwangi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Chekananwangi throws an overhand right that lands on Li's shoulder, as Li tries to avoid the shot.
Chekananwangi walks into a straight right hand from Li.
Li throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Li tries to clinch up but Chekananwangi circles away and keeps his distance.
Li lands a nice shot that snaps Chekananwangi's head back.
Good exchange - Chekananwangi coming out on top.
Chekananwangi takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Li misses with an uppercut
enabling Chekananwangi to counter with a crisp jab.
Chekananwangi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Chekananwangi throws a lazy right hand but Li sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A slow jab from Li misses its intended target.
Li misses with an uppercut. Chekananwangi saw that one coming.
Chekananwangi was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Li misses with a hook.
A little feinted left hand from Chekananwangi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li cracks a nice hook into Chekananwangi's ribs.
Chekananwangi connects with a good right hand that stumbles Li. Li circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Nice shot lands for Li.
A solid body kick from Chekananwangi.
Jab from Chekananwangi.
Chekananwangi scores with a three punch combo!
Chekananwangi throws an off balance right hand
and Li counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Chekananwangi takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Li tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Chekananwangi was well out of range. Poor timing from Li.
Li lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Chekananwangi circles away quickly and effectively.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Li throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Chekananwangi throws a shot from downtown. Li moves away and avoids it.
Chekananwangi misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Li rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Chekananwangi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Chekananwangi tries to counter with a takedown but Li is quick to defend against it.
Chekananwangi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Li.
Yize Li seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Li misses with an uppercut.
Li connects with an inside leg kick.

Chekananwangi drives through with a takedown into guard.
Chekananwangi won't allow Li to sweep him here.
Chekananwangi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Li swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Li tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Chekananwangi forces his way into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Yize Li will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Li throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Jab from Chekananwangi.
Chekananwangi scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

It looks like Yize Li has been cut.
A left lands for Chekananwangi.
Li avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Li has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Chekananwangi lands a high kick!
Chekananwangi throws a jab but it's blocked by Li.
Chekananwangi throws a lazy right hand but Li sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Li pivots, looking for a leg kick but Chekananwangi is out of range and Li settles back down.
Chekananwangi tries to counter with a takedown but Li is quick to defend against it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chekananwangi ducks under a wild hook from Li.
Chekananwangi throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Li to counter with a crisp jab.
Li takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Li bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Li.
A nice inside leg kick there by Li. That's going to slow Chekananwangi down.
Chekananwangi moves out of range of the body kick from Li.
Chekananwangi throws a big counter combination but Li scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Chekananwangi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A jab lands there for Li.
Li feints and then cracks Chekananwangi's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Chekananwangi down.
Chekananwangi lands with an uppercut that bounces Li off the cage and back into range.
Li scores with a sloppy right hand. Chekananwangi should have avoided that one.
Chekananwangi misses with a looping right.
Chekananwangi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Li throws a right hand that misses
and Chekananwangi counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li clobbers Chekananwangi with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Chekananwangi lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Chekananwangi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A jab from Li misses.
Chekananwangi scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Li throws a jab but it's blocked by Chekananwangi.
Chekananwangi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Li.
No joy there for Li, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Chekananwangi missing with a left hand there. Li was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Chekananwangi throws out a powerful jab.
Chekananwangi throws a shot from downtown. Li moves away and avoids it.
Chekananwangi lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Chekananwangi lands an overhand right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chekananwangi misses with a body kick.
Yize Li is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Chekananwangi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A punch lands to the side of Chekananwangi 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Li swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Chekananwangi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Li lands a leg kick that knocks Chekananwangi off balance momentarily.
Li throws a jab but it's blocked by Chekananwangi.
Chekananwangi throws a big shot that misses.
A punch lands to the side of Chekananwangi 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Chekananwangi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Li misses with a low kick as Chekananwangi jumps back.
Li throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Chekananwangi swings for the body but Li moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li defending well as Chekananwangi loads up on a big left hand.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Li! But no joy.
Chekananwangi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Li throws out the jab.
Chekananwangi tries to score with a low kick but Li moves his leg out of the way.
Chekananwangi misses with a double jab.

Chekananwangi closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Li quickly recovers to half guard.
Nango Chekananwangi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Li is trying to get back to full guard.
Li gets full guard.
Li seems keen to control Chekananwangi's posture.

Chekananwangi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Li has momentary wrist control but Chekananwangi slips an elbow through the middle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nango Chekananwangi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Chekananwangi has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28

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