PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jet Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bjorn Helgi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Li comes to the cage accompanied by Tourniquet by Evanescence. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Li
vs
Helgi

167 cm
36
175 lbs
39 - 21 - 1

178 cm
41
169 lbs
47 - 23 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 39 - 21 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jet Li!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 47 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Bjorn Helgi!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Ackerman and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No joy there for Li, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A little jabbing left from Helgi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Helgi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Helgi flicks out a counter leg kick but Li steps away.
Li throws a low kick but Helgi avoids it.
Helgi connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Li thows a left - swing and a miss!
Li is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Helgi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Li ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Helgi moves away.
Li throws a jab when Helgi was well out of range.
Helgi avoids the head kick by Li.
Helgi tries to counter by closing the distance.
Li keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Li tries to clinch up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Li tries to clinch but Helgi is having none of it.
Li takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Helgi uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Li has time to react.
Li misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Helgi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helgi punishes Li's body with a nice straight punch.
Li throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Helgi on the side of the head.
Li uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Helgi.
Helgi takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Li takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Li throws a leg kick that is checked
and Helgi counters with a thumping low kick.
Li fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Helgi is out of range.
Helgi 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.
Li is looking to clinch.
Li throws a leg kick
enabling Helgi to counter with a crisp jab.
Li moves in looking to clinch but Helgi pushes him off.
Li connects with a crisp jab.

It looks like Bjorn Helgi has been cut.
Helgi keeps the fight on the outside.
Helgi cracks Li with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Li misses with a low kick.
Helgi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Li moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helgi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Li fails to land with a series of punches.
Helgi throws out a counter right but Li avoids it with no problem.
Helgi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Li.
Helgi connects with a single shot there.
Li tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jet Li seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Helgi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Li.
It seemed like Helgi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Helgi throws a quick inside leg kick.
Li tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Li throws a right and a left that Helgi avoids nicely.
Helgi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Li looks to land a combination but Helgi avoids it well.
Helgi doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Li misses with an uppercut

and Helgi counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Helgi tries a body shot but Li blocks it.
Helgi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Li fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Li has a couple of punches blocked by Helgi.
Li misses with the head strike.
Li tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helgi tries to throw a body punch but Li avoids it by throwing Helgi back against the cage.
Helgi lands a body punch in the clinch.
A short right from Li.
Li throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Helgi misses with a hook from the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Li.
Helgi lands a hook that snaps the head of Li backwards.
Helgi lands a left hand.
Li struggles to land a body shot inside as Helgi controls his hands.
Helgi blocking some punches.
Li can't find room to land a body shot as Helgi controls the action.
Helgi prevents a body shot from Li.

Helgi manages to break the clinch.
Li throws a leg kick that is checked
and Helgi counters with a straight right hand.
Li tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Li takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Helgi misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li swings widly with a right hand
enabling Helgi to counter with a crisp jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Helgi avoids a punch combination nicely.
A little jabbing left from Helgi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Helgi is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Li looks to land a left hand but Helgi moved out of range nicely.
Helgi is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Li had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Li tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Helgi was well out of range. Poor timing from Li.
Helgi appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Helgi connects with an inside leg kick.
Li fails with an attempt to clinch.
Helgi now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Helgi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Li.
Li swings for the body but Helgi moves out of range.
Li takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Helgi checks a low kick from Li.
Helgi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Li.
Li throws a hook but Helgi blocks it.
Li pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Li pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Helgi tries a quick counter leg kick but Li is wise to it.
Helgi moves forwards but Li connects with a nice, crisp jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Bjorn Helgi will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Bjorn Helgi's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

A head kick by Li misses
and Helgi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Li tries to clinch up but Helgi circles away and keeps his distance.
Li throws a lazy uppercut
and Helgi counters with a low kick, right behind Li 's knee.
Li rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Helgi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Helgi looks to score with a jab to the body but Li is just out of range.
Helgi slips under a jab.
Good standup being displayed there by Helgi as he connects with a hook.
Li walks into a jab.

Helgi tries to keep at a distance but Li has taken the fight into the clinch.
Helgi misses with a punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li misses with a hook to the ribs.
Helgi lands a body shot in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Li.
Li lands with a light punch inside.
Li is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Helgi's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Li struggles to land a body shot inside as Helgi controls his hands.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from Li.
Li stalling in the clinch.
Come on Li - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Li lands a body shot.
Helgi has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Li seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Helgi can turn it around.
Helgi can't find room to land a body shot as Li controls the action.
Helgi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Helgi pushes Li back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Helgi.
Helgi gets through Li's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Helgi is working Li over against the cage.
Helgi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Helgi blocks an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Helgi fails to land.
Bjorn Helgi seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Li takes a shot to the head.
Li misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Li.
Helgi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from Helgi on the inside.
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!
Helgi lands a nice uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Helgi.
Li content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Helgi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Li's elbow.
Helgi has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Helgi can't find room to land a body shot as Li controls the action.
Li has a couple of punches blocked by Helgi.
Helgi presses Li against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Helgi lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Li.
Helgi cracks Li with a nice body shot.
Li struggles to land a body shot inside as Helgi controls his hands.
Li dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Helgi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Helgi scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helgi is leaning against Li and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Helgi scores with a nice hook to the head.
Helgi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Li prevents a body shot from Helgi.
Helgi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Li's elbow.
Helgi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Li backwards.
Li lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Li blocking some punches.
Li misses with a punch on the inside.
Li blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Helgi scores with a shot to the side of Li's head.
Helgi tries a body shot but Li blocks it.
Helgi lands with a short shot to the head.
Helgi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A body shot lands from Li.
Helgi lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Li blocks a body shot from Helgi.
Helgi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Helgi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Helgi throws a hook but Li blocks it.
It looked like Li was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Helgi.
Helgi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Li was well out of range. Poor timing from Helgi.
Helgi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Li.
Li tries to work over Helgi's front leg with a kick but Helgi checks it.
A little jabbing left from Helgi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Li throws a body punch but Helgi moves out of range.
Li is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Li lands a nice looking body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Li misses the target.
Helgi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Li.
Helgi tries to counter by closing the distance.
Li misses with a two punch combination.
Li fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Helgi checks the leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bjorn Helgi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Bjorn Helgi's cut.
That's time! Li's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Li misses with a body kick.
Li steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Helgi.
Li swings widly with a right hand
and Helgi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Helgi slips a straight right by Li.
Helgi throws a body shot but no joy.
Li is looking to counter with head kicks.
Li tries to clinch but Helgi moves out of range.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Li lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Helgi has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Helgi and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A little jabbing left from Helgi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Helgi takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Helgi cracks Li with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Li takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Helgi blocks a head kick by Li.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Helgi slips a jab from Li.
Helgi is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Helgi fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Li checks it well.
Li misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Helgi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Helgi thumps Li with a low kick.
Helgi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Li.
It seemed like Helgi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li moves out of range of the strikes.
Li tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Helgi is able to avoid easily.
Helgi tries to counter by closing the distance.
Helgi uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Helgi slips a straight right by Li.
Li sets himself, and Helgi steps forward looking for the clinch! Li avoids it this time.
Li misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Li misses with a combination

and Helgi holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Li takes a shot to the head.
Li is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Li tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Li misses with a body punch.
Helgi tries a body shot but Li blocks it.
Helgi misses with some punches.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Bjorn Helgi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short right from Helgi.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Helgi.
Helgi works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Helgi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Helgi misses with a body punch.

Helgi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Helgi with a jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
An inside leg kick lands from Helgi.
Helgi lands a glancing blow to the side of Li's head.
Helgi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Li.
Helgi takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Li tries to clinch up but Helgi circles away and keeps his distance.
A swing and a miss from Li.
Helgi keeps the fight on the outside.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Helgi! But no joy.
Helgi lands a really nice looking cross but Li seems unphased.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Helgi forces Li back against the cage and clinches.
Li manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Helgi working aggressively here.
Li is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Li lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Jet Li has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Li trying to control the position but instead, Helgi has worked for underhooks and has pushed Li into the cage.
Li swings wildly with an uppercut but Helgi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Helgi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Li is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Helgi is keeping busy.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Helgi.
Li tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Helgi.
A head punch on the inside from Li fails to land.
A short left from Helgi.
Nice body punch from Helgi - that landed with a thud.
Helgi throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Lis head.
Helgi has a couple of punches blocked by Li.
Li struggles to land a body shot inside as Helgi controls his hands.
Li misses with a hook from the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Helgi.
Helgi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Helgi softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Li lands a hook to the side of the head.
Helgi swings wildly with an uppercut but Li uses good head movement to avoid it.
Li swings wildly with an uppercut but Helgi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Helgi lands a hook to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bjorn Helgi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Helgi has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bjorn Helgi!
A relieved looking Bjorn Helgi thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.