PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Lu Wai Ping (ranked 3183 p4p, 363 weight class) and Lin Shui (ranked 3717 p4p, 411 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Wai Ping
vs
Shui

174 cm
30
157 lbs
9 - 11 - 0

165 cm
28
149 lbs
7 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Pit Bull Development

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lu Wai Ping!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Lin Shui!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Daniel Franklin and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shui avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Wai Ping has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Good exchange - Wai Ping coming out on top.
Wai Ping lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Wai Ping.
Wai Ping throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shui has a takedown stuffed.
Shui swings away with a body shot that misses
and Wai Ping counters with an outside leg kick.
Wai Ping throws a leg kick

and Shui counters with a nice double leg into side control. Wai Ping won't be happy with that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wai Ping can't do much from the bottom here.
Shui tries to advance to mount but can't.
Shui misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Shui cracks Wai Ping with an elbow. That is naaassty.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shui tries to move to mount but Wai Ping blocks the move with his legs.
Shui landing strikes.
A lull in the action here.

Shui goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Wai Ping rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Shui's guard! Nice work there by Wai Ping!
Wai Ping is stalling in the full guard.
Wai Ping trying to control the position from guard on top but Shui is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shui looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Wai Ping drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Shui dives on top into guard.

Wai Ping avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Shui working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Shui is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Wai Ping avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Shui won't allow Wai Ping to sweep him here.
Shui trying to control but Wai Ping is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shui being controlled here momentarily.
Shui postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Wai Ping working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Shui doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Shui manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Shui advances to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wai Ping keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Shui wants to lay and pray for a moment but Wai Ping keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Wai Ping wants to control but Shui is keeping busy.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Shui wants to take a breather but Wai Ping is having none of it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Wai Ping tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shui was well out of range. Poor timing from Wai Ping.
Shui with a poor takedown
and Wai Ping counters with a left to the body.
Shui takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Shui's coach down at Hunter MMA was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Shui's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shui throws a combination that misses
letting Wai Ping counter with a right hand.
Shui bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Shui tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Wai Ping paws at him with a jab and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Lu Wai Ping will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Shui misses the jab.
Wai Ping with a lazy takedown attempt
and Shui counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Wai Ping throws a right and a left that Shui avoids nicely.
Shui throws an off balance right hand
and Wai Ping counters with a nice uppercut.
Wai Ping throws out a loose jab but Shui uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shui with the counter takedown but Wai Ping avoids it easily.
Wai Ping checks a leg kick.
Wai Ping throws a body kick that misses.
Shui fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Wai Ping manages to avoid it.
Wai Ping changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Shui throws a jab when Wai Ping was well out of range.
Wai Ping shoots in for a takedown but Shui shows good takedown defense.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shui slips a straight right by Wai Ping.
Shui scores with a jab. Wai Ping acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Shui walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Shui looks to score with a jab to the body but Wai Ping is just out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shui throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A quick step to the side and Wai Ping tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Shui throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Wai Ping changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Wai Ping just misses with a punch to the body.
Shui with a nice cross.
Wai Ping works the jab nicely.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Wai Ping is defended easily by Shui.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lu Wai Ping. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wai Ping avoids the body shot from Shui.
A big right from Wai Ping misses.
Shui feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Wai Pings jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Nice body punch from Wai Ping.
Wai Ping swats away the attempt to clinch by Shui.
Shui lands a lovely overhand right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shui cracks Wai Ping with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Wai Ping motions for Shui to come forward. Wai Ping throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Shui tries to clinch but Wai Ping is having none of it.
Wai Ping half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Shui drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wai Ping looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shui is one step ahead there.
Wai Ping wants to hit a switch here but Shui passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Wai Ping there!
Shui controlling from the full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wai Ping can't escape the position.
Shui takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Wai Ping regains half guard.
Shui perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Shui drops an elbow to the side of Wai Ping's head.
Lin Shui has got the better of the ground game so far.
Shui throwing shots but Wai Ping is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Wai Ping is doing well to control the position and prevent Shui from advancing to side control.
Wai Ping is looking for a sweep. Shui is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Shui missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Shui is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Shui has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Wai Ping tries to roll over but Shui keeps him under control.
Nice strikes from Shui there.
Shui missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Shui throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Wai Ping tries to roll over but Shui keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lin Shui showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Shui takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Wai Ping gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Wai Ping lands a hook to the side of the head.
Shui fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Wai Ping goes for a takedown attempt but Shui pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Shui thows a leg kick but Wai Ping checks it

and Wai Ping counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Wai Ping working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Shui's thigh. Shui counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Wai Ping tries to free his leg and advance position but Shui is retaining full guard.
Shui looking to control.

Shui has his foot on Wai Ping's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Wai Ping works his way back into a safe position though.
Wai Ping wants to pass the guard but Shui is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shui is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Wai Ping trying to control the position from guard on top but Shui is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wai Ping is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Wai Ping preventing the sweep.
Shui keeping full guard, as Wai Ping tries to pass.
Shui keeping moving, preventing Wai Ping from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Wai Ping tries to clinch

and Shui counters with a takedown into side control.
Wai Ping manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Wai Ping wants to control but Shui is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Wai Ping tries to roll over but Shui keeps him under control.
Wai Ping has hold of Shui's hands but Shui slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Shui drops an elbow to the side of Wai Ping's head.
Shui looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Shui working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Wai Ping's thigh. Wai Ping counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Shui throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shui slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Wai Ping trying to keep a closed guard but Shui is proving a slippery customer.
Shui landing some decent shots from guard.
Shui trying to control but Wai Ping is working from the bottom.

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.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Shui scores with the left hand. Wai Ping knows he should have avoided that one.
Lu Wai Ping is winning the standup battle so far.
Wai Ping misses with a hook.
Shui misses with an uppercut.
Shui throws a body shot but no joy.
Lu Wai Ping has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Wai Ping has Shui up against the cage in a clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wai Ping is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Shui gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Wai Ping with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Shui. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
The referee calls for Shui to work.

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 Lu Wai Ping.
I think Wai Ping has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight for Lin Shui!
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight for Lin Shui!
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight for Lin Shui!

Lin Shui wins by unanimous decision!