PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Eddison Tollett (ranked 7339 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alec Zhang Xiao (ranked 7046 p4p, 0 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.

Tollett
vs
Zhang Xiao

180 cm
17
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

168 cm
21
148 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eddison Tollett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alec Zhang Xiao!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Tiny Johnson and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tollett defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Zhang Xiao.
Zhang Xiao tries to clinch but Tollett is having none of it.
Tollett shoots in but Zhang Xiao avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Zhang Xiao is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Zhang Xiao fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tollett lands a body shot.
Zhang Xiao tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tollett sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zhang Xiao somewhat.
Zhang Xiao fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tollett throws a sloppy head kick and Zhang Xiao moves out of range easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zhang Xiao shoots in and drives through. Tollett sprawls well.
Eddison Tollett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alec Zhang Xiao.
Tollett misses with a body kick.
Zhang Xiao throws a head kick that half lands.
Zhang Xiao fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
As Zhang Xiao tries to get set, Tollett tries to push him back and clinch up but Zhang Xiao manages to avoid the attempt.

Tollett shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Zhang Xiao's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhang Xiao preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tollett wants to control from the top but Zhang Xiao keeps moving.
Zhang Xiao wants to sweep but no luck.
Tollett content to stall in guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zhang Xiao controls Tollett momentarily but Tollett frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Zhang Xiao has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Let's hope that Zhang Xiao has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Tollett misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Zhang Xiao wants to clinch.
Zhang Xiao fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tollett shoots in but no luck this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tollett swats away the attempt to clinch by Zhang Xiao.
Tollett looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Zhang Xiao shoots in for a takedown but Tollett shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Zhang Xiao has managed to clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Zhang Xiao's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Tollett wants a takedown but no success here.
Zhang Xiao is trying to push Tollett away but Tollett has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Tollett tries for a takedown. No joy.
Zhang Xiao jumps guard but Tollett stands there with Zhang Xiao around his waist. Zhang Xiao gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Tollett pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zhang Xiao moves in looking to clinch but Tollett pushes him off.
Tollett dives in and grabs Zhang Xiao's left leg, looking for a takedown. Zhang Xiao pushes down on Tollett's head and hops out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhang Xiao is looking to clinch.
Tollett appears to be looking for a big counter.
Zhang Xiao stuffs the takedown.
Tollett has a takedown stuffed.
Zhang Xiao fails with a takedown attempt.
Tollett thinks about countering with a body kick.

Zhang Xiao darts in and clinches Tollett up against the cage.
Zhang Xiao tries to break free but Tollett pushes him back against the cage.
Tollett is working for takedown but Zhang Xiao is calmly controlling the position for now.
Tollett tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Zhang Xiao just stands there and leans against the cage.
Tollett gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Zhang Xiao.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Zhang Xiao is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Tollett to keep the fight standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eddison Tollett dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Tollett does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

Zhang Xiao gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Tollett tries for a takedown but Zhang Xiao manages to get underhooks.
Zhang Xiao fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Tollett's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tollett scores with a nice head shot.
Eddison Tollett is winning the standup battle so far.
Zhang Xiao fails to land the takedown.
Tollett half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Tollett has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nice body punch from Zhang Xiao.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zhang Xiao is trying to break free.

Tollett gets control of Zhang Xiao's arms and successfully pulls guard. Tollett will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Tollett looking to control.
Zhang Xiao trying to control but Tollett is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tollett keeping full guard, as Zhang Xiao tries to pass.
Tollett on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Tollett tries to get out of the position.
Zhang Xiao wants to stand but Tollett has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Zhang Xiao stopping the sweep attempt from Tollett.
Zhang Xiao not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Tollett is trying to control the position but Zhang Xiao postures up.
Tollett trying to strike off his back.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

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.
Zhang Xiao buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A jab lands there for Tollett.
Zhang Xiao fails in his attempt to clinch.
Zhang Xiao tries to clinch up but Tollett circles away and keeps his distance.
Zhang Xiao tries to close the distance and clinch but Tollett swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tollett is looking for a counter combo.
Eddison Tollett is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Zhang Xiao stuffs the takedown.
Zhang Xiao gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Tollett cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Eddison Tollett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alec Zhang Xiao.
Zhang Xiao tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tollett paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Tollett clinches up against the cage.

Tollett's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Tollett rushes Zhang Xiao and presses him up against the cage.
Zhang Xiao misses with a punch on the inside.
Zhang Xiao wants to stall.
Tollett taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhang Xiao pushes Tollett back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Zhang Xiao is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Zhang Xiao wants to break the clinch but can't.
Zhang Xiao tries to circle away but Tollett has him pinned against the cage.

Tollett decides to pull guard.
Tollett keeping moving, preventing Zhang Xiao from controlling successfully.
Zhang Xiao trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zhang Xiao not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tollett trying to control the position from guard on top but Zhang Xiao is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tollett is fighting to break Zhang Xiao's control of his arms but Zhang Xiao is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Zhang Xiao keeping moving, preventing Tollett from controlling successfully.
Zhang Xiao looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tollett is one step ahead there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Tollett stands up from guard. Let's bang!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eddison Tollett dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Zhang Xiao fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tollett looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Zhang Xiao shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tollett sprawls well. Tollett wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zhang Xiao gets slowly back to his feet.
Zhang Xiao is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tollett sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Eddison Tollett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alec Zhang Xiao.

Tollett gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Zhang Xiao fails to pull guard.
Zhang Xiao misses with a hook to the ribs.

Tollett breaks from the clinch.
Zhang Xiao throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tollett's waist but Tollett gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Zhang Xiao off to one side.

Tollett moves into range and clinches up with Zhang Xiao.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tollett's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zhang Xiao misses with a takedown attempt - Tollett sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Zhang Xiao closes this distance looking for a takedown but Tollett circles away.
Zhang Xiao takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tollett fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tollett closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Zhang Xiao drops down looking for an ankle pick but Tollett pulls his leg out and moves away.
Tollett throws a leg kick but Zhang Xiao sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Tollett tries for a takedown but Zhang Xiao sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Tollett has a takedown stuffed.
Zhang Xiao shoots for a takedown but Tollett saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Zhang Xiao wants to clinch
and Tollett counters with a three punch combo that has Zhang Xiao backing up. Zhang Xiao nods at Tollett to acknowledge the strikes.
Tollett dives in for a single leg takedown but Zhang Xiao sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Zhang Xiao changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Zhang Xiao shoots for a double leg takedown but Tollett sprawls well. He's pushed Zhang Xiao's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Tollett will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Tollett shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Tollett was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Zhang Xiao tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tollett looking to control but Zhang Xiao is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Tollett scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Tollett looking to control but Zhang Xiao is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Zhang Xiao is wriggling around trying to escape.
Tollett controlling from mount.
Zhang Xiao wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Tollett.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhang Xiao gets back to half guard.
Tollett wants to pass to mount but Zhang Xiao is defending the position.

Tollett gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Tollett fails to land the takedown.
Tollett is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
No joy there for Zhang Xiao, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Tollett blocks the elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhang Xiao fails to pull guard.

Tollett breaks from the clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Tollett.
Zhang Xiao tries to counter by closing the distance.
Tollett tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Zhang Xiao defends well and Tollett ends up having to push Zhang Xiao into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Tollett wants to clinch up but Zhang Xiao keeps it at a distance.

Zhang Xiao moves into the clinch successfully.
Zhang Xiao being controlled against the cage.

Tollett breaks from the clinch.
Zhang Xiao tries to clinch but Tollett moves out of range.
Alec Zhang Xiao has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Eddison Tollett is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tollett throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Zhang Xiao's waist but Zhang Xiao gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tollett off to one side.
Zhang Xiao only half commits to the counter leg kick.

Tollett pushes Zhang Xiao up against the cage in a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eddison Tollett showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tollett 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eddison Tollett!