PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Saifulla Rakhmonov (ranked 6588 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kyong Li (ranked 4530 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Kyong Li enters the cage!

Rakhmonov
vs
Li

168 cm
25
155 lbs
3 - 6 - 1

173 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 10 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Knockout power

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 3 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Saifulla Rakhmonov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kyong Li!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Alan Glass and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Li fails with an attempt to clinch.
A shot to the body from Li misses

and Rakhmonov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rakhmonov.

Li pulls guard effortlessly.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Li is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rakhmonov defends well.

Li is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Li working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rakhmonov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rakhmonov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Li keeping full guard, as Rakhmonov tries to pass.
Rakhmonov controls from within his opponent's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li trying to strike off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakhmonov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Rakhmonov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Li has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rakhmonov has managed to get both his arms back between Li's legs - danger averted.
Rakhmonov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Li working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rakhmonov.

Li looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rakhmonov stands up over Li, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Li throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Li looking for a guillotine here but Rakhmonov defends easily.
Rakhmonov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rakhmonov trying to control the position from guard on top but Li is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rakhmonov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Li is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmonov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Rakhmonov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Li had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rakhmonov defends it easily.
Rakhmonov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Li is wriggling around but Rakhmonov manages to pass to half guard.
Li wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li won't allow Rakhmonov to pass to mount.
Rakhmonov blocks the strikes from Li.

Li looking for submissions off his back.

Li actively working from the bottom here.
Li is looking for a sweep. Rakhmonov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Li wants to get back to his feet.
Rakhmonov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Rakhmonov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Li throws a sloppy strike from the bottom. He's now off balance and Rakhmonov manages to pass to side control.
Rakhmonov throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Li striking from the bottom but nothing landed.

Rakhmonov stands up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li goes for a double leg but Rakhmonov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rakhmonov continues to drive forward.
Li looks winded!
A punch combination from Li misses.

Rakhmonov drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rakhmonov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rakhmonov looking to pass the guard.
Rakhmonov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Rakhmonov gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Li closes the distance and clinches.

Rakhmonov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Li shoots in for a double leg but Rakhmonov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Li tries to clinch up but Rakhmonov circles away and keeps his distance.
Kyong Li seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rakhmonov shoots in for a double leg but Li sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Li with a poor takedown
and Rakhmonov finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Saifulla Rakhmonov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kyong Li.

Rakhmonov clinches with his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saifulla Rakhmonov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Li shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rakhmonov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A head kick from Rakhmonov lands but Li takes it in his stride.
Li misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Rakhmonov to counter with a crisp jab.
Li tries to clinch up.

Rakhmonov closes the distance and pushes Li back into the cage.

Rakhmonov manages to break the clinch.
Li moves in looking to clinch but Rakhmonov pushes him off.
Rakhmonov tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Li manages to circle out of the way.
Some wild striking there from Rakhmonov.
Rakhmonov circles away from the clinch attempt

and Rakhmonov counters with a shoot takedown. Li fights it but they end up in guard.
Rakhmonov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Rakhmonov trying to control the position from guard on top but Li is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Li has his foot on Rakhmonov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rakhmonov works his way back into a safe position though.
Li is breathing heavily.
Rakhmonov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Rakhmonov throwing strikes but missing.
Rakhmonov trying to control the position from guard on top but Li is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rakhmonov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Li is keeping the position for now.

Li looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rakhmonov wants to pass the guard but Li is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Rakhmonov controlling from the top position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A good leg kick by Rakhmonov.
Rakhmonov shoots in looking for a takedown. Li tries to sprawl out of it but Rakhmonov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Li manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Li will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmonov stuffs the takedown attempt from Li. Li gets slowly back to his feet.
Saifulla Rakhmonov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kyong Li.
Rakhmonov lands a high kick!
Li tries to clinch
and Rakhmonov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Saifulla Rakhmonov is winning the standup battle so far.
Li lands a body shot.
Li fails with the takedown.
Li wants to clinch up but Rakhmonov keeps it at a distance.
Rakhmonov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Li can do to turn this around?
Rakhmonov shoots in and drives through. Li sprawls well.
Li with the counter takedown but Rakhmonov avoids it easily.
Some wild striking there from Li.
Li just misses with a punch to the body.
Rakhmonov attempts a counter takedown but Li avoids it well and moves away.
Li moves in looking to clinch but Rakhmonov pushes him off.
Li misses with a wild body shot.
Nice takedown defense from Rakhmonov. No joy for Li on that attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmonov shoots for a double leg takedown but Li sprawls well. He's pushed Rakhmonov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Li has his takedown stuffed

and Rakhmonov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Rakhmonov lands a body punch in the clinch.
Rakhmonov prevents a takedown attempt there.

Rakhmonov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Rakhmonov has Li up against the cage in a clinch.
Rakhmonov stops a takedown attempt from Li.
Rakhmonov is looking for a takedown.
Li jumps guard but Rakhmonov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Rakhmonov breaks the clinch.

Rakhmonov moves into the clinch.
Li fails to pull the fight into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saifulla Rakhmonov dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Rakhmonov!
Li shoots in for a takedown but Rakhmonov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rakhmonov attempts a counter takedown but Li avoids it well and moves away.
Rakhmonov fails to land the takedown.
Li looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rakhmonov is fending him off so far but Li persists. Nope, Rakhmonov circles away and we're back to standing.
Li moves in looking to clinch but Rakhmonov pushes him off.
Rakhmonov tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Li manages to circle out of the way.
Rakhmonov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rakhmonov shoots for a double leg takedown but Li sprawls well. He's pushed Rakhmonov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Saifulla Rakhmonov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Li dives in for a single leg takedown but Rakhmonov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Saifulla Rakhmonov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kyong Li.
Li fails with the takedown

and Rakhmonov moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rakhmonov drags the fight down to the ground.
Rakhmonov looking for a sweep. Not yet Rakhmonov, not yet.
Rakhmonov has a closed guard, preventing Li from standing up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Saifulla Rakhmonov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakhmonov wants to stand but Li is controlling the position.
Rakhmonov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Li on the ground.
Li wants to stand but Rakhmonov is controlling his posture from full guard.

Rakhmonov has his foot on Li's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Li works his way back into a safe position though.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Rakhmonov has Li pulled in close to control his posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Li throws out a loose jab but Rakhmonov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Li tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rakhmonov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rakhmonov misses with a straight right.
Li shoots in for a takedown but Rakhmonov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Rakhmonov moves into the clinch successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmonov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Li pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rakhmonov wants to take the fight to the mat but Li manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Li is trying to break the clinch but Rakhmonov has him pressed against the cage.
Li changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rakhmonov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
No luck for Rakhmonov with that takedown attempt.
And Li tries to counter it with a takedown but Rakhmonov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Li ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Li displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rakhmonov.
Li shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rakhmonov as he jumps to the side.
Li is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Rakhmonov.
Li looks for a takedown but Rakhmonov sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rakhmonov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rakhmonov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Li shoots for a takedown but Rakhmonov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Rakhmonov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Rakhmonov rushes Li and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Rakhmonov pulls guard effortlessly.
Rakhmonov throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Li wanted to stand there but Rakhmonov had control of the position.
Rakhmonov is trying to keep Li in close.
Li would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmonov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Li is looking to stand up but Rakhmonov won't let him.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Li fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kyong Li has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Li looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Li tries for a takedown but Rakhmonov circles away easily

and Rakhmonov counters by moving into the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Li trying to land knees to the body.

Rakhmonov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Saifulla Rakhmonov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rakhmonov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Li tries to avoid it but Rakhmonov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Li to the ground. Li escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Saifulla Rakhmonov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rakhmonov 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Saifulla Rakhmonov!