PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Khon Saroth (ranked 24944 p4p, 0 weight class) and Liangchan Xiaodong (ranked 3405 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Saroth
vs
Xiaodong

172 cm
25
157 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

178 cm
25
158 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Very confident

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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Khon Saroth!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Liangchan Xiaodong!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Columbo Gatti and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xiaodong misses with a combination
and Saroth cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Saroth shoots in looking for a takedown. Xiaodong tries to sprawl out of it but Saroth keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Xiaodong manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Xiaodong throws a head kick that misses.
Xiaodong throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Saroth looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Xiaodong raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Xiaodong lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Saroth at a distance.
Xiaodong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Xiaodong looks winded!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saroth tries to clinch but Xiaodong moves out of range.
Saroth tries to clinch up.
Xiaodong is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Xiaodong slaps away a takedown attempt from Saroth, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khon Saroth. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Xiaodong misses with a double jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiaodong pulls out of a head kick attempt.
It looked like Saroth was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Xiaodong throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Xiaodong swats away the attempt to clinch by Saroth.
Xiaodong throws a lazy head kick
and Saroth counters with a nice uppercut.
Saroth scores with a nice body kick.
Saroth tries to clinch up.
Xiaodong throws a series of punches but Saroth moves out of range.
Saroth wants to clinch up but Xiaodong keeps it at a distance.
Xiaodong is looking for the big counter here.
Saroth is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Xiaodong. No joy for Saroth on that attempt.
Xiaodong misses with a head kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Saroth.
Saroth scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Saroth tries to score a power double leg takedown but Xiaodong sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Saroth somewhat.
Liangchan Xiaodong is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Xiaodong needs to keep his hands up - Saroth had a free shot at his head there.
Saroth blocks a head kick by Xiaodong.
Xiaodong tries a head kick but it misses.
As Xiaodong looks to move away, Saroth throws a big counter combo but Xiaodong just gets out of the way.
Left hook, right uppercut from Saroth.
Saroth wants to clinch.
Liangchan Xiaodong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Xiaodong ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Saroth moves away.
Xiaodong tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Saroth tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Xiaodong manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Xiaodong throws a head kick but Saroth moves out of range.
As Xiaodong tries to get set, Saroth tries to push him back and clinch up but Xiaodong manages to avoid the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saroth shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Xiaodong sprawls well. Xiaodong wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Saroth gets slowly back to his feet.
Xiaodong plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Saroth catches Xiaodong with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Xiaodong scores with a head kick. Saroth tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Saroth goes for a double leg but Xiaodong avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Xiaodong continues to drive forward.
Saroth blocks a head kick by Xiaodong.
Xiaodong throws a lazy head kick
and Saroth counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Xiaodong's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Xiaodong duly obliges.
Saroth tries to close the distance and clinch but Xiaodong swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Xiaodong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Saroth tries to clinch there but Xiaodong circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Saroth changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Xiaodong defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Saroth.
Xiaodong throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice sprawl there from Xiaodong as Saroth shoots in.
Saroth tries to clinch but Xiaodong is having none of it.
Saroth takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Xiaodong misses with a head kick.
Xiaodong misses with a two punch combination.
Saroth changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Xiaodong tries to avoid it but Saroth manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Xiaodong to the ground. Xiaodong escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Xiaodong misses with the combination.
Xiaodong goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Nice sprawl there from Xiaodong as Saroth shoots in.
A countering left hand to the body from Xiaodong misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Liangchan Xiaodong dominated that 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.

Xiaodong pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Xiaodong looks to score with a jab to the body but Saroth is just out of range.
Saroth fails to land the takedown.
Xiaodong throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Saroth.
Saroth dodges the punch combination from Xiaodong.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Saroth, as that shot connected.
Saroth blocks a head kick by Xiaodong.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saroth fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Xiaodong as Saroth shoots in.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Saroth dives in for a single leg takedown but Xiaodong sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khon Saroth. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Xiaodong lands a head kick. Saroth smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saroth changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Xiaodong tries to avoid it but Saroth manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Xiaodong to the ground. Xiaodong escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Saroth throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Xiaodong's waist but Xiaodong gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Saroth off to one side.
A head kick from Xiaodong lands but Saroth takes it in his stride.
Saroth pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Xiaodong throws a head kick that misses
and Saroth makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Xiaodong tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Saroth lands a jab-cross combination.
Xiaodong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Saroth fails in his attempt to clinch.
Jab from Xiaodong.
Xiaodong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Xiaodong throws a right hand that Saroth ducks under and follows up with a left that Saroth also avoids with ease.
Saroth doesn't manage to clinch there - Xiaodong circles away.
Saroth dodges the punch combination from Xiaodong.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saroth closes this distance looking for a takedown but Xiaodong circles away.
A head kick misses from Xiaodong.
Saroth uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Xiaodong.
Saroth fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Xiaodong avoids it really well and circles away.
Xiaodong pulls out of a head kick attempt.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Xiaodong in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Saroth smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A looping hook to the body misses from Xiaodong. Saroth does a little dance to reset his feet.
Xiaodong swings away with a body shot that misses
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
and Xiaodong takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Saroth shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Xiaodong lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Xiaodong misses with a head kick.
Xiaodong has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Saroth blocks a head kick by Xiaodong.
Xiaodong misses with a double jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong slaps away a takedown attempt from Saroth, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Despite the aggression on Xiaodong's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Saroth ducks under a wild hook from Xiaodong.
Saroth goes for a double leg but Xiaodong avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Xiaodong continues to drive forward.
Khon Saroth is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Saroth fails with a takedown attempt.
Nice body punch from Xiaodong.
Saroth tries to score a power double leg takedown but Xiaodong sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Saroth somewhat.
Xiaodong scores with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saroth is looking to clinch but Xiaodong is avoiding it.
Xiaodong throws a head kick that misses.
Xiaodong misses with a head kick.
Xiaodong tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Saroth went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Saroth looks for a takedown but Xiaodong sprawls well.
Saroth takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Saroth looks to land a combination but Xiaodong avoids it well.
Xiaodong throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Xiaodong throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Xiaodong is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Saroth rather than just go for the knockout.
Xiaodong throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Saroth.
Xiaodong lands a nice hook to Saroth's body. Saroth takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Liangchan Xiaodong showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Xiaodong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Xiaodong displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Saroth.
Xiaodong tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A lazy left from Xiaodong finds it's target.
Xiaodong throws a head kick that misses.
Saroth fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Liangchan Xiaodong seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Xiaodong scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Saroth doesn't seem bothered though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saroth shoots in for a double leg but Xiaodong sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khon Saroth. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head kick misses from Xiaodong.
Saroth avoids the head kick by Xiaodong.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nice sprawl there from Xiaodong as Saroth shoots in.
Saroth dodges the punch combination from Xiaodong.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saroth avoids the head kick by Xiaodong.
Saroth tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Xiaodong manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Saroth avoids the head kick by Xiaodong.
Saroth looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Xiaodong misses with a few strikes there.
Xiaodong throws a sloppy head kick and Saroth moves out of range easily.
Xiaodong throws a lazy head kick
and Saroth counters with a series of strikes. Xiaodong will be more careful next time no doubt.
Xiaodong pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Xiaodong stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Xiaodong wants it to stay on the feet.
Saroth looks to score with a jab to the body but Xiaodong is just out of range.
Xiaodong throws a nice head kick!
Xiaodong throws a head kick that misses.
Saroth tries to counter with a takedown but Xiaodong is quick to defend against it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong scores with a head kick. Saroth tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
No luck for Saroth with that takedown attempt.
Xiaodong appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Xiaodong throws a head kick that misses.
Xiaodong pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Horrible takedown attempt by Saroth or perhaps it was just good defense by Xiaodong, which made it look bad.
Saroth takes one to the chin there.
Saroth moves in looking to clinch but Xiaodong pushes him off.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Saroth. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Xiaodong throws a head kick that misses.
Saroth fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Xiaodong scores with a head kick. Saroth tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Saroth tries to close the distance and clinch up but Xiaodong swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Saroth shoots in for a double leg but Xiaodong sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong misses with a series of wild punches.
Saroth wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Xiaodong scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Saroth fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Saroth fails to land with a series of punches.
Xiaodong lands a jab.
Xiaodong throws a head kick that Saroth semi-blocks.
Xiaodong throws a sloppy head kick and Saroth moves out of range easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Saroth is defended easily by Xiaodong.
Despite the aggression on Xiaodong's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong connects with a high kick.
Saroth blocks a head kick by Xiaodong.

Saroth shoots in and gets a takedown into Xiaodong's guard.

Xiaodong pushes Saroth off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A head kick from Xiaodong lands but Saroth takes it in his stride.
Xiaodong misses with a head kick.
Xiaodong throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Saroth wants to clinch.
Khon Saroth has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Liangchan Xiaodong is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Saroth lands with a kick to the temple. Xiaodong shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

And that's the end of the fight!
Liangchan Xiaodong comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Xiaodong 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Liangchan Xiaodong!