PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rico Dominguez (ranked 1112 p4p, 62 weight class) and Yang Xinhai (ranked 1122 p4p, 63 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Dominguez
vs
Xinhai

162 cm
27
145 lbs
13 - 9 - 0

175 cm
24
140 lbs
11 - 5 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rico Dominguez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Yang Xinhai!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Sam Margolis and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Xinhai does no damage.
Xinhai throws a hook but Dominguez blocks it.

Dominguez drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Xinhai is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Dominguez asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Dominguez tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dominguez tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Dominguez is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Xinhai is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Dominguez wants to control but Xinhai is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dominguez misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Xinhai defending against the ground and pound.

Dominguez is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Xinhai has escaped the position, nice work there.
Sloppy strikes there by Dominguez.
Xinhai is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Dominguez asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Dominguez trying to control the action but Xinhai is working from the bottom.
Xinhai is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Dominguez is controlling him well.

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.
Dominguez throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Xinhai stops Dominguez from passing to mount.
Dominguez throws an elbow but Xinhai slips to the side and avoids it well.
Dominguez tries to move to mount but Xinhai blocks the move with his legs.
Xinhai wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Dominguez creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Xinhai sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dominguez is looking to take a break and control but Xinhai is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Xinhai is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Dominguez shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Dominguez showed some decent athleticism there.
Dominguez has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Ground and pound from Dominguez.
Dominguez is looking to advance position but Xinhai won't allow it.
Dominguez thows a huge punch but Xinhai dodges it nicely.
Xinhai is refusing to be controlled, as Dominguez sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dominguez not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Dominguez throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Xinhai manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Yang Xinhai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Xinhai waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Dominguez.
Xinhai looks to land a combination but Dominguez avoids it well.

Xinhai gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Dominguez to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Xinhai preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Xinhai has momentary wrist control but Dominguez slips an elbow through the middle.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Xinhai preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Dominguez is looking to work some ground and pound but Xinhai has wrist control.
Dominguez is looking to advance position but Xinhai has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rico Dominguez dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Xinhai misses the jab.
Dominguez fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Xinhai avoids it really well and circles away.
Xinhai throws a right and a left that both miss.
Good standup being displayed there by Xinhai as he connects with a hook.
Dominguez lands with a cross.
Dominguez scores with a decent looking hook.

Dominguez scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Xinhai kicks off Dominguez and gets to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dominguez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Xinhai jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Xinhai defending well as Dominguez loads up on a big left hand.
Dominguez lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Xinhai throws a series of punches but Dominguez avoids them all with ease.
Dominguez tries to bum rush Xinhai with a series of wild strikes but Xinhai uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Dominguez connects with a body shot that sends Xinhai's belly button to the back.
Xinhai moves out of range of the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xinhai throws a jab when Dominguez was well out of range.
Yang Xinhai seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dominguez slips a jab and a cross from Xinhai.
Xinhai throws a lazy right hand but Dominguez sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Xinhai leaves Dominguez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rico Dominguez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Xinhai fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Xinhai takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Dominguez dips to his left and cracks Xinhai with an uppercut!
Dominguez misses with a wild combination.
Dominguez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Xinhai sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dominguez somewhat.
Xinhai works Dominguez's body with a nice hook.
Xinhai throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Dominguez shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Xinhai napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Dominguez in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Dominguez moves into full mount!
Dominguez misses with a head shot.
Dominguez unloads with some shots from mount but Xinhai bucks and avoids them well.
Rico Dominguez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Poor strikes thrown by Dominguez there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Dominguez thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Dominguez sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Xinhai is squirming around, avoiding Dominguez's attempts to control the action.
Dominguez throwing strikes here but Xinhai is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xinhai blocking the ground and pound.
Xinhai blocking the ground and pound.
Dominguez lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

Dominguez goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Xinhai is on top in guard.

Dominguez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Xinhai doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Xinhai manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Dominguez had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Xinhai defends it easily.
Dominguez is controlling Xinhai's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dominguez is looking for a triangle but Xinhai pushes his legs off easily.
Xinhai wants to stand but Dominguez is controlling his posture from full guard.

Xinhai stands and steps away. Dominguez gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Xinhai misses with a hook. Dominguez ducked under it nicely.
Xinhai misses with a two punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Rico Dominguez will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Dominguez fails with a takedown attempt.
Xinhai bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Dominguez's head.
Dominguez shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Xinhai as he avoids it easily.

Dominguez scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Xinhai has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Dominguez is on him like a limpet, forcing Xinhai back against the cage.

Xinhai pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dominguez moves forwards but Xinhai connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dominguez throws a hook but Xinhai blocks it.
Xinhai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Dominguez avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Dominguez moves away from the strike by Xinhai.
Dominguez blocks a jab.

Dominguez closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Xinhai to the mat! Xinhai manages to get full guard.
Dominguez lands a couple of elbows.
Dominguez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Xinhai is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dominguez trying to control but Xinhai is working from the bottom.
Xinhai wants to stand but Dominguez is controlling the position.
Xinhai keeping moving, preventing Dominguez from controlling successfully.
Dominguez showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Dominguez wants to control from the top but Xinhai keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Dominguez shoots in and bounces Xinhai off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Xinhai uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Xinhai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Xinhai moves into range and connects with a jab.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Dominguez throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Dominguez slips a jab and a cross from Xinhai.
Dominguez is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Xinhai.
Dominguez falls off balance throwing a combination
and Xinhai counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A telegraphed right hand from Xinhai misses the target.
Some wild striking there from Dominguez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xinhai misses with a straight left.
Xinhai throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Xinhai might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Xinhai misses with an uppercut. Dominguez saw that one coming.
Xinhai walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Xinhai drops his hands momentarily and Dominguez takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Dominguez takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Xinhai throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Xinhai throws a body punch but Dominguez moves out of range.
Xinhai works over Dominguez's head and body with a nice combination.
Dominguez tries to move into range but Xinhai moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Dominguez looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Xinhai misses with a hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dominguez connects with a looping right hand.
Dominguez looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Dominguez ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Dominguez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Xinhai sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dominguez somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rico Dominguez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dominguez closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Xinhai to the mat! Xinhai manages to get full guard.
Xinhai can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Dominguez controls the pace.
Xinhai wants to stand and escape but Dominguez is having none of it.
Dominguez throws a big elbow that misses.
Dominguez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Dominguez throws a big elbow that misses.
Dominguez wants to pass the guard but Xinhai is keeping the position.
Xinhai wants to stand and escape but Dominguez is having none of it.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yang Xinhai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Dominguez 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Rico Dominguez!
Rico Dominguez seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.