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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Renoa Gracie (ranked 674 p4p, 255 weight class) and Li Xiaodong (ranked 76 p4p, 33 weight class). Li Xiaodong is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.
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| 166 cm
24
145
5 - 2 - 0 |
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165 cm
24
143
12 - 3 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Renoa Gracie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Li Xiaodong!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Shigeki Fujiwara.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xiaodong misses with a lunging right hand
and Gracie counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Xiaodong wants to get back to his feet but Gracie passes into half guard.
Gracie is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Xiaodong is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gracie wants to pass to mount but Xiaodong is defending the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiaodong moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Xiaodong is on top in guard.
Xiaodong sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Gracie is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Xiaodong trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Xiaodong trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Xiaodong is looking to stand up but Gracie won't let him.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Xiaodong stands up and waves to Gracie to follow him.
Gracie is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gracie pushes Xiaodong up against the cage in a clinch.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong manages to break the clinch.
Xiaodong misses with a straight right.
Gracie is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Xiaodong.
Li Xiaodong is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gracie moves out of range of the strikes.
Gracie slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Gracie moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Gracie is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Xiaodong paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie 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 Gracie off to one side.
A little jabbing left from Xiaodong on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Xiaodong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gracie was well out of range. Poor timing from Xiaodong.
Gracie displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Xiaodong throws out the jab.
Gracie fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Xiaodong sprawls well initially but Gracie persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Xiaodong is defending against the submission attempts here by Gracie.
Gracie is looking to take a break and control but Xiaodong is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Gracie connects with a nice short shot to Xiaodong's temple.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gracie wants to free his trapped foot but Xiaodong is holding on for dear life with his legs.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Li Xiaodong will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Xiaodong throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gracie tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Xiaodong manages to circle out of the way.
Gracie lands a nice shot that snaps Xiaodong's head back.
Gracie looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Gracie misses with a left hand
and Xiaodong counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A momentary lapse in concentration from Xiaodong enables Gracie to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Xiaodong manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie trying to control but Xiaodong is working from the bottom.
Xiaodong looking to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Xiaodong swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Xiaodong is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Gracie is controlling him.
Xiaodong pulls Gracie in close to his closed guard and prevents Gracie from doing any damage or advancing position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Xiaodong is keeping the position for now.
Gracie is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Xiaodong is trying to control the position but Gracie postures up.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gracie misses with a few strikes there.
Xiaodong throws a jab when Gracie was well out of range.
Gracie scores with a hook.
Xiaodong throws out a loose jab but Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch up but Xiaodong swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gracie closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Gracie tries to stall but Xiaodong uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Gracie struggles to land a body shot inside as Xiaodong controls his hands.
Gracie tries to work over Xiaodong's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Xiaodong breaks the clinch.
Xiaodong lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Gracie is looking to clinch.
Xiaodong avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Excellent takedown into side control there by Gracie.
Gracie tries to advance to mount but can't.
Renoa Gracie overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gracie is trying to get an arm triangle but Xiaodong is defending well.
Gracie trying to control the position but Xiaodong is working away.
Gracie tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Xiaodong struggling a bit here.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Gracie trying to control the action but Xiaodong is working from the bottom.
The strikes coming from Gracie are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Xiaodong tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Gracie wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Xiaodong is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Gracie is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Xiaodong has escaped the position, nice work there.
Xiaodong prevents Gracie from improving position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Renoa Gracie will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Gracie fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Xiaodong on the side of the head.
Gracie looking to score a takedown here. Xiaodong is defending well but Gracie drives through and ends up in Xiaodong's guard.
Gracie won't allow Xiaodong to sweep him here.
Xiaodong is pulling down on Gracie's head to control his posture.
Gracie with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Xiaodong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiaodong pulls Gracie in to control the position.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Xiaodong is keeping the position.
Gracie is working hard here to advance position.
Xiaodong has control of Gracie's left arm, preventing Gracie from doing any damage.
Xiaodong trying to control the position.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Xiaodong keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Xiaodong but Xiaodong pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Gracie lands an overhand right.
A looping hook to the body misses from Xiaodong. Gracie does a little dance to reset his feet.
Xiaodong closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Gracie tries to score a power double leg takedown but Xiaodong sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gracie somewhat.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong throws a shot from downtown. Gracie moves away and avoids it.
Li Xiaodong seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gracie fails with the takedown
and Xiaodong counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Renoa Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A combination from Xiaodong does no damage.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gracie looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Xiaodong! But no joy.
Gracie tries to clinch
and Xiaodong counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gracie darts in looking for a takedown but Xiaodong gets double underhooks and turns Gracie into the cage.
Xiaodong tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Xiaodong wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gracie has him pressed against the cage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Xiaodong breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gracie has closed the distance and engaged Xiaodong in a clinch.
Xiaodong trying to stall but Gracie improves his position.
Gracie throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Xiaodongs head.
A head punch on the inside from Gracie fails to land.
Gracie drops down looking for an ankle pick but Xiaodong pulls his leg out and moves away.
Gracie tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A little jabbing left from Xiaodong on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Xiaodong cracks Gracie with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gracie throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Xiaodong swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but Renoa Gracie did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Gracie's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Xiaodong takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Gracie closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Xiaodong's guard.
Xiaodong trying to control the position here.
Xiaodong working a defensive guard here.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie is fighting to break Xiaodong's control of his arms but Xiaodong is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Xiaodong preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Gracie pushes down on Xiaodong's leg and manages to get into half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiaodong scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Gracie manages to mount him!
Xiaodong is trying to escape the mount.
Xiaodong defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Gracie.
Xiaodong wants to control but Gracie is having none of it.
Gracie looking for a guillotine from mount but Xiaodong is having none of it.
Gracie tries to control but Xiaodong wriggling away.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong can't escape the position.
Gracie working for a submission but Xiaodong is keeping him at bay.
Gracie wants to control the pace but Xiaodong is squirming around nicely.
Xiaodong tries to reverse the position but Gracie maintains control.
Gracie controlling from the full mount.
Xiaodong slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie lands with a punch from half guard.
Gracie seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Gracie prevents Xiaodong from improving his position.
Xiaodong is trying to stand.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Xiaodong is defending well.
Gracie trying to control the action but Xiaodong is working from the bottom.
Xiaodong kicks Gracie off and gets back to his feet.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie fails with an attempt to clinch.
Xiaodong swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch but Xiaodong swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nice defenses there by Gracie.
Xiaodong throws out a loose jab but Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.
Some wild striking there from Xiaodong.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gracie misses with an uppercut. Xiaodong saw that one coming.
Renoa Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gracie gets in close and instigates a clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Renoa Gracie had his way with Li Xiaodong in that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!
Xiaodong throws a poor cross that misses
and Gracie decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Xiaodong's guard.
Xiaodong is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Gracie wants to get back to full guard.
Gracie moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Gracie is looking for a triangle but Xiaodong pushes his legs off easily.
Gracie working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Xiaodong doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Xiaodong manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie trying to control the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiaodong avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Xiaodong not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Xiaodong wants to stand but Gracie is controlling his posture from full guard.
Xiaodong must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Xiaodong stands up from Gracie's guard - Xiaodong perhaps looking for a knockout.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Gracie bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Xiaodong's head.
Li Xiaodong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Xiaodong stuffs the takedown.
A looping hook to the body misses from Xiaodong. Gracie does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gracie uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Xiaodong has time to react.
Xiaodong looks to score with a jab to the body but Gracie is just out of range.
Gracie gets a clinch.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie avoiding damage.
Xiaodong's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gracie misses with a straight right.
Xiaodong looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Gracie lands with a good body shot.
Gracie fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Xiaodong avoids it really well and circles away.
Xiaodong is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Gracie with a body shot.
Gracie fails in his attempt to clinch.
Xiaodong swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Xiaodong swats away the attempt to clinch by Gracie.
Xiaodong throws a nice looking combination but Gracie bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gracie throws a right hand that misses
enabling Xiaodong to counter with a crisp jab.
Gracie tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A little jabbing left from Xiaodong on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sloppy strikes from Xiaodong. Those never looked like landing.
Xiaodong waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gracie.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Li Xiaodong.
I think Gracie 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Renoa Gracie!
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight for Renoa Gracie!
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Renoa Gracie!
Renoa Gracie wins by unanimous decision!
Renoa Gracie retains his featherweight title!
After winning the bout, Renoa Gracie thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
36% |
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