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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Li Xiaodong (ranked 500 p4p, 292 weight class) and Lindsay Apollo (ranked 32 p4p, 17 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?
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| 165 cm
25
143
12 - 4 - 0 |
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168 cm
25
140
12 - 2 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine |
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Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Li Xiaodong!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Lindsay Apollo!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Alexandre Firmino and Felipe Paraventi.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Apollo scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Xiaodong throws a body punch but Apollo moves out of range.
A combination from Apollo does no damage.
Xiaodong throwing a counter right hand but Apollo manages to avoid it.
We've been told by Xiaodong's head coaches at Canadian Elite Bruins Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Xiaodong missing with a left hand there. Apollo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Apollo lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A slapping leg kick lands for Apollo.
Lindsay Apollo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Xiaodong keeps the fight on the outside.
Apollo attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xiaodong takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Xiaodong slips a jab and a cross from Apollo.
Xiaodong misses with an uppercut.
Apollo scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Apollo tries to clinch up.
Xiaodong throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Apollo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Apollo jabs Xiaodong right on the nose. Xiaodong blinks but takes it well.
Apollo connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Xiaodong momentarily.
Apollo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Xiaodong moves away.
Xiaodong swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Apollo throws a body punch but Xiaodong moves out of range.
Xiaodong misses with a hook to the body
and Apollo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Apollo rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Xiaodong counters with a stiff right hand.
Apollo scores with a punch to the head.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apollo throws a sloppy head kick and Xiaodong moves out of range easily.
Apollo throws a jab when Xiaodong was well out of range.
It looked like Xiaodong wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Xiaodong misses with an uppercut.
Apollo appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Apollo misses with a low kick.
Xiaodong moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Apollo tries to clinch but Xiaodong moves out of range.
Xiaodong gets tackled into the cage by Apollo. Apollo maintains the clinch.
Xiaodong tries to work over Apollo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Apollo blocks a body shot from Xiaodong.
Apollo tries a body shot but Xiaodong blocks it.
Xiaodong wants to break free but Apollo has control.
Apollo blocks a body shot from Xiaodong.
Apollo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong misses with a short punch on the inside.
Xiaodong escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Xiaodong takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Xiaodong blocks the body kick.
Apollo moves away from the strike by Xiaodong.
A countering left hand to the body from Apollo misses.
Xiaodong chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Apollo can pounce on him.
Xiaodong gets tackled into the cage by Apollo. Apollo maintains the clinch.
A short right from Xiaodong on the inside.
Xiaodong's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A jab lands there for Apollo.
Apollo is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Xiaodong had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Apollo has Xiaodong up against the cage in a clinch.
Xiaodong tries to circle away but Apollo has him pinned against the cage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apollo throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Xiaodongs head.
Apollo lands a shoulder strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Xiaodong blocks an uppercut.
Xiaodong tries to throw a body punch but Apollo avoids it by throwing Xiaodong back against the cage.
Apollo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Xiaodong tries to throw a body punch but Apollo avoids it by throwing Xiaodong back against the cage.
Xiaodong blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A right hand to the body from Apollo.
Apollo lands an uppercut.
Apollo has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Xiaodong seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Apollo can turn it around.
Apollo working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Xiaodong misses with the head strike.
Apollo prevents a body shot from Xiaodong.
Xiaodong blocks an uppercut.
Xiaodong trying to control the position but instead, Apollo has worked for underhooks and has pushed Xiaodong into the cage.
Xiaodong breaks the clinch.
Apollo gets in close and instigates a clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Lindsay Apollo dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Danga de danga de dang - Xiaodong scores with a four punch combination!
Apollo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Xiaodong moves away.
Xiaodong takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Apollo with a hook.
Apollo moves out of range of the strikes.
Apollo cracks Xiaodong with a good jab.
Jab by Xiaodong.
Apollo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Xiaodong swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Apollo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Xiaodong.
Apollo tries to counter by closing the distance.
Xiaodong keeps the fight on the outside.
An attempted straight right counter from Xiaodong misses the target.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Apollo attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Xiaodong takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Xiaodong stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Apollo.
The fighters circling - Xiaodong throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Apollo fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Apollo. That's going to slow Xiaodong down.
Apollo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Xiaodong stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Apollo moves away from the strike by Xiaodong.
A big left from Xiaodong misses.
Apollo misses with a straight left.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Xiaodong misses.
Apollo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Xiaodong circles away from the clinch attempt.
Xiaodong comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Apollo cracks Xiaodong with a right hand to the side of the head.
Apollo lands with a thumping leg kick.
Xiaodong takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Xiaodong throws a hook to the side of Apollo's head but Apollo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Xiaodong swings widly with a right hand
and Apollo counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apollo throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Xiaodong sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A quick step to the side and Xiaodong tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Xiaodong moves out of range as Apollo strikes.
Apollo with a jab.
Apollo scores with a push kick.
Apollo fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Apollo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A nice leg kick lands there from Apollo.
Apollo staying out of range there.
Xiaodong is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Apollo chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Apollo throws a solid leg kick but Xiaodong takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Apollo.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apollo tests Xiaodong's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Xiaodong takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nice shot lands for Apollo.
Xiaodong misses with a double jab
and Apollo holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Lindsay Apollo seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
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!
Apollo keeps control of Xiaodong as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Apollo misses with the head strike.
Apollo tries to throw a body punch but Xiaodong avoids it by throwing Apollo back against the cage.
Apollo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Xiaodong is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Xiaodong lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Lindsay Apollo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Xiaodong's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
A good leg kick by Apollo.
Apollo slips under a jab.
Apollo fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Xiaodong on the side of the head.
A nice inside leg kick there by Apollo. That's going to slow Xiaodong down.
Xiaodong avoids a kick to the body.
Apollo lands with a nice body punch.
Apollo tries to land a front kick but Xiaodong steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Apollo looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Apollo lands with a thumping leg kick.
Apollo throws a front kick that sends Xiaodong stumbling back into the cage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiaodong lands a jab to the head.
Xiaodong moves out of range as Apollo throws a body kick.
Xiaodong throwing a counter right hand but Apollo manages to avoid it.
Apollo fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Xiaodong throws a combination that misses
and Apollo makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Apollo walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A shot to the liver by Apollo. Beautiful body shot.
Xiaodong blocks the body kick.
Xiaodong slips under a jab.
Xiaodong sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apollo throws a head kick but Xiaodong moves out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Xiaodong misses the target.
Xiaodong loads up on a big right hand but Apollo slips the punch.
Apollo ducks under a wild hook from Xiaodong.
Xiaodong takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A chopping leg kick lands by Apollo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Good leg kick by Apollo.
Xiaodong swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Apollo makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Xiaodong really felt that one!
Lindsay Apollo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Apollo lands a lovely overhand right.
Apollo fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Apollo manages to avoid it.
Apollo was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Apollo lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Apollo throws a poor cross that misses
letting Xiaodong counter with a right hand.
Apollo fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Xiaodong looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Xiaodong tries to bum rush Apollo with a series of wild strikes but Apollo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Jab from Xiaodong.
Apollo lands with a good body shot.
Apollo tries to clinch but Xiaodong moves out of range.
Apollo throws a nice inside leg kick.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apollo moves into the clinch successfully.
Apollo fails to pull guard.
A short right from Xiaodong on the inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Xiaodong's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Apollo takes one to the side of the head.
Apollo takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Apollo rushes Xiaodong and presses him up against the cage.
Xiaodong goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Xiaodong prevents a body shot from Apollo.
Apollo has a couple of punches blocked by Xiaodong.
Xiaodong blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Apollo.
Xiaodong misses with a hook to the ribs.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Lindsay Apollo really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
A good leg kick by Apollo.
Apollo connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
The fighters circling - Apollo throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A chopping leg kick lands by Apollo.
Apollo lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Apollo throws a leg kick but Xiaodong sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Apollo lands a right hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Apollo works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Xiaodong stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Xiaodong is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Xiaodong swinging wildly here.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Apollo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Xiaodong was well out of range. Poor timing from Apollo.
Xiaodong just misses with a punch to the body.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Apollo.
Apollo takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Xiaodong takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Apollo wants to slow Xiaodong down by chopping away at his legs.
An attempted straight right counter from Xiaodong misses the target.
Apollo buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apollo just misses with a punch to the body.
Xiaodong throwing a counter right hand but Apollo manages to avoid it.
Xiaodong throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Apollo makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Apollo walks into a left hand.
Apollo looks for the body kick but Xiaodong saw that one coming.
Xiaodong swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Xiaodong throws a lazy uppercut
and Apollo counters with a leg kick.
Xiaodong throws a body shot but no joy.
Xiaodong misses the jab.
Apollo was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Xiaodong has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Apollo.
Apollo works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Apollo. Apollo obviously looking to wear him down.
Apollo delivers a nice body kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Xiaodong checks a leg kick.
Apollo throws a leg kick but Xiaodong moved away.
Xiaodong appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Xiaodong looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Apollo fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Xiaodong has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Apollo clinches up with Xiaodong and pushes him back against the cage.
Xiaodong misses with some punches.
Apollo struggles to land a body shot inside as Xiaodong controls his hands.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Apollo.
Xiaodong slowing the pace effectively.
Xiaodong tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Apollo pulls Xiaodong into guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apollo wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Xiaodong is now in half guard.
Apollo is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Xiaodong wants to get back to his feet.
Xiaodong prevents Apollo from improving his position.
Apollo wants to control but Xiaodong is keeping busy.
Apollo holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Apollo makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Apollo.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Lindsay Apollo dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
Xiaodong misses with a jab, cross combination.
Apollo delivers a nice body kick.
A punch lands to the side of Xiaodong 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Apollo ducks under a wild hook from Xiaodong.
Apollo throws a leg kick which misses Xiaodong's front leg but catches the back leg as Xiaodong tries to avoid it.
Apollo throws a nice outside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Apollo scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Apollo tries a head kick but it misses.
Xiaodong is looking to counter punch.
Apollo slips under a jab.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Apollo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Apollo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Xiaodong lands a nice hook to Apollo's body. Apollo takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Xiaodong gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Xiaodong looks to score with a jab to the body but Apollo is just out of range.
Apollo defending well as Xiaodong loads up on a big left hand.
Apollo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Apollo dips to his left and cracks Xiaodong with an uppercut!
Xiaodong throws a lazy uppercut
and Apollo counters with a leg kick.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apollo is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Apollo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Li Xiaodong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Xiaodong takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Xiaodong lands a nice shot that snaps Apollo's head back.
Xiaodong fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Apollo only half commits to the counter leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Apollo dodges the punch combination from Xiaodong.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong misses with a left hand
and Apollo counters with a slapping leg kick.
Xiaodong misses with a lunging right hand
and Apollo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Apollo defending well as Xiaodong loads up on a big left hand.
Apollo wants to counter with a clinch but Xiaodong pushes him away.
Xiaodong checks the leg kick.
It looked like Xiaodong wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Apollo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Apollo lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Xiaodong lands a glancing blow to the side of Apollo's head.
Lindsay Apollo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Apollo scores with a kick to the midsection.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong keeps the fight on the outside.
Xiaodong steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Apollo.
Xiaodong avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Xiaodong will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Apollo misses with a hook.
Xiaodong is looking to counter punch.
Xiaodong displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Apollo throws out the jab.
Apollo throws a head kick that misses.
It looked like Xiaodong was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Apollo.
Apollo attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Xiaodong is looking to counter punch.
Xiaodong rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Apollo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Apollo throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
And that's the end of the fight!
Lindsay Apollo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Apollo 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight for Lindsay Apollo!
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight for Lindsay Apollo!
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight for Lindsay Apollo!
Lindsay Apollo wins by unanimous decision!
Lindsay Apollo is the new bantamweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Lindsay Apollo thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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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
55% |
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