PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dai Li (ranked 4380 p4p, 4109 weight class) and Mordor Mettovaara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Li
vs
Mettovaara

184 cm
18
199
0 - 0 - 0

192 cm
18
210
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dai Li!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mordor Mettovaara!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Gwen Towbar and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Li wants to slow Mettovaara down by chopping away at his legs.
Li's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Mettovaara connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Li scrambles back to his feet.
Li fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Mettovaara is out of range.
It seemed like Mettovaara was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Li throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Mettovaara checks a low kick from Li.
Mettovaara throws a nice looking combination but Li bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Li does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Mettovaara will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Li misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mettovaara on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Li. Li obviously looking to wear him down.
Li misses with a kick to the body.
Li uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mettovaara.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Mettovaara has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Li doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Mettovaara throws out a loose jab but Li uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mettovaara scores with a jab to the head.
Mettovaara checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Mettovaara takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li misses with a leg kick.
Li finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Li throws a leg kick but Mettovaara sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Mettovaara checks a low kick from Li.
Li throws a push kick but Mettovaara slaps the foot to one side.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Li - that will leave a mark!
Mettovaara moves out of range as Li throws a body kick.
Left hook, right uppercut from Mettovaara.
Mettovaara throws a jab but it's blocked by Li.
Mettovaara takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Mettovaara moves out of range of the body kick from Li.
Mettovaara fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Li on the side of the head.
Li misses with a low kick as Mettovaara jumps back.
Mettovaara smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A swing and a miss from Mettovaara.
Mettovaara stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Li.
Mettovaara lands an overhand right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Li pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mettovaara has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Li is looking to score with low kicks.
Mettovaara slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Mettovaara lands a nice shot to the body.
Li scores with a leg kick.
Mettovaara throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Li.
Li lands with a kick to the ribs.
Li takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Li throws a chopping leg kick but Mettovaara manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
A little jabbing left from Mettovaara on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Li throws a head kick that misses.
Mettovaara works over Li's head and body with a nice combination.
Dai Li seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Li misses with a body kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Li.
Li finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Li takes one to the side of the head.
Mettovaara is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Li had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Mettovaara waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Li.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Li tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Mettovaara is able to avoid easily.
A countering left hand to the body from Mettovaara misses.
Li misses with the body kick
and Mettovaara cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Mettovaara checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Mettovaara checks a leg kick.
Mettovaara keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Li motions for Mettovaara to come forward. Li throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Mettovaara checks the leg kick nicely there.
Mettovaara lands a nice looking body shot.
Li takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Li moves out of range as Mettovaara strikes.
Li throws a push kick but Mettovaara slaps the foot to one side.
Li throws a leg kick
and Mettovaara cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Li throws the kick towards the body but Mettovaara avoids it.
Li throws a leg kick but Mettovaara sees it coming and checks it nicely.
The fighters circling - Mettovaara throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A low kick from Li is predictable there
and Mettovaara counters with a stiff right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li throws a leg kick but Mettovaara moved away.
Li tries to land a leg kick but Mettovaara saw it coming and moves away.
Mettovaara let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Li shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Li misses with the body kick
and Mettovaara counters with a lovely shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Li misses with a low kick.
Mettovaara lands with an uppercut that bounces Li off the cage and back into range.
Mettovaara checks a low kick from Li.
Mettovaara looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Mettovaara scores with a body shot.
Li throws out a leg kick but Mettovaara moves out of range and Li only half commits.
A little jabbing left from Mettovaara on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Li slips a jab from Mettovaara.
Li moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Mettovaara scores with a jab to the jaw.
Li tried to score with a low kick but Mettovaara checks it.
Li throws a head kick but Mettovaara moves out of range.
Li ducks under a wild hook from Mettovaara.
Mettovaara throws a hook to the side of Li's head but Li sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Li defending well as Mettovaara loads up on a big left hand.
Mettovaara avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Li throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Mettovaara is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Li might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Mettovaara checks a low kick from Li.
Mettovaara has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mettovaara chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Li can pounce on him.
Li has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Li there as he acknowledges the shot.
Mettovaara feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Lis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Li throws a front kick aimed at Mettovaara's knee but Mettovaara avoids it well.
Mettovaara looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Li misses with a body kick.
Li tries to move into range but Mettovaara moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Li.
A nice leg kick from Li, right into the meat of the thigh.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li pivots, looking for a leg kick but Mettovaara is out of range and Li settles back down.
Mettovaara loads up on a big right hand but Li slips the punch.
Mettovaara lands with a right hand.
Mettovaara loads up on a big right hand but Li slips the punch.
Mettovaara throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Li tried to counter with a leg kick but Mettovaara avoided it.
Li closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li throws a leg kick but Mettovaara sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Li goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Mettovaara appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Li misses with a low kick as Mettovaara jumps back.
Li motions for Mettovaara to come forward. Li throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Li wants to land a leg kick but Mettovaara is out of range.
Li throws a leg kick that misses.
Mettovaara fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Li fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Mettovaara is out of range.
Mettovaara misses with a hook
and Li counters with a leg kick.
Li looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A head kick misses from Li.
Mettovaara pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mettovaara darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Mettovaara throws a lazy right hand but Li sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Li throws a leg kick that misses.
Li throws a leg kick but Mettovaara moved away.
Li takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Li tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Mettovaara is able to avoid easily.
Li throws a low kick but Mettovaara avoids it.
Li moves forwards but Mettovaara connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Li wants to land a leg kick but Mettovaara is out of range.
Li throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mettovaara blocks a leg kick.
Li takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Mettovaara cracks Li with an open hand slap.
Mettovaara throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Li looks for the body kick but Mettovaara saw that one coming.
A leg kick checked by Mettovaara.
Li tries to work over Mettovaara's front leg with a kick but Mettovaara checks it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mettovaara. Li does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mettovaara catches Li with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Li slips a jab and a cross from Mettovaara.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Mettovaara checks a leg kick.
Li throws a push kick but Mettovaara slaps the foot to one side.
Li throws a leg kick but Mettovaara checks it.
Jab from Mettovaara.
Li keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Li throws a low kick but it's checked well by Mettovaara.
Mettovaara takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Mettovaara misses with a body shot.
Li tries a low kick but Mettovaara avoids it.
Mettovaara's jab looks to have found its range, popping Li under the eye.
Li throws a half hearted mid kick.
Mettovaara misses the shot to the body.
Mettovaara checks the leg kick.
Mettovaara lands a jab.
Mettovaara throws out a powerful jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li throws a leg kick that misses.
Mettovaara misses with a straight left.
Mordor Mettovaara seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mettovaara looks to throw the jab but Li is out of range.
Mettovaara's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Mettovaara takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Mettovaara throws a body punch but Li moves out of range.
Mettovaara changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mettovaara tests Li's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Li wants to land a leg kick but Mettovaara is out of range.
Li throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A telegraphed right hand from Mettovaara misses the target.
Li throws a leg kick that is checked
and Mettovaara counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Mettovaara misses the target.
Mettovaara lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Mettovaara swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Li throws a leg kick but Mettovaara checks it.
It seemed like Mettovaara was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Li throws a low kick but Mettovaara avoids it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mordor Mettovaara showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Li's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Mettovaara ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Li moves away.
Li tries to land a leg kick but Mettovaara saw it coming and moves away.
Mettovaara throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Li on the side of the head.
Li finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Li fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Mettovaara checks it well.
A punch combination from Mettovaara misses.
Li takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Li throws a low kick but Mettovaara avoids it.
Li walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Li takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Li looks to land a body kick but Mettovaara moved away.
Mettovaara jabbing away but nothing is landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A clash of legs there as Mettovaara blocks the low kick.
Li fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Mettovaara checks it well.
A lazy body kick from Li
and Mettovaara counters with a left and a right that stings Li.
Mettovaara avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Li misses with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Mettovaara misses with a looping left.
Mettovaara tests Li's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Mettovaara throws a body shot but no joy.
Li misses with a low kick.
Mettovaara moves out of range of the body kick from Li.
Li throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Li throws a head kick but Mettovaara moves out of range.
Li tries to work over Mettovaara's front leg with a kick but Mettovaara checks it.
The crowd cheers as Mettovaara lands an impressive looking overhand right. Li doesn't seem phased though.
Li will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Li pivots, looking for a leg kick but Mettovaara is out of range and Li settles back down.
A leg kick checked by Mettovaara.
Mettovaara swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Li defending well as Mettovaara loads up on a big left hand.
Mettovaara is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Li there as he acknowledges the shot.
Li pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Li throws a leg kick that misses.
Mettovaara darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
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!
Li tries a low kick but Mettovaara avoids it.
Mettovaara steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Li.
Li misses with an attempted mid kick.
Li misses with a body kick.
Li tries to land a front kick but Mettovaara steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Mettovaara swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Mettovaara steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Li. That one must have hurt.
Li takes one to the chin there.
Mettovaara lands a lovely overhand right.
Mettovaara moves out of range of the leg kick from Li.
Li looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Mettovaara throws an overhand right that lands on Li's shoulder, as Li tries to avoid the shot.
Li pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A little jabbing left from Mettovaara on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mettovaara missing with a left hand there. Li was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mettovaara lands a head shot.
Li tries to land a front kick but Mettovaara steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Mettovaara checks a leg kick.
The fighters circling - Mettovaara throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Li scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A low kick from Li misses
and Mettovaara counters with a left to the body.
Mettovaara cracks Li with a right hand to the side of the head.
Mettovaara scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Mettovaara lands with a straight right. Li didn't see that one coming.
Li fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Mettovaara is out of range.
Mettovaara throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Li walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Mettovaara checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Mettovaara lands a glancing blow to the side of Li's head.
Li takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Li throws a leg kick but Mettovaara checks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mettovaara lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Li circles away quickly and effectively.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Li throws a leg kick but Mettovaara sees it coming and moves out of range.
Mettovaara throws a hook to the side of Li's head but Li sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Li fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A jab from Mettovaara misses.
Li throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Li throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A jab from Mettovaara misses.
Li takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Li throws a low kick but Mettovaara moves out of range easily.
Mettovaara throws out a counter right but Li avoids it with no problem.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Li. Mettovaara shrugs it off though.
Li tries to land a front kick but Mettovaara steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Li.
Mettovaara scores with a jab to the jaw.
Dai Li has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Li tries to score with a low kick but Mettovaara moves his leg out of the way.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mordor Mettovaara comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Mettovaara 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mordor Mettovaara!
A relieved looking Mordor Mettovaara thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.