PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Li Xiaodong (ranked 282 p4p, 509 weight class) and Luiz Mendoza (ranked 30 p4p, 49 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Xiaodong
vs
Mendoza

165 cm
30
143
21 - 8 - 0

164 cm
30
135
14 - 8 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Conviction
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Li Xiaodong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 1, fighting out of London, Luiz Mendoza!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Paul Tew and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xiaodong lands a really nice looking cross but Mendoza seems unphased.
Xiaodong throws a hook but Mendoza avoids it easily.
Xiaodong with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Xiaodong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Xiaodong gets caught napping as Mendoza dives in and scores a takedown. Xiaodong manages to retain guard.
Xiaodong controls Mendoza momentarily but Mendoza frees himself.
Xiaodong controlling the position.
Xiaodong utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Xiaodong controls Mendoza momentarily but Mendoza frees himself.
Mendoza postures up and lands a big shot to Xiaodong's brow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendoza trying to control but Xiaodong is working from the bottom.
Mendoza controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Mendoza with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiaodong avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mendoza wants to pass the guard but Xiaodong is keeping the position.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Mendoza working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Mendoza throwing strikes from guard but Xiaodong blocks nicely.
Mendoza trying to control the position from guard on top but Xiaodong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mendoza in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Xiaodong trying to control the position here.
Mendoza trying to control the position from guard on top but Xiaodong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Mendoza throws a big right hand that misses.
Mendoza loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Mendoza looking to pass the guard.
Xiaodong seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Xiaodong swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Mendoza.
Mendoza works Xiaodong's body with a nice hook.
Xiaodong throws a leg kick that is checked
and Mendoza makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Xiaodong lands a leg kick that knocks Mendoza off balance momentarily.
Mendoza takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Mendoza misses with a low kick as Xiaodong jumps back.
Xiaodong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mendoza was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Mendoza ducks under a wild hook from Xiaodong.

Xiaodong has managed to clinch.
Mendoza is trying to push Xiaodong away but Xiaodong has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Xiaodong goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mendoza can't break the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Xiaodong as the two fighters clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Xiaodong lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Xiaodong works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Xiaodong lands with a light punch inside.
Xiaodong misses with a punch to the body.
Mendoza jumps guard but Xiaodong stands there with Mendoza around his waist. Mendoza gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Mendoza looking for a takedown.
Mendoza looking for a takedown.
Li Xiaodong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luiz Mendoza.
Mendoza is trying to pull guard but Xiaodong turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Xiaodong's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Xiaodong blocks a jab.
Mendoza takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Xiaodong lands the left hand.
A low kick lands for Xiaodong.
Xiaodong tries to clinch there but Mendoza circles away.
Xiaodong misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Mendoza tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Mendoza fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Xiaodong checks it well.
Mendoza misses with a leg kick
and Xiaodong counters with a slapping leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Xiaodong just misses with a punch to the body.
Mendoza now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong throws a jab when Mendoza was well out of range.
Xiaodong throws a leg kick but Mendoza moved away.
Xiaodong scores with a jab to the head.
Xiaodong lands a nice shot to the body.
Mendoza steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Xiaodong.
Xiaodong throws a leg kick but Mendoza sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Mendoza scoring well with a low kick there.
Xiaodong uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mendoza.
Mendoza misses with a wild body shot.
Xiaodong throws a jab when Mendoza was well out of range.
Xiaodong tests Mendoza's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Mendoza swings for the body but Xiaodong moves out of range.
Xiaodong misses with a body shot.
Mendoza changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Mendoza 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.
Nice body punch from Xiaodong.
Mendoza is looking to score with low kicks.
Xiaodong swings away with a leg kick that misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Li Xiaodong dominated that round.
That's time! Xiaodong's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Mendoza throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mendoza buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A big right from Mendoza misses.
Mendoza keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Mendoza doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Xiaodong throws a shot from downtown. Mendoza moves away and avoids it.
Mendoza is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Xiaodong rather than just go for the knockout.
Xiaodong with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Mendoza to score with a decent uppercut.
Xiaodong looks to score with a jab to the body but Mendoza is just out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Xiaodong.
Mendoza fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Xiaodong checks it well.
Mendoza just misses with a punch to the body.
Xiaodong wants to clinch but Mendoza slips to the side
and Mendoza counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xiaodong throws a looping overhand right but Mendoza ducks down to avoid it.
Nice defenses there by Mendoza.
Xiaodong swings for the body but Mendoza moves out of range.
Xiaodong throws out a powerful jab.
Mendoza will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Xiaodong scoring well with a low kick there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiaodong misses with a combination
and Mendoza counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Xiaodong tries to work over Mendoza's front leg with a kick but Mendoza checks it.
Mendoza pivots, looking for a leg kick but Xiaodong is out of range and Mendoza settles back down.
Xiaodong doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Xiaodong scores with a nice head shot.
Xiaodong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mendoza was well out of range. Poor timing from Xiaodong.
Xiaodong is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mendoza can do to turn this around?
Jab by Xiaodong.
Mendoza swings widly with a right hand
and Xiaodong counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Mendoza thinking.
Mendoza on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Mendoza lands a right hook to the body.
Mendoza uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Xiaodong.
Mendoza looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The fighters circle momentarily. Mendoza darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Xiaodong has managed to clinch.
A short body shot lands from Xiaodong as the two fighters clinch.
Xiaodong throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Mendozas head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong lands a left hand that snaps the head of Mendoza backwards.
Mendoza tries to pull guard but Xiaodong forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Mendoza escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mendoza checks a leg kick.
Xiaodong feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Mendozas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Xiaodong ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mendoza moves away.
Li Xiaodong is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mendoza misses with a low kick as Xiaodong jumps back.
Xiaodong throws a nice inside leg kick.
Xiaodong pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Xiaodong thumps Mendoza with a low kick.
Li Xiaodong is winning the standup battle so far.

Xiaodong moves into the clinch successfully.
Mendoza tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Xiaodong's elbow.
Mendoza drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Xiaodong gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Li Xiaodong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luiz Mendoza.

Mendoza has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Xiaodong regains guard immediately.
Mendoza throws a big right hand that misses.
Mendoza has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mendoza manages to get himself to full guard.

Mendoza has an active guard here but Xiaodong has managed to pass into half guard.
Xiaodong prevents Mendoza from improving his position.
Mendoza slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Xiaodong wants to pass the guard but Mendoza is keeping the position.

Xiaodong avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Mendoza bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Xiaodong's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza is fighting to break Xiaodong's control of his arms but Xiaodong is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Mendoza throwing strikes but missing.
Luiz Mendoza has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mendoza wants to pass the guard but Xiaodong is keeping the position.
Xiaodong managing to control the position.
Mendoza trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Xiaodong wants to get back to his feet but Mendoza is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Xiaodong has Mendoza pulled in close to control his posture.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Li Xiaodong dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Mendoza looks to land a right hand but Xiaodong moved out of range.
Xiaodong takes a jab right on the kisser.
Xiaodong connects with a solid leg kick.
Xiaodong fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Mendoza.
Mendoza keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Xiaodong misses with a leg kick.
Nice jab there from Mendoza.
Mendoza wants to slow Xiaodong down by chopping away at his legs.
Xiaodong throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Mendoza on the side of the head.
Xiaodong misses the jab.
Mendoza takes a jab right on the kisser.
Mendoza avoids the body shot from Xiaodong.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Xiaodong closes the distance and pushes Mendoza back into the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Xiaodong fails to land.
Xiaodong can't find room to land a body shot as Mendoza controls the action.
A short body shot lands from Xiaodong as the two fighters clinch.
Mendoza is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
I was talking to Xiaodong's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Li Xiaodong has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Mendoza looking for a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Xiaodong creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Xiaodong lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Xiaodong lands an uppercut.
Mendoza tries to pull guard but Xiaodong won't allow it.
Xiaodong stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Mendoza goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Xiaodong tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Xiaodong prevents a takedown attempt there.
Li Xiaodong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luiz Mendoza.
Xiaodong throws a head punch that misses.
Xiaodong can't find room to land a body shot as Mendoza controls the action.
Xiaodong lands with a right to the head.
Mendoza wants to take the fight to the mat but Xiaodong manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Mendoza is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Xiaodong to keep the fight standing.
Mendoza takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Xiaodong can't find room to land a body shot as Mendoza controls the action.
Mendoza changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Xiaodong fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Mendoza takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Xiaodong drives through and clinches with Mendoza against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza being controlled against the cage.
A hook to the body from Xiaodong.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Xiaodong makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Mendoza is trying to pull guard but Xiaodong has him pressed against the cage.
Xiaodong lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Xiaodong's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mendoza throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Xiaodong thuds his right hand into Mendoza's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Xiaodong keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Xiaodong has managed to clinch.
Mendoza fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Mendoza blocks a body shot from Xiaodong.
Xiaodong has Mendoza pressed against the cage, preventing Mendoza from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Xiaodong lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Xiaodong lands with a right to the head.
Xiaodong swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Xiaodong struggles to land a body shot inside as Mendoza controls his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Xiaodong as the two fighters clinch.
Mendoza jumps guard but Xiaodong stands there with Mendoza around his waist. Mendoza gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A short uppercut from Xiaodong.
A short body shot lands from Xiaodong as the two fighters clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Xiaodong.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Xiaodong.
Xiaodong can't find room to land a body shot as Mendoza controls the action.
Xiaodong lands a body punch.
Mendoza takes a shot to the head.
Xiaodong works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Mendoza blocks a body shot from Xiaodong.
Xiaodong lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Mendoza backwards.
Luiz Mendoza has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Xiaodong lands an uppercut.
Xiaodong lands a body punch in the clinch.
Xiaodong lands a body shot in the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A short uppercut from Xiaodong.
Xiaodong lands a right hand that snaps the head of Mendoza backwards.
A shot in the inside from Xiaodong.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xiaodong lands a shoulder strike.
A short right from Xiaodong on the inside.

Mendoza is rocked!
Xiaodong's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Mendoza tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Xiaodong just stands there and leans against the cage.
Mendoza goes for a takedown attempt but Xiaodong pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Mendoza takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Mendoza avoids the body shot from Xiaodong.

Xiaodong has Mendoza up against the cage in a clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Xiaodong.
Stalling in the clinch from Xiaodong.
Mendoza prevents a body shot from Xiaodong.
Xiaodong trying to control the position but instead, Mendoza has worked for underhooks and has pushed Xiaodong into the cage.
Xiaodong lands a hook that snaps the head of Mendoza backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Li Xiaodong showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Xiaodong, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 30:26
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:26
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Li Xiaodong!
During a confident post fight interview, Li Xiaodong thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.