PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chong Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Henrique Leme (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Leme's choice of entrance music: Vale Tudo. 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
Leme

188 cm
22
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

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 Rio de Janeiro, Chong Li!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Henrique Leme!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Alexandre Firmino and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Li is looking to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Leme looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Leme instigates a clinch.
Li landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Nice elbow from Li.
Leme with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Li throws a knee to the head but misses.
Leme misses with a knee to the head.
Li dodges an elbow strike from Leme.
Li takes an elbow to the forehead.
Knees to the body from Li.
Leme looks gassed!
Li tries a knee to the head but Leme blocks it.
Leme throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Leme prevents the takedown attempt.
Leme pushes off an throws an elbow but Li leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Li keeps control of Leme as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Li with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Leme is trying to break free.
Li tries to land a knee to the head but Leme blocks with his arms.
Li unloads a knee to the mid-section. Leme lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Leme wants to break free but Li has control.
Li landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Leme takes an elbow to the forehead.

Leme breaks from the clinch.
Li wants to clinch.

Leme clinches with his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Leme dodges an elbow strike from Li.
Leme has had enough of the clinch but Li keeps him there for the moment.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Li.
Leme misses with an elbow over the top.
Leme on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Li keeps control of Leme as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li dodges an elbow strike from Leme.
Leme throws an elbow but it misses.
Leme misses with an elbow over the top.
Leme managing to block the knees to the body from Li.
Leme throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Li blocks it with crossed arms.
Li using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Leme has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Li lands a nice elbow.
Li misses with a knee strike.

Leme breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Li misses with a takedown attempt - Leme sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Leme tries to clinch up but Li circles away and keeps his distance.
Li wants to clinch.
Leme tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Li paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Li wants to clinch

and Leme counters by moving into the clinch.
Li tries to land a knee to the head but Leme blocks with his arms.
Leme wants to get back to striking at distance but Li won't allow it.
Leme lands an elbow inside that Li shrugs off.
Leme lands a nice elbow.

Leme breaks from the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Leme looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Li tries to clinch up

and Leme counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Leme.
Li takes a knee right on the jaw!
Li lands a damaging elbow.
Leme lands an elbow inside that Li shrugs off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Leme breaks the clinch.
Leme circles away from the clinch attempt

and Leme holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Leme tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Leme breaks from the clinch.
Leme is looking to clinch but Li is avoiding it.
Li keeps the fight on the outside.
Leme is looking to clinch but Li is avoiding it.
Leme tries to close the distance and clinch up but Li swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Leme tries to close the distance and clinch up but Li swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Li tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Leme counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Leme blocks an elbow strike from Li.
Li missing with knees to the body.
Li unloads a knee to the mid-section. Leme lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Leme with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Li prevents Leme from breaking the clinch.
Leme looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Li tries to pull guard but Leme won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chong Li. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Leme breaks the clinch.
Leme fails in his attempt to clinch.
Li swats away the attempt to clinch by Leme.
Li tries to clinch up but Leme circles away and keeps his distance.
Leme clinches but Li breaks the clinch

and Li moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leme lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Li takes an elbow to the forehead.
Leme lands an elbow inside that Li shrugs off.
Leme throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Leme breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Li tries to clinch but Leme moves away

and Leme counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Li tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Leme lands a damaging elbow.
Leme creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Li using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Leme has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Li is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Leme with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Li misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Leme.
Leme with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Li lands a knee to the body.
Leme managing to block the knees to the body from Li.
Leme wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Li lands a damaging elbow.

Leme escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Leme doesn't manage to clinch there - Li circles away.
Leme tries to clinch there but Li circles away.

Leme pushes Li up against the cage in a clinch.
Li misses with a knee to the head.
Li takes a knee right on the jaw!
Leme misses with a knee strike.
Li with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Leme is looking to break free of the clinch but Li has double underhooks.
Li landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Li misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Leme.
Li scores with a knee to the head.
Li landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Leme gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Leme throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Li blocks it with crossed arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leme throws an elbow but it misses.
Li trying to land knees to the body.
Leme wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Li misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Leme.
Li connects with a knee to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Leme breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Leme takes the fight into the clinch.
Li tries to pull guard but Leme holds him up against the cage and eventually Li drops back down to his feet.
Leme throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Li missing with knees to the body.

Leme escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Leme tries to close the distance and clinch up but Li swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Leme closes the distance and clinches.
Leme lands an elbow that stopped Li in his tracks for a moment.
Li tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Li drops down looking for an ankle pick but Leme pulls his leg out and moves away.
Li swats away the attempt to clinch by Leme.
Li closes the distance but Leme moves to the side

and Leme counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Li tries a knee to the head but Leme blocks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Leme tries to land a knee to the head but Li blocks with his arms.
Li misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Leme.
Leme wants to get back to striking at distance but Li won't allow it.
Leme avoiding damage as Li throws knees to the body.
Li scores a nice knee to the body.
Li misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Leme.
Li lands a damaging elbow.
Li tries to land a knee to the head but Leme blocks with his arms.
Li misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Leme.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Chong Li will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Li tries to clinch there but Leme circles away.
Li tries to clinch up

and Leme counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Knees to the body from Li.
Leme managing to block the knees to the body from Li.
Li lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Li misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Leme.
Li takes an elbow to the temple.
Leme tries to land knees in the clinch but Li avoids the damage to the body.
Leme wants to get back to striking at distance but Li won't allow it.
Li tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Li jumps into guard, dragging Leme to the mat.

Leme gets to his feet - Li follows without any prompting.
Leme tries to clinch but Li moves out of range.
Li tries to clinch up but Leme circles away and keeps his distance.
Li wants to clinch up but Leme keeps it at a distance.
Leme tries to clinch there but Li circles away.
Li keeps the fight on the outside.
The fight stays on the outside here - Li looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Li is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Li looks for a takedown but Leme sprawls well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Li tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Li fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leme tries to clinch there but Li circles away.
Li wants to clinch

and Leme counters by moving into the clinch.
Li landing knees to the body.
Li dodges an elbow strike from Leme.
Leme wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Leme managing to block the knees to the body from Li.

Leme breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Leme gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Leme breaks the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Leme looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Leme tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Leme tries to clinch but Li moves out of range.
Leme tries to clinch

and Li counters by moving into the clinch.
Leme is looking to break free of the clinch but Li has double underhooks.
Leme throws an elbow that misses.
Li takes an elbow to the temple.
Leme lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Leme breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Leme tries to clinch but Li is having none of it.

Leme gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Li missing with knees to the body.

Leme manages to break the clinch.
Li wants to clinch but Leme slips to the side

and Leme counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Leme.
Nice elbow from Li.

Li jumps guard.

Leme stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Li tries to clinch but Leme moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li looks for a takedown but Leme sprawls well.
Li looks to clinch

and Leme moves into the clinch.
Li lands a nice elbow.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Knees in the clinch landing for Li.
Leme wants to get back to striking at distance but Li won't allow it.
Leme has had enough of the clinch but Li keeps him there for the moment.
Leme throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Li lands an elbow inside.
Li connects with a nasty looking knee right to Leme's face.
Li tries to pull guard but Leme holds him up against the cage and eventually Li drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chong Li. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Li landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Li landing knees to the body.
Leme can't break the clinch.
Li tries to pull guard but Leme won't allow it.
A knee to the head by Leme.

Li is rocked!

Leme breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Oh Li is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Leme fails with an attempt to clinch.

Leme closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Li seems to have got his legs back now.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Leme.

Leme breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Leme doesn't manage to clinch there - Li circles away.
Leme tries to close the distance and clinch but Li swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Li fails with an attempt to clinch.

Leme rushes Li and presses him up against the cage.
Nice elbow from Leme.
Leme misses with a knee strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Li throws an elbow but misses.

Leme breaks the clinch.
Leme moves in looking to clinch but Li pushes him off.
Leme tries to close the distance and clinch but Li swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Leme has closed the distance and engaged Li in a clinch.

Li jumps guard.
Leme wants to stand and escape but instead Li has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Leme really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Li. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Leme is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Li is controlling him.
Li wants to control from the top but Leme keeps moving.

Leme has his feet on Li's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Li shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Leme pinned against the cage. Leme gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Leme keeps the fight on the outside.
Leme tries to clinch up but Li circles away and keeps his distance.
Li circles away from the clinch attempt.
Li is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Leme gets a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leme tries to break the clinch but Li is controlling the position.
Li landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Leme lands an elbow inside that Li shrugs off.
Leme throws an elbow but it misses.
Li with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Leme wants to break free but Li has control.
Knees in the clinch landing for Li.
Leme on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Leme breaks from the clinch.

Leme has closed the distance and engaged Li in a clinch.
Leme avoiding damage as Li throws knees to the body.
Li misses with an elbow over the top.
Leme lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Li misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Leme.
Leme tries to land a knee to the head but Li blocks with his arms.
Li lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Li tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Leme misses with a knee to the head.
Li is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Li throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Knees to the body from Li.
Leme has had enough of the clinch but Li keeps him there for the moment.
Leme lands an elbow that stopped Li in his tracks for a moment.
Li using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Leme has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Li missing with knees to the body.
Leme can't break the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Li misses with a knee strike.
Li missing with knees to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Li.
Li tries to land knees in the clinch but Leme avoids the damage to the body.
Li using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Leme has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Li drops down looking for an ankle pick but Leme pulls his leg out and moves away.
Li avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Henrique Leme showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Leme is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Li fails with the takedown.
Li fails with an attempt to clinch.
Leme is looking to clinch.

Leme moves into range and clinches up with Li.
Leme wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Leme breaks the clinch.
Li wants to clinch but Leme slips to the side

and Leme counters by clinching up.
Leme throws a knee to the head but misses.
Leme lands an elbow that stopped Li in his tracks for a moment.
Leme can't break the clinch.
Li throws a knee to the head but misses.
Li takes an elbow to the forehead.

Leme escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Li keeps the fight on the outside.
Leme tries to clinch but Li is having none of it.
Leme tries to clinch up but Li circles away and keeps his distance.

Leme takes the fight into the clinch.
Leme lands a nice elbow.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Li tries to pull guard but Leme holds him up against the cage and eventually Li drops back down to his feet.

Leme breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Li wants to clinch.
Li closes the distance and clinches up with Leme, looking for a takedown. Li pushes Leme against the cage but Leme circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chong Li. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li tries to clinch but Leme moves out of range.
Henrique Leme is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Li wants to clinch.
Li tries to clinch up

and Leme counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Henrique Leme seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Li scores a nice knee to the body.
Li comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Li landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Li takes an elbow to the temple.

Leme breaks the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Leme circles away from the clinch attempt

and Leme moves into the clinch.

Leme manages to break the clinch.

Li moves into range and clinches up with Leme.
Leme blocks the elbow strike.
Li tries a knee to the head but Leme blocks it.
Li lands a knee to the body.
Leme pushes off an throws an elbow but Li leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Li with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Leme takes an elbow to the temple.
Li misses with an elbow over the top.
Li lands a nice knee to the body.
Li landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Leme wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Leme throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Li using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Leme has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Leme misses with a knee strike.
Li lands a knee to the body.
Leme lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Li takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Chong Li has been cut.
Leme lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Leme managing to block the knees to the body from Li.

Leme breaks the clinch.
Leme wants to clinch

and Li holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
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 knee to the head but he's missed.
Li crunches a lovely knee into Leme's ribcage.
Li prevents Leme from breaking the clinch.
Leme on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Leme breaks from the clinch.
Li fails in his attempt to clinch.
Li moves in looking to clinch but Leme pushes him off.
Li fails in his attempt to clinch.
Li doesn't manage to clinch there - Leme circles away.
Leme tries to close the distance and clinch but Li swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Li shoots in looking for a takedown. Leme tries to sprawl out of it but Li keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Leme manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Leme circles away from the clinch attempt

and Leme counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Leme.

Leme breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Leme is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Li clinches but Leme breaks the clinch

and Leme counters by clinching up.
Leme wants to get back to striking at distance but Li won't allow it.
Leme takes an elbow to the forehead.
Li connects with a knee to the head.
Leme tries a knee to the head but Li blocks it.
Li landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Li trying to land knees to the body.
Leme tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li jumps guard but Leme stands there with Li around his waist. Li gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Leme breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Li tries to clinch but Leme moves away

and Leme counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Leme breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Leme looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Li tries to clinch but Leme moves away

and Leme holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Leme using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Li has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Leme avoiding damage as Li throws knees to the body.
Li keeps control of Leme as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Li lands a nice knee to the body.
Leme using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Li has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Leme looking to throw knees to the head but Li is blocking nicely.
Li lands a nice elbow.
Li using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Li decides to pull guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Leme stands and steps away. Li gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Leme closes the distance and clinches.
Leme tries to land a knee to the head but Li blocks with his arms.
Li missing with knees to the body.

Li manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Leme gets to his feet. Li looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Li circles away from the clinch attempt.
Leme doesn't manage to clinch there - Li circles away.
Leme looks to clinch

and Li counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Leme breaks the clinch.

Leme pushes Li up against the cage in a clinch.
Li looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Li tries a knee to the head but Leme blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leme misses with a knee strike.
Leme tries to break the clinch but Li is controlling the position.
Leme wants to get back to striking at distance but Li won't allow it.
Li with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Li scores with a knee to the head.
Leme wants to break free but Li has control.
Leme with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Leme wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Leme breaks from the clinch.

Leme takes the fight into the clinch.
Leme gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A knee to the head by Leme.

Leme breaks from the clinch.
Leme tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Li paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Leme closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Leme manages to break the clinch.
Leme tries to clinch up but Li circles away and keeps his distance.
Li fails with an attempt to clinch.
Li keeps the fight on the outside.
Li misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Leme moves into the clinch successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Li tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Leme smiles and moves away.

Leme tries to keep at a distance but Li has taken the fight into the clinch.
Leme wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Li has him pressed against the cage.
Li prevents Leme from breaking the clinch.
Li lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Chong Li.
I think Li 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 29:29
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!