PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksei Xan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bruce Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bruce Li has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Xan
vs
Li

188 cm
21
261 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

198 cm
18
264 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aleksei Xan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Bruce Li!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Dmitry Maklakov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Li fails with the takedown.

Li clinches up against the cage.
Li effectively controlling the action here.
Li connects with a nasty looking knee right to Xan's face.

Li has Xan pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Li pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Xan tumbling to the mat - Li dives into Xan's guard.
Li wanted to stand there but Xan had control of the position.
Xan controls Li momentarily but Li frees himself.
Li really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Xan. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Li postures up in Xan's guard and throws a big left but Xan blocks it.
Xan trying to control the position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Li wanted to stand there but Xan had control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li trying to control the position from guard on top but Xan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Li tries to clinch up.
Aleksei Xan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Xan throws a low kick, looking for Li's leg but Li calmly moves out of range.
Xan tries to clinch up

and Li counters by clinching up.
Li stalling the fight.
Xan is trying to maintain a safe position but Li gets an underhook and turns Xan into the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Li - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Li receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Bruce Li.
Li shoots in for a takedown but Xan shows good takedown defense.
Xan blocks a head kick by Li.
Xan tries to clinch

and Li counters by clinching up.
Xan blocks a body shot from Li.
Xan'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.
Xan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xan wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Xan pushes Li back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Come on Li - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Li digs a right hand into Xan's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Xan's gas tank.
Li scores a nice knee to the body.
Li tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Li has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Xan avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Aleksei Xan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bruce Li.
Li stalls.
Xan slowing the pace effectively.

Li breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
No joy there for Li, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bruce Li seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Li closes the distance looking to clinch
and Xan finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Li looks gassed!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li closes the distance looking to clinch
and Xan counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Xan moves in looking to clinch but Li pushes him off.
Li darts in trying to clinch
and Xan counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Xan tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Li counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Li.
Xan can't get the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Li dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Li tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Xan manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Li instigates a clinch.

Xan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Li doesn't manage to clinch there - Xan circles away.
Xan closes the distance looking to clinch

and Li holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Xan gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Li.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li stalls.
A knee to the head by Li.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Li displaying some good clinch control by pressing Xan up against the cage.
Xan gets underhooks to prevent Li's takedown attempt.
Li connects with a nasty looking knee right to Xan's face.
A bit of stalling here from Li.

Li escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Xan takes the fight into the clinch.
Xan wants a takedown.
Li lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Xan takes a knee to the side of the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Li lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Li throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Xan blocks it with crossed arms.

Li breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Li has closed the distance and engaged Xan in a clinch.
Li crunches a lovely knee into Xan's ribcage.
Li lands a good knee to the midsection. Xan won't want to take too many of those.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Li is struggling to control the position.

Li wants the takedown. Xan is fighting it off but Li persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Xan's guard against the cage.
Li preventing the sweep.
Xan utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Li not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Li lands a couple of elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li trying to stand up but can't free himself from Xan's guard.
Xan throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Li must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Li trying to control the position from guard on top but Xan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Li not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Bruce Li was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Li clinches with his opponent.
Li tries to land a knee to the head but Xan blocks with his arms.
Xan blocks the elbow strike.
Xan blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Li tries a knee to the head but Xan blocks it.
Li holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Li putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Xan in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Xan has had enough of the clinch but Li keeps him there for the moment.
Li lands a knee to the body.
Li putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Xan in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Li dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Li's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Li looks for a takedown but Xan sprawls well.
Aleksei Xan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bruce Li.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Xan keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Xan tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Li counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Li 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!

Xan closes the distance but Li moves to the side

and Li counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Li lands a knee to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Li.
Xan takes a knee to the side of the body.
A head punch on the inside from Li fails to land.
Xan is pressed up against the cage. Li has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Xan down to the mat. Xan avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Xan stuffs the takedown attempt from Li. Li gets slowly back to his feet.

Li darts in and clinches Xan up against the cage.
Li connects with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Li lands an elbow that stopped Xan in his tracks for a moment.
Li lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li has a couple of punches blocked by Xan.
Li with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Li lands a knee to the head.
Li is stalling here.
Xan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Xan with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Xan tries to break the clinch but Li is controlling the position.
Li misses with a short punch on the inside.
Li trying to land knees to the body.
Li with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Li lands an elbow inside that Xan shrugs off.
Bruce Li seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Xan is looking to break free of the clinch but Li has double underhooks.
Xan takes a knee to the side of the body.
Li misses with a knee to the head.
Xan wants to get back to striking at distance but Li won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Li is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Xan is defending well for now.
Li keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Xan's efforts to push away.
Li lands a damaging elbow.
Xan on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Li unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Li misses with a knee to the head.
Xan is trying to force a seperation but Li has the dominant position.
Xan managing to block the knees to the body from Li.
Li looking to slow down the pace here.
Xan is looking to break free of the clinch but Li has double underhooks.
Xan wants to break free but Li has control.

Li gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Xan regains guard.
Li looking to pass the guard.
Xan working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Li.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li is looking to work some ground and pound but Xan has wrist control.
Li is looking to stand up but Xan won't let him.
Li trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Li won't allow Xan to sweep him here.
Li distracts Xan with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Li is looking to stand up but Xan won't let him.
Li looking to pass the guard.
Li trying to stand up but can't free himself from Xan's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Li throws a strike but Xan rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Xan won't allow Li to get back to his feet.
Bruce Li is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Aleksei Xan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Xan pushes down on Li's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Li moves into full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bruce Li comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Li winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bruce Li!