PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bruce Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abdul Rashid Naji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bruce Li could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Abdul Rashid Naji's chin.

Li
vs
Rashid Naji

198 cm
28
264 lbs
22 - 13 - 0

195 cm
27
277 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 22 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bruce Li!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Abdul Rashid Naji!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, George Francis and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Naji checks a low kick from Li.
Li scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Nice uppercut lands for Naji. That snapped Li's head back.

It looks like Bruce Li has been cut.
Li throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Abdul Rashid Naji has been cut.
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 misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Li moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Naji tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Li swivels and escapes.
Li bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Naji keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Li.
Naji works the jab nicely.
Li avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Naji takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Naji tries to clinch up but Li circles away and keeps his distance.
Li with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Naji to score with a decent uppercut.
Naji cracks Li with an open hand slap.
Li motions for Naji to come forward. Li throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick misses from Li.

Naji closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Naji lands in his opponent's guard.
Li is pulling down on Naji's head to control his posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naji preventing the sweep.
Naji trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Li wants to get back to his feet but Naji is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Li wants to sweep but no luck.
Naji is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Li looking to control.
Naji wants to control from the top but Li keeps moving.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Naji darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Li.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Li darts in and clinches Naji up against the cage.
Li scores a nice knee to the body.
Li landing knees to the body.
Naji looks winded!
Li lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Li breaks from the clinch.
Li throws a leg kick but Naji sees it coming and moves out of range.
Li moves out of range as Naji strikes.
Naji fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Li manages to avoid it.
A head kick from Li lands but Naji takes it in his stride.
Li scores with a kick to the midsection.
Li fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Naji closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Li manages to get back to half guard.
Li is looking for a sweep. Naji is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Naji working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Li's thigh. Li counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Naji trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li wants to stand up but Naji is controlling him.
Li controls Naji momentarily but Naji frees himself.
Naji throwing strikes from guard but Li blocks nicely.
Naji won't allow Li to sweep him here.
Naji keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Li's head.
Naji preventing the sweep.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Naji wants to control from the top but Li keeps moving.
Naji throwing strikes from guard but Li blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Naji throws a big elbow that misses.
Naji throws a big right hand that misses.
Naji cracks Li with a solid left hand.
Li wants to stand but Naji is controlling the position.
Naji has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Naji slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Li is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Naji stopping the sweep attempt from Li.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Naji throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Li works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Li dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Naji jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Li connects with an inside leg kick.
Abdul Rashid Naji seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice uppercut there from Li.
Li fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Naji is out of range.
Li throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Naji sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Li on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Li throws a quick inside leg kick.

Li gets caught napping as Naji dives in and scores a takedown. Li manages to retain guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Li scrambles and gets back to his feet.
The fighters circle momentarily. Naji darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Li wants to land a leg kick but Naji is out of range.
Naji shoots in but Li avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Naji ducks under a wild hook from Li.
Naji wants to clinch.
Naji on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li misses with a few strikes there.
Naji blocks a jab.
Li has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Li there as he acknowledges the shot.
Naji moves away from the strike by Li.
Donk. Naji catches Li right on the button with a cross.

Bruce Li's cut is getting worse.
Naji shoots in and drives through. Li sprawls well.
Naji walks into a stiff left hand from Li.
Li ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A bone on bone clash there as Naji blocks the leg kick.
Naji throws a lazy right hand but Li sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Li looks to throw the jab but Naji is out of range.
Nice defenses there by Li.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Li connects with a single shot there.
Naji shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Li pinned against the cage. Li gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bruce Li has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abdul Rashid Naji.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Naji misses with an uppercut. Li saw that one coming.
Naji tries to close the distance and clinch but Li swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Naji tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Li misses with a low kick.
Naji tries to clinch up but Li circles away and keeps his distance.
Naji darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Li throws a shot from downtown. Naji moves away and avoids it.
Li defending well as Naji loads up on a big left hand.
Naji takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Naji blocks the body kick.
Naji throws a looping overhand right but Li ducks down to avoid it.
Li stuffs the takedown.
Li throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Naji sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Naji avoids a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li tries a head kick but it misses.
Li moves out of range of the strikes.
Li stuffs the takedown attempt from Naji. Naji gets slowly back to his feet.
Naji might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Li throws a head kick that half lands.
Naji checks the leg kick.
Naji looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Li is fending him off so far but Naji persists. Nope, Li circles away and we're back to standing.
A jab from Li misses.
Naji will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Li throws a leg kick

and Naji counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Li!
Naji is breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Li manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Naji thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Li's head.
Li gets full guard.
Li seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Li is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Naji is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Naji stopping the sweep attempt from Li.
Naji throws a big right hand that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Naji accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Naji pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Li is keeping the position for now.

Naji postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Li is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Naji, into his guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Naji working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Li dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Naji.
Li misses with a body shot.
Li throws a series of punches but Naji avoids them all with ease.
Naji swings widly with a right hand
and Li counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Li throws a leg kick
and Naji counters with a stiff right hand.
Naji shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Li takes one to the side of the head.
Li throws a front kick aimed at Naji's knee but Naji avoids it well.
Naji lands a glancing blow to the side of Li's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Li looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Li gets caught flat footed, as Naji shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Naji throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Naji postures up and lands a big shot to Li's brow.
Li is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naji is looking to work some ground and pound but Li has wrist control.
Abdul Rashid Naji has got the better of the ground game so far.
Naji pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Li is keeping the position for now.
Naji is looking to work some ground and pound but Li has wrist control.
Li controls Naji momentarily but Naji frees himself.
Naji trying to control the position from guard on top but Li is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Naji is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Li is controlling Naji's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Bruce Li wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Naji keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Li with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Naji tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Li paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Li moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Li.
Naji takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Li is looking to score with low kicks.
Naji takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Li lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Naji shoots in looking for a takedown. Li tries to sprawl out of it but Naji keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Li manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Naji shoots for a takedown but Li saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Bruce Li has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abdul Rashid Naji.
Li throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Naji scores with a nice strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Li lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Naji has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Naji and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Naji misses with a straight left.
Naji checks the leg kick nicely there.
Li throws a half hearted mid kick.
Li throws a half hearted mid kick.
Li finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Naji jabs Li right on the nose. Li blinks but takes it well.

Li is rocked!
Nice defenses there by Li.
Oh Li is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Li defending well as Naji loads up on a big left hand.
Naji misses with a straight left.
Naji throws a shot from downtown. Li moves away and avoids it.
Naji throws an overhand right that lands on Li's shoulder, as Li tries to avoid the shot.
A big left from Naji misses.
Naji throws a shot from downtown. Li moves away and avoids it.
Naji throws out a loose jab but Li uses good head movement to avoid it.
Naji throws out a loose jab but Li uses good head movement to avoid it.
Naji throws a jab when Li was well out of range.
Naji throws out a loose jab but Li uses good head movement to avoid it.

Naji clinches with his opponent.
Naji managing to block the knees to the body from Li.
Li misses with a body punch.

Naji gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Li regains guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Li is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Naji is controlling him.
Naji postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Naji with a nice head shot there.
Naji is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Naji lands a couple of elbows.
Li wants to stand and escape but Naji is having none of it.
Naji postures up from his opponent's guard, before exploding into some vicious ground and pound! Li covers up, he's hurt! Naji keeps throwing the strikes, glancing at the referee... Will he stop it?? One more big shot from Naji and the ref steps in to end the fight! Naji can't hide his delight as he celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Abdul Rashid Naji!
During a confident post fight interview, Abdul Rashid Naji thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.