PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Belal Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ax Skargholm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Li
vs
Skargholm

195 cm
23
188 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
186 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Good elbows
Powerful

Mango Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Belal Li!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ax Skargholm!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Ryoma Takatsuka and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Skargholm tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Skargholm is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Li keeps the fight on the outside.
Skargholm fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Skargholm tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Skargholm wants to clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Li. No joy for Skargholm on that attempt.
Li throws a lazy right hand but Skargholm sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Skargholm doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Li counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Skargholm is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Belal Li has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ax Skargholm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skargholm shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Li counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Skargholm is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Ax Skargholm seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Li takes the fight into the clinch.
Skargholm is working for takedown but Li is calmly controlling the position for now.
Li has Skargholm pressed against the cage, preventing Skargholm from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Li landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Li stalls.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Skargholm tries for a takedown but Li manages to get underhooks.

Li breaks the clinch.
Skargholm tries for a takedown but Li circles away easily
and Li counters with a nice low kick that buckles Skargholm's knee momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skargholm misses with a takedown attempt

and Li counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Skargholm looks winded!
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!
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Skargholm is working an open guard so Li takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
The fighters circle, before Li throws a beautiful high kick that crashes into Skargholm's neck, sending him stumbling to the floor! Li lands more strikes and forces a referee stoppage! That one ended in an instant!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:21 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Kick & Punches). Belal Li!
In his post fight interview, Belal Li started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.