PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Yang Xinhai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and PitPat Spokesthing (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Xinhai comes to the cage accompanied by Loco. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Xinhai
vs
Spokesthing

169 cm
23
143 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

171 cm
23
142 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

The Big Kabosh

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yang Xinhai!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, PitPat Spokesthing!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Eddie Farnsworth and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xinhai displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Spokesthing throws out the jab.
Spokesthing takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Spokesthing throws a combination that misses
and Xinhai counters with a left to the body.
Spokesthing dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Spokesthing walks into a straight right hand from Xinhai.
Spokesthing jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Xinhai moves out of range as Spokesthing strikes.

Xinhai gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Xinhai tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Xinhai lands a left hand that snaps the head of Spokesthing backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Xinhai.
Spokesthing goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A short left from Spokesthing.
Spokesthing tries to break the clinch but Xinhai is controlling the position.
Xinhai goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spokesthing throws a punch but it's blocked by Xinhai.
A nice right hand lands inside from Spokesthing.
Spokesthing working aggressively here.
Spokesthing lands with a right to the head.
Spokesthing blocks an uppercut.
Spokesthing wants to break free but Xinhai has control.
Xinhai swings wildly with an uppercut but Spokesthing uses good head movement to avoid it.
Xinhai tries to work over Spokesthing's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Spokesthing misses with a punch on the inside.
Spokesthing misses with a hook to the ribs.
Spokesthing tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Xinhai misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Xinhai.
Spokesthing throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Xinhai blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spokesthing scores with a shot to the side of Xinhai's head.
Xinhai fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Xinhai lands a nice uppercut.
Spokesthing tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Xinhai's elbow.
Xinhai misses with some punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Spokesthing tries to land knees in the clinch but Xinhai avoids the damage to the body.
Xinhai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Spokesthing's elbow.
Spokesthing tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Spokesthing has had enough of the clinch but Xinhai keeps him there for the moment.
Spokesthing tries to throw a body punch but Xinhai avoids it by throwing Spokesthing back against the cage.
Xinhai scores with a shoulder strike.
Xinhai misses with a punch to the body.
Spokesthing tries to break free but Xinhai pushes him back against the cage.
Spokesthing wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spokesthing misses with a short punch on the inside.

Spokesthing manages to break the clinch.
Xinhai connects with a single shot there.
Spokesthing jabs at Xinhai's body.
Xinhai scores with a hook.

Spokesthing is rocked!
Spokesthing scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Spokesthing wants to clinch.
Spokesthing lands a jab.
Xinhai jabs Spokesthing to the body, keeping him at a distance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Xinhai on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spokesthing throws a nice inside leg kick.
Spokesthing moves out of range as Xinhai strikes.
Spokesthing throws a looping overhand right but Xinhai ducks down to avoid it.
Xinhai lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Xinhai fails in his attempt to clinch.
Xinhai slips a straight right by Spokesthing.
Xinhai lands a head shot.
Spokesthing misses with a left hand

and Xinhai counters with a shoot takedown. Spokesthing fights it but they end up in guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Xinhai slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Xinhai lands a couple of digs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Xinhai avoids the body shot from Spokesthing.
Xinhai takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Xinhai misses with a lunging right hand
and Spokesthing counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Spokesthing is looking to score with low kicks.
A head kick misses from Xinhai.
Xinhai tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Xinhai connects with a single shot there.
Xinhai steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Spokesthing.
Xinhai closes the distance and clinches up with Spokesthing, looking for a takedown. Xinhai pushes Spokesthing against the cage but Spokesthing circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Xinhai.
Xinhai ducks under a wild hook from Spokesthing.

Xinhai gets a clinch.
Xinhai tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spokesthing blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Spokesthing misses with some punches.
Xinhai lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Spokesthing.
Spokesthing swings wildly with an uppercut but Xinhai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Xinhai goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Spokesthing misses with a punch on the inside.
Spokesthing blocks an uppercut.
Xinhai swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Xinhai misses with a punch to the body.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Spokesthing throws a head punch that misses.
Spokesthing has a couple of punches blocked by Xinhai.
Spokesthing tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A nice right hand lands inside from Spokesthing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spokesthing working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Xinhai blocks an elbow strike.
A short left from Spokesthing.
Spokesthing is trying to force a seperation but Xinhai has the dominant position.
Xinhai throws a punch but it's blocked by Spokesthing.
Spokesthing lands with a left to the head.
Spokesthing lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Xinhai breaks the clinch.
PitPat Spokesthing is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Xinhai doesn't manage to clinch there - Spokesthing circles away.
Xinhai lands a jab-cross combination.
Spokesthing throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Xinhai sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Spokesthing lands a nice hook to Xinhai's body. Xinhai takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Spokesthing keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spokesthing keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A jab from Spokesthing misses.
Xinhai takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Xinhai looks to throw the jab but Spokesthing is out of range.
Spokesthing will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Xinhai misses with a wild body shot.
Xinhai takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Xinhai takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A leg kick checked by Xinhai.
Xinhai scores with a body shot.

Xinhai closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Xinhai lands in his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xinhai throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Spokesthing works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Xinhai has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Xinhai slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Xinhai looking to pass the guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Xinhai is looking to work some ground and pound but Spokesthing has wrist control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Xinhai wants to control from the top but Spokesthing keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yang Xinhai dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Spokesthing scores with a hook.
Xinhai lands with a nice body punch.

Xinhai looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Xinhai in particular looking to stall.
Spokesthing is staying active underneath Xinhai, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Yang Xinhai.
Spokesthing swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
No joy there for Xinhai, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Spokesthing uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Xinhai.
Xinhai tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Spokesthing was well out of range. Poor timing from Xinhai.
Nice defenses there by Spokesthing.
Spokesthing throws a hook but Xinhai blocks it.
Xinhai takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Spokesthing moves away from the strike by Xinhai.
Xinhai shoots for a takedown but Spokesthing saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Spokesthing connects with a single shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xinhai throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Xinhai has a takedown stuffed.
Spokesthing takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A looping hook to the body misses from Xinhai. Spokesthing does a little dance to reset his feet.
Xinhai throws a front kick aimed at Spokesthing's knee but Spokesthing avoids it well.
Spokesthing stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Spokesthing wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yang Xinhai. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Xinhai looks to land a combination but Spokesthing avoids it well.
Xinhai darts in trying to clinch
and Spokesthing counters with an inside leg kick.
Xinhai's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Spokesthing connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Xinhai scrambles back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xinhai slips under a jab from Spokesthing.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Spokesthing.
Xinhai takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Xinhai tries to close the distance and clinch but Spokesthing swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Spokesthing missing with a left hand there. Xinhai was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Spokesthing misses with a lunging right hand
and Xinhai counters with a nice kick to the body.
A head kick from Xinhai lands but Spokesthing takes it in his stride.

Xinhai gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Xinhai.

Spokesthing breaks the clinch.
Spokesthing throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xinhai displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Spokesthing throws out the jab.
The fighters circling - Xinhai throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Spokesthing scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Spokesthing keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Xinhai misses with a kick to the body.
Spokesthing checks a low kick from Xinhai.
Spokesthing closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Spokesthing lands a leg kick that knocks Xinhai off balance momentarily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Spokesthing takes the fight into the clinch.
Xinhai fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yang Xinhai clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Spokesthing cracks the inside of Xinhai's front leg.
Xinhai tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Spokesthing is able to avoid easily.
Spokesthing throws a wild body kick that Xinhai sees coming a mile off.
Xinhai swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Xinhai takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Xinhai takes one to the side of the head.
Yang Xinhai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Spokesthing throws a jab but it's blocked by Xinhai.
Spokesthing moves into range and connects with a jab.
Xinhai misses with a combination
and Spokesthing counters with a low kick, right behind Xinhai 's knee.
Xinhai misses with a takedown attempt - Spokesthing sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Spokesthing blocks a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spokesthing swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Spokesthing misses with a low kick.
Spokesthing scores with a crisp jab that stopped Xinhai in his tracks.
Spokesthing throws an overhand right that lands on Xinhai's shoulder, as Xinhai tries to avoid the shot.
Xinhai lands a nice leg kick that just misses Spokesthing's sensitive parts.
Xinhai lands with a cross.
Yang Xinhai is winning the standup battle so far.
Xinhai takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Spokesthing connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Xinhai ducks under a wild hook from Spokesthing.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Xinhai.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Spokesthing gets caught flat footed, as Xinhai shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Xinhai wants to control from the top but Spokesthing keeps moving.
Xinhai is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Xinhai looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Xinhai trying to control the position from guard on top but Spokesthing is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Yang Xinhai wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Spokesthing takes a jab right on the kisser.
Spokesthing thows a left - swing and a miss!
Spokesthing loads up on a big right hand but Xinhai slips the punch.
A nice inside leg kick there by Spokesthing. That's going to slow Xinhai down.

Spokesthing tries to sprawl but Xinhai drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Xinhai throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Xinhai sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Spokesthing defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xinhai sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Spokesthing defending well though.
Xinhai is trying to control. Spokesthing wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Xinhai trying to control from Spokesthing's half guard. Spokesthing has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Xinhai pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Spokesthing is keeping the position for now.
Xinhai trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Spokesthing manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Xinhai is controlling Spokesthing's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yang Xinhai had his way with PitPat Spokesthing in that 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. This is the final round!

Spokesthing throws a hook but Xinhai blocks it.
Xinhai feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Spokesthings jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Xinhai takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Spokesthing misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Xinhai.
Xinhai takes a swing at Spokesthing's ribcage but misses.
Xinhai throws a series of punches but Spokesthing moves out of range.
Spokesthing showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Xinhai.
A low kick from Xinhai is predictable there
and Spokesthing counters with a thumping low kick.
Spokesthing tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Xinhai is able to avoid easily.
Spokesthing looks to throw the jab but Xinhai is out of range.
Spokesthing throws an overhand right that lands on Xinhai's shoulder, as Xinhai tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Spokesthing.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Spokesthing, as that shot connected.
Nice defenses there by Xinhai.

Spokesthing clinches up against the cage.
Xinhai throws a head punch that misses.
Spokesthing pushes Xinhai back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Xinhai blocks an uppercut.
Xinhai tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A hook to the body from Spokesthing.
Xinhai blocks an uppercut.
Xinhai blocking some punches.
PitPat Spokesthing has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spokesthing's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Xinhai misses with the head strike.
Xinhai tries to work over Spokesthing's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Xinhai working aggressively here.
Spokesthing creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Spokesthing misses with a short punch on the inside.
Spokesthing wants to break the clinch but can't.
Xinhai gets through Spokesthing's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Xinhai misses with a hook to the ribs.
Xinhai can't find room to land a body shot as Spokesthing controls the action.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Xinhai.
Spokesthing misses with a punch to the body.
Spokesthing is trying to force a seperation but Xinhai has the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Xinhai.
Spokesthing throws a head punch that misses.
A nice left hand lands by Xinhai.
Spokesthing lands with a short head shot on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Spokesthing.
Xinhai tries to work over Spokesthing's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Spokesthing misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Spokesthing throws a head punch that misses.
Xinhai has had enough of the clinch but Spokesthing keeps him there for the moment.
Spokesthing creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Xinhai.
Spokesthing is looking to break free of the clinch but Xinhai has double underhooks.
Spokesthing tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Xinhai is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Xinhai fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Spokesthing's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Xinhai lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Spokesthing is still on wobbly legs! Can Xinhai finish him?
A slow jab from Xinhai misses its intended target.
Spokesthing seems to have recovered his senses.
Xinhai misses with a head kick.
A big right from Spokesthing misses.
Spokesthing moves out of range as Xinhai strikes.
A jab lands there for Xinhai.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Xinhai gets a double leg takedown into Spokesthing's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spokesthing keeping moving, preventing Xinhai from controlling successfully.

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 Yang Xinhai.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Xinhai, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 50:45
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 50:45
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 50:45

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