PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Howard Li (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Uhtred Bebbanburg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Howard Li has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Li
vs
Bebbanburg

174 cm
27
180 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

187 cm
24
179 lbs
9 - 4 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Howard Li!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Uhtred Bebbanburg!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Li misses.
Bebbanburg keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
No joy there for Li, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Li throws a hook to the side of Bebbanburg's head but Bebbanburg sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bebbanburg avoids a punch combination nicely.
Li misses with a combination

and Bebbanburg counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Li!
Bebbanburg in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Bebbanburg throws an elbow but Li slips to the side and avoids it well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Li dodges the ground and pound from Bebbanburg.
Li dodges the ground and pound from Bebbanburg.
Bebbanburg trying to control the position but Li is working away.
Bebbanburg scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Li to see if he's OK.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bebbanburg lands a few punches from side control.
Li pushes Bebbanburg away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Bebbanburg gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bebbanburg fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Li takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Li gets back to half guard.
Bebbanburg slips a nice elbow through Li's hands, connecting with Li's forehead.
Bebbanburg prevents Li from standing back up.
Bebbanburg is nestled in close to Li, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Li is looking to improve his position.
Bebbanburg missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Li looks like he's trying to stand up.
Bebbanburg has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Bebbanburg throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Bebbanburg lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Li is concentrating on defense, preventing Bebbanburg from advancing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bebbanburg sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Bebbanburg prevents Li from improving his position.
Bebbanburg lands with a punch from half guard.
Bebbanburg prevents Li from improving his position.
Li is staying active underneath Bebbanburg, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Li might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Li avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bebbanburg.
Bebbanburg landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Bebbanburg sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Li defending well though.
Bebbanburg takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Bebbanburg thows a huge punch but Li dodges it nicely.
Li is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li taking some punishment here, with Bebbanburg in his half guard.
Li trying to control from the bottom.
Bebbanburg drops an elbow to the side of Li's head.
Bebbanburg is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Bebbanburg slips a nice elbow through Li's hands, connecting with Li's forehead.
Bebbanburg not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bebbanburg looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Li has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bebbanburg is working away from the top position though.
Bebbanburg thows a huge punch but Li dodges it nicely.
Bebbanburg missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Li is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Li makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Li.
Bebbanburg stopping the sweep attempt from Li.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bebbanburg won't allow Li to get back to his feet.
Bebbanburg throwing strikes but missing.
Bebbanburg is working Li over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Bebbanburg with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bebbanburg's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Bebbanburg working his ground and pound in the gym.
Li looking for a sweep. Not yet Li, not yet.
Li is looking to stand up but Bebbanburg isn't so interested in that idea.
Li working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bebbanburg.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bebbanburg postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Li is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Bebbanburg presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Bebbanburg is trying to pull guard but Li has him pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Uhtred Bebbanburg dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bebbanburg dodges the punch combination from Li.
Bebbanburg dodges the punch combination from Li.
Li misses with a hook. Bebbanburg ducked under it nicely.

Bebbanburg shoots in and bounces Li off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Bebbanburg postures up in Li's guard and throws a big left but Li blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bebbanburg with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bebbanburg is looking to work some ground and pound but Li has wrist control.

Li manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

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

Li gets to his feet - Bebbanburg follows without any prompting.
Howard Li seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bebbanburg avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bebbanburg is defended easily by Li.
Bebbanburg tries to move into range but Li moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Li misses with a hook

and Bebbanburg counters with a single leg into guard. Li didn't expect that.
Bebbanburg loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bebbanburg is looking to work some ground and pound but Li has wrist control.
Bebbanburg throws a big right hand that misses.
Bebbanburg stops Li from standing up.
Bebbanburg working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bebbanburg is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bebbanburg passes Li's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Bebbanburg not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bebbanburg is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Uhtred Bebbanburg has got the better of the ground game so far.
Li slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Bebbanburg chips away with some ground and pound.
Bebbanburg trying to control the position from guard on top but Li is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bebbanburg has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bebbanburg connects with a couple of short punches.
Bebbanburg stops Li from standing up.
Li working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bebbanburg.
Bebbanburg trying to control the position from guard on top but Li is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bebbanburg throwing strikes from guard but Li blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li wants to sweep but no luck.
Bebbanburg postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Bebbanburg is looking to work some ground and pound but Li has wrist control.
Li wants to stand and escape but Bebbanburg is having none of it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A combination from Li does no damage.
Bebbanburg takes one to the chin there.
Li throws a poor cross that misses

and Bebbanburg counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Li!
Bebbanburg looks up at the clock and then as Li takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Bebbanburg smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Li is not content to let Bebbanburg control the position.
Bebbanburg is working Li over with some ground and pound from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bebbanburg scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Li to see if he's OK.
Li is looking to reverse the position.
Bebbanburg scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Li to see if he's OK.
Li takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

Li is rocked!
You can see the frustration on Li's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Oh Li is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Bebbanburg trying to control the action but Li is working from the bottom.
Bebbanburg lands a few punches from side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Li wants to get back to his feet.
Li tries to bench press Bebbanburg off him but Bebbanburg keeps the position.
Bebbanburg wants to control but Li is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Uhtred Bebbanburg showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Li's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Li misses with a hook to the body

and Bebbanburg decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Li's guard.
Li seems to have got his legs back now.
Bebbanburg loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bebbanburg sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Li's guard.
Li wants to improve his position but Bebbanburg is controlling well.
Bebbanburg landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Li tries to kick Bebbanburg off but Bebbanburg keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Bebbanburg lands a nice short elbow.
Bebbanburg drops an elbow to the side of Li's head.
Bebbanburg working the head and body with strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bebbanburg throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Li looks like he's trying to stand up.
Bebbanburg trying to control from half guard but Li is working away.
Li is pressing down on Bebbanburg's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bebbanburg content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Li wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Bebbanburg manages to pass to side control.
Li trying to hold on to Bebbanburg's head to control him but Bebbanburg postures up.
Bebbanburg is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Bebbanburg throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Li keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Li kicks Bebbanburg off and gets back to his feet.
Li lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Bebbanburg slips under a jab from Li.
The fighters circling - Li throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bebbanburg is trying hard to land a takedown here. Li sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Li looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Li throws a series of punches but Bebbanburg avoids them all with ease.
Li throws a right hand that Bebbanburg ducks under and follows up with a left that Bebbanburg also avoids with ease.
Li lands the left hand.
Li throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Howard Li is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
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 will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Bebbanburg shoots in looking for a takedown but Li manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Bebbanburg's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Li jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Howard Li is winning the standup battle so far.
A punch combination from Li misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li misses with a combination

so Bebbanburg counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bebbanburg chips away with some ground and pound.
Li wants to stand and escape but Bebbanburg is having none of it.
Bebbanburg throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bebbanburg distracts Li with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Bebbanburg scoring with punches to the head and body.
Bebbanburg is working Li over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Li manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Li fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bebbanburg slips a straight right by Li.
Li throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bebbanburg.
Li throws a series of punches but Bebbanburg avoids them all with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li throws a jab when Bebbanburg was well out of range.
Howard Li is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Li rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Bebbanburg counters with a shoot takedown. Li fights it but they end up in guard.
Uhtred Bebbanburg is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Li keeping moving, preventing Bebbanburg from controlling successfully.
Bebbanburg throws a big elbow that misses.
Bebbanburg throws a big right hand that misses.
Bebbanburg engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Bebbanburg stopping the sweep attempt from Li.
Bebbanburg keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Li's head.
Bebbanburg stands up over Li, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Howard Li has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Li had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bebbanburg defends it easily.
Bebbanburg is stalling in the full guard.

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 Howard Li.
I think Bebbanburg has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:30

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