PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Yonglong Li (ranked 1613 p4p, 219 weight class) and Alka Mangrove (ranked 947 p4p, 134 weight class). Alka Mangrove has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Li
vs
Mangrove

183 cm
37
176 lbs
25 - 13 - 2

173 cm
37
170 lbs
25 - 10 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Sportivité

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Dark Knight Nutrition

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 25 - 13 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Yonglong Li!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Alka Mangrove!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Li misses with a wild body shot.
Mangrove attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mangrove. Li does a little dance to reset his feet.
Li misses with a body shot.
Mangrove lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Li misses with a low kick.
Mangrove tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Li was well out of range. Poor timing from Mangrove.
A counter left hand to the body from Li misses its target.

Mangrove has taken the fight to the clinch.
Li pushes Mangrove back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Mangrove misses with an elbow strike.
Mangrove jumps guard but Li turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
A short uppercut from Li.
Mangrove lands with a light punch inside.
Li misses with some punches.
A short left from Li.
Mangrove comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Mangrove misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mangrove misses with some punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Li avoids the elbow strike from Mangrove, against the cage.
Li lands an uppercut.

Mangrove jumps guard and drags Li to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Li is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Li got a little sloppy there for a moment and Mangrove has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Li has managed to get both his arms back between Mangrove's legs - danger averted.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mangrove looking for a sweep. Not yet Mangrove, not yet.
Li not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Li tries to free his leg and advance position but Mangrove is retaining full guard.
Mangrove is pulling down on Li's head. It's preventing any offense from Li, at least for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Li controlling from the top position.

Mangrove throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Li has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Li engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li wants to stand but Mangrove is controlling his posture from full guard.

Mangrove looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Mangrove escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Li gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Mangrove looking for subs off his back but Li has passed one foot through into half guard.
Li controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Mangrove is looking to improve his position.
Li wants to stand up but Mangrove is controlling the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Mangrove lands a glancing blow to the side of Li's head.
Mangrove misses with a leg kick.
Li throws a half hearted mid kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Li throws a shot from downtown. Mangrove moves away and avoids it.
Mangrove with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Mangrove slips under a jab from Li.

Mangrove clinches up against the cage.
Li throws a punch but it's blocked by Mangrove.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alka Mangrove dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Mangrove with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Mangrove gets a clinch.
Li throws a punch but it's blocked by Mangrove.
Li lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Mangrove tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Li misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Li fails to land.
Li presses Mangrove against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Li tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mangrove's elbow.
Li tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mangrove's elbow.
Mangrove misses with a punch on the inside.
Mangrove misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short right from Li on the inside.
Mangrove blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Li blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li has a couple of punches blocked by Mangrove.
Mangrove goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nice body punch from Mangrove.
Mangrove comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Yonglong Li has been cut.
Li digs a right hand into Mangrove's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Mangrove's gas tank.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A short right from Mangrove on the inside.
Li misses with some punches.
Li works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mangrove tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Li's elbow.
Li tries to work over Mangrove's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right from Li on the inside.
Li lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Mangrove.
Mangrove misses with a hook to the ribs.
Li goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mangrove has a couple of punches blocked by Li.
Nice body punch from Mangrove.
Li misses with the head strike.
Mangrove prevents a body shot from Li.
Mangrove tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Li's elbow.
Mangrove lands a nice uppercut.
Li takes a shot to the head.
Mangrove lands a hook to the side of the head.
Li throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Li misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mangrove.
A head punch on the inside from Li fails to land.
Yonglong Li has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A short right from Li.

Mangrove has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Li uses from the top position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Li is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li trying to control the position from guard on top but Mangrove is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mangrove not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Mangrove working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Li doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Li manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Li wants to pass the guard but Mangrove is keeping the position.
Li forces his way into half guard.
Li is trying to control the action in half guard but Mangrove is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mangrove looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Mangrove is trying to get back to full guard.
Mangrove wants to control but Li passes into side.
You can see the frustration on Mangrove's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Li trying to control the position but Mangrove is working away.

Li decides to stand up, so the ref orders Mangrove to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
A looping hook to the body misses from Li. Mangrove does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mangrove shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Li but Li pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Jab, jab by Li - just one landing.
Mangrove tries to bum rush Li with a series of wild strikes but Li uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mangrove scores with a punch to the head.
Mangrove lands with a good body shot.
Mangrove slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Mangrove misses with a leg kick
letting Li counter with a right hand.
Mangrove tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Li paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Li ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mangrove moves away.
Mangrove stuns Li with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Mangrove tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mangrove takes one to the chin there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Yonglong Li will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Yonglong Li's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Mangrove scores with a leg kick.
Li throws a leg kick that misses.
Mangrove connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Li throws the left hand but Mangrove avoids the punch easily.
Li ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mangrove moves away.
Mangrove feints the counter takedown.
Li avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mangrove shoots in looking for a takedown. Li tries to sprawl out of it but Mangrove 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.
Li moves out of range of the body kick from Mangrove.
Li throwing a counter right hand but Mangrove manages to avoid it.
Li jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mangrove throws a right hand that misses
and Li counters with a left to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Mangrove checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Mangrove avoids the body shot from Li.
Li waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mangrove.
Mangrove drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Li defends it well.
Li swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mangrove misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Li.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mangrove uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Li.
Mangrove misses with a body kick.
Mangrove ducks under a wild hook from Li.
Mangrove slips a straight right by Li.
Mangrove throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Mangrove fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Li manages to avoid it.
Li misses with a wild body shot.
Li scores with a hook.
Li lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Li defending well as Mangrove loads up on a big left hand.
Li appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Mangrove takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A looping hook to the body misses from Li. Mangrove does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mangrove keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mangrove avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mangrove drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Li defends it well.
Mangrove pivots, looking for a leg kick but Li is out of range and Mangrove settles back down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mangrove throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Li throws the left hand but Mangrove avoids the punch easily.
Li loads up on a big right hand but Mangrove slips the punch.
Mangrove with the counter takedown but Li avoids it easily.
Mangrove avoids the body shot from Li.
Mangrove tried to score with a low kick but Li checks it.
Li throws a low kick but it's checked well by Mangrove.
Mangrove throws a shot from downtown. Li moves away and avoids it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Li swings for the body but Mangrove moves out of range.
Li misses the jab.
Mangrove ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Li moves away.
Li takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Mangrove scores with a head kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Mangrove, right into the meat.
Mangrove motions for Li to come forward. Mangrove throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Li misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mangrove.
A jab from Li finds it's way through Mangrove's defenses.
Li fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mangrove manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mangrove uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Li.
Mangrove throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mangrove throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Li.
Yonglong Li is winning the standup battle so far.
Li throws a hook but Mangrove avoids it easily.
Li tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mangrove was well out of range. Poor timing from Li.
Li steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mangrove.
Mangrove is looking to clinch.
Yonglong Li is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mangrove just misses with a punch to the body.
Li tries to score with a low kick but Mangrove moves his leg out of the way.
Mangrove throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Mangrove avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Mangrove dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Li. That did some damage!
Mangrove shoots in for a takedown but Li shows good takedown defense.
Mangrove scoring well with a low kick there.
The fighters circling - Mangrove throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Li is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Li ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mangrove has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Li.
Mangrove throws out a powerful jab.
Mangrove tries to land a body kick
and Li counters with a straight right hand.
Mangrove tries a head kick but it misses.
Mangrove comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Li throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Li looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Mangrove checks a leg kick.
Mangrove scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Li ducks right into an uppercut from Mangrove.
Mangrove ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Li lands with a right hand.
Mangrove bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mangrove is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Mangrove is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Li rather than just go for the knockout.
Mangrove will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Mangrove misses with a head kick.
Mangrove takes a swing at Li's ribcage but misses.
Li half committed to a counter leg kick.

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 Yonglong Li.
Well Li has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yonglong Li!
Yonglong Li decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.