PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Yonglong Li (ranked 367 p4p, 54 weight class) and Thomas Raske (ranked 446 p4p, 66 weight class). 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.

Li
vs
Raske

183 cm
38
176 lbs
28 - 13 - 2

188 cm
30
170 lbs
21 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Sportivité

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 28 - 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 21 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Thomas Raske!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Sosuke Kotani and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Li moves out of range of the strikes.
Li appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

Li closes the distance and pushes Raske back into the cage.
Raske lands a hook that snaps the head of Li backwards.
Li misses with a body punch.
Li swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Li prevents a body shot from Raske.
A short right from Li.
A nice left hand lands by Li.

It looks like Thomas Raske has been cut.
Raske tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Li's elbow.
Raske working aggressively here.
Li swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Still in the clinch, Li scores with a nice short uppercut.
Li lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Raske or not.
Li goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Li misses with a punch to the body.
A hook to the body from Li.
Li tries to throw a body punch but Raske avoids it by throwing Li back against the cage.
Li throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Raskes head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Li throws a head punch that misses.
A hook to the body from Li.
A head punch on the inside from Li fails to land.
Li tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Raske misses with some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Li misses with a punch on the inside.
Raske tries a body shot but Li blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Raske.
Li lands a left hand.
Raske is trying to stall.
Li digs a right hand underneath Raske's ribcage. Raske let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Raske blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Raske prevents a body shot from Li.
Raske tries to work over Li's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short left from Li.
Li tries to work over Raske's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Li throws a punch but it's blocked by Raske.
Raske lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Li doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Li blocking some punches.
Li tries to work over Raske's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Li lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Li blocking some punches.
Li throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Raskes head.
Li cracks Raske with a nice body shot.
Li stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Li lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Raske or not.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li is leaning against Raske and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Raske looks winded!
Li tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Li lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Li lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Li tries a body shot but Raske blocks it.
Li tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A shot in the inside from Li.
Raske blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Raske blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Li throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Raskes head.
Li lands a body shot in the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Raske scores with a nice short uppercut.
Raske throws a head punch that misses.
Raske blocks an uppercut.
Li blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Li swings wildly with an uppercut but Raske uses good head movement to avoid it.
Li misses with the head strike.

Raske breaks from the clinch.
Raske has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Li is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Raske ducks under a wild hook from Li.
A little jabbing left from Raske on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Raske tests Li's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Li cracks Raske with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raske misses with a jab to the body
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Raske's corner calls for a 1-2. Raske obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Raske looks to score with a jab to the body but Li is just out of range.
A leg kick checked by Raske.
Li lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Li thuds his shin into the meat of Raske's side.
Raske misses the shot to the body.

Li has taken the fight to the clinch.
Good body shot from Li.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Raske.
Raske tries a body shot but Li blocks it.
Raske tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Li misses with the head strike.
Li tries a body shot but Raske blocks it.
A short right from Raske.
Li can't find room to land a body shot as Raske controls the action.
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!
Raske tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Li swings wildly with an uppercut but Raske uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Raske.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Li misses with a punch to the body.
Raske trying to control the position but instead, Li has worked for underhooks and has pushed Raske into the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Raske creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Raske digs a right hand into Li's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Li's gas tank.
Raske scores with an uppercut up the middle.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Raske lands a right hand.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Raske.
Raske tries for a takedown. No joy.
A short body shot lands from Li as the two fighters clinch.
Li throws a punch but it's blocked by Raske.
Li misses with a body punch.
Raske fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Raske swings wildly with an uppercut but Li uses good head movement to avoid it.
Raske pushes Li back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Li tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Li lands with a short head shot on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yonglong Li dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Thomas Raske's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Raske takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Raske tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Li manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Raske looks for the body kick but Li saw that one coming.
Raske misses with a hook.
Li takes a swing at Raske's ribcage but misses.
Raske scores with a nice strike.
Li throws a jab but it's blocked by Raske.
Raske throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Li moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Yonglong Li is winning the standup battle so far.
Raske blocks a leg kick.
A jab lands there for Li.
Raske fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Li manages to avoid it.
Raske ducks under a wild hook from Li.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Li takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Li keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Li appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Raske stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Li.
Raske uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Li.
Li is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Raske can do to turn this around?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Li connects with a solid leg kick.
Raske throws a big shot that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Raske. Li does a little dance to reset his feet.

Li rushes Raske and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Li.
Li cracks Raske with a nice body shot.
Li tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Raske blocks a body shot from Li.
Raske blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Raske blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Raske misses with a punch on the inside.
Raske misses with some punches.
Li scores with a nice hook to the head.
Raske lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Li or not.
Li goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Raske lands a left hand that snaps the head of Li backwards.
Li misses with some punches.
Li struggles to land a body shot inside as Raske controls his hands.
Li misses with the head strike.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Li.
Raske blocks a body shot from Li.
Raske throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Lis head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Raske lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Li fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nice body punch from Raske.
Li makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Li lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Raske blocks an uppercut.
Li throws a punch but it's blocked by Raske.
Raske lands a body shot.
Raske looking for a takedown.
Li misses with some punches.
Li pushes Raske back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Raske is rocked!
Li throws a punch but it's blocked by Raske.
Raske is still on wobbly legs! Can Li finish him?
Li throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Raske lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Li backwards.
Raske is looking for a takedown.
Li tries to throw a body punch but Raske avoids it by throwing Li back against the cage.
Raske seems to have recovered his senses.
Raske takes a shot to the head.
Raske has a couple of punches blocked by Li.
Raske is leaning against Li and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Li misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li lands a left hand that snaps the head of Raske backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Raske fails to land.
Li misses with the head strike.
Raske swings wildly with an uppercut but Li uses good head movement to avoid it.
Li lands a body shot in the clinch.
Raske is breathing heavily.
Li working aggressively here.
A body shot lands from Li.
Li working aggressively here.
Raske misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Li misses with a punch to the body.
Li lands a hook that snaps the head of Raske backwards.
Li lands a body punch.
Raske blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Li swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A hook to the body from Li.
Li goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Raske misses with a hook from the clinch.
Li lands a nice shot to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Li.
Li lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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 lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Raske takes a shot to the head.
Li tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Raske scores with a shoulder strike.
Li lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Raske backwards.
Li scores with a shoulder strike.
Raske lands an uppercut.

Raske's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Li dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Raske. That did some damage!
Li ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Raske moves away.
Raske takes one on the button.
Raske fails in his attempt to clinch.
Li throws a low kick but Raske moves out of range easily.
Li lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Li throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A punch lands to the side of Li 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Raske looks to land a combination but Li avoids it well.
Raske missing with a left hand there. Li was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yonglong Li dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Thomas Raske's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Raske blocks a head kick by Li.
Li walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Raske checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Li pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Raske uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Li.
Raske looks to score with a jab to the body but Li is just out of range.
Li ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Raske blocks a leg kick.
Li throws a body shot but no joy.
Raske checks a leg kick.
Li throws a body kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Raske.
Li misses with a straight left.
Li tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Raske was well out of range. Poor timing from Li.
Raske throws a chopping leg kick but Li manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice body kick from Li.
Li fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Raske checks it well.
Raske chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Li connects with a body shot that sends Raske's belly button to the back.
Raske misses with a straight right.
Li misses with a two punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raske jabs at Li's body.
Li with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Raske to score with a decent uppercut.
Raske tries a head kick but it misses.
Raske wants to slow Li down by chopping away at his legs.
Li tries a low kick but Raske avoids it.
Raske slips under a jab.
Raske pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Li is looking to counter punch.
A good leg kick by Li.
Li throws out a loose jab but Raske uses good head movement to avoid it.
Raske keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Li throws a looping overhand right but Raske ducks down to avoid it.
Li misses with a straight right.
Raske avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Raske goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Raske uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Li.
Raske with the counter takedown but Li avoids it easily.
Li thuds a left hand into Raske's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raske throws a body shot but no joy.
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!
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Raske 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 Li has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Li and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Li keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Raske scores with a shot to the body.
Raske tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Li jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A head kick misses from Li.
Raske scores with a body shot.
Raske swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Raske misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Li.
A little feinted left hand from Li on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Raske misses with a wild body shot.
Raske ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Li moves away.
Li shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
It seemed like Raske was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Raske avoids the body shot from Li.
Li needs to keep his hands up - Raske had a free shot at his head there.
Li throws a hook to the side of Raske's head but Raske sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Raske uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Li.
Thomas Raske has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thomas Raske seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Raske crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Li - the referee stops the clock and Raske gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Li. Raske manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Raske steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Li.
Raske doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Li throws out a loose jab but Raske uses good head movement to avoid it.
Raske throws a body punch but Li moves out of range.
Li misses with a body shot.
Li scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Li wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Yonglong Li is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Li misses with a wild body shot.
Raske misses with a right hand
and Li counters with a nice uppercut.
Raske 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.
Li scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Li plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Li avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Raske throws a body punch but Li moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Li jabs Raske to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Raske throws a lazy right hand but Li sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice shot lands for Raske.
Li slips under a jab.
Nice shot by Li.
Raske moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Raske looks to land a left hand but Li moved out of range nicely.
Raske just misses with a punch to the body.
Li connects with a body shot that sends Raske's belly button to the back.
Li lands a nice shot to the body.
Li ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Raske misses the jab.
Li on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Li throws a shot to the body.
Raske pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Raske takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Li chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Raske can pounce on him.
Li on the wrong end of a nice hook.

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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yonglong Li!
An out of breath Yonglong Li thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.