PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tom Boaler (ranked 1067 p4p, 131 weight class) and Li Qiang (ranked 1243 p4p, 142 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Boaler
vs
Qiang

185 cm
26
260 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

195 cm
26
273 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tom Boaler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Li Qiang!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Daniel Franklin and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Qiang stuffs the takedown.
Boaler goes for a double leg but Qiang avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Qiang continues to drive forward.
Qiang has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Boaler is landing a low percentage of strikes.

Boaler shoots in and bounces Qiang off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Qiang is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Boaler is pushing down on Qiang's leg trying to pass to half guard. Qiang is fighting to maintain full guard but Boaler has managed to sneak the leg through.
Qiang is trying to get back to full guard.

Qiang looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boaler wants to free his trapped foot but Qiang is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Qiang manages to get to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Qiang looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Boaler has picked Qiang up and slammed him! Qiang can't keep hold of the triangle and Boaler manages to pass to side control!
Qiang is trying to work for a sweep but Boaler has mounted him!
Boaler works his way to his opponent's back.
You can see the frustration on Qiang's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Qiang really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Boaler. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Qiang trying to control the hands but Boaler breaks the grip.
Boaler keeps control of the position as Qiang tries to break free.
Qiang is keeping busy.

Qiang preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Boaler.
Boaler has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

Qiang showing good submission defense here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boaler trying to control momentarily.

Qiang is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Boaler gets his way!

Boaler patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Qiang defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
I really don't envy Qiang right now.
Qiang trying to control the position but Boaler manages to sink in the hooks.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Boaler has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Boaler dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Boaler shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Qiang as he jumps to the side.
Boaler shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Qiang sprawls well. Qiang wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Boaler gets slowly back to his feet.
Boaler shoots in and drives through. Qiang sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tom Boaler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A big left from Qiang misses.
Boaler misses with a takedown attempt - Qiang sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Qiang defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Boaler.
Tom Boaler is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Boaler.
Qiang looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A slow jab from Qiang misses its intended target.
Donk. Qiang catches Boaler right on the button with a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boaler closes the distance and clinches up with Qiang, looking for a takedown. Boaler pushes Qiang against the cage but Qiang circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Qiang connects with a looping right hand.
Boaler shoots in for a takedown but Qiang shows good takedown defense.

Boaler drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boaler trying to control the position but Qiang is working away.
Qiang tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Qiang gets back to half guard.
Boaler wants to pass the guard but Qiang is defending well.
Qiang slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Qiang looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Qiang keeping moving, preventing Boaler from controlling successfully.

Qiang throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Boaler sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Qiang's guard.
Boaler is trying to control. Qiang wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Qiang tries to roll over but Boaler keeps him under control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Boaler wants to pass the guard but Qiang is defending well.
Boaler is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Li Qiang showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

Qiang keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Li Qiang has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Boaler tries for a takedown but Qiang circles away easily
letting Qiang counter with a right hand.
A big right from Qiang misses.
Boaler tries to counter with a takedown but Qiang is quick to defend against it.
Boaler shoots in for a takedown but Qiang shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tom Boaler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Boaler ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Boaler will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Boaler fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Qiang displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Boaler.
Qiang is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Boaler with a body shot.
Boaler slips a straight right by Qiang.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boaler misses with a takedown
and Qiang counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Boaler thinking.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Qiang throws a hook but Boaler blocks it.
Boaler on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Qiang forces Boaler back against the cage and clinches.
Qiang lands a nice uppercut.
Qiang lands a left hand that snaps the head of Boaler backwards.
Qiang lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Qiang misses with a hook to the ribs.
Boaler fails to pull guard.

Boaler jumps guard.
Qiang works over Boaler with some ground and pound from guard.
Qiang stopping the sweep attempt from Boaler.
Qiang trying to control but Boaler is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Qiang is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Qiang wants to control from the top but Boaler keeps moving.
Qiang preventing the sweep.
Qiang with a nice head shot there.
Qiang pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Boaler is keeping the position for now.
Qiang is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Boaler looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Qiang postures up.
Qiang missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Boaler is trying to keep Qiang in close.

And that's the end of the fight!
Li Qiang comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Qiang 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 David Hoff scores the fight for Li Qiang!
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight for Li Qiang!
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight for Li Qiang!

Li Qiang wins by unanimous decision!
Li Qiang decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.