PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Lennart Hohenthal (ranked 183 p4p, 538 weight class) and Charlie River (ranked 15 p4p, 41 weight class). River has chosen Waylon Jennings - I've Always Been Crazy as his entrance music. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hohenthal
vs
River

161 cm
29
142
15 - 10 - 0

170 cm
32
142
32 - 19 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

NARCOS
Conviction

Shadow Realm Apparel
Bondi MMA 🏝️

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 15 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lennart Hohenthal!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 19 - 1, fighting out of New York, Charlie River!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Seu Braga and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
River keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice cross by Hohenthal.
Hohenthal walks forward, straight into a front kick from River.
River connects with a solid leg kick.
River throws a lazy right hand but Hohenthal sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
It looked like Hohenthal wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Hohenthal scores with a hook.

It looks like Charlie River has been cut.
River buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
River throws the left hand but Hohenthal avoids the punch easily.
Hohenthal slips a jab from River.
Hohenthal tries to clinch but River is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
River connects with a solid leg kick.
Hohenthal throws a hook to the side of River's head but River sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
River is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Hohenthal with a body shot.
Hohenthal on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
We've been informed that River has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
River lands a head shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hohenthal wants to clinch but River slips to the side
and River makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hohenthal bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
River takes a swing at Hohenthal's ribcage but misses.
River misses with a straight right.
River takes a swing at Hohenthal's ribcage but misses.
A combination from Hohenthal does no damage.
River misses with a combination
and Hohenthal counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
River scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hohenthal gets cracked with a nice right hand there by River.
River lands an overhand right.
Crunch! River slams his shin into Hohenthal's torso.
River swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Charlie River seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
River throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hohenthal swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
River throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hohenthal counters with a stiff right hand.
Hohenthal takes one to the chin there.
Jab from River.
River throws a low kick but Hohenthal moves out of range easily.
Hohenthal gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

Hohenthal fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with River, pushing him back against the cage.
River tries to stall but Hohenthal uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Hohenthal.

River breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hohenthal scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
River cracks a nice hook into Hohenthal's ribs.
River connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
River missing with a left hand there. Hohenthal was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hohenthal looks to land a right hand but River moved out of range.
Hohenthal avoids the body shot from River.

Hohenthal moves into the clinch successfully.
The referee is keeping an eye on Hohenthal - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Hohenthal misses with some punches.
Hohenthal digs a right hand underneath River's ribcage. River let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Hohenthal scores with a hook to the body.
Hohenthal throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rivers head.
Hohenthal working aggressively here.
River looking to slow down the pace here.
A short body shot lands from River as the two fighters clinch.
Hohenthal lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hohenthal looking to stall.
River working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hohenthal keeps control of River as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hohenthal blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hohenthal.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hohenthal.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hohenthal creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
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!
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A short uppercut from River.
River misses with some punches.
River tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hohenthal as River tries to tie him up.
Hohenthal lands a hook to the side of the head.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Hohenthal lands with a short shot to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hohenthal.
River tries a body shot but Hohenthal blocks it.
River lands with a short shot to the head.
River misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hohenthal has a couple of punches blocked by River.
The referee is keeping an eye on River - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie River dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Charlie River's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

River lands a jab to Hohenthal's midsection.
Hohenthal moves out of range of the body kick.
River has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hohenthal walks into a jab.
Charlie River seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Good shot there by River.
Hohenthal tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
River throws an off balance right hand
and Hohenthal counters with a nice uppercut.
River chopping away at his opponent's legs.
River misses with a body punch
and Hohenthal counters with a stiff right hand.
A leg kick checked by Hohenthal.

Hohenthal drives through and clinches with River against the cage.
River scores with a nice hook to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
River lands with a short shot to the head.
Nice body punch from Hohenthal.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hohenthal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hohenthal blocks a body shot from River.

River's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
River fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Hohenthal slips under a jab.
River scores with a body shot.
River throws a shot from downtown. Hohenthal moves away and avoids it.
River looks to score with a jab to the body but Hohenthal is just out of range.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hohenthal.
River misses with a lunging right hand
and Hohenthal counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
River looks to score with a jab to the body but Hohenthal is just out of range.
Hohenthal throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
And River responds with a good body kick, but Hohenthal manages to step out the way in time.
Hohenthal is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Hohenthal takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
River has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Hohenthal connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed River momentarily.
River misses with a hook
and Hohenthal counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hohenthal blocks a leg kick.
Hohenthal jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A countering left hand to the body from River misses.
River misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hohenthal.
River comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
River misses with a left hand
and Hohenthal counters with a nice uppercut.
Hohenthal moves out of range of the body kick.
Hohenthal stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
River misses with a jab to the body
and Hohenthal counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
River lands with a nice body punch.
Hohenthal uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by River.
River with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hohenthal comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River scores with a shot to the body.
River slips under a jab from Hohenthal.
River is trying to counter with his kicks.
River scores with a punch to the head.
River blocks a jab.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from River! But no joy.
River lunges at Hohenthal with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hohenthal's hand.
River throws the kick towards the body but Hohenthal avoids it.
Hohenthal scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
The fighters circling - River throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
River misses with a double jab
and Hohenthal counters with a nice uppercut.

That has opened up Charlie River's cut even more.
River lands a really nice looking cross but Hohenthal seems unphased.
River thows a left - swing and a miss!
A low kick from River misses
and Hohenthal counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hohenthal counters with a nice uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
River jabs Hohenthal right on the nose. Hohenthal blinks but takes it well.
River lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
River swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hohenthal ducks under a wild hook from River.
It looked like Hohenthal wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
River wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
River dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
River throws a leg kick but Hohenthal checks it.
Hohenthal tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but River paws at him with a jab and circles away.
River with a hook.
The fighters circling - Hohenthal throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hohenthal misses with a hook.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie River showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Charlie River's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A leg kick checked by Hohenthal.
Nice cross by River.
River lands a front kick.
River throws a body shot but no joy.
Hohenthal avoids the body shot from River.
River moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A big left from Hohenthal misses.
Hohenthal looks to land a left hand but River moved out of range nicely.
An inside leg kick from River misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hohenthal bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hohenthal throwing a counter right hand but River manages to avoid it.
River with a jab.
River lands a right hook to the body.
Hohenthal takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good exchange - Hohenthal coming out on top.
Hohenthal throws an overhand right that lands on River's shoulder, as River tries to avoid the shot.
River throws a leg kick
and Hohenthal counters with a left to the body.
Hohenthal throws an uppercut from half a mile away. River sees it coming and avoids it easily.
River is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Hohenthal with a body shot.
River takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
River fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hohenthal manages to avoid it.
River misses with a right hand
enabling Hohenthal to counter with a crisp jab.
River tests Hohenthal's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hohenthal bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
River is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Hohenthal has closed the distance and engaged River in a clinch.
River lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A frustrated look appears on River's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River swings wildly with an uppercut but Hohenthal uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hohenthal controlling the action here for a moment.
Hohenthal makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
River goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

River escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
River keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Hohenthal checks a low kick from River.
River swings away with a body shot that misses
and Hohenthal counters with a stiff right hand.

The cut above Charlie River's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
River ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hohenthal moves away.
River swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hohenthal takes one to the side of the head.
River clobbers Hohenthal with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hohenthal is looking to clinch.
River lands with a thumping leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from River. Hohenthal does a little dance to reset his feet.
River lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Crunch! River slams his shin into Hohenthal's torso.
Hohenthal walks into a straight right hand from River.
River has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
River attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Hohenthal wants to clinch up but River keeps it at a distance.
River avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hohenthal darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Hohenthal tests River's chin there with a solid looking shot.
River sizes up Hohenthal with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River throws a sloppy head kick and Hohenthal moves out of range easily.
A thudding body kick lands there by River!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
River misses with an uppercut. Hohenthal saw that one coming.
River lands with a hook. Hohenthal tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
River scores with a jab. Hohenthal acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
River lands a nice shot that snaps Hohenthal's head back.
A leg kick checked by Hohenthal.
Some bone on bone action there as Hohenthal checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Hohenthal is looking to counter punch.
River takes a jab right on the kisser.
Hohenthal works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A solid leg kick lands there for River.
Hohenthal is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A looping hook to the body misses from River. Hohenthal does a little dance to reset his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie River really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Charlie River's cut.
That's time! Hohenthal's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

River misses with a straight right.
River waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hohenthal.
River jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
River thumps Hohenthal with a low kick.
River bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hohenthal is looking to clinch but River is avoiding it.
Hohenthal misses with a straight left.
River misses with a wild body shot.
River misses with a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hohenthal takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
River looks to score with a jab to the body but Hohenthal is just out of range.
Hohenthal on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by River. River obviously looking to wear him down.
Hohenthal throws a looping overhand right but River ducks down to avoid it.
A little jabbing left from River on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River throws a body punch but Hohenthal moves out of range.
River misses with a body kick.
Hohenthal avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
River scores with a jab to the jaw.
River staying out of range there.
River scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hohenthal doesn't seem bothered though.
River throws a leg kick that misses.
Hohenthal getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
River misses the shot to the body.
River tries to bum rush Hohenthal with a series of wild strikes but Hohenthal uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
River throws a body kick that misses.
River connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River swings for the body but Hohenthal moves out of range.
Hohenthal checks a low kick from River.
Hohenthal tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
River tries a low kick but Hohenthal avoids it.
Hohenthal ducks under a wild hook from River.
Hohenthal was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
River takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
River feints and then cracks Hohenthal's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hohenthal down.
River connects with a leg kick.
River ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hohenthal moves away.
Hohenthal misses with an uppercut.
Hohenthal connects with a crisp jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hohenthal looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
River appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Hohenthal.
Hohenthal moves away from the strike by River.
Hohenthal throws the left hand but River avoids the punch easily.

Hohenthal closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
River can't find room to land a body shot as Hohenthal controls the action.
Hohenthal lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hohenthal stalling.
Hohenthal lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hohenthal lands a left hand that snaps the head of River backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hohenthal.
Hohenthal lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of River backwards.

Charlie River's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
Hohenthal trying to stall but River improves his position.
Hohenthal scores with a shot to the side of River's head.
Hohenthal fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hohenthal.
River goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A right hand to the body from Hohenthal.

River breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
River cracks Hohenthal with an open hand slap.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
River throws a chopping leg kick but Hohenthal manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Hohenthal is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hohenthal looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Hohenthal takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A kick lands to the mid section there for River.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie River dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Charlie River's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hohenthal avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from River. Hohenthal does a little dance to reset his feet.
River misses with a jab to the body
and Hohenthal counters with a left and a right that stings River.
River throws a body punch but Hohenthal moves out of range.
Hohenthal is looking to counter punch.
Hohenthal rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and River counters with an outside leg kick.
River fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
River scores with the left hand. Hohenthal knows he should have avoided that one.
Hohenthal uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by River.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
River walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
River throws a jab but it's blocked by Hohenthal.
River misses with a combination
and Hohenthal counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hohenthal takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
River scores with a crisp jab that stopped Hohenthal in his tracks.
River scores with a spinning back kick!
Hohenthal takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
River finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
River throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
River uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hohenthal.
The fighters circling - River throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
River tries a head kick but it misses.
Hohenthal scores with a decent looking hook.
River rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hohenthal connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
River throws a leg kick that misses.
Lennart Hohenthal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River throws a poor cross that misses
and Hohenthal connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

River is rocked!
Hohenthal will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Jab from Hohenthal.
River is still on wobbly legs! Can Hohenthal finish him?
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!
River misses with a straight right.
Hohenthal looks to score with a jab to the body but River is just out of range.
Nice uppercut lands for River. That snapped Hohenthal's head back.
River misses with an uppercut. Hohenthal saw that one coming.
Hohenthal missing with a left hand there. River was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A little jabbing left from River on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Hohenthal has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
A swing and a miss from Hohenthal.
River seems to have recovered his senses.
River scores with a hook.
River misses with a body kick.
A little feinted left hand from Hohenthal on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
River throws a body punch but Hohenthal moves out of range.
Hohenthal avoids the head kick by River.
It looked like Hohenthal wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hohenthal blocks a jab.
Hohenthal tests River's chin there with a solid looking shot.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Charlie River's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:17 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Lennart Hohenthal!
Lennart Hohenthal retains his bantamweight title!
An out of breath Lennart Hohenthal thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.