PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between AK Hong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Maynard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Hong
vs
Maynard

176 cm
19
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
19
197 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, AK Hong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alexander Maynard!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maynard dives in and grabs Hong's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hong pushes down on Maynard's head and hops out.
Maynard shoots in looking for a takedown. Hong tries to sprawl out of it but Maynard keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hong manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Maynard fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
AK Hong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Maynard.
Hong throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

Maynard looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Hong wants to get back to his feet.
Hong knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Maynard on the ground.
Maynard is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Maynard winds up and cracks Hong with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Maynard slips a nice elbow through Hong's hands, connecting with Hong's forehead.
Maynard has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Maynard trying to control the action but Hong is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maynard stalling.
Maynard drops an elbow to the side of Hong's head.
Maynard working the head and body with strikes.
Maynard controlling the action here.
Hong avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Maynard.
Hong is looking for a sweep. Maynard is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maynard thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hong's head.
Maynard missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Maynard throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Maynard thows a huge punch but Hong dodges it nicely.
Maynard sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hong defending well though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Maynard fails to land the takedown.
Hong throws a leg kick but Maynard sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Maynard takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hong throws a jab when Maynard was well out of range.
Hong swings for the body but Maynard moves out of range.
Maynard will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hong just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maynard tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hong sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Maynard somewhat.
AK Hong is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Maynard looks gassed!
Hong just misses with a punch to the body.
Maynard avoids a kick to the body.
Hong looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Hong misses with a low kick.
Maynard will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A head kick from Hong lands but Maynard takes it in his stride.
Alexander Maynard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hong throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Hong lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Hong gets caught flat footed, as Maynard shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Maynard drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Maynard jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Maynard trying to control the position from guard on top but Hong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Maynard throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maynard postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Maynard preventing the sweep.
Hong working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Maynard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Maynard accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Maynard throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hong works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Both fighters circling a little - Hong finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Hong throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Maynard avoids a kick to the body.
Hong with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Hong darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Maynard dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Maynard is defended easily by Hong.
Maynard on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hong. Hong obviously looking to wear him down.
Maynard uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hong.
Hong tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hong displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Maynard.
Maynard waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Hong.
Maynard looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hong is fending him off so far but Maynard persists. Nope, Hong circles away and we're back to standing.
AK Hong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Maynard.
A head kick misses from Hong.
Horrible takedown by Maynard or perhaps it was just good defense by Hong which made him look bad.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maynard takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Hong lands a front kick.
Maynard is breathing heavily.
Hong throws a looping overhand right but Maynard ducks down to avoid it.
Hong will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maynard is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hong sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hong connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Hong cracks a nice hook into Maynard's ribs.
Hong throws a head kick but Maynard moves out of range.
Maynard shoots in but no luck this time.
Hong scores with a spinning back kick!
Hong is looking to wear down Maynard with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Maynard takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Hong goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Hong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Maynard avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hong fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Maynard manages to avoid it.
A jab from Hong finds it's way through Maynard's defenses.
Hong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maynard was well out of range. Poor timing from Hong.
Hong tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Hong.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hong tries to land a leg kick but Maynard saw it coming and moves away.
No luck for Maynard with that takedown attempt.
Hong defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Maynard.
Maynard takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Hong misses with a head kick.
Hong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hong pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Maynard shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hong as he avoids it easily.
Hong misses with a body kick.
Hong throws the kick towards the body but Maynard avoids it.
Hong throws a series of punches but Maynard avoids them all with ease.
Maynard uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hong.
Maynard checks a low kick from Hong.
Maynard avoids the head kick by Hong.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hong thumps Maynard with a low kick.
Maynard moves out of range as Hong throws a body kick.
Maynard blocks a head kick by Hong.
Nice cross by Hong.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Maynard.
A punch combination from Hong misses.
Hong ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Maynard moves away.
Hong tries a head kick but it misses.
Hong looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Hong lands a nice looking body kick.
Maynard looks for a takedown but Hong sprawls well.
Maynard shoots in for a takedown but Hong shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Hong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hong bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Maynard slips under a jab from Hong.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Hong!
Hong scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Maynard takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Hong lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Hong.
Hong throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hong throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A big right from Hong misses.
Maynard avoids the head kick by Hong.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Maynard is defended easily by Hong.
Maynard shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hong throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hong throws a series of punches but Maynard moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

AK Hong dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Maynard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hong manages to avoid it.
Hong throws a body kick that misses.
Hong throws a head kick that half lands.
Maynard takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Maynard tries to close the distance and clinch but Hong swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Maynard blocks a head kick by Hong.
Hong misses with a wild combination.
Maynard closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hong circles away.
Maynard misses with a takedown attempt - Hong sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hong tries a head kick but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Maynard was well out of range. Poor timing from Hong.
Maynard takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Maynard takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Hong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Maynard looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hong is fending him off so far but Maynard persists. Nope, Hong circles away and we're back to standing.
AK Hong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Maynard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hong misses with a wild body shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for Hong.
Good leg kick by Hong there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Hong misses with a head kick.
Maynard changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hong tries to avoid it but Maynard manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hong to the ground. Hong escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hong throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Maynard.
Hong throws a nice head kick!
Maynard avoids the head kick by Hong.
Hong delivers a nice body kick.
Hong lands a head kick. Maynard smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Maynard tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hong sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Maynard somewhat.
Hong tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Maynard shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hong pinned against the cage. Hong gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hong darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
A jab lands there for Hong.
Maynard avoids the head kick by Hong.
Hong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Maynard shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hong pinned against the cage. Hong gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hong misses with a head kick.
Hong throws a looping overhand right but Maynard ducks down to avoid it.
Hong works the jab nicely.
Maynard has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Hong.
Maynard tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hong sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Maynard somewhat.
Hong throws a head kick that half lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maynard tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hong sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Maynard somewhat.
Hong fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Maynard.
Maynard shoots in and drives through. Hong sprawls well.
Hong scores with a body shot.
Hong stuffs the takedown attempt from Maynard. Maynard gets slowly back to his feet.
Hong connects with a high kick.
Nice sprawl there from Hong as Maynard shoots in.
Maynard avoids the body shot from Hong.
Maynard on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Hong uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Maynard shoots in looking for a takedown. Hong tries to sprawl out of it but Maynard keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hong manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hong throws a head kick but Maynard moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maynard takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Maynard blocks the body kick.
Maynard takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hong moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Maynard is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hong sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Hong. Maynard shrugs it off though.
Hong lunges at Maynard with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Maynard's hand.
Hong scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Maynard fails with a takedown attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hong throws a head kick that half lands.
Hong lands a jab to Maynard's midsection.

And that's the end of the fight!
AK Hong showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hong has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... AK Hong!