PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nichi Hong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Erkki Vieri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hong comes to the cage accompanied by Hong Entrance Song. 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.

Hong
vs
Vieri

175 cm
26
160 lbs
11 - 2 - 2

180 cm
27
170 lbs
20 - 2 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Sparta Fightware
Heisenberg

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nichi Hong!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Erkki Vieri!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Bruno Lombardi and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hong connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Vieri's hands.
Hong tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hong connects with an inside leg kick.
Hong misses with a low kick as Vieri jumps back.
Vieri feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hong's calf.
Vieri needs to keep his hands up - Hong had a free shot at his head there.
Hong throws a leg kick
and Hong takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Vieri scoring well with a low kick there.
Vieri takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Hong connects with a right hand. Vieri shakes it off.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vieri tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hong throws a sloppy head kick
and Vieri counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Hong has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Mandirigmang Pilipino in the buildup to the fight.
Hong buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Vieri.
Hong with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vieri clinches up against the cage.
Vieri swings wildly with an uppercut but Hong uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hong.
Vieri misses with the head strike.
Vieri is looking to control Hong's arms but Hong gets an underhook and turns him. Now Vieri has his back to the cage.
Still in the clinch, Hong scores with a nice short uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hong.
A shot in the inside from Hong.
Vieri stalls.
Hong blocks an uppercut.
Hong throws a punch but it's blocked by Vieri.
Vieri gets through Hong's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vieri tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hong's elbow.
Vieri softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Vieri fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hong's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hong is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Vieri is defending well for now.
Hong prevents a body shot from Vieri.
Vieri swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hong blocking some punches.
Vieri avoiding damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hong.
Hong misses with a knee strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hong is pressed up against the cage. Vieri has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hong down to the mat. Hong avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Vieri misses with an uppercut. Hong saw that one coming.
Vieri gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Hong.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Vieri checks a leg kick.
Vieri ducks under a wild hook from Hong.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hong. That's going to slow Vieri down.
Vieri takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Hong catches Vieri with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Vieri moves in looking to clinch but Hong pushes him off.
Vieri takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nichi Hong is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hong tries to work over Vieri's front leg with a kick but Vieri checks it.
Vieri displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hong throws out the jab.
Vieri slips a straight right by Hong.
Nichi Hong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vieri cracks Hong with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Vieri gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
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!
Hong looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hong stuffs the takedown.
A bone on bone clash there as Vieri blocks the leg kick.
Vieri tries to move into range but Hong moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Hong misses with a body kick.
Hong fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Vieri has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Hong throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Vieri makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Vieri throws a solid leg kick but Hong takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Vieri.
Hong scores with a nice right hand.
Hong stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hong wants it to stay on the feet.
Nichi Hong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erkki Vieri.
Hong bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A low kick from Hong is predictable there

and Vieri decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Hong's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Vieri throws an elbow that misses. Hong uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Vieri's guard. Nice move by Hong!
Hong content to stall in guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Nichi Hong will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hong misses with a hook

and Vieri decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Hong's guard.
Vieri is looking to pass into half guard but Hong pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Hong is in guard.
Vieri is trying to keep Hong in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vieri bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hong's guard.
Vieri chips away with some ground and pound.
Hong seems keen to control Vieri's posture.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hong wants to sweep here but Vieri controlling him for the moment.
Vieri tries to free his leg and advance position but Hong is retaining full guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Vieri working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hong avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Vieri trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hong looking to control.
Hong trying to control the position here.
Vieri trying to control the position from guard on top but Hong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hong wants to sweep here but Vieri controlling him for the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Nichi Hong.

Vieri fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Hong sprawls well initially but Vieri persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Hong is trying is best to control the position here.
Vieri working over Hong with some ground and pound. Hong looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Hong controlling the position well.
Vieri landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vieri wants to pass the guard but Hong is defending well.
Vieri is thwarting Hong's attempts to control the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vieri has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Vieri working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Vieri prevents Hong from improving his position.
Hong trying to control but Vieri postures up.
Hong is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Hong manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hong trying to control the position.
Vieri postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Vieri throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hong works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hong wants to sweep here but Vieri controlling him for the moment.
Vieri throws a big right hand that misses.
Vieri pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hong is keeping the position for now.
Vieri with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Vieri with a flurry of punches that miss.
Vieri missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Vieri throwing strikes from guard but Hong blocks nicely.
Vieri postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vieri stopping the sweep attempt from Hong.
Hong trying to control the position here.
Vieri lands a couple of elbows.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hong wants to sweep here but Vieri controlling him for the moment.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vieri trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erkki Vieri showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hong connects with a solid leg kick.
A clash of legs there as Vieri blocks the low kick.
Nichi Hong is winning the standup battle so far.
Vieri thows a leg kick but Hong checks it
and Hong counters with a nice uppercut.
Hong throws a jab when Vieri was well out of range.
Hong throws a sloppy head kick and Vieri moves out of range easily.
Hong connects with the punch.
Hong throws a low kick but Vieri avoids it.
Hong looks to land a right hand but Vieri moved out of range.
Vieri moves out of range of the leg kick from Hong.
Vieri takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Vieri moves into the clinch.
Vieri misses with a punch on the inside.
Vieri throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vieri lands a nice uppercut.
Vieri blocking some punches.
Hong doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hong lands a hook to the side of the head.
Vieri blocks an uppercut.
Vieri stalls.
Vieri blocking some punches.
Vieri tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Vieri has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hong after a bit of a struggle.
Vieri can't find room to land a body shot as Hong controls the action.
Vieri scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hong tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vieri's elbow.
Vieri can't get the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Hong scores with a nice short uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Vieri.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hong throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hong tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Vieri avoids it.
Hong misses with a body punch.
Vieri lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Vieri - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Vieri blocks a body shot from Hong.
Vieri tries a body shot but Hong blocks it.
Vieri working aggressively here.
Vieri misses with some punches.
Erkki Vieri seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vieri.
Vieri prevents a body shot from Hong.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hong connects with a knee to the head.
Vieri fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Vieri working aggressively here.
Vieri scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hong throws a punch but it's blocked by Vieri.
A short uppercut from Vieri.
Hong blocks a body shot from Vieri.
Vieri throws a punch but it's blocked by Hong.
Vieri lands a hook that snaps the head of Hong backwards.
Vieri blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hong trying to land knees to the body.
Vieri lands a shoulder strike.
Vieri scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A head punch on the inside from Vieri fails to land.

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!
Vieri lands a nice uppercut.
Hong swings wildly with an uppercut but Vieri uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hong throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Vieris head.
Vieri goes for a takedown attempt but Hong pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Nichi Hong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erkki Vieri.
Hong misses the jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hong.
Hong misses with a kick to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vieri getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Vieri chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Vieri throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erkki Vieri really dominated that round.
That's time! Hong's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A big left from Hong misses.
A good leg kick by Vieri.
A nice leg kick lands there from Vieri.
Vieri uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hong.
Hong misses with a body shot

so Vieri counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Vieri pushes down on Hong's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Vieri stops Hong from getting back to his feet.
Vieri is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vieri takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Vieri trying to pass the guard but Hong defending well.
Vieri trying to control from Hong's half guard. Hong has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vieri with a flurry of punches that miss.
Vieri trying to control but Hong is working from the bottom.
Vieri is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Vieri passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Vieri scoring with punches from side control.
Vieri sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Hong is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Vieri controls the position from side control.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Erkki Vieri has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vieri creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Hong sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Hong managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Vieri.
Hong is trying to improve his position.
Vieri is chipping away with strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vieri throws a strike aimed at the side of Hong's head but Hong avoids it well.
Hong is looking to regain half guard here but Vieri keeps moving and retains side control.
You can see the frustration on Hong's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Hong regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hong avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Vieri.
Hong wants to get back to full guard.
Vieri is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Vieri looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Vieri looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Hong with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Vieri missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Vieri is looking to pass Hong's guard but actually Hong recovers to full guard.
Hong pulls Vieri in close to his closed guard and prevents Vieri from doing any damage or advancing position.
Hong trying to keep a closed guard but Vieri is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vieri postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Vieri landing some decent shots from guard.
Hong keeping moving, preventing Vieri from controlling successfully.
Hong is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vieri gets full guard.
Hong trying to control but Vieri is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erkki Vieri dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Hong scores with a nice strike.

Vieri takes the fight into the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Vieri.
Vieri stalling in the clinch.
Hong tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Still in the clinch, Vieri scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hong tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hong blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Vieri scores with a shoulder strike.
Vieri goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hong is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Hong connects with a knee to the head.
Vieri content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hong misses with a punch on the inside.
Hong blocking some punches.
Vieri has a couple of punches blocked by Hong.
Vieri misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hong misses with a short punch on the inside.
Vieri misses with a short punch on the inside.
Vieri blocking some punches.
Hong makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hong misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Vieri.
Vieri lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Vieri lands a right hand.
Vieri tries for a takedown but Hong manages to get underhooks.
Hong lands with a right to the head.
Nichi Hong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hong misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Vieri.
Hong with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Hong escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Good work by Hong as he checks the leg kick.
Erkki Vieri is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Vieri looking to score a takedown here. Hong is defending well but Vieri drives through and ends up in Hong's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vieri tries to free his leg and advance position but Hong is retaining full guard.
Vieri trying to control but Hong is working from the bottom.
Hong tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Vieri wants to control from the top but Hong keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vieri content to stall in guard here.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Erkki Vieri hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Hong misses with a lunging right hand
and Vieri counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Hong lands a head shot.

Vieri shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hong's guard.
Hong is trying to keep Vieri in close.
Vieri is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Vieri wants to control from the top but Hong keeps moving.
Vieri's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Erkki Vieri wasn't active enough on the ground.
Vieri stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hong.
Hong throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Hong misses with a leg kick

and Vieri decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Hong's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vieri is stalling in the full guard.
Let's hope that Vieri has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hong keeping moving, preventing Vieri from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Erkki Vieri comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Vieri 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 46:49
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 46:49
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Erkki Vieri! Erkki Vieri retains his lightweight title!
A very excited looking Erkki Vieri made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
Nichi Hong was interviewed post fight and said 'Sorry for the poor performance guys. I will comeback and be better than ever, I promise you that...'.