PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Maurício Aurelio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antoni Hong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Aurelio
vs
Hong

177 cm
25
165 lbs
16 - 5 - 0

178 cm
26
156 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

GREEN!160

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 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Maurício Aurelio!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Antoni Hong!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, John Roberts and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The crowd cheers as Hong lands an impressive looking overhand right. Aurelio doesn't seem phased though.
We've been hearing reports that Aurelio has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Nice shot by Aurelio.
Aurelio takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Hong misses the jab.
Hong takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Hong moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Hong connects with an inside leg kick.
Aurelio throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hong throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Aurelio sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nice shot by Hong.
Hong lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Aurelio at a distance.
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!
Aurelio waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hong.
Hong throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Aurelio on the side of the head.
Aurelio misses with a hook to the body
and Hong counters with a good low kick that Aurelio was not able to check.
Aurelio moves out of range of the body kick.
Aurelio drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hong sprawls and moves away.
Good shot there by Aurelio.
A head kick misses from Hong.

Aurelio darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Aurelio wants to work for an arm triangle but Hong is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aurelio is nestled in close to Hong, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Hong is not content to let Aurelio control the position.
Hong wants to improve his position but Aurelio is controlling well.

Hong is defending against the submission attempts here by Aurelio.
Aurelio trying to pass the guard but Hong defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hong is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Hong works his way to full guard. Good work.
Aurelio trying to control but Hong is working from the bottom.
Aurelio is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Aurelio stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hong swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Aurelio trying to control the position from guard on top but Hong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hong controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aurelio trying to control the position from guard on top but Hong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hong tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Aurelio is able to avoid easily.
Hong 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.
Hong throws out a leg kick but Aurelio moves out of range and Hong only half commits.
Nice jab there from Hong.
Hong misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Aurelio.
Hong scores with a head kick.
Aurelio swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Aurelio shoots in but Hong avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hong, right into the meat.
Hong throws a big shot that misses.
Aurelio connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Aurelio tries a head kick but it misses.
Hong only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Hong thows a left - swing and a miss!
Aurelio missing with a left hand there. Hong was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hong is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Aurelio with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Aurelio connects with a nice looking jab.
Antoni Hong is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hong 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.
Hong throws a jab when Aurelio was well out of range.
Hong avoids the body shot from Aurelio.
Hong cracks Aurelio with a right hand to the side of the head.
Hong has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Hong takes a swing at Aurelio's ribcage but misses.
Aurelio dips to his left and cracks Hong with an uppercut!
Hong missing with a left hand there. Aurelio was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hong throws a jab when Aurelio was well out of range.
Aurelio looks to score with a jab to the body but Hong is just out of range.
Aurelio looks to score with a jab to the body but Hong is just out of range.
Aurelio digs a good hook to Hong's body.
Hong fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Aurelio is out of range.
Aurelio checks a leg kick nicely.
Aurelio throws a body punch but Hong moves out of range.
Hong misses with a body kick.
Aurelio shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hong sprawls well. Hong wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Aurelio gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Antoni Hong will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hong throws a shot from downtown. Aurelio moves away and avoids it.
Aurelio swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Aurelio tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hong was well out of range. Poor timing from Aurelio.
Aurelio loads up on a big right hand but Hong slips the punch.
Aurelio lands a body shot.
Aurelio is looking to wear down Hong with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
A punch lands to the side of Hong 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Hong misses with an uppercut. Aurelio saw that one coming.
Hong throws a leg kick but Aurelio checks it.
Hong throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hong lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Aurelio lands a jab to the nose.
Hong delivers a nice body kick.
Aurelio slips a jab from Hong.
Hong takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Hong misses with a wild body shot.
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 misses with a looping right.
Aurelio feinted with a counter takedown.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Hong.
That kick from Aurelio tenderised Hong's leg. Hong is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hong takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Jab by Hong.
Aurelio on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Nice uppercut lands for Aurelio. That snapped Hong's head back.
Hong avoids the body shot from Aurelio.
Aurelio walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Hong ducks right into an uppercut from Aurelio.
Hong looks to land a left hand but Aurelio moved out of range nicely.
Aurelio scores with a nice strike.
Aurelio throws a leg kick
and Hong cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hong moves out of range of the leg kick from Aurelio.
Aurelio slips a straight right by Hong.
Hong misses the jab.
Hong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hong thows a leg kick but Aurelio checks it

and Aurelio counters with a nice double leg into side control. Hong won't be happy with that.
Aurelio working the strikes but Hong uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hong manages to get to full guard.
Aurelio trying to control but Hong is working from the bottom.
Aurelio pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hong is keeping the position for now.
Hong is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Aurelio passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Aurelio wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hong, who protects the arm well.
Hong prevents Aurelio from moving into mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aurelio thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Aurelio working away.
Aurelio is looking to take a break and control but Hong is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Aurelio looking to control but instead Hong has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Aurelio is looking for a kimura here.
Aurelio content to control rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Aurelio throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Aurelio seems to be looking for submissions.

Aurelio is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Aurelio is looking to take a break and control but Hong is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Aurelio is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hong is just riding it out for now. Aurelio eventually gives up the hold.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maurício Aurelio dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Aurelio throws the left hand but Hong avoids the punch easily.
Hong scores with a leg kick.
Hong ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aurelio moves away.
Hong swings for the body but Aurelio moves out of range.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Hong.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hong.
Antoni Hong seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hong turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Aurelio lands with a nice body punch.
Hong digs a good hook to Aurelio's body.
Hong misses with an attempted mid kick.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Aurelio.
Hong tries a head kick but it misses.
Aurelio swings for the body but Hong moves out of range.
Hong lands with a right hand.
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!
Aurelio scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hong doesn't seem bothered though.
Hong tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hong misses with a body kick.
Aurelio drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hong sprawls and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aurelio misses with a straight left.
Aurelio uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hong.
Aurelio swings for the body but Hong moves out of range.
Aurelio throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hong fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Aurelio.
Aurelio swings for the body but Hong moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Hong throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Aurelio throws the kick towards the body but Hong avoids it.
Hong only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Aurelio takes a swing at Hong's ribcage but misses.
Hong with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Aurelio ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hong moves away.
Hong checks the leg kick.
Hong misses with a body shot.
Hong with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Aurelio takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Hong fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aurelio lands a jab to the head.
Aurelio connects with a body shot that sends Hong's belly button to the back.
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 sloppy head kick and Aurelio moves out of range easily.
Hong feints and then cracks Aurelio's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Aurelio down.
Aurelio checks a low kick from Hong.
Hong with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A swing and a miss from Aurelio.
Hong uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Aurelio.
Aurelio moves out of range of the body kick from Hong.
Aurelio looks to land a left hand but Hong moved out of range nicely.
Aurelio fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hong manages to avoid it.
Hong swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Hong misses with a low kick.
Aurelio throws a low kick but Hong moves out of range easily.
Aurelio is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Aurelio throws a hook but Hong avoids it easily.
Aurelio swinging wildly here.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Hong! But no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hong avoids the body shot from Aurelio.
Hong throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Aurelio on the side of the head.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hong.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hong.

Aurelio shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Hong keeping moving, preventing Aurelio from controlling successfully.
Aurelio is pushing down on Hong's leg trying to pass to half guard. Hong is fighting to maintain full guard but Aurelio has managed to sneak the leg through.

Aurelio is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hong doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Aurelio.
Hong wants to improve his position but Aurelio is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hong controlling the position well.
Hong wants to get back to full guard.
Aurelio trying to control the action but Hong is working from the bottom.
Hong tries to get to full guard but Aurelio has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Antoni Hong just about did enough to take it.
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.

Aurelio looks to score with a jab to the body but Hong is just out of range.
Aurelio lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Aurelio takes one on the button.
Hong rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Aurelio counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Aurelio wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hong keeps working.
Aurelio uses his free foot to push down on Hong's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Hong.
Aurelio sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Hong is working to get back to half guard.
Aurelio fails to take his opponent's back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hong is in all sorts of trouble here.
Hong is squirming around, avoiding Aurelio's attempts to control the action.
Aurelio wants to control but instead Hong manages to regain half guard.
Aurelio is looking to take a break and control but Hong is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hong gets full guard.
Hong is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Aurelio throwing strikes but missing.
Hong looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Hong is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Aurelio loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Aurelio trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Hong manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Aurelio looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Aurelio trying to keep a closed guard but Hong is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Hong throws a hook but Aurelio blocks it.
Some bone on bone action there as Aurelio checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Hong chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hong pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hong dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Aurelio. That did some damage!
A big left from Hong misses.
Hong scoring well with a low kick there.
Hong uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Aurelio.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Aurelio, right into the meat.
Hong keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Aurelio blocks the body kick.
Aurelio checks a leg kick nicely.
Hong pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Hong 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 Aurelio has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Aurelio and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Aurelio swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Aurelio lands a jab to the head.
Aurelio fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hong looks to land a left hand but Aurelio moved out of range nicely.
Aurelio buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aurelio looks to score with a jab to the body but Hong is just out of range.
Hong throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Hong misses with an uppercut.
Hong lands with a right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Aurelio takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hong dodges the punch combination from Aurelio.
Hong paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Hong avoids the body shot from Aurelio.
Hong throws a head kick that half lands.
Aurelio looks to score with a jab to the body but Hong is just out of range.
Aurelio shoots for a double leg takedown but Hong sprawls well. He's pushed Aurelio's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Aurelio cracks the inside of Hong's front leg.
Aurelio throws a leg kick but Hong sees it coming and checks it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Maurício Aurelio will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Aurelio misses with a lunging right hand
and Hong counters with a nice leg kick.
Aurelio pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Hong back to the cage. Aurelio follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
A looping hook to the body misses from Aurelio. Hong does a little dance to reset his feet.
Aurelio uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hong.
Hong looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Aurelio listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Aurelio misses with a hook. Hong ducked under it nicely.
Hong checks a leg kick.
Aurelio lands with a nice body punch.
Aurelio checks the leg kick.
Aurelio checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hong lands with a good body shot.
Hong fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Aurelio on the side of the head.
Hong goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice defenses there by Aurelio.
A big right from Hong misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aurelio keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Hong throws a solid leg kick but Aurelio takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Hong.
Hong looks to land a left hand but Aurelio moved out of range nicely.
Aurelio throws a chopping leg kick but Hong manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hong, right into the meat.
Aurelio ducks under a wild hook from Hong.
Aurelio cracks Hong with a right hand to the side of the head.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Aurelio checks a leg kick.
Hong misses with a low kick.
Hong throws a low kick but Aurelio avoids it.
Hong is looking to score with low kicks.
Aurelio misses the jab.
Hong looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Hong throws a leg kick but Aurelio moved away.
Aurelio throws a low kick but Hong moves out of range easily.
Hong throws a push kick but Aurelio slaps the foot to one side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aurelio drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Aurelio cracks Hong with a good jab.
Hong connects with an inside leg kick.
Aurelio changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A jab from Aurelio misses.
Hong throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Hong staying out of range there.
Aurelio lands with a right hand.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hong.
Hong explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Aurelio moves away from the strike by Hong.

Aurelio changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hong looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Aurelio content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Aurelio looks up at the clock and then as Hong takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Aurelio smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hong tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Aurelio wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Aurelio working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Aurelio tries to score with some ground and pound. Hong controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Hong prevents Aurelio from moving into mount.
An elbow from Aurelio crashes against the mat.
Aurelio trying to control the action but Hong is working from the bottom.
Hong tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Aurelio wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Aurelio is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hong is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Aurelio working away.

Aurelio wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hong, who protects the arm well.
Hong wants to control but Aurelio postures up.

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 Maurício Aurelio.
I think Aurelio 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 48:47
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 48:47
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maurício Aurelio!
Maurício Aurelio is the new lightweight champion!
Maurício Aurelio thanked the fans post fight for their support.