PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tong Po (ranked 123 p4p, 18 weight class) and Aki Hiko (ranked 448 p4p, 63 weight class). Aki Hiko told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Po
vs
Hiko

194 cm
27
246 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

225 cm
29
277 lbs
15 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Groove Gear

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Freebok (85% Laundry)

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 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tong Po!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aki Hiko!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Nard Betker and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Po fails with an attempt to clinch.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Hiko has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Po avoids the body shot from Hiko.
Po staying out of range there.
Po lands the left hand.

It looks like Aki Hiko has been cut.
Hiko looks to throw the jab but Po is out of range.
Hiko avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

Hiko closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Po quickly recovers to half guard.

Hiko is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Po is just riding it out for now. Hiko eventually gives up the hold.
Hiko throws a strike but Po avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Po keeping moving, preventing Hiko from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hiko might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Po haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Po utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Po keeping full guard, as Hiko tries to pass.
Hiko throws an elbow that misses. Po uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hiko's guard. Nice move by Po!

Po controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Po has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Po stopping the sweep attempt from Hiko.
Hiko trying to keep a closed guard but Po is proving a slippery customer.

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.
Po preventing the sweep.
Hiko throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hiko is on top in guard.

Po looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hiko looking to sit in guard and control but Po gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Hiko looking to hit a scissor sweep but Po is one step ahead there.
Po is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Po won't allow Hiko to get back to his feet.
Hiko is trying to control the position but Po postures up.
Hiko is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Po stays in close to Hiko's body and controls the position.
Po continues to stall.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Po avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Po stopping the sweep attempt from Hiko.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Hiko is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hiko uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Po.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Po, right into the meat.
Po throws a shot to the body.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Po misses with an uppercut.
Hiko walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Hiko keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Po.
A solid leg kick lands there for Po.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tong Po dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Aki Hiko's cut.
That's time! Po's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hiko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Po manages to avoid it.
Po looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Po uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hiko.
Nice defenses there by Hiko.
Po throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hiko sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Po lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Hiko throws an overhand right that lands on Po's shoulder, as Po tries to avoid the shot.
Po swings widly with a right hand
letting Hiko counter with a right hand.
Hiko connects with a right hand. Po shakes it off.
Hiko thuds his right hand into Po's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Po stuffs the takedown attempt from Hiko. Hiko gets slowly back to his feet.
Hiko uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Po.
Sloppy strikes from Hiko. Those never looked like landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Po works the jab nicely.
Hiko walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Po checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Po loads up on a big right hand but Hiko slips the punch.
Hiko tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Hiko uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Po.
Po throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hiko throws a low kick but Po avoids it.
Po tries to close the distance and clinch but Hiko swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Po keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Po cracks Hiko with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Hiko looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Po finish him?

Hiko is rocked!

That has opened up Aki Hiko's cut even more.
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!
Po goes for a small jab and connects. Now Po goes in closer pressing the issue. Left hook, right straight! Hiko stumbles back but Po runs in with a huge uppercut knocking Hiko to the ground! What a finish! You have to wonder if Hiko will ever be the same after a knockout like that.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:48 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Tong Po!
Tong Po decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.