PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bernhard River (ranked 1860 p4p, 23673 weight class) and Chu Ho Soon (ranked 105 p4p, 277 weight class). River's entrance music is Metallica: Enter Sandman. A fine choice. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

River
vs
Ho Soon

170 cm
22
135
3 - 2 - 0

175 cm
23
145
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bernhard River!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Chu Ho Soon!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Jeff Smith and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Ho Soon, as that shot connected.
River throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
River throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Ho Soon to counter with a crisp jab.
River 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.
River lands a jab.
River throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Ho Soon misses with a body shot.
River throws a nice outside leg kick.
Ho Soon is looking to slow River down with leg kicks.
Ho Soon moves away from the strike by River.

Ho Soon has closed the distance and engaged River in a clinch.

River escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A swing and a miss from Ho Soon.
River keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Ho Soon lands with an overhand left.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

River instigates a clinch.
Ho Soon throws a head punch that misses.
Ho Soon misses with a punch on the inside.
River makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
River misses with a body punch.
Still in the clinch, Ho Soon scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ho Soon blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ho Soon doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
River can't find room to land a body shot as Ho Soon controls the action.
River tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ho Soon's elbow.
Good body shot from River.

River successfully pulls guard.
Ho Soon tries to free his leg and advance position but River is retaining full guard.

River throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Ho Soon got a little sloppy there for a moment and River has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ho Soon has managed to get both his arms back between River's legs - danger averted.
Ho Soon sitting in guard here, content to control.

River isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Ho Soon stacks River on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Ho Soon!
River tries to buck Ho Soon off but Ho Soon is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ho Soon controls the position from side control.
Ho Soon's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
River can't do much from the bottom here.
River prevents Ho Soon from moving into mount.
Ho Soon trying to control the position but River is working away.
Ho Soon tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
River wants to control but Ho Soon postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River is trying to improve his position.
River is working hard here to advance position.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Ho Soon tries to stand but River is controlling his head.
Ho Soon taking a breather here.
River struggling a bit here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Nice body punch from Ho Soon.
Ho Soon pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ho Soon.
Ho Soon has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Ho Soon dips to his left and cracks River with an uppercut!
Ho Soon thuds his right hand into River's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
River throws a sloppy head kick and Ho Soon moves out of range easily.
River lands a jab to the head.
River shoots in for a takedown but Ho Soon shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
The fighters circling - River throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
River looks to score with a jab to the body but Ho Soon is just out of range.
Ho Soon fakes high and swings low for a body shot but River manages to avoid it.
River throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ho Soon tries to clinch but River moves out of range.
It looked like River was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Ho Soon.
Ho Soon cracks River with a good jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ho Soon cracks River with a right hand to the side of the head.
River misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
River throws a sloppy head kick and Ho Soon moves out of range easily.
Ho Soon misses with a shot to the body
and River counters with an outside leg kick.
River keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ho Soon looks to land a left hand but River moved out of range nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Chu Ho Soon will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

River checks a leg kick nicely.
River appears to be looking for a big counter.
Ho Soon is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by River.
River avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ho Soon scores with a body shot.
Ho Soon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
River wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Ho Soon moves out of range of the body kick from River.
River throws a shot to the body.
River throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
River closes the distance and clinches up with Ho Soon, looking for a takedown. River pushes Ho Soon against the cage but Ho Soon circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
River avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
River keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Chu Ho Soon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ho Soon doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ho Soon scores with a shot to the body.
Ho Soon takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ho Soon takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Ho Soon fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. River looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ho Soon scores with a punch to the head.
River shoots in looking for a takedown. Ho Soon tries to sprawl out of it but River keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ho Soon manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

River drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Ho Soon trying to keep a closed guard but River is proving a slippery customer.
River wants to control from the top but Ho Soon keeps moving.
River slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Ho Soon managing to control the position.
River stopping the sweep attempt from Ho Soon.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River looking to pass the guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
River throwing strikes from guard but Ho Soon blocks nicely.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Ho Soon misses with a hook.
Ho Soon checks a low kick from River.
Ho Soon steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from River. That one must have hurt.
Ho Soon lands with a right hand.
Ho Soon misses with a body shot.
River looks to land a left hand but Ho Soon moved out of range nicely.
Ho Soon just misses with a punch to the body.
Ho Soon uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from River.
Ho Soon looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Nice straight punches there by Ho Soon. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Ho Soon.
Ho Soon blocks a leg kick.
A left lands for Ho Soon.
River avoids the head kick by Ho Soon.
Ho Soon avoids the head kick by River.
River connects with a leg kick.
Ho Soon takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Ho Soon thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ho Soon doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Horrible takedown attempt by River or perhaps it was just good defense by Ho Soon, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bernhard River. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No joy there for River, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ho Soon throws an uppercut from half a mile away. River sees it coming and avoids it easily.
River keeping a good distance there, avoiding the 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!
Ho Soon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
River takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River throws a body kick that misses.
River walks into a left hand.
Ho Soon throws a big shot that misses.
Ho Soon attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
River uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ho Soon.
River lands a head shot.
A jab from Ho Soon does it's job there.
Chu Ho Soon seems to be getting the better of the standup.
River is looking to slow Ho Soon down with leg kicks.
Nice uppercut there from Ho Soon.
River with a nice calf kick.
River lands a jab to Ho Soon's midsection.
Nice uppercut there from Ho Soon.
Ho Soon tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nice shot by Ho Soon.
A slow jab from Ho Soon misses its intended target.
River ducks right into an uppercut from Ho Soon.
Ho Soon thows a body kick. River tries to catch it but that hurt him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Chu Ho Soon will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ho Soon misses with a head kick.
River throws a quick counter head kick but Ho Soon was just out of range.
Ho Soon tries to close the distance and clinch up but River swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ho Soon thuds his right hand into River's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Ho Soon misses with a straight left.
A telegraphed right hand from Ho Soon misses the target.
River throws a body shot but no joy.
River misses with a two punch combination.

Ho Soon gets in close and instigates a clinch.
River lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ho Soon backwards.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Ho Soon blocks a body shot from River.
Ho Soon misses with the head strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ho Soon misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch on the inside from Ho Soon fails to land.
Ho Soon fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
River is leaning against Ho Soon and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Ho Soon lands a body shot.
River is working Ho Soon over against the cage.
Ho Soon takes a shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River lands a nice shot to the body.
Ho Soon takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
River scores with a shoulder strike.

River breaks from the clinch.
Good work by River as he checks the leg kick.
River tried to counter with a leg kick but Ho Soon avoided it.
River checks a low kick from Ho Soon.
River cracks Ho Soon with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
River scores with a head kick. Ho Soon tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
River is looking to score with low kicks.
Ho Soon tries to counter with a clinch but River shakes him off and moves away.
River misses with a double jab.
Ho Soon throws a leg kick but River sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ho Soon throws a low kick but it's checked well by River.
A telegraphed right hand from River misses the target.
The fighters circling - Ho Soon throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ho Soon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but River moves away.
River darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Ho Soon takes one to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ho Soon fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but River is out of range.
Chu Ho Soon is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River staying out of range there.
River lands a jab to Ho Soon's midsection.
Ho Soon attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
River lands a leg kick that knocks Ho Soon off balance momentarily.
Ho Soon on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by River. River obviously looking to wear him down.
Ho Soon checks a low kick from River.
Ho Soon throws a body punch but River moves out of range.
River checks the leg kick.
Ho Soon takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Chu Ho Soon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ho Soon.
River tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Ho Soon manages to circle out of the way.
Ho Soon throws a body shot but no joy.
River thumps Ho Soon with a low kick.
River drops his hands momentarily and Ho Soon takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
River swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Left hook, right uppercut from Ho Soon.
River scores with a push kick.
Bernhard River has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
River slips a straight right by Ho Soon.
River throws a body shot but no joy.
Ho Soon checks a low kick from River.
River misses with a hook. Ho Soon ducked under it nicely.
Ho Soon lands a slapping body shot.
River swats away the attempt to clinch by Ho Soon.
River moves out of range as Ho Soon strikes.
A head kick misses from Ho Soon.
Good standup being displayed there by River as he connects with a hook.
Ho Soon misses with a hook. River ducked under it nicely.
Ho Soon lands with a straight right. River didn't see that one coming.
Ho Soon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but River moves away.
River went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Ho Soon misses the shot to the body.
Nice uppercut lands for Ho Soon. That snapped River's head back.
Ho Soon uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from River.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ho Soon moves away.
River lands a nice looking kick to the body. Ho Soon takes a step back to recover.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ho Soon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but River moves away.
Ho Soon's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ho Soon walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
River keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ho Soon misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from River.

River has managed to clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by River.
Ho Soon can't find room to land a body shot as River controls the action.
Ho Soon misses with some punches.
Ho Soon throws a punch but it's blocked by River.
Ho Soon misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from Ho Soon fails to land.
River tries to throw a body punch but Ho Soon avoids it by throwing River back against the cage.
Ho Soon swings wildly with an uppercut but River uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ho Soon lands with a short shot to the head.
River looking for a takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bernhard River showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ho Soon 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chu Ho Soon!
Chu Ho Soon decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.