PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Chakree Somchai (ranked 1155 p4p, 1710 weight class) and Steve Cho (ranked 127 p4p, 189 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Somchai
vs
Cho

169 cm
22
152
5 - 2 - 0

168 cm
29
154
8 - 3 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Fenrir Fightgear - Anno 2013
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Chakree Somchai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Steve Cho!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, William Peck and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cho gets tackled into the cage by Somchai. Somchai maintains the clinch.

Somchai's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Somchai scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Cho 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.
Somchai scores with a spinning back kick!
Cho shoots in but no luck this time.
Cho scores with a hook to the body. Somchai takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Cho throws an overhand right that lands on Somchai's shoulder, as Somchai tries to avoid the shot.
Somchai plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Somchai throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cho throws a counter combo.
Chakree Somchai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Somchai throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Cho's head.
A cross from Somchai lands.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cho uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Somchai.
Somchai misses with a head kick.
A countering left hand to the body from Cho misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Somchai throws a head kick that misses
and Cho counters with a nice uppercut.
Cho fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Somchai misses with a wild body shot.
Cho throws a big counter head kick but Somchai avoids it with no problem.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cho.
Chakree Somchai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Cho.

Somchai has taken the fight to the clinch.
Cho controlling the action here for a moment.
Cho has Somchai pushed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Somchai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've been told by Somchai's head coaches at Viking Bizorkers that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Cho misses with a takedown attempt - Somchai sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Somchai fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Cho on the side of the head.
Somchai lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Somchai throws a combination that misses
and Cho counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Cho shoots in but no luck this time.
Cho takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
That kick from Somchai tenderised Cho's leg. Cho is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Somchai scores with a leg kick.
Somchai scores with a nice body kick.
Somchai throws a sloppy head kick
and Cho counters with a head kick.
Somchai misses with a series of wild punches.
Somchai throws a head kick that misses.
Somchai throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Cho's head.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Somchai.
Cho unleashes a big counter combination but Somchai bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Somchai throws a head kick that misses
enabling Cho to counter with a crisp jab.
Somchai uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cho.
Somchai throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Somchai throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Somchai gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Somchai lands a nice shot that snaps Cho's head back.
Cho swats away the attempt to clinch by Somchai.
Some wild striking there from Somchai.
Somchai tries to clinch but Cho moves out of range.
Cho avoids the head kick by Somchai.
Cho appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Somchai misses with a kick to the body.
Cho lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
A low kick lands for Somchai.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Chakree Somchai dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Somchai catches Cho with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Somchai throws a low kick but Cho avoids it.
Somchai throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Cho tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Somchai was well out of range. Poor timing from Cho.
Cho lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Somchai closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Somchai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cho throws a head kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Somchai fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Some wild striking there from Somchai.
Cho looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Somchai with a nice cross.
Cho blocks the body kick.
Cho shoots in but no luck this time.
Somchai throws a quick counter head kick but Cho was just out of range.
Somchai delivers a nice body kick.
Somchai tries to clinch up but Cho circles away and keeps his distance.
It seemed like Cho was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Somchai looks to land a body kick but Cho moved away.
Cho unleashes a big counter combination but Somchai bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Cho avoids the head kick by Somchai.
Cho swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A head kick by Cho misses
and Somchai counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Cho is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Somchai keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Cho throws a head kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Somchai is looking to clinch.
Somchai scores with a jab.
Somchai is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cho can do to turn this around?
The fight stays on the outside here - Somchai looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cho unleashes a big counter combination but Somchai bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Somchai throws a head kick that Cho semi-blocks.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Somchai throws a head kick that half lands.
A big left from Cho misses.
Somchai scores with a spinning back kick!
Decent striking displayed by Somchai there.
Chakree Somchai is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Somchai pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cho takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Somchai looks to clinch
and Cho counters with a straight right hand.
Cho lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Cho.
Somchai tries a head kick but it misses.
Somchai throws a body punch but Cho moves out of range.
Somchai scores with a head kick.
Somchai scores with a kick to the midsection.
Cho has a takedown stuffed.
Somchai walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Cho checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Somchai throws a head kick that misses.
Cho misses the jab.
And Somchai counters with a quick kick to the body but Cho blocks it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Somchai rushes Cho and presses him up against the cage.
Somchai comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Somchai comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Steve Cho has been cut.
Cho can't break the clinch.

Somchai's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Somchai throws a good cross that connects.
Somchai misses with a double jab
and Somchai takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Chakree Somchai dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Steve Cho's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Somchai doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Somchai misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A lazy body kick from Somchai
and Cho connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Somchai fakes the leg kick and cracks Cho in the body.
Cho lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Somchai uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Cho moves out of range as Somchai strikes.
Cho connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Cho has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Somchai.
Somchai tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Somchai throws a head kick but Cho moves out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Somchai misses the body punch
and Cho connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Somchai displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cho throws out the jab.
Somchai connects with a jab.
A chopping leg kick lands by Somchai.
Somchai tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cho swats him away and circles back towards the center.
No joy there for Cho, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Cho shoots for a double leg takedown but Somchai sprawls well. He's pushed Cho's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cho misses with a series of wild punches.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Somchai.
Chakree Somchai is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cho moves out of range of the body kick.

Cho shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Somchai is trying to defend but Cho finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Somchai gets full guard.
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!
Somchai is pulling down on Cho's head to control his posture.
Cho trying to control the position from guard on top but Somchai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Somchai holds on and takes a little breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cho is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Somchai wants to stand but Cho is controlling the position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Somchai working a defensive guard here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Somchai stuffs the takedown attempt from Cho. Cho gets slowly back to his feet.

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.

Cho gets tackled into the cage by Somchai. Somchai maintains the clinch.

Somchai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cho fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Chakree Somchai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Cho.
Somchai throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Steve Cho has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Somchai thows a body kick. Cho tries to catch it but that hurt him.
A slapping body kick lands there for Somchai.
Somchai wants to clinch
and Cho connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Somchai drives through and clinches with Cho against the cage.

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 Chakree Somchai.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Somchai, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chakree Somchai!
A relieved looking Chakree Somchai thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.