PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Destin Craven (ranked 1482 p4p, 1125 weight class) and Chu Ho Soon (ranked 85 p4p, 60 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Ho Soon's choice of entrance music: Carl Orff - O Fortuna. 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.

Craven
vs
Ho Soon

172 cm
29
141
16 - 13 - 0

175 cm
34
145
25 - 14 - 2

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

AVALON

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 16 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Destin Craven!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 14 - 2, fighting out of New York, Chu Ho Soon!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Paulsen Ambrosius and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ho Soon throws a head kick that half lands.
Ho Soon thumps Craven with a low kick.
Ho Soon avoids the body shot from Craven.
Craven throws a big shot that misses.
Craven looks to land a left hand but Ho Soon moved out of range nicely.
Craven tries a head kick but it misses.
Craven tries to bum rush Ho Soon with a series of wild strikes but Ho Soon uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Ho Soon fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Craven, pushing him back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Craven.
Craven lands a right hand.
Ho Soon scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Craven struggles to land a body shot inside as Ho Soon controls his hands.
Ho Soon lands on the inside with an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ho Soon lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Craven manages to break the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Craven keeps the fight on the outside.
Craven works the jab nicely.
Ho Soon moves out of range as Craven strikes.
Craven with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Destin Craven seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A cross from Ho Soon lands.
Ho Soon lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

Ho Soon closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Craven is working for takedown but Ho Soon is calmly controlling the position for now.
We've been hearing reports that Craven has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ho Soon keeps control of Craven as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Craven gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Ho Soon is trying to stand up here but Craven is controlling him well.
Ho Soon wants to control but Craven is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Ho Soon tries to roll over but Craven keeps him under control.
Ho Soon keeps trying to improve his position.
Well, if Craven is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Ho Soon wants to control but Craven is keeping busy.
Craven with the ground and pound but Ho Soon uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Ho Soon 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Craven works over Ho Soon with some ground and pound from guard.
Craven is pushing down on Ho Soon's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ho Soon is fighting to maintain full guard but Craven has managed to sneak the leg through.
Craven missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Craven is looking to take a break and control but Ho Soon is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Ho Soon is defending against the submission attempts here by Craven.
Craven is nestled in close to Ho Soon, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ho Soon manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Craven throws a big right hand that misses.
Ho Soon keeping full guard, as Craven tries to pass.
Ho Soon is trying to keep Craven in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Craven keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ho Soon's head.
Ho Soon looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Craven is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Ho Soon looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Craven passes Ho Soon's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Craven is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Ho Soon is not content to let Craven control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ho Soon wants to control the action here but instead Craven manages to pass to full mount!
Ho Soon slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Ho Soon trying to hold on to Craven's head to control him but Craven postures up.
Craven tries to pass to full mount but Ho Soon defends it.
Ho Soon keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Ho Soon tries to roll over but Craven keeps him under control.
Ho Soon is staying active underneath Craven, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ho Soon moves into full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Craven looking to pass the guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Destin Craven will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A left lands for Craven.
Craven moves out of range of the body kick.
Ho Soon lands with an uppercut that bounces Craven off the cage and back into range.
Ho Soon cracks Craven with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Ho Soon takes the fight into the clinch.
Ho Soon tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ho Soon can't find room to land a body shot as Craven controls the action.

Craven lands a takedown into guard.
Ho Soon wants to sweep but no luck.
Ho Soon lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Craven trying to control the position.
Craven looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Craven wants to stand up but Ho Soon is controlling him.

Craven looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ho Soon wants to get up but he can't break Craven's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Ho Soon avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Ho Soon gets to his feet. Craven looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Chu Ho Soon seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Craven moves out of range of the leg kick from Ho Soon.
Ho Soon stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Craven.
Ho Soon fails to land with a series of punches.

Craven shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Ho Soon napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Craven has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Ho Soon wants to control but Craven postures up.
Ho Soon sneaks back into half guard.
Ho Soon tries to get to full guard but Craven has control of the leg.
Craven tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ho Soon knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ho Soon looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ho Soon is controlling Craven's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Craven lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Craven thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ho Soon's head.
Ho Soon trying to control here.
Craven landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Craven is pressing down on Ho Soon's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ho Soon is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ho Soon keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ho Soon keeping hold of Craven's head, controlling as best he can.
Nice strikes from Craven there.
Ho Soon has a hand on Craven's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Craven takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!

Craven jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Ho Soon manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Craven throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Destin Craven overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ho Soon tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Craven working the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ho Soon struggling a bit here.
Ho Soon manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Ho Soon tries to stand and escape but Craven is controlling the position.
Ho Soon prevents Craven from standing back up.
Ho Soon tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Craven.
Craven is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Ho Soon jumps into side control!

Ho Soon has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Ho Soon steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Craven.
Ho Soon swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ho Soon throws a series of punches but Craven avoids them all with ease.
Ho Soon clobbers Craven with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
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!
Craven throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Ho Soon looks to land a right hand but Craven moved out of range.
Destin Craven is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ho Soon throws the left hand but Craven avoids the punch easily.
Ho Soon throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
It looked like Craven wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

A head kick misses from Craven.
As Craven backs off Ho Soon throws a huge counter combo but Craven manages to avoid it all.
Craven fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Craven shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ho Soon pinned against the cage. Ho Soon gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Craven avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Ho Soon misses with a wild body shot.
A slapping body kick lands there for Craven.
Craven missing with a left hand there. Ho Soon was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ho Soon misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A low kick lands for Ho Soon.
Craven tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ho Soon sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Craven somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Destin Craven. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Craven looks to land a right hand but Ho Soon moved out of range.
Craven ducks under a wild hook from Ho Soon.
Ho Soon lands a slapping body shot.
Ho Soon fails to land with a series of punches.
Ho Soon fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ho Soon throws a leg kick but Craven moved away.
Craven is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ho Soon sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ho Soon blocks a head kick by Craven.
Ho Soon fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Craven on the side of the head.
Good standup being displayed there by Craven as he connects with a hook.

Ho Soon has taken the fight to the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Ho Soon.
Ho Soon lands a shoulder strike.
Ho Soon misses with the head strike.
Ho Soon lands a hook that snaps the head of Craven backwards.
Ho Soon misses with a punch to the body.
Craven fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ho Soon lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Craven or not.
Craven blocks a body shot from Ho Soon.
Ho Soon gets through Craven's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Stalling in the clinch from Ho Soon.
Ho Soon lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Craven backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Ho Soon manages to break the clinch.
Ho Soon lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ho Soon avoids a punch combination nicely.
Craven wants to land a leg kick but Ho Soon is out of range.
Ho Soon throws a right and a left that both miss.
Craven slips a straight right by Ho Soon.

Craven closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Craven lands in his opponent's guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Ho Soon manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Chu Ho Soon seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ho Soon doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Craven misses with some punches.
Ho Soon doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Craven can't get the takedown.
Craven is trying to push Ho Soon away but Ho Soon has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A short body shot lands from Ho Soon as the two fighters clinch.
Craven is trying to maintain a safe position but Ho Soon gets an underhook and turns Craven into the cage.
Craven blocking some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Craven is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ho Soon gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ho Soon.
Ho Soon trying to stall but Craven improves his position.
Craven tries to score a body lock takedown but Ho Soon shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ho Soon just leaning against Craven, taking a breather.
Craven is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Ho Soon is defending well.
Ho Soon tries to throw a body punch but Craven avoids it by throwing Ho Soon back against the cage.
Ho Soon works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Ho Soon lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ho Soon softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Craven is trying to drag Ho Soon to the mat but Ho Soon just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ho Soon prevents a takedown attempt there.
Ho Soon cracks Craven with a nice body shot.
Craven being controlled against the cage.
Craven being controlled against the cage.
Chu Ho Soon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Destin Craven is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ho Soon misses with a hook from the clinch.
Craven drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ho Soon pulls his leg out and moves away.
Craven takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Ho Soon misses with a hook. Craven ducked under it nicely.
Craven looks for a takedown but Ho Soon sprawls well.

Craven manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Ho Soon on his heels. He'll look to pass Ho Soon's guard now, I'm sure.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ho Soon looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ho Soon is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Ho Soon is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Craven is aware though and is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chu Ho Soon comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Craven 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Destin Craven!
Destin Craven bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.