PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight kickboxing rules bout between Alexander Smirnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kristofer Hong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hong has chosen It's my time as his entrance music. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Smirnov
vs
Hong

173 cm
23
140 lbs
18 - 6 - 1

159 cm
24
147 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

World class MT
Cardio machine

World class MT
Granite chin

Legion of Pain Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Alexander Smirnov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kristofer Hong!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Shirou Masuda and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hong throws a leg kick which misses Smirnov's front leg but catches the back leg as Smirnov tries to avoid it.
Smirnov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hong looks to land a left hand but Smirnov moved out of range nicely.
Smirnov misses with a body kick.
A clash of legs there as Hong blocks the low kick.
Hong fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Smirnov manages to avoid it.
Hong scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hong throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Smirnov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hong. Smirnov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hong throws the kick towards the body but Smirnov avoids it.
Smirnov throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
A good leg kick by Smirnov.
A head kick misses from Smirnov.
Hong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smirnov cracks the inside of Hong's front leg.
Hong on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Smirnov. Smirnov obviously looking to wear him down.
Hong misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hong swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Smirnov lands a jab.
Smirnov delivers a nice body kick.
Smirnov fakes the leg kick and cracks Hong in the body.
Smirnov misses with a leg kick
and Hong counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Smirnov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hong.
Smirnov throws a right hand that Hong ducks under and follows up with a left that Hong also avoids with ease.
Smirnov misses with a double jab.
Smirnov scores with a nice body kick.
Smirnov is looking to score with low kicks.
Smirnov checks a low kick from Hong.
Hong misses the shot to the body.

Smirnov moves into the clinch successfully.
Hong misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hong on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Hong's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hong on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Smirnov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hong in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
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 with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hong lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hong avoiding damage as Smirnov throws knees to the body.
Smirnov throws an elbow that misses.
Smirnov connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hong's face.
Hong misses with some punches.
Hong misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Smirnov.
Smirnov looking to throw knees to the head but Hong is blocking nicely.
Smirnov takes an elbow to the temple.
Smirnov tries a knee to the head but Hong blocks it.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Smirnov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Hong's brow.
Smirnov tries a knee to the head but Hong blocks it.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Hong obliges.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov misses with a knee to the head.
Smirnov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hong.
Smirnov tries to land knees in the clinch but Hong avoids the damage to the body.
Hong lands a shot to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Smirnov.
Hong has a couple of punches blocked by Smirnov.
Hong misses with a hook to the ribs.
Smirnov misses with a knee to the head.
Hong avoiding damage as Smirnov throws knees to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Hong's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Smirnov misses with a knee to the head.
Smirnov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hong blocks it with crossed arms.
Hong with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hong tries to land knees in the clinch but Smirnov avoids the damage to the body.
Hong scores with a shot to the side of Smirnov's head.
Hong lands a hook that snaps the head of Smirnov backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hong putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Smirnov in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Hong scores with a shoulder strike.
Smirnov tries to land a knee to the head but Hong blocks with his arms.
A head punch on the inside from Hong fails to land.
Hong wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Smirnov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hong using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smirnov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hong goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Smirnov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Smirnov controlling the action here for a moment.
Knees in the clinch landing for Hong.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smirnov looking to throw knees to the head but Hong is blocking nicely.
Hong working aggressively here.
Hong throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Smirnov avoids a wild elbow strike from Hong.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Alexander Smirnov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Smirnov thows a body kick. Hong tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Hong slips a jab and a cross from Smirnov.
Smirnov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hong.
Hong takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Smirnov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hong.

Smirnov clinches up with Hong and pushes him back against the ropes.
Hong with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Smirnov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hong avoids it.
Smirnov landing knees to the body.
Hong misses with a hook from the clinch.
Smirnov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hong blocks it with crossed arms.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Hong obliges.
Smirnov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hong blocks it with crossed arms.
Hong lands a right hand that snaps the head of Smirnov backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smirnov with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hong misses with the head strike.
Smirnov wants to stall.
Smirnov with a knee to the head.
Hong on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Smirnov.
Hong dodges an elbow strike from Smirnov.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Smirnov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hong working aggressively here.
Hong working aggressively here.
Hong misses with the head strike.
Hong blocks an elbow strike.
Smirnov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hong tries to throw a body punch but Smirnov avoids it by throwing Hong back against the ropes.
Hong lands a damaging elbow.
Smirnov unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Smirnov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Smirnov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Hong's brow.
Smirnov tries to land a knee to the head but Hong blocks with his arms.
Hong is working Smirnov over against the ropes.
Hong is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Hong is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Smirnov obliges.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hong misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hong avoiding damage as Smirnov throws knees to the body.
Smirnov prevents a body shot from Hong.
Smirnov misses with a knee to the head.
A short body shot lands from Hong as the two fighters clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hong tries a knee to the head but Smirnov blocks it.
Hong is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Smirnov is defending well for now.
Smirnov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Hong is working Smirnov over against the ropes.
Hong tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Smirnov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Smirnov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hong misses with a punch to the body.
Hong goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Smirnov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Smirnov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Smirnov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Smirnov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hong blocks it with crossed arms.
Smirnov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Smirnov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hong blocks an elbow strike.
Hong lands a shot to the body.
Hong misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Smirnov.
Hong lands an elbow that stopped Smirnov in his tracks for a moment.
Nice body punch from Hong - that landed with a thud.
Hong trying to land knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smirnov tries a knee to the head but Hong blocks it.
Hong fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Smirnov prevents Hong from breaking the clinch.
Hong lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Alexander Smirnov has been cut.
Hong lands a right hand.
Kristofer Hong seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hong working Smirnov over with knees to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hong lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hong takes a knee right on the jaw!
Hong avoiding damage as Smirnov throws knees to the body.
Hong tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Alexander Smirnov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alexander Smirnov's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Smirnov takes the fight into the clinch.
Smirnov trying to land knees to the body.
Hong using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Smirnov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hong blocks the elbow strike.
Hong can't find room to land a body shot as Smirnov controls the action.
Smirnov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Hong.
Smirnov misses with a knee to the head.
Smirnov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hong has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hong is trying to stall.
Smirnov tries to stall but Hong uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Hong managing to block the knees to the body from Smirnov.
Hong lands a nice shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov tries a knee to the head but Hong blocks it.
Hong is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Hong misses with a hook from the clinch.
Smirnov trying to control the position but instead, Hong has worked for underhooks and has pushed Smirnov into the ropes.
Smirnov tries a knee to the head but Hong blocks it.
Smirnov with a knee to the head.
Hong misses with a punch to the body.
Smirnov scores a nice knee to the body.
Smirnov landing knees to the head.
Hong throws a punch but it's blocked by Smirnov.

Hong breaks from the clinch.
Hong swings for the body but Smirnov moves out of range.
Hong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Smirnov tries to land a front kick but Hong steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Smirnov lands with a kick to the ribs.
Hong lands with a shot to the body.
Hong has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Smirnov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Smirnov clinches with his opponent.
A short right from Hong on the inside.
Smirnov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Smirnov tries to land knees in the clinch but Hong avoids the damage to the body.
Hong is trying to break the clinch but Smirnov has him pressed against the ropes.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hong.
Smirnov lands an elbow just above Hong 's eye.
Smirnov misses with a knee strike.
Smirnov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Hong managing to block the knees to the body from Smirnov.
Hong can't find room to land a body shot as Smirnov controls the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hong lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Smirnov looking to throw knees to the head but Hong is blocking nicely.
Smirnov crunches a lovely knee into Hong's ribcage.
Hong scores with a shot to the side of Smirnov's head.
Smirnov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hong in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Hong working aggressively here.
Smirnov tries to land knees in the clinch but Hong avoids the damage to the body.
Hong misses with the head strike.
Hong unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Hong tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Smirnov avoids it.
Smirnov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A shot in the inside from Hong.
Hong lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hong tries a body shot but Smirnov blocks it.
Smirnov avoiding damage as Hong throws knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Hong.
Smirnov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Smirnov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hong's efforts to push away.
Hong works on Smirnov's body with a couple of short punches.
Hong is leaning against Smirnov and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smirnov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Smirnov managing to block the knees to the body from Hong.
Hong putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Smirnov in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Hong lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Smirnov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hong has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hong lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hong lands a damaging elbow.
Smirnov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hong's efforts to push away.
Hong throws an elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Kristofer Hong just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Alexander Smirnov's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Smirnov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hong.
Hong lands a nice hook to Smirnov's body. Smirnov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Hong throws a leg kick but Smirnov moved away.
Smirnov throws a leg kick but Hong moved away.
Smirnov misses with a leg kick
and Hong counters with a low kick, right behind Smirnov 's knee.
Hong lands a slapping body shot.
Hong throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hong jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Smirnov throws a body kick that misses.
Hong throws a chopping leg kick but Smirnov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Hong takes a swing at Smirnov's ribcage but misses.
Smirnov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hong manages to avoid it.
Hong throws a half hearted mid kick.
Smirnov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hong moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov wants to clinch.
Hong avoids a kick to the body.
Smirnov tries to close the distance and clinch but Hong swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hong pivots, looking for a leg kick but Smirnov is out of range and Hong settles back down.
Smirnov misses with a low kick.
Hong's corner calls for a 1-2. Hong obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

Smirnov closes the distance and pushes Hong back into the ropes.
Smirnov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Smirnov connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hong's face.
Smirnov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hong tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Smirnov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hong misses with a punch on the inside.
Hong tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hong trying to control the position but instead, Smirnov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hong into the ropes.
Hong goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Smirnov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Smirnov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hong's defenses.
Smirnov blocks an elbow strike from Hong.
Smirnov taking a breather.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hong avoiding damage as Smirnov throws knees to the body.
Hong avoiding damage as Smirnov throws knees to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Smirnov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Hong's brow.
Smirnov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hong blocks it with crossed arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hong tries to land a knee to the head but Smirnov blocks with his arms.
A right hand to the body from Hong.
Smirnov putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hong in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Smirnov misses with a knee strike.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Smirnov throws an elbow but misses.
Smirnov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hong scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hong wants to stall.
Smirnov crunches a lovely knee into Hong's ribcage.
Smirnov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hong.
Smirnov landing knees to the head.
Hong tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hong lands a damaging elbow.
Hong crunches a lovely knee into Smirnov's ribcage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Smirnov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Hong's brow.
Smirnov missing with knees to the body.
Hong softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
A frustrated look appears on Hong's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hong tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hong tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Smirnov's elbow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice body punch from Hong.
Hong is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Smirnov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A knee to the head by Smirnov.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hong tries to work over Smirnov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hong misses with a short punch on the inside.
Smirnov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Smirnov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Kristofer Hong will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Alexander Smirnov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Smirnov moves out of range as Hong strikes.
Smirnov throws a push kick but Hong slaps the foot to one side.
Hong tries to bum rush Smirnov with a series of wild strikes but Smirnov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hong lands a jab.
Kristofer Hong seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hong takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
A head kick misses from Smirnov.
Hong feints and then cracks Smirnov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Smirnov down.
Smirnov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Smirnov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hong is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Smirnov rather than just go for the knockout.
Smirnov misses with a body shot.
Smirnov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Smirnov is looking to slow Hong down with leg kicks.
Smirnov tries to close the distance and clinch but Hong swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hong misses with a wild body shot.
Both fighters circling a little - Smirnov finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Smirnov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hong misses with an uppercut. Smirnov saw that one coming.
Good shot there by Hong.
Smirnov tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Smirnov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Smirnov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Smirnov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Hong is looking to chop away at Smirnov's legs.
Both fighters circling a little - Smirnov finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Smirnov tries to clinch but Hong moves out of range.
Hong lands a nice hook to Smirnov's body. Smirnov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Hong throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Hong feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Smirnov's calf.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smirnov forces Hong back against the ropes and clinches.
Hong tries to circle away but Smirnov has him pinned against the ropes.
Hong misses with the head strike.
Smirnov misses with a knee strike.
Smirnov misses with a knee strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hong takes an elbow to the temple.
Hong lands a nice shot to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Hong's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hong throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Smirnov blocks it with crossed arms.
Hong takes an elbow to the forehead.
Smirnov misses with a knee strike.
Hong avoiding damage as Smirnov throws knees to the body.
Smirnov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hong scores with a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for Smirnov to work.
Smirnov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Smirnov looking to throw knees to the head but Hong is blocking nicely.
Smirnov tries a knee to the head but Hong blocks it.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Smirnov working Hong over with knees to the body.
Smirnov trying to land knees to the body.
Smirnov blocks a body shot from Hong.
Smirnov misses with a knee strike.
Smirnov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hong lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Smirnov looking to stall.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Smirnov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Hong's brow.
Smirnov lands a knee to the head.
Smirnov misses with a knee strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hong.
Hong can't find room to land a body shot as Smirnov controls the action.
Smirnov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Smirnov wants to stall.
Smirnov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Smirnov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Smirnov lands a nice elbow.
Hong lands an elbow inside that Smirnov shrugs off.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smirnov lands a knee to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Smirnov misses with a knee to the head.
A hook to the body from Hong.
Smirnov misses with a knee to the head.
Hong misses with some punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Smirnov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Smirnov 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 49:47
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 48:47
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Alexander Smirnov!
Alexander Smirnov decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.