PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Robert Hongo (ranked 23150 p4p, 467 weight class) and Danish Ali (ranked 24342 p4p, 484 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hongo
vs
Ali

174 cm
21
152 lbs
6 - 3 - 1

180 cm
19
150 lbs
0 - 4 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Likes musicals

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 6 - 3 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Robert Hongo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Danish Ali!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Dmitry Maklakov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hongo shoots in looking for a takedown but Ali manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hongo's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hongo has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Russian Bears Training Center in the buildup to the fight.

Hongo looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Ali looking for a sweep. Not yet Ali, not yet.

Ali is looking for a triangle but Hongo pushes his legs off easily.

Hongo drops back looking for a leg! Ali is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ali manages to kick Hongo off! Hongo jumps back into Ali's guard.
Ali trying to control the position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ali is trying to keep Hongo in close.
Ali is looking to stand up but Hongo isn't so interested in that idea.
Hongo cracks Ali with a solid left hand.
Ali pulls Hongo in close to prevent any damage.
Hongo wants to control from the top but Ali keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Ali tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Ali working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hongo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hongo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hongo throws a lazy body kick
and Ali cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hongo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ali is fending him off so far but Hongo persists. Nope, Ali circles away and we're back to standing.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ali! But no joy.

Hongo scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Hongo tries to pass to full mount but Ali defends it.

Hongo is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ali sees it coming and defends easily.
Ali trying to get back to full guard but Hongo takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ali tries to improve his position but Hongo has taken his back! Hongo has a choke - it's sunk in pretty tight... Will Ali tap? No... maybe... yes! He's tapped! Hongo pushes Ali away and gets up to celebrate with his corner!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Robert Hongo!