PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lee Ho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eirik Rivfader (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Eirik Rivfader is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Ho
vs
Rivfader

194 cm
23
285 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

150 cm
38
245 lbs
16 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lee Ho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eirik Rivfader!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yuuki Gou and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ho rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rivfader moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rivfader fails with an attempt to clinch.
A little feinted left hand from Ho on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rivfader will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ho tests Rivfader's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rivfader ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ho moves away.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Ho, as that shot connected.
Ho takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Rivfader tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ho moves away from the strike by Rivfader.
Rivfader pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Rivfader fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Ho to the ground. Rivfader is now in Ho's guard.
Ho wants to improve his position but instead Rivfader has moved into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ho gets full guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Ho's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Ho has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Rivfader engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Rivfader stands and throws Ho's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Rivfader tries to move to mount but Ho blocks the move with his legs.
Ho tries to get back to half guard but can't.
You can see the frustration on Ho's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Rivfader wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ho keeps working.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ho is looking to reverse the position.
Ho is working hard here to advance position.
Ho can't do much from the bottom here.
A lull in the action here as Rivfader stalls from top position.
Ho wants to control but Rivfader postures up.
Rivfader tries to move to mount but Ho blocks the move with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivfader is looking to take a break and control but Ho is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ho manages to work his way to half guard, despite Rivfader's best efforts.
Rivfader trying to control the action but Ho is working from the bottom.
Ho tries to roll over but Rivfader keeps him under control.
Rivfader wants to control but Ho is keeping him busy.

Rivfader looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ho manages to get to full guard.

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.
Rivfader seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Ho tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rivfader with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ho 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.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ho trying to control the position here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Rivfader shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Rivfader showed some decent athleticism there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eirik Rivfader dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Rivfader keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ho.
Ho swinging wildly here.
Rivfader tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ho defends well and Rivfader ends up having to push Ho into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Rivfader shoots in for a takedown but Ho shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ho appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Nice uppercut there from Ho.

Ho is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Rivfader's half guard.

Rivfader has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Ho is on him like a limpet, forcing Rivfader back against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ho is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rivfader is keeping busy.
Come on Ho - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Rivfader has Ho pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ho manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Lee Ho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eirik Rivfader.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ho lands an uppercut.
Rivfader blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rivfader being controlled against the cage.

Rivfader turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Rivfader manages to end up in side control.
Ho tries to improve position but can't.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Rivfader. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Ho is not content to let Rivfader control the position.
Eirik Rivfader has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rivfader working the body and head with strikes.
Ho wants to control but Rivfader postures up.
Ho controls the position for a moment.
Ho is being controlled here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivfader tries to move into full mount but can't pass Ho's legs.
Ho is looking to regain half guard here but Rivfader keeps moving and retains side control.
Rivfader scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Ho to see if he's OK.
Ho is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Rivfader remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Rivfader working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
Ho struggling a bit here.
Rivfader is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Ho's shoulder. That is not cool.
Rivfader lands a few punches from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ho tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ho sneaks back into half guard.
Ho trying to control here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Ho is looking for a sweep. Rivfader is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rivfader is controlling the pace.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Ho looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rivfader is trying to control the action in half guard but Ho is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rivfader looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Ho is trying to control but can't.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eirik Rivfader showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Rivfader moves in looking to clinch but Ho pushes him off.
Rivfader has his takedown stuffed
and Rivfader takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Rivfader scores with a takedown into Ho's guard.
Ho seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Ho is looking for a triangle but Rivfader pushes his legs off easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rivfader is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Rivfader is continuing to stall.
Ho keeping moving, preventing Rivfader from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ho will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Ho looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rivfader is one step ahead there.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Rivfader is looking to work some ground and pound but Ho has wrist control.
Ho has his hands on Rivfader's head, controlling the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Rivfader will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
It looked like Ho was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Eirik Rivfader is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two 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 fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rivfader manages to avoid it.
A low kick from Rivfader is predictable there
and Ho counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lee Ho is winning the standup battle so far.
Ho circles away from the clinch attempt.
It looked like Ho wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Rivfader showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ho.
Rivfader shoots in but no luck this time.
Lee Ho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eirik Rivfader.
Rivfader shoots and misses
and Rivfader takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ho stuffs the takedown attempt from Rivfader. Rivfader gets slowly back to his feet.
Ho scores with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ho blocks a head kick by Rivfader.
Rivfader leaves Ho with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rivfader throws a sloppy head kick and Ho moves out of range easily.
Ho scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Ho scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Ho throws a right and a left that Rivfader avoids nicely.
Rivfader with a poor takedown
and Ho counters with a stiff right hand.
Rivfader throws a head kick that misses
and Ho connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rivfader takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ho thumps Rivfader with a low kick.
Rivfader is looking to clinch but Ho is avoiding it.
Ho tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Rivfader manages to circle out of the way.
Rivfader shoots in for a takedown but Ho shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ho slips a jab from Rivfader.
Ho went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Ho feints and as Rivfader raises his hands in defense, Ho changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ho's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Ho trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rivfader keeping moving, preventing Ho from controlling successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ho makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Lee Ho has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Eirik Rivfader is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ho is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Ho throws an elbow that misses. Rivfader uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ho's guard. Nice move by Rivfader!

And that's the end of the fight!
Lee Ho showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rivfader 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eirik Rivfader!