PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Darnielle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Byeongsuk Kim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kim has chosen Choi Hong Man-Beauty and the Beast as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Darnielle
vs
Kim

197 cm
20
192 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
195 lbs
12 - 4 - 2

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Darnielle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Byeongsuk Kim!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Daniel Cesar and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kim thows a body shot but no joy.
Kim takes a swing at Darnielle's ribcage but misses.
Kim uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Darnielle.
Darnielle takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kim checks a leg kick nicely.
Kim tries to close the distance and clinch but Darnielle swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kim checks a leg kick.
A shot to the body from Kim misses
and Darnielle counters with a leg kick.
Kim tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Darnielle paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Darnielle keeps Kim at a distance using the push kick.
Kim throws a predictable looking body shot
and Darnielle counters with a nice low kick that buckles Kim's knee momentarily.
Kim jabs at Darnielle's body.

Kim scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Darnielle is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Darnielle regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kim trying to control but Darnielle is working from the bottom.
Kim in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Darnielle working for submissions but it's allowed Kim to get to half guard.
Darnielle blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kim.
Darnielle has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kim is working away from the top position though.
Kim slips a nice elbow through Darnielle's hands, connecting with Darnielle's forehead.
Darnielle trying to control here.
Nice strikes from Kim there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kim stalling away here and it's allowed Darnielle to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Kim lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Darnielle looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kim trying to control the position from guard on top but Darnielle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Darnielle is trying to control the position but Kim postures up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Darnielle is on top in guard.
Darnielle preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kim has a closed guard, preventing Darnielle from standing up.
Darnielle trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Kim looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kim throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Kim being controlled here, momentarily.
Kim looking to hit a scissor sweep but Darnielle is one step ahead there.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kim throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Kim avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A head kick misses from Darnielle.
Kim fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kim checks a leg kick nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kim. Darnielle does a little dance to reset his feet.
Darnielle takes one to the side of the head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kim looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A bone on bone clash there as Kim blocks the leg kick.
Kim is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Darnielle rather than just go for the knockout.
Darnielle throws a leg kick that misses.
Kim looks for the body kick but Darnielle saw that one coming.
Kim ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Darnielle moves away.
Darnielle blocks a jab.
Kim shoots in but Darnielle avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Byeongsuk Kim dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kim rushes Darnielle and presses him up against the ropes.
Kim blocks the elbow strike.
Darnielle creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Darnielle is struggling to control the position.
A hook to the body from Kim.
Darnielle blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Darnielle misses with an elbow strike.
Darnielle jumps guard but Kim stands there with Darnielle around his waist. Darnielle gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kim avoids the elbow strike from Darnielle, against the ropes.
A right hook to the body lands for Kim.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Darnielle just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kim's brow.
Darnielle tries to land knees in the clinch but Kim avoids the damage to the body.
Kim lands a nice shot to the body.
A short right from Kim on the inside.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Darnielle throws an elbow but misses.
Kim swings wildly with an uppercut but Darnielle uses good head movement to avoid it.
Darnielle creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kim.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kim lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kim lands with a light punch inside.
Kim scores with a shot to the side of Darnielle's head.
Kim avoids the elbow strike from Darnielle, against the ropes.
Darnielle blocking some punches.
Darnielle throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kim blocks it with crossed arms.
Darnielle blocking some punches.
Kim lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Darnielle backwards.
Darnielle throws an elbow that misses.
Kim lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Darnielle tries to stall but Kim uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Darnielle with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A shot in the inside from Kim.
Darnielle throws an elbow but it misses.
Darnielle lands an elbow inside that Kim shrugs off.
Kim changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Darnielle fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kim misses with a body punch
and Darnielle counters with a body kick that stops Kim in his tracks momentarily.
Kim swings away with a body shot that misses
and Darnielle counters with a nice leg kick.
Kim misses with a body shot.
Darnielle tries to land a front kick but Kim steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kim throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kim throws a big shot that misses.
Kim fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Darnielle manages to avoid it.
Darnielle connects with a high kick.
Darnielle throws a hook to the side of Kim's head but Kim sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Darnielle buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Darnielle moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Darnielle avoids the body shot from Kim.
Byeongsuk Kim seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kim tries to land a leg kick but Darnielle saw it coming and moves away.
A leg kick checked by Kim.
Kim throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
John Darnielle is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kim ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Darnielle connects with a high kick.
Kim looks to score with a jab to the body but Darnielle is just out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kim misses with a wild body shot.
Darnielle avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kim lands a right hook to the body.
Darnielle avoids the body shot from Kim.
Darnielle misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A solid body kick from Darnielle.
Kim throws a predictable looking body shot
and Darnielle finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Darnielle ducks under a wild hook from Kim.
Darnielle fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kim looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kim throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kim cracks Darnielle with an open hand slap.
Darnielle misses with a head kick.
Kim misses with a body punch
and Darnielle counters with a head kick.
Kim misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Darnielle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kim stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Darnielle.
Kim throws an overhand right that lands on Darnielle's shoulder, as Darnielle tries to avoid the shot.
Darnielle throws a leg kick that misses.
Darnielle scores with a kick to the midsection.
Darnielle lands a head kick!
Darnielle comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Darnielle throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Darnielle misses with a body punch
and Kim counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kim has a takedown stuffed.
Kim swings away with a body shot that misses
and Darnielle counters with an outside leg kick.
Nice cross by Kim.
A big right from Kim misses.
Darnielle goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
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 John Darnielle will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Kim jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kim tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kim misses with a body punch
and Darnielle makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Darnielle misses with a low kick.
Darnielle takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Darnielle misses with a leg kick
and Kim counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kim misses with a body kick.
Kim misses with a body punch
and Darnielle counters with a head kick.
Kim misses with a jab to the body
and Darnielle counters with a big head kick but Kim shrugs it off.
Darnielle attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kim missing with a left hand there. Darnielle was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kim misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kim misses with a telegraphed body shot
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Kim throws a looping overhand right but Darnielle ducks down to avoid it.
Kim will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darnielle throws a push kick but Kim slaps the foot to one side.
Kim gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Darnielle counters with a nice body shot.
Kim wants to clinch.
Kim looks to throw a body kick
and Darnielle counters with a solid body kick.
Darnielle blocks a jab.
Kim swings for the body but Darnielle moves out of range.
Kim blocks a leg kick.
Darnielle looks to throw the jab but Kim is out of range.
Kim lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kim punishes Darnielle's body with a nice straight punch.
A thudding body kick lands there by Darnielle!
Kim fails in his attempt to clinch.

Kim closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Darnielle to the mat! Darnielle manages to get full guard.
Darnielle keeping moving, preventing Kim from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Darnielle escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kim gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Darnielle controls Kim momentarily but Kim frees himself.
Darnielle wants to sweep here but Kim controlling him for the moment.
Kim wants to control from the top but Darnielle keeps moving.
Darnielle looking for a sweep. Not yet Darnielle, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darnielle is working hard here to advance position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kim misses with a looping right.
Darnielle thows a leg kick but Kim checks it
letting Kim counter with a right hand.
John Darnielle is winning the standup battle so far.
Darnielle scores with a nice body kick.
Kim throws a shot from downtown. Darnielle moves away and avoids it.
Darnielle throws a leg kick but Kim sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Darnielle walks into a jab.
Darnielle gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kim.
Kim takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kim slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kim fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Darnielle manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darnielle throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kim counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A jab from Kim does it's job there.

Kim gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kim digs a right hand into Darnielle's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Darnielle's gas tank.
Kim throws a head punch that misses.
Darnielle with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Darnielle throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kim misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kim throws a head punch that misses.
Darnielle with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Darnielle throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kim works on Darnielle's body with a couple of short punches.
Darnielle's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kim lands a nice uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Kim.
Kim gets through Darnielle's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kim lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Darnielle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Darnielle throws an elbow but it misses.
Kim pushes Darnielle back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Darnielle creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Byeongsuk Kim.
I think Kim 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight for Byeongsuk Kim!
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight for Byeongsuk Kim!
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight for Byeongsuk Kim!

Byeongsuk Kim wins by unanimous decision!