PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Byeongsuk Kim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Drederick Tatum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kim kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Choi Hong Man-Beauty and the Beast. 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.

Kim
vs
Tatum

190 cm
24
195 lbs
15 - 8 - 3

190 cm
25
190 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
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 15 - 8 - 3, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Byeongsuk Kim!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Drederick Tatum!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Edson Gomes and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tatum doesn't manage to clinch there - Kim circles away.
Kim thows a body shot but no joy.
Tatum throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kim counters with a nice body shot.
Tatum will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tatum uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kim.
Kim comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Tatum on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Tatum tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kim counters with a nice body shot.
Tatum lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kim circles away quickly and effectively.

Kim drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kim in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kim postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kim trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tatum wants to get back to his feet but Kim is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Kim is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kim tries to free his leg and advance position but Tatum is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kim trying to move into half guard but instead Tatum has managed to sweep!
Kim controlling Tatum's posture.
Kim keeping full guard, as Tatum tries to pass.
Kim looking for a sweep. Not yet Kim, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Tatum with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tatum must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Tatum tries to free his leg and advance position but Kim is retaining full guard.
Tatum throws a big right hand that misses.
Tatum is looking to work some ground and pound but Kim has wrist control.
Tatum trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kim's guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kim holds on and takes a little breather.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Byeongsuk Kim.
Tatum falls off balance throwing a combination
and Tatum takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Tatum misses with a two punch combination.
Kim shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tatum as he avoids it easily.
Kim throws a body punch but Tatum moves out of range.
Tatum takes a swing at Kim's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Tatum throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kim tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tatum was well out of range. Poor timing from Kim.
Kim swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kim avoids the body shot from Tatum.
Drederick Tatum is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kim circles away from the clinch attempt
and Kim counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kim lands with a good body shot.
Kim scores with a hook to the body. Tatum takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
No joy there for Tatum, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kim. That's going to slow Tatum down.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kim.
Tatum throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kim is looking to wear down Tatum with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Tatum walks into a jab.
Kim throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kim lands the left hand.
Tatum wants to clinch but Kim slips to the side
and Kim counters with a low kick, right behind Tatum 's knee.
Tatum misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kim connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Tatum's hands.
Tatum takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Tatum clinches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Tatum pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kim lands with an overhand left.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kim. Tatum does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kim connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Tatum's hands.
Tatum tries to clinch up
and Kim counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tatum looks gassed!
Tatum misses with a few strikes there.
Kim stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kim lands a nice looking body shot.
Kim bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Tatum's head backwards.
Kim scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tatum takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kim fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kim throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Tatum stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Tatum walks into a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Byeongsuk Kim dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kim cracks Tatum with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Tatum misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kim scores with a punch to the head.
Drederick Tatum is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tatum throws a series of punches but Kim moves out of range.
Kim listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Tatum throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kim counters with a right hand to the body.
Kim scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kim lands a slapping body shot.
Drederick Tatum seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kim fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Tatum on the side of the head.
Kim scores with a hook to the body. Tatum takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kim lands with a good body shot.
Tatum on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Kim scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Kim feints and then cracks Tatum's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Tatum down.
Tatum has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kim.
Kim scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Tatum is breathing heavily.
Kim lands a body shot.
Kim lands a really nice looking cross but Tatum seems unphased.
Tatum takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tatum throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kim ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kim scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kim lands with a shot to the body.
Kim lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tatum at a distance.
Tatum takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kim lands a two punch combo.
Kim lands a body shot.
Kim dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kim scores with a hook to the body. Tatum takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kim changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tatum tries to avoid it but Kim manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tatum to the ground. Tatum escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kim swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Tatum.
Kim throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kim fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tatum manages to avoid it.
Kim with a body punch. A glancing blow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tatum fails in his attempt to clinch.

Kim shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Tatum napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kim taking a breather here.
Kim is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tatum can do to turn this around?
Tatum parries the strikes from Kim easily there. Kim is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Tatum to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kim looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Tatum is avoiding damage well.
Tatum dodges the ground and pound from Kim.
Kim working the ground and pound.
Kim 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 Tatum's shoulder. That is not cool.
Tatum is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Kim has just dragged him back down to the mat.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Tatum can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kim wants to control but Tatum is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kim working away.
Tatum takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
An elbow from Kim crashes against the mat.
Tatum is letting Kim control him for a moment.
Kim tries to score with some ground and pound. Tatum controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
An elbow from Kim crashes against the mat.
Tatum really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kim. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kim scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Tatum to see if he's OK.
Kim taking a breather here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The strikes coming from Kim are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Kim sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Tatum is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Kim trying to control the position but Tatum is working away.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kim misses with the ground and pound.
Kim misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Tatum is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Kim's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Byeongsuk Kim dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Tatum tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kim swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tatum rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Kim counters by moving into the clinch.
Tatum blocks an uppercut.
Tatum tries to break free but Kim pushes him back against the cage.
Tatum tries to break the clinch but Kim is controlling the position.
Kim lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Tatum tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nice body punch from Kim.
Tatum has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A frustrated look appears on Tatum's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A body shot lands from Kim.
Kim pushes Tatum back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A frustrated look appears on Tatum's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kim lands with a short head shot on the inside.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Kim lands a body punch.
Kim lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Tatum or not.
Kim lands a left hand.
Tatum takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kim.
Kim lands a shoulder strike.
Kim works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kim works on Tatum's body with a couple of short punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tatum takes a shot to the head.
Kim blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kim lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kim lands a body shot in the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Still in the clinch, Kim scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kim digs a right hand underneath Tatum's ribcage. Tatum let out a lung full of air as it connected.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kim creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Good body shot from Kim.
Kim scores with a shot to the side of Tatum's head.
Tatum takes a shot to the head.
Kim stalling against the cage.
Kim trying to stall but Tatum improves his position.
Kim throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tatums head.
A short body shot lands from Kim as the two fighters clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Kim.
Kim lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A short right from Kim on the inside.
A short right from Kim.
Kim lands a nice shot to the body.
Kim lands a hook that snaps the head of Tatum backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tatum's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Tatum wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kim lands a hook that snaps the head of Tatum backwards.
Kim's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Tatum can't find room to land a body shot as Kim controls the action.
Tatum misses with a body punch.
Kim keeps control of Tatum as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kim lands a nice uppercut.
Kim is working Tatum over against the cage.
Kim scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kim prevents a body shot from Tatum.
Tatum tries to circle away but Kim has him pinned against the cage.
Tatum has had enough of the clinch but Kim keeps him there for the moment.
Tatum tries to break the clinch but Kim is controlling the position.
Kim throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tatums head.
Kim keeps control of Tatum as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A body shot lands from Kim.
Byeongsuk Kim has scored more points in the clinch so far.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kim creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Good body shot from Kim.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tatum's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kim lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kim stalling against the cage.
Tatum wants to break the clinch but can't.
Tatum wants to break the clinch but can't.
Stalling in the clinch from Kim.
Tatum is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tatum tries to break the clinch but Kim is controlling the position.
Kim's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Nice body punch from Kim.
Kim avoiding damage.
Kim scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kim blocks a body shot from Tatum.
Kim lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Tatum or not.
Kim lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kim keeps control of Tatum as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kim swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tatum is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tatum misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kim is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Tatum is keeping busy.
Drederick Tatum has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tatum lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kim misses with the head strike.

Tatum manages to break the clinch.
A good leg kick by Kim.
Tatum wants to clinch.
Tatum throws a combination that misses

and Kim counters with a shoot takedown. Tatum fights it but they end up in guard.
Kim looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kim's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kim wants to control from the top but Tatum keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Byeongsuk Kim showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kim has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:25
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:25
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Byeongsuk Kim!