PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Makoto Shibasaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kyun-Chul Kim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shibasaki comes to the cage accompanied by Genki Sudo - 'Mind Shift'. 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.

Shibasaki
vs
Kim

172 cm
24
164 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

175 cm
24
165 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Great low kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

ACME-Blood Red Q158 Always $30 (5% Laundry SALE)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Makoto Shibasaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kyun-Chul Kim!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Vladimir Khabensky and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shibasaki fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Shibasaki gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kim takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Shibasaki goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Nice body punch from Shibasaki.
Shibasaki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kim.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shibasaki. Kim does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kim lands a jab to Shibasaki's midsection.
Shibasaki moves out of range of the strikes.
A punch lands to the side of Shibasaki 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Shibasaki clinches up with Kim and pushes him back against the cage.
Kim is looking to take this one to the mat.
Kim on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kim goes for a takedown attempt but Shibasaki pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kim shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Shibasaki swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Shibasaki with a jab.
Shibasaki uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kim.
Kim uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Shibasaki.
Kim is looking to slow Shibasaki down with leg kicks.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kim.
Shibasaki changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kim tries to avoid it but Shibasaki manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kim to the ground. Kim escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kim.
Kim throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shibasaki blocks a low kick nicely.
Shibasaki misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shibasaki throws a nice inside leg kick.
Shibasaki goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kim throws a shot from downtown. Shibasaki moves away and avoids it.
Kim throws a solid leg kick but Shibasaki takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kim.
Kim cracks Shibasaki with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Shibasaki throws a head kick but Kim moves out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fighters circling - Kim throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Shibasaki fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Makoto Shibasaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kim slips under a jab from Shibasaki.
Kim tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shibasaki was well out of range. Poor timing from Kim.
Shibasaki needs to keep his hands up - Kim had a free shot at his head there.
Shibasaki tries to work over Kim's front leg with a kick but Kim checks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shibasaki has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Shibasaki there as he acknowledges the shot.
Decent striking displayed by Kim there.
Shibasaki takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kim lands an overhand right.
Shibasaki closes the distance and clinches up with Kim, looking for a takedown. Shibasaki pushes Kim against the cage but Kim circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Shibasaki shoots in and drives through. Kim sprawls well.
Kim misses with a wild body shot.
Kim's corner calls for a 1-2. Kim obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

Kim drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Shibasaki manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Kim is squirming around, avoiding Shibasaki's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Shibasaki cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kim is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Kim working to try and regain half guard.
Shibasaki wants to control the pace but Kim is squirming around nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shibasaki is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Kim reaches up and holds on to Shibasaki to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kyun-Chul Kim will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kim works the jab nicely.
Kyun-Chul Kim seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kim dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Shibasaki cracks a nice hook into Kim's ribs.
Kim works the jab nicely.
Kim defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Shibasaki.
Shibasaki misses with a hook.
Kim wants to slow Shibasaki down by chopping away at his legs.
Shibasaki throws a hook to the side of Kim's head but Kim sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kim pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Shibasaki back to the cage. Kim follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Shibasaki throws a body punch but Kim moves out of range.
Shibasaki avoids the body shot from Kim.
Kyun-Chul Kim seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Shibasaki avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kim shoots in and bounces Shibasaki off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Kim throwing strikes but missing.
Shibasaki is trying to keep Kim in close.
Kim trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kim controlling from the top position.
Shibasaki looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Makoto Shibasaki has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Shibasaki stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kim.
Kim throws a body punch but Shibasaki moves out of range.
Shibasaki connects with a jab.
Shibasaki thows a body shot but no joy.
Shibasaki shoots for a double leg takedown but Kim sprawls well. He's pushed Shibasaki's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kim looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Shibasaki dodges the punch combination from Kim.
Shibasaki throws a half hearted mid kick.
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!
Shibasaki has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Makoto Shibasaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shibasaki takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kim fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shibasaki manages to avoid it.
Shibasaki checks a low kick from Kim.
Kim checks a low kick from Shibasaki.
Shibasaki is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Shibasaki fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kim checks it well.
Kim lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shibasaki circles away quickly and effectively.
Shibasaki throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shibasaki shoots in and drives through. Kim sprawls well.
Kim ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kim loads up on a big right hand but Shibasaki slips the punch.
Shibasaki takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Shibasaki throws a series of punches but Kim moves out of range.
Kim throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kim avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kim connects with a body shot that sends Shibasaki's belly button to the back.
Kim tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shibasaki was well out of range. Poor timing from Kim.
Kim misses with a takedown attempt - Shibasaki sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Shibasaki has a takedown stuffed.
Kim thows a left - swing and a miss!
Shibasaki checks a leg kick nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Shibasaki shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kim is trying to defend but Shibasaki finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shibasaki trying to mount his opponent but Kim defends it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyun-Chul Kim showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Shibasaki pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shibasaki ducks under a wild hook from Kim.
Kim with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kim ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kim.
Shibasaki ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kim.
Kim moves into range and connects with a jab.
Shibasaki throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Shibasaki scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Kim sizes up Shibasaki with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shibasaki tries to bum rush Kim with a series of wild strikes but Kim uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kim throws a sloppy head kick and Shibasaki moves out of range easily.
Kim throws a hook to the side of Shibasaki's head but Shibasaki sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kim lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Shibasaki throws a shot from downtown. Kim moves away and avoids it.
Shibasaki paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Shibasaki avoids the body shot from Kim.
Kim lands a nice shot that snaps Shibasaki's head back.
Shibasaki pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Shibasaki tries a head kick but it misses.
Kim lands a nice shot to the body.
Kim throws a head kick that misses.
Shibasaki throws a hook but Kim avoids it easily.
Kim throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shibasaki takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Kim throws a head kick that Shibasaki semi-blocks.
Shibasaki throws a sloppy head kick and Kim moves out of range easily.
Shibasaki gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kim.
Kim throws a leg kick which misses Shibasaki's front leg but catches the back leg as Shibasaki tries to avoid it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shibasaki feints and then cracks Kim's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kim down.
Kim throws a solid leg kick but Shibasaki takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kim.
Shibasaki thows a leg kick but Kim checks it
and Kim counters with a head kick. That will keep Shibasaki thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Kim takes a swing at Shibasaki's ribcage but misses.
Kim swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kim thows a body shot but no joy.
Kim lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shibasaki swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kim dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Shibasaki chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Shibasaki is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kim cracks Shibasaki with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Kim shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shibasaki as he jumps to the side.
Shibasaki misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kim.
Kim scores with a jab to the body.
Shibasaki missing with a left hand there. Kim was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kim will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Shibasaki thumps Kim with a low kick.
Kim cracks a nice hook into Shibasaki's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shibasaki tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kim sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Shibasaki somewhat.
Kim stuns Shibasaki with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Makoto Shibasaki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice uppercut there from Kim.
Shibasaki looks for the body kick but Kim saw that one coming.

Shibasaki closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shibasaki is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Shibasaki tries to stall but Kim uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kim is working Shibasaki over against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kim digs a right hand into Shibasaki's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Shibasaki's gas tank.
Kim drops down looking for an ankle pick but Shibasaki pulls his leg out and moves away.
Shibasaki tries a head kick but it misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kyun-Chul Kim comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kim winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kyun-Chul Kim!
An out of breath Kyun-Chul Kim thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.