PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Youngho Kwak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lou Nahtic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Kwak might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Brown Eyed Girls - Satisfaction. 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.

Kwak
vs
Nahtic

154 cm
25
134 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

180 cm
21
140 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Youngho Kwak!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lou Nahtic!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Kenichi Hosakawa and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nahtic throws a shot from downtown. Kwak moves away and avoids it.

Kwak has managed to clinch.

Nahtic jumps guard and drags Kwak to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Kwak showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kwak wants to control from the top but Nahtic keeps moving.
Kwak could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Youngho Kwak.
Nahtic cracks Kwak with a good jab.
Nahtic circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kwak on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

Kwak pushes Nahtic up against the cage in a clinch.
Kwak fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kwak using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Kwak jumps guard and drags Nahtic to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Kwak wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nahtic trying to control the position from guard on top but Kwak is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Lou Nahtic wasn't active enough on the ground.
Nahtic misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kwak tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nahtic manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kwak looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

Kwak moves into the clinch.

Kwak pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nahtic lands with a good body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kwak shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Kwak wants to control from the top but Nahtic keeps moving.

Kwak drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kwak jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Kwak might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Kwak controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Nahtic is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Kwak wants to control from the top but Nahtic keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kwak gets to his feet. Nahtic looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Kwak showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nahtic.

Kwak closes the distance and clinches.
Nahtic avoiding damage as Kwak throws knees to the body.

Nahtic breaks the clinch.
Nahtic throws a series of punches but Kwak avoids them all with ease.

Kwak scores with a takedown into Nahtic's guard.

Kwak gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Nahtic is looking to clinch but Kwak is avoiding it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kwak gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Nahtic.

Kwak dives in and scores a takedown into Nahtic's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

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

Kwak drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kwak jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Nahtic is working an open guard so Kwak takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kwak throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Nahtic was covering up waiting for the punch and Kwak finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Kwak trying to control but Nahtic is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Youngho Kwak dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kwak wants to clinch up but Nahtic keeps it at a distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kwak lands an elbow inside that Nahtic shrugs off.

Kwak breaks from the clinch.
Nice body punch from Nahtic.
Kwak is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nahtic throws a head kick that misses.

Kwak takes the fight into the clinch.

Kwak breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nahtic doesn't manage to clinch there - Kwak circles away.
Kwak closes the distance but Nahtic moves to the side
and Nahtic counters with a stiff right hand.

Kwak clinches up with Nahtic and pushes him back against the cage.
Nahtic has Kwak pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kwak manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kwak prevents a takedown attempt there.

Kwak breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nahtic looks to land a combination but Kwak avoids it well.

Kwak clinches up with Nahtic and pushes him back against the cage.
Nahtic wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kwak has him pressed against the cage.
Kwak has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Nahtic is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kwak prevents Nahtic from breaking the clinch.
Kwak has Nahtic pushed against the cage.
Kwak is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Nahtic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nahtic gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kwak counters with a left and a right that stings Nahtic.
Youngho Kwak has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lou Nahtic.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kwak moves out of range as Nahtic strikes.
Nahtic tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Kwak moves into the clinch.

Kwak drags the fight down to the ground.
Youngho Kwak overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kwak working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nahtic.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nahtic avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Nahtic tries to stand but Kwak is controlling from the bottom.
Kwak throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Kwak is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Kwak looking for a guillotine here but Nahtic defends easily.

Kwak has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Nahtic is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kwak jumps guard but Nahtic stands there with Kwak around his waist. Kwak gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Kwak breaks from the clinch.

Nahtic tries to keep at a distance but Kwak has taken the fight into the clinch.
Nahtic is trying to break the clinch but Kwak is controlling him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nahtic tries to circle away but Kwak has him pinned against the cage.
Kwak is trying to drag Nahtic to the mat but Nahtic just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Kwak pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Youngho Kwak dominated that second 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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Nahtic throws a lazy uppercut

and Kwak counters by clinching up.
Nahtic is looking to break free of the clinch but Kwak has double underhooks.
Kwak scores a nice knee to the body.

Kwak jumps guard and drags Nahtic to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Kwak trying to control the position.
Nahtic stands up over Kwak, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Nahtic looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Kwak is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kwak is trying to control the position from the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Nahtic wants to control from the top but Kwak keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Youngho Kwak just wasn't active enough.
Kwak takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Kwak moves into range and clinches up with Nahtic.

Kwak breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A jab from Nahtic does it's job there.
Kwak tries to clinch but Nahtic is having none of it.
Youngho Kwak is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nahtic shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kwak pinned against the cage. Kwak gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kwak misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nahtic throws a jab but it's blocked by Kwak.
Kwak tries to clinch up.
Nahtic misses with a shot to the body
and Kwak counters with a head kick. That will keep Nahtic thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Lou Nahtic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nahtic moves in looking to clinch but Kwak pushes him off.
Nahtic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kwak.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Kwak dives in and scores a takedown into Nahtic's guard.
Nahtic working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kwak.

Kwak stands up from Nahtic's guard - Kwak perhaps looking for a knockout.
Kwak fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kwak tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nahtic swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kwak throws a sloppy head kick and Nahtic moves out of range easily.

Kwak shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Nahtic's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Kwak stands up and waves to Nahtic to follow him.
Nahtic misses with a wild combination.
Nahtic takes a swing at Kwak's ribcage but misses.
Nahtic lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kwak has managed to clinch.
Kwak connects with a nasty looking knee right to Nahtic's face.
Nahtic is pressed up against the cage. Kwak has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Nahtic down to the mat. Nahtic avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kwak tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nahtic paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lou Nahtic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nahtic lands a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kwak doesn't manage to clinch there - Nahtic circles away.
Nahtic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nahtic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Nahtic tries to keep at a distance but Kwak has taken the fight into the clinch.
Youngho Kwak is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Kwak pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Youngho Kwak showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kwak, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Youngho Kwak!
In his post fight interview, Youngho Kwak started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.