PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Lee Sang Seok (ranked 14 p4p, 1 weight class) and Jeff Gower (ranked 139 p4p, 15 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sang Seok
vs
Gower

176 cm
28
152 lbs
23 - 7 - 1

165 cm
31
156 lbs
23 - 8 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
Aspire Clothing

Aspire Clothing
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Lee Sang Seok!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jeff Gower!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Sam Margolis and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gower misses the jab.
Seok moves out of range of the body kick.
Gower looks to score with a jab to the body but Seok is just out of range.
A lazy left from Gower finds it's target.
Gower turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Seok throws an overhand right that lands on Gower's shoulder, as Gower tries to avoid the shot.
Seok misses with a hook
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Gower avoids the body shot from Seok.
A shot to the body from Seok misses
and Gower counters with an inside leg kick.
Gower jabs at Seok's body.
Seok slips a straight right by Gower.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gower throws a body kick that misses.
Seok takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Seok checks a leg kick.
Seok connects with a looping right hand.
Gower throws a hook to the side of Seok's head but Seok sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Seok has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Gower finds it's way round the side to connect with Seok's head.
Seok swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Jeff Gower seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Seok keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Seok missing with a left hand there. Gower was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gower uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Seok has time to react.
Gower checks a leg kick.
A nice side step and Gower releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Seok avoids the head kick by Gower.
Gower throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Seok ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nice takedown defense from Gower. No joy for Seok on that attempt.
Seok connects with a good right hand that stumbles Gower. Gower circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Gower fails with an attempt to clinch.
Seok drops down looking for a counter takedown but Gower sprawls and moves away.
Seok connects with a single shot there.
A punch lands to the side of Seok 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Seok connects with a jab.
Seok has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gower attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Seok appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Gower misses with an uppercut.
Seok misses with a looping left.
Seok looks to throw the jab but Gower is out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Gower! But no joy.
Gower tries to work over Seok's front leg with a kick but Seok checks it.
Seok fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Seok throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gower sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Seok is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Gower lands a head kick. Seok smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Gower looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Gower with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Nice body kick there by Gower.
Seok looks to land a left hand but Gower moved out of range nicely.
Gower misses with a body shot.
Seok tries to counter with a takedown but Gower is quick to defend against it.
Gower connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gower throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Gower throws a leg kick that is checked

and Seok counters with a nice double leg into side control. Gower won't be happy with that.
Seok tries to move to mount but Gower blocks the move with his legs.
Seok content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Seok tries to move into full mount but can't pass Gower's legs.
Gower gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Seok is just content to waste time from the top position. Gower takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Seok is pushing down on Gower's leg trying to pass to half guard. Gower is fighting to maintain full guard but Seok has managed to sneak the leg through.
Well, if Seok is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Seok is trying to control the action in half guard but Gower is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Gower dominated that round.
That's time! Seok's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gower throws the left hand but Seok avoids the punch easily.
Gower throws a nice inside leg kick.
Seok throws an overhand right that lands on Gower's shoulder, as Gower tries to avoid the shot.
Gower slips a straight right by Seok.
Gower is trying to counter with his kicks.
Gower fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Gower throws a hook but Seok blocks it.
Seok tries to counter with a takedown but Gower is quick to defend against it.
Gower throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Seok throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Seok moves away from the strike by Gower.
Seok changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Seok lands a nice hook to Gower's body. Gower takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick misses from Gower.
Seok tries to counter with a takedown but Gower is quick to defend against it.
Nice defenses there by Seok.
Seok scores with a decent looking hook.
Seok fails with the takedown.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Gower! But no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Seok.
Seok scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Gower takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Donk. Seok catches Gower right on the button with a cross.
Gower lands with a shot to the body.
Seok moves out of range of the leg kick from Gower.
A telegraphed right hand from Gower misses the target.
Seok tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
The fighters circling - Seok throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Gower has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gower looks to land a right hand but Seok moved out of range.
Seok takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Seok misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Gower counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gower feints and then cracks Seok's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Seok down.
Gower dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gower thumps Seok with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Seok uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Gower has time to react.
Gower is looking to land body kicks.
Seok scores with a hook to the body. Gower takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A telegraphed right hand from Gower misses the target.
Seok misses with a straight right.
Seok misses with an uppercut. Gower saw that one coming.
Seok sets himself, and Gower steps forward looking for the clinch! Seok avoids it this time.
Gower stuffs the takedown attempt from Seok. Seok gets slowly back to his feet.
Seok waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gower.
Gower looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Gower looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Seok attempts a counter takedown but Gower avoids it well and moves away.
Seok catches Gower with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Seok motions for Gower to come forward. Seok throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Gower appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Gower scores with a punch to the head.
Jeff Gower is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gower jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gower throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Seok appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
A jab from Gower misses.
Seok throws a jab when Gower was well out of range.
Gower drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Jeff Gower seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gower fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Gower ducks right into an uppercut from Seok.
Seok ducks under a wild hook from Gower.
Seok throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Seok is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A chopping leg kick lands by Gower.
Seok cracks Gower with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Gower blocks a low kick nicely.
Despite the aggression on Gower's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Gower avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gower has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Seok finds it's way round the side to connect with Gower's head.
Seok is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Seok swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gower defending well as Seok loads up on a big left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Seok misses with a takedown attempt
and Gower counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lee Sang Seok. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gower scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A big left from Gower misses.
Seok tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gower was well out of range. Poor timing from Seok.
A decent looking cross lands there for Seok.
Seok ducks under a wild hook from Gower.
Seok shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gower as he jumps to the side.
Gower swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Gower stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Seok lands with a right hand.
That kick from Gower tenderised Seok's leg. Seok is trying to keep his angry face on.
Seok throws a jab but it's blocked by Gower.
Seok walks forward, straight into a front kick from Gower.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jeff Gower will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Seok throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Seok swings for the body but Gower moves out of range.
Gower fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Seok manages to avoid it.
Gower throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gower misses with an uppercut. Seok saw that one coming.
A swing and a miss from Seok.
Seok on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Gower throws a leg kick but Seok moved away.
Seok misses with a body shot.
A left lands for Gower.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A low kick from Gower is predictable there

and Seok counters with a shoot takedown. Gower fights it but they end up in guard.
Seok is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Gower controlling Seok's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Seok stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gower swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gower is controlling Seok's posture.
Gower looking to control.
Seok lands a couple of elbows.
Seok controlling from the top position.
Seok working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Gower uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Seok.
Seok throws a big shot that misses.
Gower ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Seok moves away.
Gower misses with a hook. Seok ducked under it nicely.
Seok on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Gower. Gower obviously looking to wear him down.
Gower throws a low kick but it's checked well by Seok.
Gower takes a swing at Seok's ribcage but misses.
Gower misses with a low kick.
Gower pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Seok ducks under a wild hook from Gower.
Seok misses with a takedown attempt - Gower sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gower shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Gower lands a head shot.
Gower is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Seok.
Seok misses with a wild body shot.
Gower throws a looping overhand right but Seok ducks down to avoid it.
Seok takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Gower paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Gower throws a leg kick but Seok sees it coming and moves out of range.
Gower pushes Seok away with a front kick.
Gower thows a leg kick but Seok checks it

and Seok counters with a nice double leg into side control. Gower won't be happy with that.
Seok controls the position from side control.
Seok throws an elbow but Gower slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Seok working the head with strikes.
You can see the frustration on Gower's face as Seok controls the position.
Check out the look on Seok's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Seok with the ground and pound but Gower regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Seok has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Still in half guard, Seok seems content to control.
Seok wants to control but Gower is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Gower really dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Gower bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gower smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Seok misses with a double jab.
A swing and a miss from Gower.
Gower misses with a hook.
Gower fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Seok on the side of the head.
Gower tries to clinch but Seok is having none of it.
Gower misses with a low kick.
Gower throws a looping overhand right but Seok ducks down to avoid it.
Seok drops down looking for a counter takedown but Gower sprawls and moves away.
Seok misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gower.
Gower throws a fast counter high kick but Seok manages to duck under it in time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Seok will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A slapping body kick lands there for Gower.
Seok shoots in for a takedown but Gower shows good takedown defense.
Seok stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Gower.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Seok misses with a left hand
and Gower counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gower slips a jab from Seok.
Seok looks to throw the jab but Gower is out of range.
A nice inside leg kick there by Gower. That's going to slow Seok down.
A telegraphed right hand from Seok misses the target.
Gower swings for the body but Seok moves out of range.
Gower throws a hook to the side of Seok's head but Seok sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Seok moves out of range of the strikes.
Gower throws a leg kick which misses Seok's front leg but catches the back leg as Seok tries to avoid it.
Seok tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Gower missing with a left hand there. Seok was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gower connects with an inside leg kick.
Gower looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Seok shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Gower napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Seok will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Seok landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Seok trying to control the position but Gower is working away.
Gower prevents Seok from moving into mount.
Gower is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Seok off and has taken his back!
Seok just trying to survive but Gower is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
You can see the frustration on Seok's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Seok breaks Gower's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gower keeping full guard, as Seok tries to pass.
Seok trying to control the position from guard on top but Gower is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Seok controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Seok scoring with some ground and pound.
Seok passes into half guard.
Seok looks to land a strike but Gower avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Lee Sang Seok overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Seok pushes down on Gower's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Gower has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gower trying to control here.
Seok looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Gower is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Seok wants to take a breather but Gower is having none of it.
Seok not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Seok wants to control but Gower is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Gower dominated that fourth 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. This is the final round!

Seok on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Gower connects with a jab.
Gower throws a leg kick

and Seok decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Gower's guard.
Seok postures up in Gower's guard and throws a big left but Gower blocks it.
Seok sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Gower's guard.

Seok 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.
Seok passes to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gower is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Seok has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Seok wants to control but Gower is keeping him busy.
A lull in the action here as Seok stalls from top position.
Seok trying to control the action but Gower is working from the bottom.
Gower is trying to escape the position but Seok is controlling the position.
Lee Sang Seok has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Seok trying to control the position but Gower is working away.
Gower manages to work his way to half guard, despite Seok's best efforts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Seok trying to pass the guard but Gower defending well.

Seok is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Gower is just riding it out for now. Seok eventually gives up the hold.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gower moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A jab from Seok finds it's way through Gower's defenses.
Gower throws a quick inside leg kick.
Seok steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gower.
Jeff Gower is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gower throws a nice outside leg kick.
Seok misses with a straight right.
Seok takes a swing at Gower's ribcage but misses.
Nice body punch from Seok.
Gower connects with a leg kick. Seok looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Seok missing with a left hand there. Gower was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Seok connects with a body shot that sends Gower's belly button to the back.
Seok moves away from the strike by Gower.
Seok takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Seok blocks the body kick.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gower uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Seok.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Seok blocks the body kick.
Gower is looking to score with low kicks.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Lee Sang Seok.
I think Gower 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 46:49
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 45:50
Judge James Glass scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jeff Gower!
Jeff Gower is the new featherweight champion!
Jeff Gower seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.