PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kwon Woo Lee (ranked 3320 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kaname Wakamatsu (ranked 3741 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Woo Lee
vs
Wakamatsu

175 cm
25
156 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
25
156 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kwon Woo Lee!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kaname Wakamatsu!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Reed Andrews and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wakamatsu tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lee manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Wakamatsu shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lee but Lee pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Wakamatsu is trying hard to land a takedown here. Lee sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Wakamatsu misses with a takedown

and Lee holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Kwon Woo Lee has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaname Wakamatsu.

Lee manages to break the clinch.

Lee moves into range and clinches up with Wakamatsu.

Lee manages to pull guard.
Wakamatsu trying to control the position from guard on top but Lee is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lee looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wakamatsu is one step ahead there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lee is pulling down on Wakamatsu's head. It's preventing any offense from Wakamatsu, at least for the moment.
Wakamatsu stopping the sweep attempt from Lee.
Lee is working hard here to advance position.
Lee working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Wakamatsu.
Wakamatsu postures up in Lee's guard and throws a big left but Lee blocks it.
Lee has a closed guard, preventing Wakamatsu from standing up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Lee closes the distance and clinches.
Lee tries for a takedown but Wakamatsu manages to get underhooks.

Wakamatsu pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wakamatsu fails in his attempt to clinch.
Wakamatsu tries to land a leg kick but Lee saw it coming and moves away.
Wakamatsu tries to clinch but Lee moves away
and Lee counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Wakamatsu is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Lee getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Lee closes the distance and clinches.
Wakamatsu working hard to break the clinch.

Lee escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lee darts in looking for a takedown but Wakamatsu gets double underhooks and turns Lee into the cage.
Wakamatsu fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
As Wakamatsu looks to move away, Lee throws a big counter combo but Wakamatsu just gets out of the way.
Lee lands with a thumping leg kick.
Lee is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lee throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Wakamatsu's head.
Wakamatsu tries to clinch there but Lee circles away.
Wakamatsu shoots and misses

and Lee moves into the clinch.
Lee is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Wakamatsu is defending well.
Wakamatsu has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Lee is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Lee is working for takedown but Wakamatsu is calmly controlling the position for now.
Lee has Wakamatsu pressed against the cage.
Wakamatsu changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Lee fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Lee keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Wakamatsu has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lee rushes Wakamatsu and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Wakamatsu trying to control the position but instead, Lee has worked for underhooks and has pushed Wakamatsu into the cage.
Wakamatsu is trying to pull guard but Lee turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Wakamatsu is pressed up against the cage. Lee has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Wakamatsu down to the mat. Wakamatsu avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Wakamatsu closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lee circles away.
Lee fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wakamatsu lands a nice hook to Lee's body. Lee takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Lee instigates a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Lee manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Wakamatsu tries for a takedown but Lee sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Lee seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Lee avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lee on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Wakamatsu looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Wakamatsu tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lee checks a low kick from Wakamatsu.
Lee lands a nice looking body kick.

Lee forces Wakamatsu back against the cage and clinches.

Lee breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Wakamatsu shoots in for a takedown but Lee shows good takedown defense.

Lee fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Wakamatsu, pushing him back against the cage.
Lee is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Wakamatsu can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lee goes for a takedown in the clinch but Wakamatsu prevents it.

Lee pulls Wakamatsu into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wakamatsu preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wakamatsu drops back looking for a leg! Lee is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Lee manages to kick Wakamatsu off! Wakamatsu jumps back into Lee's guard.
Lee lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Wakamatsu tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lee pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Wakamatsu is keeping the position for now.
Wakamatsu utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Lee working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lee won't allow Wakamatsu to sweep him here.
Lee is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Wakamatsu wants to get back to his feet but Lee passes into half guard.
Lee trying to control the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wakamatsu gets back to full guard.

Wakamatsu is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Lee defends well.

Lee stands up and waves to Wakamatsu to follow him.
Wakamatsu with a poor takedown
and Lee cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kwon Woo Lee has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaname Wakamatsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lee clinches up against the cage.
Lee lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Wakamatsu backwards.

Lee pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Lee chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Wakamatsu shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Lee defends it nicely.
Kwon Woo Lee is winning the standup battle so far.
Lee lands a really nice looking cross but Wakamatsu seems unphased.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A jab from Wakamatsu misses.
Lee throws a head kick that Wakamatsu semi-blocks.
Lee stuffs the takedown.
Wakamatsu with a poor takedown

and Lee holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kwon Woo Lee dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Lee lands a head kick. Wakamatsu smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Wakamatsu shoots in for a takedown but Lee shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Wakamatsu misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Lee will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Wakamatsu throws out a counter right but Lee avoids it with no problem.
A left and a right from Lee both land. Nice combination.
Lee checks the leg kick.
Wakamatsu gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Lee moves into the clinch.
Kwon Woo Lee has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaname Wakamatsu.

Lee escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lee gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Lee drags the fight down to the ground.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Lee looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Lee is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Wakamatsu is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wakamatsu advances to half guard.
Lee misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Lee tries to roll over but Wakamatsu keeps him under control.
Wakamatsu works his way into full mount!
Lee holds of for dear life.
Lee knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Wakamatsu on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lee can't escape the position.
Wakamatsu lands with some strikes.

Wakamatsu is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Lee has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Wakamatsu thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wakamatsu landing punches.
Lee tries to lock up and control but Wakamatsu gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Wakamatsu working for a guillotine from mount but Lee is in no mood to give up.
Lee taking shots to the head.
Wakamatsu pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
A nice elbow there by Wakamatsu.
Wakamatsu controlling from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lee blocking the ground and pound.
Lee is in all sorts of trouble here.
Lee sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Lee is trying to maintain the position but Wakamatsu is very close to passing his half guard.

Lee looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kaname Wakamatsu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kwon Woo Lee is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lee trying to control but Wakamatsu postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kaname Wakamatsu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lee has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 29:28
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kwon Woo Lee!