PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Zhan Dhelan (ranked 1145 p4p, 66 weight class) and Gun Seok Bak (ranked 1399 p4p, 81 weight class). Bak has chosen Leader, Just Give Us Your Order! as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Dhelan
vs
Seok Bak

150 cm
27
145 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

165 cm
27
140 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

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 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zhan Dhelan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gun Seok Bak!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Anthony Taglia and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bak connects with a right hand. Dhelan shakes it off.
Bak keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Dhelan uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Bak has time to react.

Dhelan moves into the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Bak.
Bak content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Bak avoiding damage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Bak.

Bak breaks from the clinch.
Dhelan on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Dhelan with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bak counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Bak fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Dhelan, pushing him back against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bak lands a right hand.
A right handed body shot lands from Bak.
A short right from Bak.
Dhelan is trying to pull guard but Bak has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dhelan ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Dhelan no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Dhelan might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Dhelan is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Dhelan trying to control the position.

Bak decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Dhelan, up you get!
A big right from Bak misses.
A little feinted left hand from Dhelan on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Bak takes the fight into the clinch.
Bak gets through Dhelan's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Dhelan fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zhan Dhelan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dhelan tries to pull guard but Bak forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Bak lands a left hand that snaps the head of Dhelan backwards.
Dhelan is trying to pull guard but Bak turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Dhelan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bak.
Dhelan is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Bak to keep the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Bak - that landed with a thud.

Dhelan decides to pull guard.

Dhelan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Dhelan is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Bak is aware though and is defending well.
Bak trying to stand up but can't free himself from Dhelan's guard.
Dhelan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bak got a little sloppy there for a moment and Dhelan has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Bak has managed to get both his arms back between Dhelan's legs - danger averted.
Dhelan tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Dhelan has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bak can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dhelan wants to sweep but no luck.
Dhelan is working hard here to advance position.
Dhelan wants to hit a switch here but Bak passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Dhelan there!
Dhelan is trying to escape the mount.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Bak get's back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dhelan with a lazy takedown attempt
and Dhelan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Gun Seok Bak seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bak.
Bak is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Nice defenses there by Dhelan.
Dhelan doesn't manage to clinch there - Bak circles away.
Dhelan has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Dhelan there as he acknowledges the shot.
Bak connects with a leg kick. Dhelan looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Dhelan takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dhelan tries to clinch up but Bak circles away and keeps his distance.
Dhelan fails with the takedown.
Bak let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Bak lands a jab to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gun Seok Bak dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Bak scores with a shoulder strike.

Dhelan is trying to trip Bak. He has hold of a leg but Bak is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Dhelan persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Bak manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Bak works the jab nicely.
Bak thumps Dhelan with a low kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dhelan ducks right into an uppercut from Bak.
Bak throws a shot to the body.
Dhelan closes the distance looking to clinch
and Bak counters with a stiff right hand.

Dhelan forces Bak back against the cage and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dhelan decides to pull guard.

Dhelan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Bak preventing the sweep.

Bak stands up and waves to Dhelan to follow him.
Bak dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bak has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Bak misses the shot to the body.
Dhelan moves to clinch but Bak breaks away
and Bak counters with a left and a right that stings Dhelan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bak moves into the clinch successfully.
Bak lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Dhelan backwards.
Bak has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Bak leaning against his opponent.
Bak works on Dhelan's body with a couple of short punches.
Dhelan tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Bak smiles and moves away.
Bak has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Dhelan wants to clinch.
Bak flicks out a counter leg kick but Dhelan steps away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A body shot lands from Bak.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Bak creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Bak stalls.
Bak doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Dhelan tries to pull guard but Bak holds him up against the cage and eventually Dhelan drops back down to his feet.
Dhelan tries for a takedown but Bak manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zhan Dhelan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bak lands a hook to the side of the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bak.
Bak manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Dhelan has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Bak after a bit of a struggle.
Bak lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Dhelan or not.
Bak presses Dhelan against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bak works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Bak scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dhelan fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Dhelan tries to pull guard but Bak forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Dhelan tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Bak just stands there and leans against the cage.

Bak breaks from the clinch.
A right-left combo lands from Bak.

It looks like Zhan Dhelan has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dhelan shoots in and drives through. Bak sprawls well.
Dhelan misses with a takedown attempt - Bak sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Bak tests Dhelan's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Bak scores with a hook to the body. Dhelan takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Bak lands a nice shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gun Seok Bak showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Zhan Dhelan's cut.
That's time! Dhelan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Ouch! a nice leg kick from Bak, right into the meat.
Dhelan wants to clinch
and Bak counters with a left to the body.
Bak rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dhelan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gun Seok Bak seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice uppercut lands for Bak. That snapped Dhelan's head back.
Dhelan looks to clinch
and Bak counters with an outside leg kick.
Bak throws a nice inside leg kick.
Dhelan on the wrong end of a nice jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bak connects with a looping right hand.
Nice shot by Bak.
Dhelan takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dhelan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bak manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bak scores with a sloppy right hand. Dhelan should have avoided that one.

Dhelan closes the distance and pushes Bak back into the cage.
Bak lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Bak lands with a light punch inside.
Dhelan fails to pull guard.
Dhelan tries to pull guard but Bak holds him up against the cage and eventually Dhelan drops back down to his feet.
Dhelan tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Bak smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zhan Dhelan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bak misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bak lands with a good body shot.
Dhelan ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Dhelan is looking to clinch.
Bak is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Dhelan tries to clinch but Bak is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dhelan tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A decent looking cross lands there for Bak.
Bak scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
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!
Bak stuffs the takedown.
Bak slaps away a takedown attempt from Dhelan, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bak digs a good hook to Dhelan's body.
Dhelan has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Bak.
No luck for Dhelan with that takedown attempt.
Bak now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dhelan on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Good shot there by Bak.
Bak lands a jab to the head.
Bak digs a good hook to Dhelan's body.
Bak scores with a punch to the head.
Bak scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Bak connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Bak ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Dhelan walks into a left hand.
Dhelan fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bak avoids it really well and circles away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Bak! But no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bak rushes Dhelan and presses him up against the cage.
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!
Dhelan tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Bak lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Dhelan.
Bak misses with a punch to the body.
Bak misses with a punch to the body.

Bak breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bak lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Bak scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Dhelan doesn't seem bothered though.

Dhelan gets a clinch.
Zhan Dhelan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dhelan misses with a punch to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gun Seok Bak comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bak has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 26:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 26:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gun Seok Bak!
Gun Seok Bak seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.