PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rasul Dolaev (ranked 4262 p4p, 0 weight class) and Byung Soo Choi (ranked 6873 p4p, 0 weight class). Rasul Dolaev had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Dolaev
vs
Soo Choi

178 cm
25
158 lbs
2 - 2 - 1

178 cm
25
158 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 2 - 2 - 1, fighting out of New York, Rasul Dolaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Byung Soo Choi!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, John Kavanagh and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Choi throws a sloppy head kick

and Dolaev counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Dolaev.
Choi looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Choi is trying to break the clinch but Dolaev has him pressed against the cage.

Dolaev decides to pull guard.
Dolaev throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

Choi got a little sloppy there for a moment and Dolaev has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Choi has managed to get both his arms back between Dolaev's legs - danger averted.

Dolaev is looking for a triangle but Choi pushes his legs off easily.
Dolaev throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Dolaev has a closed guard, preventing Choi from standing up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Choi decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Dolaev, up you get!

Dolaev forces Choi back against the cage and clinches.
Dolaev jumps guard but Choi stands there with Dolaev around his waist. Dolaev gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Dolaev has Choi pressed against the cage, preventing Choi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dolaev tries for a takedown but Choi manages to get underhooks.
Dolaev stalling against the cage.

Dolaev jumps guard and drags Choi to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Dolaev has his foot on Choi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Choi works his way back into a safe position though.
Dolaev on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Dolaev tries to get out of the position.
Choi is looking to stand up but Dolaev won't let him.

Choi stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Choi throws a sloppy head kick and Dolaev moves out of range easily.
Horrible takedown attempt by Dolaev or perhaps it was just good defense by Choi, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rasul Dolaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dolaev avoids the head kick by Choi.
Dolaev blocks a head kick by Choi.
Some wild striking there from Choi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dolaev thuds his right hand into Choi's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Nice sprawl there from Choi as Dolaev shoots in.
Choi misses with a hook. Dolaev ducked under it nicely.
Dolaev shoots in for a takedown but Choi shows good takedown defense.
Sloppy strikes from Choi. Those never looked like landing.

Dolaev closes the distance and clinches.
Dolaev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Choi's efforts to push away.

Dolaev decides to pull guard.
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!
Choi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Choi wants to get up but he can't break Dolaev's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Choi stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Byung Soo Choi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Choi throws a head kick but Dolaev moves out of range.
Dolaev seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Choi lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Choi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Choi pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Choi gets tackled into the cage by Dolaev. Dolaev maintains the clinch.
Dolaev pressing his opponent against the cage.
Dolaev is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Dolaev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Choi's efforts to push away.
Choi gets underhooks to prevent Dolaev's takedown attempt.
Dolaev goes for a takedown attempt but Choi pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Byung Soo Choi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Choi lands a head kick. Dolaev smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dolaev fails to land the takedown.
Choi cracks Dolaev with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Choi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Dolaev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Choi but Choi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Some wild striking there from Choi.
Choi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Choi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
As Choi tries to get set, Dolaev tries to push him back and clinch up but Choi manages to avoid the attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dolaev changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Choi tries to avoid it but Dolaev manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Choi to the ground. Choi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Byung Soo Choi dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Dolaev blocks a head kick by Choi.
Dolaev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Choi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Byung Soo Choi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dolaev misses with a head kick.
Rasul Dolaev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Choi throws a sloppy head kick and Dolaev moves out of range easily.
Dolaev throws a big counter combination but Choi scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Choi misses with a head kick.

Dolaev closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dolaev prevents Choi from escaping the position.
Choi is trying to escape the position but Dolaev is controlling the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Choi wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Dolaev decides to stand up, so the ref orders Choi to his feet.
Choi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Dolaev is defended easily by Choi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Choi throws a hook but Dolaev avoids it easily.
Dolaev lands with a nice combination. Choi backs away looking to recover.
Dolaev on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Dolaev looks for a takedown but Choi sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rasul Dolaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Choi lands with a kick to the temple. Dolaev shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Dolaev shoots in for a takedown but Choi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Dolaev takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Choi throws a lazy head kick

and Dolaev counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Dolaev.

Choi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Choi takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dolaev dodges the punch combination from Choi.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dolaev slips a jab and a cross from Choi.

Dolaev closes the distance and clinches.
Dolaev jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Choi walks away with a smile on his face. Dolaev gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Sloppy strikes from Choi. Those never looked like landing.
Dolaev throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Choi on the side of the head.

Dolaev gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Dolaev wants to take the fight to the mat but Choi manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Dolaev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Choi throws a good cross that connects.
A head kick misses from Choi.
Choi throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Dolaev's head.
Choi misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dolaev avoids the head kick by Choi.
Choi misses with a double jab.
Dolaev displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Choi throws a head kick but Dolaev moves out of range.
Choi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Horrible takedown attempt by Dolaev or perhaps it was just good defense by Choi, which made it look bad.
Choi throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Dolaev's head.
Choi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Dolaev has Choi up against the cage in a clinch.
Dolaev jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Choi walks away with a smile on his face. Dolaev gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Dolaev dodges the punch combination from Choi.

Dolaev moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dolaev tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Choi just stands there and leans against the cage.
Choi is looking to break free of the clinch but Dolaev has double underhooks.
Choi wants to get back to striking at distance but Dolaev won't allow it.
Dolaev looking for a takedown.
Choi wants to break free but Dolaev has control.
Choi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Choi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Choi is looking to break free of the clinch but Dolaev has double underhooks.
Dolaev jumps guard but Choi stands there with Dolaev around his waist. Dolaev gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Choi tries to break free but Dolaev pushes him back against the cage.
Choi looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Dolaev is struggling to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Byung Soo Choi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Choi is looking to break free of the clinch but Dolaev has double underhooks.
Dolaev wants a takedown.
Choi gets underhooks to prevent Dolaev's takedown attempt.
Dolaev prevents Choi from breaking the clinch.
Choi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A frustrated look appears on Choi's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Dolaev tries to pull guard but Choi forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rasul Dolaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Choi wants to break the clinch but can't.
Choi is trying to break free.
Choi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Dolaev drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Choi is pressed up against the cage. Dolaev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Choi down to the mat. Choi avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Choi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Horrible takedown attempt by Dolaev or perhaps it was just good defense by Choi, which made it look bad.
Dolaev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Choi pinned against the cage. Choi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Choi misses with a two punch combination.
Dolaev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Choi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dolaev somewhat.
Dolaev avoids the head kick by Choi.
Dolaev looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Choi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dolaev attempts a counter takedown but Choi avoids it well and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dolaev darts in and clinches Choi up against the cage.
Choi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Dolaev.
Choi can't break the clinch.

Dolaev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Dolaev has managed to clinch.
Choi is trying to break the clinch but Dolaev has him pressed against the cage.

Dolaev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dolaev stalks Choi and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Choi's face. Choi staggers backwards, shaken.
Dolaev shoots for a takedown but Choi saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A head kick misses from Choi.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Choi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick misses from Choi.
Dolaev closes the distance and clinches up with Choi, looking for a takedown. Dolaev pushes Choi against the cage but Choi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A head kick misses from Choi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Choi throws a head kick that misses

and Dolaev holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Choi looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Choi gets underhooks to prevent Dolaev's takedown attempt.
A frustrated look appears on Choi's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Choi stops a takedown attempt from Dolaev.
Choi is trying to push Dolaev away but Dolaev has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Choi is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Choi working hard to break the clinch.
Choi has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Choi is trying to break the clinch but Dolaev is controlling him.
Choi letting Dolaev take a breather here.
Dolaev is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Choi is defending well.
Choi wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Dolaev ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Dolaev no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Choi is looking to stand up but Dolaev won't let him.
Choi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Dolaev is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Dolaev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Choi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Choi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Dolaev working a defensive guard here.
Choi is looking to work some ground and pound but Dolaev has wrist control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Choi avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rasul Dolaev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Byung Soo Choi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Dolaev tries to strike from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Byung Soo Choi.
I've got Choi 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 28:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Byung Soo Choi!