PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between xu Chen (ranked 5474 p4p, 535 weight class) and Bango Korpolombolo (ranked 4186 p4p, 470 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Chen
vs
Korpolombolo

190 cm
20
208 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

189 cm
23
206 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, xu Chen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bango Korpolombolo!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Paul Tew and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chen with a lazy takedown attempt

and Korpolombolo counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Korpolombolo looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Chen pulls Korpolombolo into guard.
Korpolombolo not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Let's hope that Korpolombolo has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Chen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Korpolombolo on the ground.

Chen working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Korpolombolo has passed into half guard!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Korpolombolo is nestled in close to Chen, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Korpolombolo connects with a nice short shot to Chen's temple.
Korpolombolo drops an elbow to the side of Chen's head.
Korpolombolo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Chen keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chen misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Chen slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Chen pulls Korpolombolo in close to his closed guard and prevents Korpolombolo from doing any damage or advancing position.

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

Chen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Korpolombolo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Korpolombolo wants to control from the top but Chen keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Chen trying to keep a closed guard but Korpolombolo is proving a slippery customer.

Chen kicks Korpolombolo off and gets to his feet.
Chen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Korpolombolo.
Chen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Korpolombolo counters with a one-two to the body.
Chen pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Korpolombolo swivels and escapes.
Chen defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Korpolombolo.

Chen has closed the distance and engaged Korpolombolo in a clinch.
Chen misses with a punch on the inside.
Chen jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Korpolombolo walks away with a smile on his face. Chen gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for xu Chen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chen dodges the punch combination from Korpolombolo.
Chen is looking to clinch.
Chen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Korpolombolo swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Despite the aggression on Korpolombolo's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Korpolombolo shoots for a takedown but Chen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Chen throws a series of punches but Korpolombolo moves out of range.
Korpolombolo unleashes a big counter combination but Chen bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Chen tries to close the distance and clinch but Korpolombolo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Korpolombolo swivels and escapes.
Korpolombolo throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Chen seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Chen throws a head kick but Korpolombolo moves out of range.
Korpolombolo throws a wild body kick that Chen sees coming a mile off.
A head kick misses from Chen.
Chen is breathing heavily.
Chen tries to clinch but Korpolombolo is having none of it.
Korpolombolo is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Chen shoots for a double leg takedown but Korpolombolo sprawls well. He's pushed Chen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Chen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Korpolombolo counters with a series of strikes. Chen will be more careful next time no doubt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Chen gets caught napping as Korpolombolo dives in and scores a takedown. Chen manages to retain guard.
Chen keeping moving, preventing Korpolombolo from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Chen misses with an attempted mid kick.

Chen closes the distance and clinches.
Chen effectively controlling the action here.

Chen ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Chen no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Chen on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Chen tries to get out of the position.
Korpolombolo lands a couple of elbows.

Korpolombolo gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Korpolombolo goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Chen drives through with a takedown into Korpolombolo's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
We've been hearing that Chen has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Chen trying to control the position from guard on top but Korpolombolo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Chen working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chen trying to stand up but can't free himself from Korpolombolo's guard.
Chen trying to control but Korpolombolo is working from the bottom.
Korpolombolo has a closed guard, preventing Chen from standing up.
Chen won't allow Korpolombolo to sweep him here.
Korpolombolo is adopting a defensive guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Chen is looking to work some ground and pound but Korpolombolo has wrist control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Korpolombolo moves out of range of the body kick.
Chen tries to clinch up
and Korpolombolo counters with a one-two to the body.
Chen tries to clinch up.
As Chen backs off Korpolombolo throws a huge counter combo but Chen manages to avoid it all.
Chen looks to throw a body kick
and Korpolombolo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Chen is looking to clinch.
Korpolombolo feints the counter takedown.
Korpolombolo lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Chen backs up against the cage.
Bango Korpolombolo seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Korpolombolo shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Chen is trying to defend but Korpolombolo finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Korpolombolo is breathing heavily.
Korpolombolo sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Chen defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korpolombolo thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Chen is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Korpolombolo scores with a couple of nice shots.
Korpolombolo prevents Chen from improving his position.
Chen works his way to full guard. Good work.
Korpolombolo wants to control from the top but Chen keeps moving.
Chen trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Chen is trying to hold Korpolombolo in close to prevent damage but Korpolombolo has managed to pass into half guard.
Chen punching from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Chen is pressing down on Korpolombolo's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Chen throws his legs up looking for a submission but Korpolombolo uses it to pass to side control.
Check out the look on Korpolombolo's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Korpolombolo is looking to take a break and control but Chen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Chen sneaks back into half guard.
Korpolombolo looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chen on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Chen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Korpolombolo is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bango Korpolombolo 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!

Chen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Korpolombolo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Korpolombolo changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Chen shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Korpolombolo sprawls well. Korpolombolo wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Chen gets slowly back to his feet.
Korpolombolo is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Korpolombolo looks to land a combination. Chen sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Chen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Korpolombolo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Korpolombolo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Chen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Korpolombolo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Chen throws a leg kick that misses.
xu Chen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Chen throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A solid body kick from Chen.
Chen doesn't manage to clinch there - Korpolombolo circles away.
Chen tries a head kick but it misses.
Chen tries to clinch up but Korpolombolo circles away and keeps his distance.
Korpolombolo ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Korpolombolo feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Chen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Korpolombolo lands a couple of digs.
Korpolombolo stands and throws Chen's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Korpolombolo is putting a hurting on Chen here, landing some big shots from side control.
Korpolombolo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Chen tries to bench press Korpolombolo off him but Korpolombolo keeps the position.
Korpolombolo landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Chen is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Korpolombolo working the ground and pound from side control.
Chen manages to get back to half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Korpolombolo lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Korpolombolo wants to take a breather but Chen is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Chen gets full guard.
Korpolombolo wants to pass the guard but Chen is keeping the position.
Chen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Chen thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Korpolombolo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Korpolombolo trying to control the position from guard on top but Chen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Chen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Korpolombolo unleashes a big counter combination but Chen bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Chen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Korpolombolo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Chen tries to clinch but Korpolombolo is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Chen tries for a takedown but Korpolombolo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Chen misses with a takedown attempt
and Korpolombolo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for xu Chen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Korpolombolo looking to score a takedown here. Chen is defending well but Korpolombolo drives through and ends up in Chen's guard.
xu Chen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Korpolombolo stands and steps away. Chen gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Korpolombolo scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Chen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Korpolombolo counters with a series of strikes. Chen will be more careful next time no doubt.
Korpolombolo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Chen fails to land the takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bango Korpolombolo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Korpolombolo 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bango Korpolombolo!