PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bong Ji Woo (ranked 826 p4p, 1156 weight class) and Vladimir Kosmanov (ranked 98 p4p, 139 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Ji Woo
vs
Kosmanov

179 cm
24
164
7 - 0 - 0

180 cm
24
170
6 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Conviction
Conquer

Urban Fighter

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 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bong Ji Woo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vladimir Kosmanov!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Ryoma Takatsuka and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kosmanov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ji Woo scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ji Woo tries to land a front kick but Kosmanov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ji Woo keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ji Woo throws an overhand right that lands on Kosmanov's shoulder, as Kosmanov tries to avoid the shot.
Ji Woo slaps away a takedown attempt from Kosmanov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bong Ji Woo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Kosmanov.

Kosmanov gets the takedown into side control.
Ji Woo is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Kosmanov's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Ji Woo trying to control but Kosmanov postures up.
Kosmanov content to control rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ji Woo wants to improve his position but Kosmanov is controlling well.
Kosmanov slows the pace down in half guard.
Ji Woo wants to get back to full guard.
Ji Woo is working hard here to advance position.
Kosmanov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ji Woo does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kosmanov is pressing down on Ji Woo's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ji Woo is holding on for now.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Kosmanov working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Kosmanov is trying to control. Ji Woo wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ji Woo is trying is best to control the position here.
Kosmanov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kosmanov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ji Woo defending well though.
Ji Woo wants to control but Kosmanov is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kosmanov checks a leg kick.

Kosmanov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Kosmanov controlling the action here.
Ji Woo wants to improve his position but Kosmanov is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kosmanov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Ji Woo is looking to improve his position.
Kosmanov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kosmanov is pressing down on Ji Woo's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ji Woo is holding on for now.
Kosmanov not doing much here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kosmanov's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Ji Woo trying to control from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kosmanov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ji Woo defends well and Kosmanov ends up having to push Ji Woo into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Ji Woo throwing a counter right hand but Kosmanov manages to avoid it.
Ji Woo misses with a body kick.
Vladimir Kosmanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Ji Woo gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Kosmanov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kosmanov preventing the sweep.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Kosmanov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kosmanov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ji Woo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kosmanov somewhat.
Kosmanov shoots in but Ji Woo avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kosmanov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kosmanov moves out of range of the leg kick from Ji Woo.
Ji Woo connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kosmanov or perhaps it was just good defense by Ji Woo, which made it look bad.
Bong Ji Woo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Kosmanov.
Ji Woo lands a jab to the nose.
Ji Woo leaves Kosmanov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ji Woo misses with a head kick.
Ji Woo missing with a left hand there. Kosmanov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kosmanov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ji Woo defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kosmanov.

Ji Woo gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Kosmanov to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kosmanov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ji Woo's head.
Vladimir Kosmanov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ji Woo is controlling Kosmanov's posture.
Kosmanov wants to control from the top but Ji Woo keeps moving.
Ji Woo seems keen to control Kosmanov's posture.
Ji Woo looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ji Woo is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Ji Woo is trying to keep Kosmanov in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Ji Woo keeping moving, preventing Kosmanov from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ji Woo lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Ji Woo does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Ji Woo scores with a jab to the head.
Bong Ji Woo is winning the standup battle so far.
A jab from Ji Woo misses.
Kosmanov fails with the takedown
and Ji Woo counters with a straight right hand.
Kosmanov moves out of range of the body kick.
Ji Woo throws a body punch but Kosmanov moves out of range.

Kosmanov shoots in and bounces Ji Woo off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Ji Woo tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kosmanov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Ji Woo pulls Kosmanov in to control the position.
Ji Woo wants to sweep here but Kosmanov controlling him for the moment.
Kosmanov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Ji Woo keeping moving, preventing Kosmanov from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kosmanov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ji Woo defends well and Kosmanov ends up having to push Ji Woo into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A little feinted left hand from Ji Woo on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Kosmanov connects with a body shot that sends Ji Woo's belly button to the back.
Ji Woo displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kosmanov.
Kosmanov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Kosmanov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Kosmanov ducks under a wild hook from Ji Woo.
Kosmanov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ji Woo throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kosmanov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kosmanov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ji Woo defends it well.
The fighters circling - Ji Woo throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
And Kosmanov tries to counter it with a takedown but Ji Woo pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Ji Woo slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ji Woo gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Kosmanov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Ji Woo being controlled here, momentarily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bong Ji Woo dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Ji Woo, as that shot connected.
Kosmanov tries for a takedown but Ji Woo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kosmanov.
Kosmanov moves out of range of the body kick.
Ji Woo lands with a slapping head kick.

Kosmanov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Ji Woo was covering up waiting for the punch and Kosmanov finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Ji Woo wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kosmanov trying to control the position from guard on top but Ji Woo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Ji Woo looking for a guillotine here but Kosmanov defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ji Woo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kosmanov wants to control from the top but Ji Woo keeps moving.
Kosmanov is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Kosmanov content to stall in guard here.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kosmanov.
Bong Ji Woo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Kosmanov.

Kosmanov closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ji Woo quickly recovers to half guard.
Kosmanov wants to control but Ji Woo is keeping him busy.
Ji Woo is trying to get back to full guard.
Ji Woo manages to get to full guard.
Ji Woo is controlling Kosmanov's posture.
Ji Woo's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ji Woo controls Kosmanov momentarily but Kosmanov frees himself.
Kosmanov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Ji Woo 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.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ji Woo lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Ji Woo throws a front kick that sends Kosmanov stumbling back into the cage.
Kosmanov fails to land the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick from Ji Woo, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ji Woo scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ji Woo will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kosmanov moves out of range of the body kick from Ji Woo.
Bong Ji Woo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kosmanov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ji Woo throws a leg kick that is checked
and Ji Woo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ji Woo throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kosmanov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ji Woo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kosmanov somewhat.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kosmanov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kosmanov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bong Ji Woo showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ji Woo 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bong Ji Woo!
Bong Ji Woo decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.