PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Muk Bong (ranked 3103 p4p, 24858 weight class) and Luke Soza (ranked 351 p4p, 0 weight class). Luke Soza will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Bong
vs
Soza

200 cm
25
245
2 - 0 - 0

186 cm
22
250
1 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Muk Bong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Luke Soza!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Sosuke Kotani and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Soza shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bong but Bong pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Bong shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Soza's guard.
Bong controls from within his opponent's guard.
Bong with a flurry of punches that miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Soza manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bong manages to get himself to full guard.

Bong will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Soza stands and steps away. Bong gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Soza pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bong is looking to counter the offense by Soza and move into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soza connects with a jab.
Soza lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
We've been hearing reports that Bong has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Bong is breathing heavily.
Soza throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Bong manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Soza on his heels. He'll look to pass Soza's guard now, I'm sure.
Bong postures up.
Soza might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Bong haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Bong engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Soza is pulling down on Bong's head to control his posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bong controlling from the top position.

Bong drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bong jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Soza looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Bong puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Ground and pound from Bong.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bong lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Soza trying to control here.
Bong trying to control the pace.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Soza wants to control but Bong is keeping busy and won't allow it.

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

Bong is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Soza's half guard.
Bong content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bong is working for a submission of some sort.
Bong is looking to take a break and control but Soza is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bong wants to get back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Muk Bong will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Soza tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Soza moves to clinch but Bong breaks away

and Bong counters with a takedown into side control.

Bong thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Soza stops Bong from passing to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bong lands an elbow.

Bong tries for a kimura but Soza is defending well.
Soza is trying to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soza can't do much from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bong is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Soza will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
You can see the frustration on Soza's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Bong landing a few strikes.

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.
Bong creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Soza tries to improve position but can't.
Bong is working Soza over with some ground and pound from side control.
Soza is trying to get back to half guard.
A lull in the action here.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bong tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

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

Bong fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Soza sprawls well initially but Bong persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Bong wants to pass to mount but Soza is defending the position.
Bong lands strikes from half guard.
Muk Bong overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bong is looking to advance position but Soza won't allow it.
Bong is controlling the pace.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Soza is looking for a sweep. Bong is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Muk Bong dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Soza throws a sloppy head kick and Bong moves out of range easily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Bong pulls guard effortlessly.
Bong pulls Soza in close to prevent any damage.
Bong keeping full guard, as Soza tries to pass.
Soza trying to control but Bong is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bong has Soza pulled in close to control his posture.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bong looking for a sweep. Not yet Bong, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soza stops Bong from standing up.
Bong keeping moving, preventing Soza from controlling successfully.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Bong wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Soza throws a head kick that misses.

Bong shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Soza wants to get back to his feet but Bong is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Bong controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bong wants to control from the top but Soza keeps moving.
Our spies down at at Cozad MMA Tokyo inform us that Soza has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

Soza had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bong defends it easily.
Bong distracts Soza with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Bong sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bong with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Soza is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bong.
Soza wants to counter the offense by Bong and move into the clinch position.
Soza wants to clinch.
Luke Soza has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Soza throws a body punch but Bong moves out of range.
Bong tries to counter by clinching up but Soza breaks away and moves out of range.

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.
Bong swats away the attempt to clinch by Soza.
Bong lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Soza tries to close the distance and clinch but Bong swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bong dodges the punch combination from Soza.

Bong throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Soza tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Bong is in Soza's guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bong trying to control the position from guard on top but Soza is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
Muk Bong showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bong, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Muk Bong!