PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Zaid Al Balushi (ranked 21 p4p, 51 weight class) and Bong Ji Woo (ranked 3 p4p, 6 weight class). Bong Ji Woo has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Al Balushi
vs
Ji Woo

180 cm
33
155
19 - 5 - 1

179 cm
31
165
18 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition
Urban Fighter

Conquer
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Zaid Al Balushi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bong Ji Woo!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Ren Mimura and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big right from Al Balushi misses.
Ji Woo looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Al Balushi looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Good leg kick by Al Balushi.
Ji Woo misses with a hook to the body
letting Al Balushi counter with a right hand.
Ji Woo misses with a left hand
and Al Balushi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ji Woo keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

It looks like Zaid Al Balushi has been cut.
Ji Woo fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Al Balushi checks it well.
Ji Woo loads up on a big right hand but Al Balushi slips the punch.
Al Balushi fires out a quick counter leg kick but Ji Woo just manages to avoid it.
Ji Woo looks to land a left hand but Al Balushi moved out of range nicely.
Al Balushi half committed to a counter leg kick.
Ji Woo throws a hook but Al Balushi avoids it easily.
Ji Woo misses the jab.
Ji Woo has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Balushi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
It looked like Al Balushi was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Ji Woo misses with an uppercut
and Al Balushi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That kick from Al Balushi tenderised Ji Woo's leg. Ji Woo is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ji Woo tries to move into range but Al Balushi moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Bong Ji Woo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Al Balushi slips a jab and a cross from Ji Woo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Balushi feints and then cracks Ji Woo's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ji Woo down.
Ji Woo takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Al Balushi lands a nice looking kick to the body. Ji Woo takes a step back to recover.
Ji Woo slips under a jab from Al Balushi.
Al Balushi lands with a hook. Ji Woo tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Ji Woo throws an overhand right that lands on Al Balushi's shoulder, as Al Balushi tries to avoid the shot.
Al Balushi slips a jab from Ji Woo.
Ji Woo shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Ji Woo looks to score with a jab to the body but Al Balushi is just out of range.
Ji Woo blocks a jab.
Ji Woo takes a swing at Al Balushi's ribcage but misses.
Al Balushi ducks under a wild hook from Ji Woo.
Ji Woo swings for the body but Al Balushi moves out of range.
Al Balushi cracks Ji Woo with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Al Balushi takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Al Balushi blocks a jab.
Al Balushi connects with a looping right hand.
Ji Woo looks to land a left hand but Al Balushi moved out of range nicely.
Ji Woo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Al Balushi thuds his shin into the meat of Ji Woo's side.
Al Balushi tries a low kick but Ji Woo avoids it.
Ji Woo blocks a low kick nicely.
The fighters circling - Ji Woo throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ji Woo fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ji Woo throws a hook to the side of Al Balushi's head but Al Balushi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ji Woo throws a head kick but Al Balushi moves out of range.
As Ji Woo tries to get set, Al Balushi tries to push him back and clinch up but Ji Woo manages to avoid the attempt.
Al Balushi takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Al Balushi half committed to a counter leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi connects with a high kick.
Ji Woo throws a big shot that misses.
Ji Woo lands a head shot.
Al Balushi throws out a loose jab but Ji Woo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ji Woo scores with a crisp jab that stopped Al Balushi in his tracks.

Al Balushi is rocked!
Ji Woo misses with a left hand
and Al Balushi counters with a nice uppercut.
Ji Woo misses the shot to the body.
Al Balushi was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ji Woo moves forwards but Al Balushi connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ji Woo thows a leg kick but Al Balushi checks it
and Ji Woo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Al Balushi swinging wildly here.
Al Balushi is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
A bone on bone clash there as Al Balushi blocks the leg kick.
Ji Woo tries to score with a low kick but Al Balushi moves his leg out of the way.
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!
Ji Woo wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ji Woo jabs Al Balushi right on the nose. Al Balushi blinks but takes it well.
Al Balushi moves away from the strike by Ji Woo.
Ji Woo misses the jab.
Ji Woo looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Al Balushi swats away the attempt to clinch by Ji Woo.
Ji Woo swings widly with a right hand
and Al Balushi counters with a good low kick that Ji Woo was not able to check.
Al Balushi slips a jab and a cross from Ji Woo.
Ji Woo takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Ji Woo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Al Balushi throws out a loose jab but Ji Woo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ji Woo fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
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 Zaid Al Balushi will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Zaid Al Balushi's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

A solid leg kick lands there for Al Balushi.
Al Balushi takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ji Woo lands a slapping body shot.
Al Balushi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Ji Woo ducks under a wild hook from Al Balushi.
Ji Woo lands a nice hook to Al Balushi's body. Al Balushi takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Al Balushi connects with a crisp jab.
Al Balushi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ji Woo throws the left hand but Al Balushi avoids the punch easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ji Woo with a nice calf kick.
Ji Woo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Al Balushi.
Al Balushi feints and then cracks Ji Woo's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ji Woo down.
Ji Woo misses with an uppercut. Al Balushi saw that one coming.
Al Balushi is looking to counter with a body kick.
Ji Woo throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice leg kick from Al Balushi, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ji Woo misses with a body punch
and Al Balushi makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Ji Woo really felt that one!
Al Balushi motions for Ji Woo to come forward. Al Balushi throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ji Woo is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Al Balushi with a nice cross.
Ji Woo looks to land a body kick but Al Balushi moved away.
Both fighters circling a little - Al Balushi finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Al Balushi throws a leg kick which misses Ji Woo's front leg but catches the back leg as Ji Woo tries to avoid it.
Zaid Al Balushi is winning the standup battle so far.
Ji Woo throws a shot from downtown. Al Balushi moves away and avoids it.
Ji Woo looks to score with a jab to the body but Al Balushi is just out of range.
A shot to the liver by Ji Woo. Beautiful body shot.
Ji Woo works the jab nicely.
Al Balushi fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Ji Woo is out of range.
Al Balushi ducks under a wild hook from Ji Woo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi lands a leg kick that knocks Ji Woo off balance momentarily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ji Woo throws a hook but Al Balushi blocks it.
Ji Woo misses with a looping right.
Al Balushi is looking to counter with a body kick.
Ji Woo misses with a jab to the body
and Al Balushi counters with a nice leg kick.
Ji Woo tries to clinch there but Al Balushi circles away.
Ji Woo throws an off balance right hand
and Al Balushi counters with a nice uppercut.
Ji Woo throws a poor cross that misses
and Al Balushi counters with a leg kick.
Good leg kick by Al Balushi.
Ji Woo misses with a wild body shot.
Al Balushi looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Ji Woo misses with a hook to the body
and Al Balushi counters with a slapping leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Al Balushi. That's going to slow Ji Woo down.
Ji Woo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Al Balushi was well out of range. Poor timing from Ji Woo.
Ji Woo's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A nice leg kick lands there from Al Balushi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ji Woo rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Al Balushi counters with a slapping leg kick.
Al Balushi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ji Woo.
Al Balushi digs a good hook to Ji Woo's body.
Ji Woo throws the left hand but Al Balushi avoids the punch easily.
Ji Woo misses with a hook.
Al Balushi thinks about countering with a body kick.
Al Balushi avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Al Balushi moves out of range as Ji Woo strikes.
Al Balushi looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Al Balushi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ji Woo throws a head kick that Al Balushi semi-blocks.
Oh Al Balushi is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Al Balushi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Al Balushi seems to have got his legs back now.
Ji Woo throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Al Balushi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Nice uppercut there from Ji Woo.
Ji Woo misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Al Balushi counters with a good low kick that Ji Woo was not able to check.
Ji Woo rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Al Balushi counters with an inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ji Woo doesn't manage to clinch there - Al Balushi circles away.
Ji Woo takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Ji Woo checks a leg kick.
Ji Woo swings widly with a right hand
and Al Balushi counters with a straight right hand.
Ji Woo misses with a lunging right hand
and Al Balushi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ji Woo doesn't manage to clinch there - Al Balushi circles away.
Al Balushi lands a nice looking kick to the body. Ji Woo takes a step back to recover.
A low kick from Ji Woo is predictable there
and Al Balushi counters with a low kick, right behind Ji Woo 's knee.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with each other but Ji Woo might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Al Balushi has got the better of the exchanges.
Ji Woo misses with a hook to the body
and Al Balushi counters with a low kick, right behind Ji Woo 's knee.
Ji Woo just misses with a punch to the body.
Ji Woo throws a right hand that misses
and Al Balushi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Al Balushi paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Al Balushi keeps Ji Woo at a distance using the push kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zaid Al Balushi dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Zaid Al Balushi's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ji Woo tries to move into range but Al Balushi moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Al Balushi tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Al Balushi throws a nice outside leg kick.
Ji Woo misses with a few strikes there.
Al Balushi tried to counter with a leg kick but Ji Woo avoided it.
Al Balushi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ji Woo tries to score with a low kick but Al Balushi moves his leg out of the way.
Al Balushi is looking to counter punch.
Ji Woo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ji Woo rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Al Balushi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ji Woo throws a leg kick that is checked
and Al Balushi counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ji Woo misses with a straight right.
Al Balushi throwing a counter right hand but Ji Woo manages to avoid it.
Ji Woo throws a lazy uppercut
and Al Balushi makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Al Balushi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ji Woo misses with a lunging right hand
and Al Balushi counters with a stiff right hand.
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!
Ji Woo throws a lazy uppercut
letting Al Balushi counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ji Woo throws a leg kick that is checked
and Al Balushi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ji Woo scores with a kick to the midsection.
Ji Woo connects with a body shot.
Al Balushi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ji Woo can do to turn this around?
Al Balushi connects with a leg kick.
Ji Woo has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Al Balushi.
Ji Woo lands with a right hand.
Al Balushi keeps Ji Woo at a distance using the push kick.
Al Balushi throws a good cross that connects.
Ji Woo jabs Al Balushi to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Ji Woo connects with the punch.
Al Balushi avoids the head kick by Ji Woo.
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!
Ji Woo swings widly with a right hand
and Al Balushi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Al Balushi buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Al Balushi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ji Woo.
Al Balushi looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi slips under a jab.
Ji Woo throws a right hand that misses
and Al Balushi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ji Woo has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Al Balushi moves out of range of the strikes.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Ji Woo lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Al Balushi has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Al Balushi and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Al Balushi throws a leg kick but Ji Woo sees it coming and moves out of range.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Al Balushi.
Al Balushi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ji Woo tries a head kick but it misses.
Ji Woo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Al Balushi moves away.
Al Balushi tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Jab from Al Balushi.
Ji Woo fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Al Balushi has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ji Woo.
Al Balushi feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Al Balushi's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ji Woo under the eye.
Ji Woo feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Al Balushis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Ji Woo throws a head kick that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Ji Woo throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Al Balushi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Al Balushi looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Good work by Al Balushi as he checks the leg kick.
Ji Woo shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Ji Woo closes the distance and clinches.
Al Balushi misses with a knee strike.
Al Balushi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ji Woo working aggressively here.
Ji Woo takes a shot to the head.
Al Balushi creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Al Balushi blocks an uppercut.
Ji Woo misses with a punch to the body.
Ji Woo avoids a wild elbow strike from Al Balushi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi misses with a punch to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Al Balushi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Al Balushi lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Al Balushi lands with a left to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ji Woo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ji Woo struggles to land a body shot inside as Al Balushi controls his hands.
Ji Woo lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ji Woo avoiding damage as Al Balushi throws knees to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Ji Woo.

Ji Woo manages to break the clinch.
Ji Woo fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Al Balushi is out of range.
Ji Woo slips a jab from Al Balushi.
A swing and a miss from Ji Woo.
Al Balushi scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ji Woo.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Al Balushi throws a nice inside leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zaid Al Balushi clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Zaid Al Balushi's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A clash of legs there as Al Balushi blocks the low kick.
Al Balushi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ji Woo.
A slow jab from Al Balushi misses its intended target.
Ji Woo swings widly with a right hand
and Al Balushi counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Ji Woo has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Al Balushi.
Ji Woo misses with a looping left.
Ji Woo rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Al Balushi counter with a right hand.
Al Balushi moves into range and connects with a jab.
Ji Woo wants to clinch up but Al Balushi keeps it at a distance.
Al Balushi is looking to counter the offense by Ji Woo and move into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A good leg kick by Ji Woo.
Ji Woo chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Al Balushi can pounce on him.
Al Balushi checks the leg kick.
Ji Woo throws a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Balushi throws a body shot but no joy.
Al Balushi cracks Ji Woo with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Al Balushi throws out a powerful jab.
Al Balushi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ji Woo throws out the jab.
Ji Woo avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Ji Woo misses with an uppercut. Al Balushi saw that one coming.
Al Balushi connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Ji Woo wants to clinch up but Al Balushi keeps it at a distance.
Ji Woo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ji Woo fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Al Balushi has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ji Woo takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Ji Woo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Al Balushi manages to avoid it.
A low kick lands for Al Balushi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ji Woo has closed the distance and engaged Al Balushi in a clinch.
Ji Woo misses with a body punch.
Ji Woo being controlled against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ji Woo tries to work over Al Balushi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A shot in the inside from Ji Woo.
Ji Woo takes an elbow to the temple.
Ji Woo swings wildly with an uppercut but Al Balushi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ji Woo tries to work over Al Balushi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ji Woo.
Al Balushi is leaning against Ji Woo and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Ji Woo is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Al Balushi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short uppercut from Al Balushi.
Ji Woo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ji Woo pushes Al Balushi back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Al Balushi works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ji Woo is trying to pull guard but Al Balushi turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Al Balushi trying to land knees to the body.
Al Balushi taking a breather.
Ji Woo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Al Balushi's elbow.
Al Balushi gets through Ji Woo's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ji Woo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Al Balushi's elbow.
Al Balushi tries to land knees in the clinch but Ji Woo avoids the damage to the body.
Al Balushi lands with a left to the head.
Al Balushi struggles to land a body shot inside as Ji Woo controls his hands.
Ji Woo throws a head punch that misses.
Al Balushi has a couple of punches blocked by Ji Woo.
Ji Woo misses with a punch to the body.
Ji Woo tries to pull guard but Al Balushi won't allow it.
Ji Woo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ji Woo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ji Woo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Al Balushi blocks an uppercut.
Ji Woo tries to work over Al Balushi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi misses with a knee strike.
Nice body punch from Al Balushi.

Al Balushi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ji Woo throws a hook but Al Balushi avoids it easily.
Ji Woo misses with a leg kick
and Al Balushi counters with a leg kick.
Nice shot by Al Balushi.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ji Woo throws an overhand right that lands on Al Balushi's shoulder, as Al Balushi tries to avoid the shot.
Al Balushi checks a leg kick.
Ji Woo throws a solid leg kick but Al Balushi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Ji Woo.
As Ji Woo backs away, Al Balushi returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Al Balushi throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Ji Woo misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Ji Woo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ji Woo slips a straight right by Al Balushi.
Ji Woo thows a left - swing and a miss!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zaid Al Balushi had his way with Bong Ji Woo in that round.
The cut man is working on Zaid Al Balushi's cut.
That's time! Al Balushi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Ji Woo misses with a left hand
and Al Balushi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ji Woo misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Al Balushi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ji Woo misses with a body shot.
Ji Woo just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromAl Balushi.
Ji Woo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ji Woo swings widly with a right hand
and Al Balushi counters with an inside leg kick.
Ji Woo throws a lazy uppercut
and Al Balushi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Al Balushi looks to score with a jab to the body but Ji Woo is just out of range.
Al Balushi connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Al Balushi takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ji Woo fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ji Woo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ji Woo takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Al Balushi works the jab nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ji Woo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Al Balushi was well out of range. Poor timing from Ji Woo.
Ji Woo checks the leg kick.
Ji Woo flicks out a counter leg kick but Al Balushi steps away.
Al Balushi lands with a cross.
A nice leg kick from Al Balushi, right into the meat of the thigh.
Al Balushi lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Ji Woo thuds a left hand into Al Balushi's body.
Ji Woo chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Al Balushi can pounce on him.
Al Balushi lands with a cross.
Ji Woo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ji Woo misses with a hook to the body
and Al Balushi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Al Balushi takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Ji Woo misses with a hook. Al Balushi ducked under it nicely.
Bong Ji Woo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ji Woo misses with a right hand
and Ji Woo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
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!
A lazy left from Al Balushi finds it's target.
Ji Woo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Al Balushi moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ji Woo attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Ji Woo swings widly with a right hand
and Al Balushi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A head kick by Ji Woo misses
and Al Balushi counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Al Balushi throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Ji Woo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Al Balushi misses with a shot to the body
and Ji Woo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Al Balushi misses with a hook. Ji Woo ducked under it nicely.
Al Balushi fakes the leg kick and cracks Ji Woo in the body.
Ji Woo throws a body punch but Al Balushi moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ji Woo goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Ji Woo takes a jab right on the kisser.
Ji Woo lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ji Woo misses with a straight right.
Al Balushi fires out a quick counter leg kick but Ji Woo just manages to avoid it.
Al Balushi scores with a head kick. Ji Woo tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Ji Woo throws a lazy uppercut
and Al Balushi counters with a left and a right that stings Ji Woo.
Ji Woo misses with a right hand
and Al Balushi counters with a quick right hand 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.
Al Balushi scores with a jab to the head.
Al Balushi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ji Woo has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ji Woo swings widly with a right hand
and Al Balushi counters with a nice low kick that buckles Ji Woo's knee momentarily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ji Woo checks a low kick from Al Balushi.
Ji Woo feints a counter leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ji Woo swings away with a body shot that misses
and Al Balushi counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Ji Woo smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Ji Woo throws a big shot that misses.
Ji Woo looks to throw the jab but Al Balushi is out of range.
Al Balushi lands a jab.
Al Balushi keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Al Balushi thuds a left hand into Ji Woo's body.
Ji Woo takes a swing at Al Balushi's ribcage but misses.
Ji Woo misses with an uppercut.
Al Balushi fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Zaid Al Balushi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Al Balushi on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zaid Al Balushi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Al Balushi has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 50:45
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 50:45
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zaid Al Balushi!
Zaid Al Balushi retains his lightweight title!
Zaid Al Balushi thanked the fans post fight for their support.