PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kwasi Kwong (ranked 26 p4p, 63 weight class) and Oscar Blaydes (ranked 3 p4p, 9 weight class). Blaydes has chosen Black Sunshine - White Zombie as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Kwong
vs
Blaydes

180 cm
32
156
32 - 8 - 0

171 cm
34
158
18 - 7 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

NARCOS
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Shadow Realm Apparel
NARCOS

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 32 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kwasi Kwong!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 7 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Oscar Blaydes!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Hirohito Nitta and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blaydes closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kwong throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
And Blaydes tries to counter it with a takedown but Kwong pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kwasi Kwong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Blaydes goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kwong throws a head kick that misses.
A good leg kick by Blaydes.
Kwong jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A jab from Blaydes finds it's way through Kwong's defenses.
Kwong throws out a loose jab but Blaydes uses good head movement to avoid it.
Blaydes scores with a jab to the jaw.
Blaydes walks into a stiff left hand from Kwong.
Kwong listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Blaydes takes a swing at Kwong's ribcage but misses.
Kwong misses with a hook.
Kwong throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Blaydes goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Blaydes waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kwong.
Kwong moves in looking to clinch but Blaydes pushes him off.
Blaydes bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Blaydes bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Kwong tries to improve position but can't.
Kwong is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Blaydes is trying to ground and pound but Kwong uses the momentary lack of control by Blaydes to regain half guard.
Blaydes throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Blaydes throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Blaydes wants to take a breather but Kwong is having none of it.
Kwong keeping hold of Blaydes's head, controlling as best he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blaydes trying to control from Kwong's half guard. Kwong has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Blaydes trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Blaydes trying to move into half guard but instead Kwong has managed to sweep!

Blaydes wants to sweep but no luck.
Blaydes is controlling Kwong's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blaydes looking for a sweep. Not yet Blaydes, not yet.
Blaydes is pulling down on Kwong's head. It's preventing any offense from Kwong, at least for the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kwong walks into a left hand.
Kwong ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Blaydes moves away.
Blaydes misses with a shot to the body
and Kwong connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kwong stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kwong wants it to stay on the feet.
Kwong ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Blaydes moves away.
Kwong lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Blaydes moves forwards but Kwong connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kwong just misses with a punch to the body.
Blaydes throws a shot from downtown. Kwong moves away and avoids it.
Blaydes shoots in looking for a takedown but Kwong manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Blaydes's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
The fighters circling - Blaydes throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Blaydes feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kwongs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Blaydes uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kwong.
Kwong throws a big shot that misses.
Kwasi Kwong is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kwong looks to throw the jab but Blaydes is out of range.
Blaydes steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Kwong.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kwong fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Blaydes is out of range.
Blaydes misses with a hook.
Blaydes steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Kwong. That one must have hurt.
Kwong missing with a left hand there. Blaydes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kwasi Kwong dominated that round.
That's time! Kwong's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Blaydes throws a half hearted mid kick.
A slow jab from Blaydes misses its intended target.
Kwong throws a lazy right hand but Blaydes sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kwong lands a nice hook to Blaydes's body. Blaydes takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Blaydes takes a kick to the side of the head.
Kwong throws a body shot but no joy.
Kwong misses with an uppercut.
A nice leg kick from Kwong, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kwong throws out a leg kick but Blaydes moves out of range and Kwong only half commits.
Blaydes is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Kwong misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Blaydes.
Blaydes dodges the punch combination from Kwong.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kwong swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Blaydes changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Blaydes shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kwong defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blaydes fails with an attempt to clinch.
Blaydes steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kwong.
Kwong avoids the body shot from Blaydes.
Blaydes keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kwong.
Kwong looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kwong scores with a kick to the midsection.
Blaydes throws a body shot but no joy.
Kwong throwing a counter right hand but Blaydes manages to avoid it.
Kwong swings for the body but Blaydes moves out of range.
Kwong tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Blaydes was well out of range. Poor timing from Kwong.
Blaydes throws a nice inside leg kick.
A big left from Kwong misses.
Kwong takes a swing at Blaydes's ribcage but misses.
Blaydes feints the counter takedown.
A big left from Kwong misses.
Kwong on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Kwong tries to clinch but Blaydes is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kwong throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Kwong takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Blaydes blocks a leg kick.
Blaydes is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Kwong lands a jab to Blaydes's midsection.
Kwong loads up on a big right hand but Blaydes slips the punch.
Blaydes wants to counter with a clinch but Kwong pushes him away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kwong keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Kwong!
Kwong looks to throw the jab but Blaydes is out of range.
Kwong connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kwong throws a jab but it's blocked by Blaydes.
Kwong is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Blaydes can do to turn this around?
Blaydes throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Blaydes gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kwong.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kwong throws a body shot but no joy.
Blaydes uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kwong.
Blaydes feints the counter takedown.
Kwong scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kwong looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Blaydes pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kwong missing with a left hand there. Blaydes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Blaydes avoids the body shot from Kwong.
Blaydes tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Blaydes throws a jab but it's blocked by Kwong.
Kwong throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Blaydes lands a slapping body shot.
Blaydes dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Blaydes lands a head shot.
Kwong swings for the body but Blaydes moves out of range.
Kwong misses with a shot to the body

and Blaydes moves into the clinch.
Kwong misses with the head strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kwong lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Blaydes is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kwong pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kwasi Kwong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Oscar Blaydes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blaydes misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Blaydes.
Nice body punch from Blaydes - that landed with a thud.
Blaydes blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Blaydes swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kwong working aggressively here.
Nice body punch from Kwong - that landed with a thud.
Blaydes misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kwong misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Blaydes working aggressively here.
Blaydes misses with a punch to the body.
Blaydes prevents a body shot from Kwong.
Kwong tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kwong fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Blaydes blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Kwong escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Blaydes fails to land the takedown.
Blaydes loads up on a big right hand but Kwong slips the punch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kwasi Kwong dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kwong throws a leg kick which misses Blaydes's front leg but catches the back leg as Blaydes tries to avoid it.
Blaydes swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kwong has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Blaydes.
Kwong tries a head kick but it misses.
Blaydes takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kwong looks to score with a jab to the body but Blaydes is just out of range.
Kwong scores with a jab to the body.
Blaydes defending well as Kwong loads up on a big left hand.
Kwong throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Blaydes.
Blaydes is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Kwong cracks Blaydes with an open hand slap.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blaydes misses with a body shot.
Kwong misses with a straight right.

Kwong gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Blaydes has picked Kwong up - he's going for a ride! Blaydes dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Blaydes is looking to stall here but Kwong recovers full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blaydes throwing strikes but missing.
Blaydes throws a strike but Kwong rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Kwong preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Blaydes pulls Kwong in close to prevent any damage.
Blaydes tries to land a sweep but no joy.

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.
Kwong is stalling in the full guard.
Kwong won't allow Blaydes to sweep him here.
Kwong has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Blaydes is proving hard to escape from.
Blaydes has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blaydes pulls Kwong in close to his closed guard and prevents Kwong from doing any damage or advancing position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kwong thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kwong is looking to clinch.
Kwong lands with a nice body punch.
Blaydes takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kwong ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Blaydes moves away.
Blaydes changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Blaydes looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kwong is fending him off so far but Blaydes persists. Nope, Kwong circles away and we're back to standing.
Kwong looks to throw the jab but Blaydes is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blaydes tests Kwong's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kwasi Kwong is winning the standup battle so far.
Blaydes misses with an uppercut. Kwong saw that one coming.
It looked like Kwong was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Blaydes.
Blaydes misses with a kick to the body.
Kwong quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Kwong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Donk. Kwong catches Blaydes right on the button with a cross.

Blaydes shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kwong manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Blaydes keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Blaydes working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kwong tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kwong lands with a light punch inside.
Kwong misses with a punch on the inside.
Kwong fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kwasi Kwong clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kwong throws a leg kick but Blaydes moved away.
Blaydes with a nice calf kick.
Blaydes throws a push kick but Kwong slaps the foot to one side.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Blaydes checks a leg kick.
Blaydes is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Kwong ducks right into an uppercut from Blaydes.
Kwong misses with a double jab.
Nice straight punches there by Kwong. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kwong.
Kwong fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Blaydes manages to avoid it.
Kwong scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Blaydes misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blaydes ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kwong moves away.
Blaydes jabs at Kwong's body.
Kwong lands with a shot to the body.
Blaydes connects with a body shot that sends Kwong's belly button to the back.
Blaydes throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kwong misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Blaydes.
Blaydes misses with a body kick.
Blaydes avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kwong scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Blaydes throws a big shot that misses.
Kwong lands a jab.
Kwong clobbers Blaydes with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Kwong cracks Blaydes with a right hand to the side of the head.
Kwong cracks Blaydes with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Kwong pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Blaydes changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Kwong throws a shot from downtown. Blaydes moves away and avoids it.
Kwong goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kwong moves away from the strike by Blaydes.
Blaydes swings for the body but Kwong moves out of range.
Kwong misses with a body kick.
Kwong takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Kwong throws an overhand right that lands on Blaydes's shoulder, as Blaydes tries to avoid the shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A thudding body kick lands there by Blaydes!
A chopping leg kick lands by Kwong.
Kwong throws a hook but Blaydes avoids it easily.
Blaydes uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kwong.
Blaydes looks to score with a jab to the body but Kwong is just out of range.
Nice defenses there by Kwong.
Blaydes looks to land a left hand but Kwong moved out of range nicely.
Kwong throws an overhand right that lands on Blaydes's shoulder, as Blaydes tries to avoid the shot.
Kwong throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blaydes fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kwong.
Kwong takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kwong pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kwong moves in looking to clinch but Blaydes pushes him off.
Blaydes misses with a wild body shot.
Blaydes throws a body punch but Kwong moves out of range.
Kwong just misses with a punch to the body.
Kwong throws a body punch but Blaydes moves out of range.
Kwong ducks right into an uppercut from Blaydes.
Kwong swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Blaydes defending well as Kwong loads up on a big left hand.
Kwong throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kwong tries to close the distance and clinch but Blaydes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Blaydes misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kwong misses with a kick to the body.
Kwong lands a head kick. Blaydes smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Nice straight punches there by Blaydes. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Blaydes.
Kwong misses with a straight left.
Blaydes is looking to clinch.
Blaydes jabs at Kwong's body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kwong jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Blaydes scores with a shot to the body.

Blaydes gets a double leg takedown into Kwong's guard.
Blaydes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kwong is keeping the position for now.
Blaydes missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Kwasi Kwong will probably get the nod.
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. This is the final round!

Kwong scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kwong works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Kwong uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Blaydes has time to react.
Kwong throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Blaydes counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Blaydes misses with a punch to the body.
Kwong swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kwong working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Blaydes misses with a body punch.
Blaydes can't find room to land a body shot as Kwong controls the action.
Blaydes is looking for a takedown.
Kwong doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Blaydes blocks an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kwong swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kwong throws a punch but it's blocked by Blaydes.
Blaydes tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kwong's elbow.
Blaydes blocks an uppercut.
Good body shot from Kwong.
Kwong blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kwong breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kwong misses with a wild body shot.
And Blaydes tries to counter it with a takedown but Kwong pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kwong lands a head kick!
A jab from Blaydes does it's job there.
Blaydes throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Blaydes has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Blaydes lands a leg kick that knocks Kwong off balance momentarily.
Kwong lands with a good body shot.
Blaydes lands a lovely overhand right.
Blaydes misses the shot to the body.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kwong, as that shot connected.
Kwong lands with a nice body punch.
Kwong bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Blaydes slips under a jab from Kwong.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blaydes gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kwong.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kwong throws a half hearted mid kick.
Blaydes rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kwong moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kwong jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kwong looks to throw the jab but Blaydes is out of range.
Kwong lands with a cross.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Kwong.
Kwong misses the shot to the body.
Blaydes is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Kwong looks to land a right hand but Blaydes moved out of range.
Blaydes dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Blaydes misses with a body shot.
Blaydes defending well as Kwong loads up on a big left hand.
Blaydes walks into a stiff left hand from Kwong.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kwong misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Blaydes.
A slow jab from Blaydes misses its intended target.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kwong.
Kwong fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Blaydes looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kwong fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Blaydes checks it well.
Kwong moves forwards but Blaydes connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kwong tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Blaydes manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Blaydes ducks under a wild hook from Kwong.
Kwong misses with a looping right.
Blaydes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kwong throws out the jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kwong. Blaydes does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kwong lands a nice shot that snaps Blaydes's head back.
Kwong throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kwong scores with a nice right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kwong uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Blaydes.
Kwong swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Blaydes moves into the clinch.
Blaydes throws a punch but it's blocked by Kwong.
Blaydes lands a right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kwong tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kwong struggles to land a body shot inside as Blaydes controls his hands.
A short left from Blaydes.

Blaydes turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Blaydes manages to end up in side control.

Kwong bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Blaydes dodges the punch combination from Kwong.
Blaydes misses with a straight left.
Kwong swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Kwong pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Oscar Blaydes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kwong is looking to land body kicks.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kwasi Kwong showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kwong 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 50:45
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 50:46
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kwasi Kwong!
Kwasi Kwong retains his lightweight title!
Kwasi Kwong decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.