PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jonathan Hong (ranked 2534 p4p, 4802 weight class) and Bob Joe (ranked 176 p4p, 273 weight class). Jonathan Hong could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Bob Joe's chin.

Hong
vs
Joe

225 cm
25
130
5 - 1 - 0

150 cm
26
130
6 - 7 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jonathan Hong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Bob Joe!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Peter Branson and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hong fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Joe on the side of the head.

It looks like Bob Joe has been cut.
Hong tries to bum rush Joe with a series of wild strikes but Joe uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Joe gets tackled into the cage by Hong. Hong maintains the clinch.
Joe can't find room to land a body shot as Hong controls the action.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Joe.
Joe tries to pull guard but Hong holds him up against the cage and eventually Joe drops back down to his feet.
Hong lands a left hand that snaps the head of Joe backwards.
Hong lands a hook that snaps the head of Joe backwards.
Hong lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Joe backwards.
Still in the clinch, Hong scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hong lands a shoulder strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hong misses with a short punch on the inside.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Joe has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Hong swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Joe goes for a takedown attempt but Hong pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Joe shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joe is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Hong has momentary wrist control but Joe slips an elbow through the middle.
Joe lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Joe has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hong wants to stand and escape but Joe is having none of it.
Hong really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Joe stands up over Hong, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Joe scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Joe should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Joe is working Hong over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Joe prevents Hong from getting back to his feet.
Joe lands a couple of elbows.
Joe postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Hong has his feet on Joe's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Hong instigates a clinch.
Joe is trying to pull guard but Hong turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Jonathan Hong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bob Joe.
Hong scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hong scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A head punch on the inside from Hong fails to land.
Joe takes a shot to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hong.
Hong lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hong misses with the head strike.
Hong lands a left hand that snaps the head of Joe backwards.
Hong gets through Joe's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hong misses with some punches.
Hong tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Joe tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hong lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Joe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hong has Joe pressed against the cage, preventing Joe from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Joe tries to stall but Hong uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Hong lands a hook to the side of the head.
I was talking to Hong's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Joe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hong working aggressively here.
Hong scores with a shoulder strike.
Hong misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hong lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Joe is trying to drag Hong to the mat but Hong just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Joe.
Hong misses with a short punch on the inside.
Joe tries to pull guard but Hong holds him up against the cage and eventually Joe drops back down to his feet.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hong.
Joe blocking some punches.
Joe jumps guard but Hong turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Joe looking for a takedown.
Joe goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hong prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Hong.
Hong swings wildly with an uppercut but Joe uses good head movement to avoid it.
Joe is trying to break free.
Hong prevents a takedown attempt there.
Joe looks winded!
Joe is trying to push Hong away but Hong has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Hong lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Joe jumps guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Joe throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Joe throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Joe trying to strike off his back.
Joe throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Hong will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Joe has a closed guard, preventing Hong from standing up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jonathan Hong dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bob Joe's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Joe gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Hong counters with a series of strikes that sends Joe to the canvas! Hong follows down into guard, looking to finish the fight!

Joe is rocked!
Joe punching from the bottom - just letting Hong know he's still in a fight.
Joe is still in real trouble! Can Hong finish him?
Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.
Hong would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Joe will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Joe striking off his back, scoring a few points.
Joe seems to have recovered his senses.
Joe punching from the bottom.
Joe is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hong is trying to stand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hong is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Joe scores with a couple of nice shots.
Joe takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Hong wants to get back to his feet.
Bob Joe has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nice strikes from Joe there.
Hong wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joe takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Joe working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Joe slips a nice elbow through Hong's hands, connecting with Hong's forehead.
Joe working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Hong has hold of Joe's hands but Joe slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Ground and pound from Joe.
Hong on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Hong tries to get out of the position.
Joe is breathing heavily.
Hong wants to get back to his feet.
Joe working over Hong with some ground and pound. Hong looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Joe stops Hong from getting back to his feet.
Hong on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Hong tries to kick Joe off but Joe keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Joe lands with a punch from half guard.
Joe working over Hong with some ground and pound. Hong looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Hong is trying to stand up here but Joe is controlling him well.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Joe lands a nice short elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hong is trying to stand back up but Joe is controlling him
Joe looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Hong with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
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. Joe connects with a nice short shot to Hong's temple.
Hong tries to kick Joe off but Joe keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Joe working Hong over with strikes.
Hong looks like he's trying to stand up.
Hong on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Hong knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Joe on the ground.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hong has hold of Joe's hands but Joe slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Joe is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Hong tries to kick Joe off but Joe keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Joe lands with a punch from half guard.
Hong is trying to stand back up but Joe is controlling him
Joe lands with a punch from half guard.
Ground and pound from Joe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joe scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Hong taking some punishment here, with Joe in his half guard.
Hong is trying to stand.
Joe lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Joe working Hong over with strikes.
Hong is looking to escape.
Joe takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Joe scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Joe lands a nice short elbow.
Joe is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Joe lands strikes from half guard.
Hong tries to kick Joe off but Joe keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Joe working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Joe there.
Joe looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Hong with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Hong is trying to stand up here but Joe is controlling him well.
Hong trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Joe is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Nice strikes from Joe there.
Hong wants to get back to his feet.
Joe lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Hong looks like he's trying to stand up.
Joe lands with a punch from half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hong has hold of Joe's hands but Joe slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Ground and pound from Joe.
Nice strikes from Joe there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Joe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Bob Joe's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Decent striking displayed by Hong there.
Hong rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Joe moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bob Joe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Hong moves into the clinch.
Hong has a couple of punches blocked by Joe.

Joe turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Joe manages to end up in side control.
Hong pushes Joe away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Joe gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Joe looks up at the clock and then as Hong takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Joe smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Hong wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Joe advances to mount.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Joe won't let Hong get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Joe is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Hong can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Joe working the ground and pound effectively.
Hong trying desperately to get to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joe is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Hong can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Joe looking to finish Hong with some ground and pound. This is bad for Hong!
Hong taking shots to the head.
BOOM! Joe connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Hong is bucking up trying to escape but Joe cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Joe cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Joe working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Joe lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Hong hang on?
Joe has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Hong's face.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Joe with shots to the head and body - Hong looks very uncomfortable down there.
Joe is landing with some decent strikes but Hong is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
You get the feeling that Hong really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Joe scoring with strikes but Hong is staying in there.
Hong's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Joe in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Hong is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joe lands with some strikes.
Hong is trying to stand.
Joe raining down hammerfists from mount.
Joe looking to finish Hong with some ground and pound. This is bad for Hong!
The referee warns Hong that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Hong wants to get back to his feet.
Hong is bucking up trying to escape but Joe cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Hong is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Joe working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Hong is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Joe lands a couple of good shots and Hong has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Joe throwing damaging strikes from the back! Hong could be in trouble here!
Joe softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Hong trying to get back to his feet but Joe is in full control for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joe looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Hong trying to get back to his feet but Joe is in full control for now.
Hong is trapped and Joe is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Joe. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Can Hong hold on?! Joe is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Can Hong hold on?! Joe is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Hong is covering up but some of the strikes from Joe are getting through and doing damage.
Joe lands punches and elbows.
Hong is trying to get back to his feet but Joe has full control of the position and if anything, Hong has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Joe scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Hong is looking for a way out.
Hong is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joe lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Hong is trying to stand back up.
Joe landing with strikes.
Hong wants to get back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Joe is landing with strikes from the back.
Joe lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Joe punishes Hong with strikes from the back mount.
Hong trying to get back to his feet but Joe is in full control for now.
Joe lands a shot to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bob Joe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Joe has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:29
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 27:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bob Joe!