PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Silla Kim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Rhodes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kim's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, CANON in D Korean Version (with gayageum) . I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that James Rhodes was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Kim
vs
Rhodes

180 cm
22
178 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

188 cm
23
180 lbs
5 - 2 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Silla Kim!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, James Rhodes!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Donatello Bradman and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kim throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
No joy there for Rhodes, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rhodes pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kim changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rhodes tries to avoid it but Kim manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rhodes to the ground. Rhodes escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kim.
Kim has a takedown stuffed.
Kim tries to clinch but Rhodes is having none of it.
Rhodes lands with a nice body punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kim. Rhodes does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kim showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rhodes.
Rhodes misses with a jab, cross combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kim goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Rhodes's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Rhodes duly obliges.
A nice combination there by Rhodes.
Rhodes's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Rhodes duly obliges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rhodes shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rhodes. That's going to slow Kim down.
Rhodes with a nice cross.
Kim lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kim chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rhodes can pounce on him.
Kim dodges the punch combination from Rhodes.
Some bone on bone action there as Kim checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Kim has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Kim misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rhodes takes a swing at Kim's ribcage but misses.

Kim shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kim showed some decent athleticism there.
Kim thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rhodes's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kim throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Kim is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kim tries to pass to full mount but Rhodes defends it.
Kim thows a huge punch but Rhodes dodges it nicely.
Rhodes blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kim.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Rhodes can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kim prevents Rhodes from improving his position.
Kim trying to mount his opponent but Rhodes defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kim tries to move into range but Rhodes moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kim looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kim wants to land a leg kick but Rhodes is out of range.
Rhodes throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kim.
Rhodes misses with a low kick.
Kim looks to land a combination. Rhodes sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Kim takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Rhodes throws out a leg kick but Kim moves out of range and Rhodes only half commits.
Rhodes rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kim moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rhodes lands a nice shot that snaps Kim's head back.
Rhodes misses with a double jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kim scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Rhodes tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Rhodes tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Kim closes the distance and clinches.

Rhodes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A low kick from Rhodes misses

and Kim counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kim thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rhodes on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kim trying to control the action but Rhodes is working from the bottom.
Kim thows a huge punch but Rhodes dodges it nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kim stalling away here and it's allowed Rhodes to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Silla Kim 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.

Rhodes circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kim attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kim takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Rhodes fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kim fails with the takedown.
Kim shoots in but no luck this time.
Kim shoots in for a takedown but Rhodes shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Silla Kim. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kim has a takedown stuffed.
Rhodes lands a nice hook to Kim's body. Kim takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Rhodes comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Rhodes displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kim.
Rhodes throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kim.
Silla Kim is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An inside leg kick from Rhodes misses.
The fighters circle momentarily. Rhodes darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Rhodes, as that shot connected.
Kim tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nice takedown defense from Rhodes. No joy for Kim on that attempt.
Kim tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kim takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Rhodes leaves Kim with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
James Rhodes seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rhodes misses with a low kick.
Rhodes scores with a shot to the body.
Rhodes looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kim throws a push kick but Rhodes slaps the foot to one side.
Rhodes has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rhodes scoring well with a low kick there.
James Rhodes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rhodes moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Rhodes throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rhodes throws a series of punches but Kim avoids them all with ease.
Kim looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Rhodes lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kim circles away quickly and effectively.
Rhodes looks to score with a jab to the body but Kim is just out of range.
Rhodes throws a right and a left that Kim avoids nicely.
Rhodes misses with a kick to the body.
Kim shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rhodes but Rhodes pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kim has a takedown stuffed.
Rhodes thuds a left hand into Kim's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kim has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Rhodes moves out of range of the body kick.
Danga de danga de dang - Rhodes scores with a four punch combination!
Rhodes scores with a jab to the body.

Kim clinches.
Kim tries to pull guard but Rhodes won't allow it.
Kim tries a body shot but Rhodes blocks it.
Rhodes can't break the clinch.
Kim tries to land a knee to the head but Rhodes blocks with his arms.
Kim is trying to stall.
Kim misses with a punch to the body.
Rhodes wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kim has him pressed against the cage.
Kim tries to pull guard but Rhodes holds him up against the cage and eventually Kim drops back down to his feet.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kim pushes off an throws an elbow but Rhodes leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kim jumps guard but Rhodes stands there with Kim around his waist. Kim gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rhodes tries to break free but Kim pushes him back against the cage.

Rhodes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rhodes moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Rhodes scores with a hook to the body. Kim takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kim fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kim tries to close the distance and clinch but Rhodes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
James Rhodes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kim throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rhodes's waist but Rhodes gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kim off to one side.
Kim throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kim throws a predictable looking body shot
letting Rhodes counter with a right hand.
Kim misses with a kick to the body.
Rhodes moves out of range of the body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Rhodes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Rhodes swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rhodes fails to land with a series of punches.
Rhodes lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kim circles away quickly and effectively.
Kim doesn't manage to clinch there - Rhodes circles away.
Kim pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kim gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Rhodes counters with a two punch combo.
Rhodes misses with a series of wild punches.
Rhodes fails to land with a series of punches.
Rhodes misses with a series of wild punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rhodes lands a jab to Kim's midsection.
Rhodes lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Kim backs up against the cage.
Rhodes is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kim rather than just go for the knockout.
Kim takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Kim misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rhodes attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Rhodes throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kim tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Good leg kick by Rhodes there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kim moves forwards but Rhodes connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Rhodes displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Kim looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Rhodes swats away the attempt to clinch by Kim.
Kim takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Rhodes jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kim is looking to score with low kicks.
Rhodes scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Kim forces Rhodes back against the cage and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Kim thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Rhodes dodges the ground and pound from Kim.
Rhodes is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Kim asserts his dominance and retains side control.
The ground and pound from Kim seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Rhodes defending against the ground and pound.
The ground and pound from Kim seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An elbow from Kim crashes against the mat.
Rhodes defending against the ground and pound.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Rhodes looks to land a combination. Kim sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Rhodes throws a leg kick
and Kim counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Kim closes the distance and pushes Rhodes back into the cage.
Rhodes looking to stall.
Kim tries to land a knee to the head but Rhodes blocks with his arms.
Kim tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rhodes blocks a body shot from Kim.
Rhodes tries to break the clinch but Kim is controlling the position.

Kim manages to pull guard.

Kim has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rhodes can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kim has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rhodes can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rhodes is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Kim is trying to control the position from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Rhodes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rhodes 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Rhodes!