PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Shin Dong Hyuk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Giovani Castro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Dong Hyuk
vs
Castro

167 cm
21
145 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

170 cm
26
144 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Perkele!
Soul Supremacy Fight Gear

Dissolution Fight Wear
SP Ultimate Nutrition

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 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shin Dong Hyuk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Giovani Castro!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Jeff Smith and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Castro blocks the body kick.
Dong Hyuk thows a body kick. Castro tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Castro tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dong Hyuk was well out of range. Poor timing from Castro.
Dong Hyuk definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Castro throws a leg kick that misses.
Dong Hyuk throws a nice outside leg kick.
Dong Hyuk scores with a push kick.
Castro lands with a shot to the body.
Dong Hyuk avoids the body shot from Castro.
Castro throws a leg kick
and Dong Hyuk counters with a series of strikes. Castro will be more careful next time no doubt.
Dong Hyuk stalks Castro and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Castro's face. Castro staggers backwards, shaken.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Castro walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Dong Hyuk checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Dong Hyuk shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Nice shot lands for Dong Hyuk.
Dong Hyuk looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Castro throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Dong Hyuk sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Dong Hyuk looks to land a body kick but Castro moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dong Hyuk pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The fighters circling - Castro throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Dong Hyuk swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Castro counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Dong Hyuk breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Castro throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Decent striking displayed by Dong Hyuk there.
Dong Hyuk delivers a nice body kick.
Castro throws a leg kick
letting Dong Hyuk counter with a right hand.
Castro tries to clinch there but Dong Hyuk circles away.
Dong Hyuk ducks under a wild hook from Castro.
Castro uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dong Hyuk.
Castro loads up on a big right hand but Dong Hyuk slips the punch.
Nice shot lands for Dong Hyuk.
Dong Hyuk throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castro takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dong Hyuk slips under a jab.
Dong Hyuk swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Castro connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Dong Hyuk explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Dong Hyuk throws a front kick that sends Castro stumbling back into the cage.
Castro throws an off balance right hand
and Dong Hyuk makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Castro really felt that one!
Nice straight punches there by Dong Hyuk. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Dong Hyuk.
Dong Hyuk throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Dong Hyuk tries to keep at a distance but Castro has taken the fight into the clinch.
Castro misses with a hook to the ribs.
Castro misses with a hook from the clinch.
Dong Hyuk misses with a punch to the body.
Castro tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Dong Hyuk avoids it.
Castro lands with a right to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dong Hyuk is looking to break free of the clinch but Castro has double underhooks.
A nice left hand lands by Castro.
Castro lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Dong Hyuk backwards.
Castro throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Dong Hyuks head.
Dong Hyuk throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Castros head.
Castro lands a hook to the side of the head.
Dong Hyuk presses Castro against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Castro scores with a shot to the side of Dong Hyuk's head.
Dong Hyuk lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Castro has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Dong Hyuk.
A hook to the body from Castro.
Dong Hyuk lands a hook that snaps the head of Castro backwards.
Dong Hyuk scores with a shot to the side of Castro's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dong Hyuk struggles to land a body shot inside as Castro controls his hands.
Castro tries to work over Dong Hyuk's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dong Hyuk.
Dong Hyuk fails to pull guard.
Dong Hyuk is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Castro landing knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Castro.
Castro trying to land knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Dong Hyuk fails to land.
Castro slowing the pace effectively.
Dong Hyuk lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Castro backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Castro fails to land.
Castro misses with a short punch on the inside.
Dong Hyuk blocking some punches.
Castro blocking some punches.
Castro has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Dong Hyuk seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Castro can turn it around.
Castro holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Dong Hyuk breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dong Hyuk throws a looping overhand right but Castro ducks down to avoid it.
Castro doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Dong Hyuk throws a half hearted mid kick.
Some wild striking there from Castro.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shin Dong Hyuk dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Dong Hyuk throws a head kick that misses.
Dong Hyuk connects with a solid leg kick.
Castro misses with an uppercut. Dong Hyuk saw that one coming.
Dong Hyuk connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Dong Hyuk checks a leg kick.
Dong Hyuk is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Castro can do to turn this around?
Dong Hyuk throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Dong Hyuk throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Castro throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Dong Hyuk.
Dong Hyuk keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A jab from Castro finds it's way through Dong Hyuk's defenses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dong Hyuk scores with a punch to the head.
Dong Hyuk throws a series of strikes that have Castro backpedaling.
Shin Dong Hyuk is winning the standup battle so far.
Dong Hyuk looks to throw the jab but Castro is out of range.
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!
Castro throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Dong Hyuk throws a nice head kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro misses with a looping left.
Dong Hyuk blocks a low kick nicely.
Dong Hyuk moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Dong Hyuk is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Castro.
Castro connects with a nice looking jab.
Castro tries a head kick but it misses.
Castro slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Dong Hyuk misses with a straight right.
Dong Hyuk just misses with a punch to the body.
Castro swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A solid body kick from Dong Hyuk.
Dong Hyuk fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Castro has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Castro misses with a hook
and Dong Hyuk counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
A looping hook to the body misses from Castro. Dong Hyuk does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dong Hyuk moves out of range of the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Dong Hyuk.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dong Hyuk fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Castro is out of range.
Dong Hyuk looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Dong Hyuk lands a right hook to the body.
Dong Hyuk misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Castro dodges the punch combination from Dong Hyuk.
Castro tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Dong Hyuk keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Dong Hyuk misses the shot to the body.
Castro moves out of range as Dong Hyuk throws a body kick.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Dong Hyuk throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
A head kick misses from Dong Hyuk.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dong Hyuk moves out of range of the leg kick from Castro.
Dong Hyuk blocks a jab.
Castro takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Castro misses with a looping left.
Dong Hyuk looks to land a body kick but Castro moved away.
Dong Hyuk misses with a straight right.
Dong Hyuk lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Castro uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dong Hyuk.
Castro wants to counter with a clinch but Dong Hyuk pushes him away.
Dong Hyuk throws a sloppy body shot
and Castro counters with a two punch combo.
Dong Hyuk cracks a nice hook into Castro's ribs.
Castro throws a head kick that misses.
Dong Hyuk cracks Castro with an open hand slap.
Dong Hyuk misses with a right hand
and Castro connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Castro tries to clinch but Dong Hyuk is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Dong Hyuk does it's job there.
Dong Hyuk delivers a nice body kick.
Dong Hyuk chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Dong Hyuk moves out of range of the body kick from Castro.
Castro avoids the head kick by Dong Hyuk.
Dong Hyuk misses with a series of wild punches.
Castro ducks right into an uppercut from Dong Hyuk.
Castro throws a leg kick

and Dong Hyuk holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Dong Hyuk avoiding damage as Castro throws knees to the body.
Castro doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Castro has Dong Hyuk pressed against the cage, preventing Dong Hyuk from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Dong Hyuk tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Castro tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Dong Hyuk's elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shin Dong Hyuk dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Castro throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Dong Hyuk cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Castro moves out of range of the body kick.
Castro takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Dong Hyuk tries a head kick but it misses.
A left lands for Dong Hyuk.
Castro jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Dong Hyuk throws the kick towards the body but Castro avoids it.
Castro throws an overhand right that lands on Dong Hyuk's shoulder, as Dong Hyuk tries to avoid the shot.
Dong Hyuk just misses with a punch to the body.
Dong Hyuk fakes the leg kick and cracks Castro in the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dong Hyuk takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Dong Hyuk lands a front kick.
Dong Hyuk scoring well with a low kick there.
Shin Dong Hyuk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Castro connects with a looping right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dong Hyuk keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Castro.
Dong Hyuk feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Dong Hyuk connects with a looping right hand.
Dong Hyuk swings for the body but Castro moves out of range.
It seemed like Castro was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Dong Hyuk throws a body kick that misses.
Dong Hyuk scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Castro throws a body shot but no joy.
Dong Hyuk throws a quick counter kick to the body but Castro avoids it.
Dong Hyuk lands a nice looking kick to the body. Castro takes a step back to recover.
Dong Hyuk lands a head kick!
Castro takes a swing at Dong Hyuk's ribcage but misses.
As Castro tries to get set, Dong Hyuk tries to push him back and clinch up but Castro manages to avoid the attempt.
Dong Hyuk looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Castro lands a nice hook to Dong Hyuk's body. Dong Hyuk takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Dong Hyuk fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Castro on the side of the head.
Giovani Castro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Castro 's head but he takes it in his stride.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dong Hyuk lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A looping hook to the body misses from Castro. Dong Hyuk does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dong Hyuk moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nice body punch from Dong Hyuk.
Dong Hyuk moves away from the strike by Castro.
Castro throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Dong Hyuk misses with a body kick.
It seemed like Castro was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Dong Hyuk on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Castro slips under a jab from Dong Hyuk.
Castro misses with a body shot.
Castro comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Castro takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castro connects with a jab.
Dong Hyuk throws a lazy head kick
and Castro counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Dong Hyuk scores with a three punch combo!
Dong Hyuk tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Castro takes a swing at Dong Hyuk's ribcage but misses.
Good work by Dong Hyuk as he checks the leg kick.
Castro throws a right and a left that Dong Hyuk avoids nicely.

Castro has taken the fight to the clinch.
Dong Hyuk stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Giovani Castro seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Castro throws a head punch that misses.
Castro looking to slow down the pace here.
Dong Hyuk blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Castro looking to slow down the pace here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castro lands with a left to the head.

Dong Hyuk manages to pull guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dong Hyuk being controlled here, momentarily.
Castro trying to control but Dong Hyuk is working from the bottom.

Dong Hyuk working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Castro doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Castro manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Castro loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Castro throwing strikes but missing.
Castro throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dong Hyuk works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shin Dong Hyuk showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Dong Hyuk, 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Josh West scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shin Dong Hyuk!
Shin Dong Hyuk decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.