PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between William Blake (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shin Dong Hyuk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Blake might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Dead Man. 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.

Blake
vs
Dong Hyuk

160 cm
24
141 lbs
17 - 5 - 1

167 cm
27
145 lbs
21 - 7 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

MayheM sportswear
Reaper Combatwear

Museum of Monsters & Madmen
Sun-Tzu

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, William Blake!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shin Dong Hyuk!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Colin Fotheringham and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blake lands with a shot to the body.
Blake misses with a right hand
and Dong Hyuk counters with a head kick.
Dong Hyuk is looking to chop away at Blake's legs.
An inside leg kick from Dong Hyuk misses.
Jab, jab by Dong Hyuk - just one landing.
Blake shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Dong Hyuk slips a straight right by Blake.

Blake shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Dong Hyuk napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Blake in side control lands a decent elbow.
Dong Hyuk is trying to improve his position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Blake working away.
Blake controls the position from side control.
Dong Hyuk is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blake trying to control the action but Dong Hyuk is working from the bottom.
Dong Hyuk has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Dong Hyuk sneaks back into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Dong Hyuk manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Blake pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Dong Hyuk is keeping the position for now.

Dong Hyuk has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Blake can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Blake lands a couple of digs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Dong Hyuk is adopting a defensive guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dong Hyuk manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Blake manages to get himself to full guard.

Blake is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Dong Hyuk trying to control but Blake is working from the bottom.
Dong Hyuk tries to free his leg and advance position but Blake is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blake looking to hit a scissor sweep but Dong Hyuk is one step ahead there.
Blake trying to control the position.
Blake is looking to sweep but instead, Dong Hyuk has passed into half guard.
Dong Hyuk tries to pass the half guard into mount. Blake knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Blake wants to improve his position but Dong Hyuk is controlling well.
Dong Hyuk is looking to pass Blake's guard but actually Blake recovers to full guard.
Blake looking for a sweep. Not yet Blake, not yet.
Blake is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Dong Hyuk stands and throws Blake's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Blake tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Dong Hyuk easily slips into full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Shin Dong Hyuk will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Blake fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Blake misses the target.
Nice jab there from Blake.
Blake moves out of range as Dong Hyuk throws a body kick.
Blake takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Blake misses the jab.
Blake connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Blake fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Blake throws a shot from downtown. Dong Hyuk moves away and avoids it.
Dong Hyuk looks to land a body kick but Blake moved away.
Blake was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blake misses with a wild body shot.
Dong Hyuk catches Blake with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Blake ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dong Hyuk moves away.
William Blake is winning the standup battle so far.
Blake throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A bone on bone clash there as Blake blocks the leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dong Hyuk tries to clinch but Blake moves out of range.
Blake throws a leg kick but Dong Hyuk sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Shin Dong Hyuk is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dong Hyuk needs to keep his hands up - Blake had a free shot at his head there.
Dong Hyuk paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Blake throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Blake tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Dong Hyuk defends well and Blake ends up having to push Dong Hyuk into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Dong Hyuk. Blake does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dong Hyuk throws a hook to the side of Blake's head but Blake sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Blake is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Dong Hyuk.
Blake avoids the head kick by Dong Hyuk.
Dong Hyuk plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Dong Hyuk lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Good standup being displayed there by Blake as he connects with a hook.
Shin Dong Hyuk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Blake with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dong Hyuk steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Blake.
Blake connects with a nice looking jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dong Hyuk misses with a jab, cross combination.
Blake chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Dong Hyuk can pounce on him.
A good leg kick by Dong Hyuk.
Blake throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Blake takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Dong Hyuk is looking to clinch.
Blake lands a nice shot that snaps Dong Hyuk's head back.
A combination from Blake does no damage.
Blake throws a leg kick that is checked
and Dong Hyuk counters with a nice kick to the body.
Blake shoots in for a double leg but Dong Hyuk sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Dong Hyuk tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Blake manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Blake checks a low kick from Dong Hyuk.
Blake lands a nice shot to the body.
Blake shoots in for a takedown but Dong Hyuk shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for William Blake. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dong Hyuk motions for Blake to come forward. Dong Hyuk throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blake loads up on a big right hand but Dong Hyuk slips the punch.
Dong Hyuk fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Blake checks it well.
Blake darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Blake sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Dong Hyuk throws a leg kick which misses Blake's front leg but catches the back leg as Blake tries to avoid it.
Blake misses the shot to the body.
Dong Hyuk throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A thudding body kick lands there by Dong Hyuk!
Blake slips a jab and a cross from Dong Hyuk.
It looked like Blake wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A big left from Blake misses.
Dong Hyuk is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Blake misses with a left hand
and Dong Hyuk counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Dong Hyuk tries to land a front kick but Blake steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Dong Hyuk takes the fight into the clinch.
Dong Hyuk gets through Blake's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Blake lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Blake breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dong Hyuk stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Dong Hyuk moves away from the strike by Blake.
Blake throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Blake checks a leg kick.
Blake throws a low kick but Dong Hyuk moves out of range easily.
Dong Hyuk keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Blake.
Dong Hyuk has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Dong Hyuk throws a quick inside leg kick.
Dong Hyuk digs a good body shot into Blake's ribs.
Blake uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Dong Hyuk has time to react.
Blake throws the left hand but Dong Hyuk avoids the punch easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dong Hyuk throws a nice outside leg kick.
Blake throws out a loose jab but Dong Hyuk uses good head movement to avoid it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Dong Hyuk.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Shin Dong Hyuk will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action!

Dong Hyuk takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Dong Hyuk misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And Blake counters with a quick kick to the body but Dong Hyuk blocks it.
Dong Hyuk misses with a leg kick
and Blake counters with a straight right hand.
Dong Hyuk uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Blake.
Dong Hyuk will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Sloppy strikes from Dong Hyuk. Those never looked like landing.
Dong Hyuk lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Blake misses with a low kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Blake, right into the meat.
Blake gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Dong Hyuk.
Dong Hyuk misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Blake is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dong Hyuk uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Blake.
Blake with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Blake throws a hook but Dong Hyuk avoids it easily.
Dong Hyuk stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Dong Hyuk wants it to stay on the feet.
Blake shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Dong Hyuk but Dong Hyuk pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dong Hyuk is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
It looked like Blake was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Dong Hyuk.
Blake misses with a wild body shot.
Blake thows a leg kick but Dong Hyuk checks it
and Dong Hyuk makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Blake fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Dong Hyuk looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Dong Hyuk tries to clinch

and Blake counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Blake.

Blake got a little sloppy there for a moment and Dong Hyuk has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Blake has managed to get both his arms back between Dong Hyuk's legs - danger averted.
Blake content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Dong Hyuk wants to control but Blake passes easily into half guard.
Blake thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Dong Hyuk's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dong Hyuk trying to control here.
Blake wants to take a breather but Dong Hyuk is having none of it.
Dong Hyuk tries to get to full guard but Blake has control of the leg.
Blake is trying to control. Dong Hyuk wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Blake wants to advance to full mount but Dong Hyuk doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Blake is pushing down on Dong Hyuk's leg trying to pass to half guard. Dong Hyuk is fighting to maintain full guard but Blake has managed to sneak the leg through.
Dong Hyuk wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blake is thwarting Dong Hyuk's attempts to control the position.
Dong Hyuk slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Dong Hyuk looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Dong Hyuk wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Blake is now in half guard.
Dong Hyuk avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Blake.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Blake tries to pass the half guard into mount. Dong Hyuk knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Dong Hyuk is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Blake pulls his head out easily.

Dong Hyuk looking for submissions off his back.
Blake sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Dong Hyuk is in trouble now - Blake has advanced to mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Blake clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Blake misses with a body shot.
Blake scores with a nice strike.
Blake connects with a jab.
Blake throws the left hand but Dong Hyuk avoids the punch easily.
Blake throws a low kick but it's checked well by Dong Hyuk.
Blake avoids the head kick by Dong Hyuk.
Dong Hyuk tries to land a leg kick but Blake saw it coming and moves away.
Blake throws a looping overhand right but Dong Hyuk ducks down to avoid it.
Dong Hyuk throws a sloppy head kick and Blake moves out of range easily.
Blake blocks a head kick by Dong Hyuk.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dong Hyuk tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Blake swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Dong Hyuk.
Dong Hyuk fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Blake is out of range.
Blake looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
A clash of legs there as Blake blocks the low kick.
Dong Hyuk throws an off balance right hand
and Blake counters with a thumping low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Dong Hyuk.
Blake misses with a body shot.
Blake ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Dong Hyuk walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Blake lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Blake turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Dong Hyuk lands a nice shot that snaps Blake's head back.
Dong Hyuk throws a low kick but it's checked well by Blake.
Dong Hyuk misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dong Hyuk misses with a two punch combination.
Blake was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Dong Hyuk is looking to chop away at Blake's legs.
A thudding body kick lands there by Dong Hyuk!
Dong Hyuk feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Blake's calf.
Dong Hyuk throws a leg kick that is checked

and Blake counters with a nice double leg into side control. Dong Hyuk won't be happy with that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Blake throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Dong Hyuk works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blake is controlling the pace.
Blake not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Blake seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Dong Hyuk does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Blake not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blake wants to control but Dong Hyuk is keeping him busy.
Dong Hyuk is looking to control Blake's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Dong Hyuk avoid being mounted?
Dong Hyuk slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Dong Hyuk throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Blake won't allow Dong Hyuk to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Blake wants to pass the guard but Dong Hyuk is defending well.
Blake keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Blake wants to control but Dong Hyuk is keeping him busy.
Dong Hyuk desperately trying to maintain half guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Dong Hyuk pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Blake changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Dong Hyuk tries a low kick but Blake avoids it.
Blake lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Dong Hyuk at a distance.
Nice shot by Blake.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Blake had his way with Shin Dong Hyuk in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Dong Hyuk misses with a kick to the body.
Blake throws an off balance right hand
and Dong Hyuk counters with a nice low kick that buckles Blake's knee momentarily.
Dong Hyuk scores with a body shot.

Dong Hyuk clinches up with Blake and pushes him back against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Dong Hyuk creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A left hand lands to the body for Blake.
Dong Hyuk prevents Blake from breaking the clinch.
Dong Hyuk throws a head punch that misses.
Dong Hyuk throws a punch but it's blocked by Blake.
Blake wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Dong Hyuk has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dong Hyuk is pushing Blake up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Blake misses with a short punch on the inside.
Dong Hyuk stalling against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dong Hyuk stalling the fight.
The crowd are getting on Dong Hyuk's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.

Blake manages to break the clinch.
Blake thuds a left hand into Dong Hyuk's body.
Blake wants to land a leg kick but Dong Hyuk is out of range.
Blake tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dong Hyuk was well out of range. Poor timing from Blake.
Dong Hyuk throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Blake's head.
Blake tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dong Hyuk was well out of range. Poor timing from Blake.
Nice shot by Dong Hyuk.
Blake looks to throw the jab but Dong Hyuk is out of range.
Blake throws the left hand but Dong Hyuk avoids the punch easily.
Dong Hyuk looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Blake tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Blake on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Dong Hyuk lands a right hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dong Hyuk throws a sloppy head kick and Blake moves out of range easily.
Dong Hyuk ducks under a wild hook from Blake.
Dong Hyuk feints and then cracks Blake's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Blake down.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dong Hyuk is looking to land body kicks.
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.
Blake swats away the attempt to clinch by Dong Hyuk.
A punch lands to the side of Blake 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Dong Hyuk keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Blake throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dong Hyuk dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Blake waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Dong Hyuk.
It seemed like Dong Hyuk was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Blake dives in for a single leg takedown but Dong Hyuk sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dong Hyuk lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Blake tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Dong Hyuk is able to avoid easily.
Dong Hyuk steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Blake.
Dong Hyuk is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Dong Hyuk tries to land a body kick
and Blake counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Blake connects with a nice looking jab.
Dong Hyuk lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Blake looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Blake catches Dong Hyuk with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Dong Hyuk throws a front kick that sends Blake stumbling back into the cage.
Blake pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Blake misses with a low kick.
An inside leg kick from Dong Hyuk misses.

Blake looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Blake is trying to control the action in half guard but Dong Hyuk is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dong Hyuk trying to control but Blake postures up.

Dong Hyuk looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Dong Hyuk tries to get to full guard but Blake has control of the leg.
Dong Hyuk moves into full guard.
Blake pushing down on Dong Hyuk's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shin Dong Hyuk comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Dong Hyuk 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 49:46
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 47:48
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Shin Dong Hyuk! Shin Dong Hyuk retains his bantamweight title!
A victorious Shin Dong Hyuk thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.