PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bill Blackburn (ranked 25337 p4p, 0 weight class) and Man Soo Hjung (ranked 5233 p4p, 0 weight class). Hjung has chosen Korean National Anthem as his entrance music. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Blackburn
vs
Soo Hjung

212 cm
24
140 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

177 cm
21
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Bill Blackburn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Man Soo Hjung!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Patrick Alders and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hjung takes the fight into the clinch.
Blackburn is pressed up against the cage. Hjung has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Blackburn down to the mat. Blackburn avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
A head kick misses from Hjung.
Hjung tries to bum rush Blackburn with a series of wild strikes but Blackburn uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Blackburn is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hjung pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Blackburn goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hjung prevents it.
Blackburn has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hjung is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bill Blackburn. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Blackburn misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hjung will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Blackburn up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blackburn tries for a takedown. No joy.

Hjung escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Blackburn really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Hjung has closed the distance and engaged Blackburn in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blackburn tries for a takedown. No joy.

Hjung's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Hjung clinches.
Hjung gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Blackburn.
A short uppercut from Hjung.
Blackburn is looking to take this one to the mat.
Blackburn is trying to pull guard but Hjung turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Hjung is trying to drag Blackburn to the mat but Blackburn just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Hjung breaks from the clinch.

Blackburn gets tackled into the cage by Hjung. Hjung maintains the clinch.
Blackburn is trying to maintain a safe position but Hjung gets an underhook and turns Blackburn into the cage.
Blackburn is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hjung pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hjung lands a left hand.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hjung is struggling to control the position.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Hjung.
Hjung wants a takedown but no success here.
Blackburn is trying to pull guard but Hjung turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Hjung stops a takedown attempt from Blackburn.
Blackburn has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hjung avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Blackburn tries to score a body lock takedown but Hjung shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Blackburn is breathing heavily.
Hjung tries to throw a body punch but Blackburn avoids it by throwing Hjung back against the cage.
Blackburn has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hjung after a bit of a struggle.
Hjung stalling in the clinch.

Hjung's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Man Soo Hjung seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hjung throws a right and a left that Blackburn avoids nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Blackburn on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hjung throws a head kick but Blackburn moves out of range.
Hjung lands a nice hook to Blackburn's body. Blackburn takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Blackburn gets tackled into the cage by Hjung. Hjung maintains the clinch.

Blackburn breaks from the clinch.
Hjung connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Hjung shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hjung misses with a series of wild punches.
Hjung tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Blackburn swivels and escapes.
Blackburn throws a big counter combination but Hjung scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hjung swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Blackburn counters with a nice double leg into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Blackburn is working Hjung over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Hjung wants to get back to his feet but Blackburn is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Blackburn lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Blackburn accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Blackburn scoring with punches to the head and body.
Blackburn throwing strikes from guard but Hjung blocks nicely.
Blackburn is looking to work some ground and pound but Hjung has wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Blackburn stops Hjung from standing up.
Blackburn makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Man Soo Hjung dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hjung misses with a straight right.
Hjung fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Blackburn feinted with a counter takedown.

Hjung has closed the distance and engaged Blackburn in a clinch.

Hjung manages to break the clinch.
Hjung looks to throw the jab but Blackburn is out of range.
Blackburn jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.

Hjung moves into the clinch.
Hjung has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Hjung pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hjung shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Blackburn counters with a series of strikes. Hjung will be more careful next time no doubt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blackburn tries to move into range but Hjung moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Blackburn avoids the head kick by Hjung.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hjung moves into the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Blackburn as Hjung tries to tie him up.
A short right from Hjung.
Hjung is breathing heavily.
Hjung misses with a knee to the head.
Blackburn misses with an elbow strike.

Blackburn is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Hjung can't fight it off and eventually Blackburn manages to take the fight to the floor. Hjung looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Hjung has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Blackburn has passed into side control.
Blackburn lands a few punches from side control.
Blackburn creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Blackburn scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hjung taking a bit of punishment here - Blackburn scoring with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hjung is looking for a sweep.

Blackburn wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hjung, who protects the arm well.
Bill Blackburn overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
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!
Blackburn lands an elbow.
Blackburn working the head and body with strikes.
Blackburn landing a few strikes.
Hjung is looking to regain half guard here but Blackburn keeps moving and retains side control.
Blackburn works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Blackburn landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blackburn scores with a couple of short elbows.

Hjung is rocked!
Blackburn cracks Hjung with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Hjung is still in real trouble! Can Blackburn finish him?
Blackburn cracks Hjung with a big elbow. Oh, he's hurt! Blackburn immediately mounts and start dropping bombs! Hjung is done! The referee jumps in and saves him from any more punishment - a quick and decisive finish by Blackburn!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:28 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Bill Blackburn!