PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Juan Pique (ranked 791 p4p, 541 weight class) and Bong Ji Woo (ranked 98 p4p, 67 weight class). Pique comes to the cage accompanied by Piranha. Ji Woo has chosen 나쁜 달 상승 as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Pique
vs
Ji Woo

170 cm
27
145
11 - 7 - 1

169 cm
35
149
26 - 14 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Conviction

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 1, fighting out of London, Juan Pique!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 14 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bong Ji Woo!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Sosuke Kotani and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pique throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Ji Woo takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
A head kick by Ji Woo misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Ji Woo dips to his left and cracks Pique with an uppercut!
Pique throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ji Woo avoids the body shot from Pique.
Pique has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Pique scores with a hook to the body. Ji Woo takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Pique thuds his right hand into Ji Woo's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Pique lands a jab.
Ji Woo walks into a jab.
Pique ducks under a wild hook from Ji Woo.
Pique slips under a jab.
Ji Woo checks a leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ji Woo tries to bum rush Pique with a series of wild strikes but Pique uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ji Woo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Pique circles away quickly and effectively.
Pique avoids the body shot from Ji Woo.
Ji Woo misses with an uppercut.
Pique tries a head kick but it misses.
Pique works the jab nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pique swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ji Woo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ji Woo's corner calls for a 1-2. Ji Woo obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Ji Woo slips a straight right by Pique.
Juan Pique is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pique throws a body shot but no joy.
Ji Woo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Pique.
Ji Woo dives in and grabs Pique's left leg, looking for a takedown. Pique pushes down on Ji Woo's head and hops out.
Pique lands a jab.
Ji Woo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ji Woo thows a left - swing and a miss!
Pique lands a head shot.
Pique looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ji Woo misses with a takedown attempt - Pique sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Juan Pique has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bong Ji Woo.
Pique throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ji Woo.
Ji Woo lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Ji Woo's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Ji Woo duly obliges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pique avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A slow jab from Ji Woo misses its intended target.
Pique fires out a quick counter leg kick but Ji Woo just manages to avoid it.
Pique misses with a leg kick.
Pique with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Ji Woo closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Ji Woo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Ji Woo remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
You can see the frustration on Pique's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Pique is looking to regain half guard here but Ji Woo keeps moving and retains side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pique struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
I wouldn't like to be where Pique is right now.
Pique tries to improve position but can't.
Pique parries the strikes from Ji Woo easily there. Ji Woo is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Pique to escape.

Ji Woo tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ji Woo has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Ji Woo is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Pique knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Ji Woo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Ji Woo wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Pique, who protects the arm well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ji Woo tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Pique prevents Ji Woo from moving into mount.

Ji Woo is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Pique knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Ji Woo wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Pique, who protects the arm well.

Ji Woo working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Ji Woo throws a strike aimed at the side of Pique's head but Pique avoids it well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Juan Pique will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nice shot by Ji Woo.
Pique tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ji Woo was well out of range. Poor timing from Pique.
Juan Pique is winning the standup battle so far.

Ji Woo moves into the clinch successfully.
Pique lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ji Woo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ji Woo as Pique tries to tie him up.
Ji Woo struggles to land a body shot inside as Pique controls his hands.
Ji Woo misses with a punch on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Ji Woo.
A short right from Ji Woo.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ji Woo.
Ji Woo pushes Pique back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ji Woo throws a head punch that misses.
Ji Woo misses with some punches.
Pique lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pique misses with a short punch on the inside.
Pique tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Pique misses with a punch on the inside.
Ji Woo lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ji Woo digs a right hand underneath Pique's ribcage. Pique let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Pique scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ji Woo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Pique tries a body shot but Ji Woo blocks it.
Ji Woo drops down looking for an ankle pick but Pique pulls his leg out and moves away.
Ji Woo moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Ji Woo throws a right and a left that both miss.
Pique goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Good standup being displayed there by Pique as he connects with a hook.
Ji Woo tries to clinch but Pique is having none of it.
Pique pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Pique throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pique throws a jab but it's blocked by Ji Woo.
Bong Ji Woo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Pique closes the distance and clinches.
Ji Woo working aggressively here.
Ji Woo lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ji Woo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Pique tries to work over Ji Woo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pique blocking some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ji Woo.
Ji Woo blocking some punches.
Ji Woo wants to stall.
Ji Woo looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Pique breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pique just misses with a punch to the body.
Pique throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ji Woo fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Pique looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A solid leg kick lands there for Pique.
Ji Woo moves out of range of the leg kick from Pique.
Ji Woo throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Ji Woo throws a lazy right hand but Pique sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ji Woo throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Pique sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Pique lands with a shot to the body.
Ji Woo scoring well with a low kick there.
Nice defenses there by Pique.
Ji Woo misses with the combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ji Woo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pique moves away.
Pique throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ji Woo stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Ji Woo drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Pique sneaks out the side door and pushes Ji Woo away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
A combination from Ji Woo does no damage.
A little feinted left hand from Pique on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Pique, as that shot connected.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pique walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ji Woo checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

Ji Woo rushes Pique and presses him up against the cage.
Pique misses with a hook to the ribs.
Pique lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Pique tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Pique.
Ji Woo blocks the elbow strike.
Pique stops a takedown attempt from Ji Woo.
Juan Pique has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bong Ji Woo.
Pique misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ji Woo lands with a short shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Pique on the inside.
Pique trying to control the position but instead, Ji Woo has worked for underhooks and has pushed Pique into the cage.
Bong Ji Woo seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ji Woo pushes Pique back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Ji Woo fails to land.
Ji Woo has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Pique avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Good body shot from Pique.
Ji Woo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ji Woo is looking to control Pique's arms but Pique gets an underhook and turns him. Now Ji Woo has his back to the cage.
Ji Woo tries to break the clinch but Pique is controlling the position.
Pique lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ji Woo.
A nice right hand lands inside from Pique.
Ji Woo tries a body shot but Pique blocks it.
Pique softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pique scores with a shot to the side of Ji Woo's head.

Ji Woo breaks the clinch.
Pique lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Nice uppercut lands for Pique. That snapped Ji Woo's head back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Juan Pique will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Ji Woo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Pique moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ji Woo connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ji Woo.
A right-left combo lands from Ji Woo.
Pique looks to throw the jab but Ji Woo is out of range.
Nice defenses there by Pique.
Ji Woo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Ji Woo scores with a takedown into Pique's guard.

Ji Woo drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ji Woo jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Ji Woo working some strikes from top position.
Pique controlling the position.
Pique is trying to keep Ji Woo in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ji Woo thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Pique holds on and takes a little breather.

Pique working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ji Woo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ji Woo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Pique preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ji Woo preventing the sweep.
Ji Woo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pique works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ji Woo trying to control the position from guard on top but Pique is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bong Ji Woo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two 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.
Pique is trying to keep Ji Woo in close.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Pique misses with a looping left.
Pique lands an overhand right.
Pique with a hook.
Pique listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Pique takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Pique avoids a kick to the body.

Ji Woo drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Pique has his feet on Ji Woo's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Ji Woo doesn't manage to clinch there - Pique circles away.
Pique throws a lazy right hand but Ji Woo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ji Woo lands a jab to the head.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ji Woo. That's going to slow Pique down.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Pique. Ji Woo shrugs it off though.
Ji Woo lands a nice hook to Pique's body. Pique takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ji Woo lands a jab to the nose.
Pique listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ji Woo scores with a jab.
Ji Woo moves out of range of the strikes.
Ji Woo looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ji Woo takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Pique lands with a cross.
Ji Woo fails with a takedown attempt.
It appears Pique was looking to counter with a kick there.
Ji Woo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Pique lands a jab to the head.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ji Woo working aggressively here.
Ji Woo digs a right hand into Pique's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Pique's gas tank.

Ji Woo breaks the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ji Woo throws a looping overhand right but Pique ducks down to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pique buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Pique lands with a shot to the body.
Pique fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ji Woo has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Pique scores with a push kick.
Pique looks to score with a jab to the body but Ji Woo is just out of range.
Ji Woo staying out of range there.
Ji Woo scores with a jab. Pique acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Pique dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ji Woo. That did some damage!
Pique throws an off balance right hand
and Ji Woo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Pique connects with an inside leg kick.
Ji Woo lunges at Pique with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Pique's hand.
Pique checks the leg kick.
Ji Woo walks into a jab.
Ji Woo takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Ji Woo shoots in looking for a takedown but Pique manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ji Woo's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Juan Pique has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bong Ji Woo.
Ji Woo chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Pique can pounce on him.
Pique looks to score with a jab to the body but Ji Woo is just out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Juan Pique.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Pique, 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juan Pique!
During a confident post fight interview, Juan Pique thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.