PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Shinjo Tepanake (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Moon Gunjoo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Tepanake
vs
Gunjoo

170 cm
22
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

165 cm
22
136 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Inexperienced

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Determined

FIREPOWER 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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shinjo Tepanake!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Moon Gunjoo!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Hirohito Nitta and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tepanake lands a high kick!
Tepanake fails in his attempt to clinch.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tepanake.
A punch combination from Gunjoo misses.
Nice sprawl there from Gunjoo as Tepanake shoots in.
Tepanake is looking to chop away at Gunjoo's legs.
Gunjoo paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Gunjoo is looking to slow Tepanake down with leg kicks.
Gunjoo works Tepanake's body with a nice hook.
Gunjoo misses with a wild combination.
Gunjoo lands a nice leg kick that just misses Tepanake's sensitive parts.
Gunjoo wants to clinch up but Tepanake keeps it at a distance.
Gunjoo stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tepanake.
A slapping leg kick lands for Gunjoo.
Tepanake throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A low kick from Tepanake is predictable there
and Gunjoo counters with a two punch combo.

Gunjoo shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Gunjoo is in close to Tepanake's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Gunjoo lands a couple of elbows.
Gunjoo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Tepanake preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tepanake tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gunjoo thows a big elbow that misses.
Gunjoo stopping the sweep attempt from Tepanake.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunjoo prevents Tepanake from getting back to his feet.
Tepanake utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gunjoo stands up over Tepanake, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Gunjoo with a nice head shot there.
Gunjoo would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Gunjoo avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Tepanake is breathing heavily.

Gunjoo thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Tepanake pushes Gunjoo off and scrambles back to his feet.
Tepanake takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Tepanake rushes Gunjoo and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Gunjoo with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tepanake takes an elbow to the forehead.
Gunjoo looking to throw knees to the head but Tepanake is blocking nicely.
Gunjoo with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunjoo landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Gunjoo misses with some punches.
Tepanake avoids the elbow strike from Gunjoo, against the ropes.
Tepanake scores with a knee to the head.
Tepanake prevents a takedown attempt there.
Tepanake misses with a knee strike.
Gunjoo with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Gunjoo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gunjoo lands an elbow that stopped Tepanake in his tracks for a moment.

Tepanake is rocked!
Gunjoo landing knees to the body.
Oh Tepanake is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
A knee to the head by Gunjoo.
Gunjoo tries to land knees in the clinch but Tepanake avoids the damage to the body.
Tepanake wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gunjoo has him pressed against the ropes.
Tepanake avoiding damage as Gunjoo throws knees to the body.
Gunjoo looking to throw knees to the head but Tepanake is blocking nicely.
Tepanake prevents the takedown attempt.
Tepanake lands a nice knee to the body.
Gunjoo connects with a knee to the head.
Gunjoo fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Shinjo Tepanake has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Moon Gunjoo.
Gunjoo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tepanake tries to pull guard but Gunjoo won't allow it.
Tepanake tries for a takedown but Gunjoo manages to get underhooks.
Gunjoo stops a takedown attempt from Tepanake.
Gunjoo tries a knee to the head but Tepanake blocks it.
Tepanake looking to throw knees to the head but Gunjoo is blocking nicely.
Gunjoo misses with a knee strike.
Gunjoo throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gunjoo tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tepanake smiles and moves away.
Tepanake tries a head kick but it misses.
Some bone on bone action there as Gunjoo checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Tepanake seems to have got his legs back now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunjoo is looking to clinch.
Tepanake misses with a head kick.
Tepanake throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gunjoo wants to clinch up but Tepanake keeps it at a distance.
Gunjoo keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Tepanake moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A good leg kick by Tepanake.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Tepanake throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Tepanake scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Tepanake misses with a leg kick

and Gunjoo counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Gunjoo has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Tepanake avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Tepanake manages to break the clinch.
Tepanake is looking to score with low kicks.
Tepanake avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gunjoo avoids the head kick by Tepanake.
Gunjoo scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Gunjoo scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Tepanake fails to land with a series of punches.
Gunjoo is looking to clinch but Tepanake is avoiding it.
Gunjoo throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Gunjoo connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Tepanake gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Tepanake is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Gunjoo is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gunjoo landing with the ground and pound.
Gunjoo slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Gunjoo decides to stand back up.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tepanake scoring well with a low kick there.
Tepanake throws a series of punches but Gunjoo avoids them all with ease.
Tepanake throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Tepanake misses with a head kick.
Gunjoo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Tepanake fails to land the takedown.
Gunjoo wants to clinch up but Tepanake keeps it at a distance.

Gunjoo looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gunjoo wants to stand up but Tepanake has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Tepanake blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gunjoo.
Gunjoo has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Tepanake works to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Moon Gunjoo dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tepanake shoots in and bounces Gunjoo off the ropes to secure the takedown into guard.
Gunjoo is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Gunjoo is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Tepanake is in close to Gunjoo's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Tepanake prevents Gunjoo from getting back to his feet.

Tepanake stands up from Gunjoo's guard - Tepanake perhaps looking for a knockout.
Tepanake lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Gunjoo checks a leg kick.
Tepanake will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Gunjoo lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Gunjoo.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gunjoo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tepanake is looking to slow Gunjoo down with leg kicks.
Tepanake looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A nice leg kick lands there from Tepanake.

Gunjoo gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Gunjoo is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tepanake is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tepanake is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Tepanake stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gunjoo swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gunjoo throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Gunjoo wants to stand up but Tepanake is controlling him.
Gunjoo wants to sweep but no luck.
Gunjoo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Tepanake. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Gunjoo is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Gunjoo shoots in but Tepanake avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A left and a right from Gunjoo both land. Nice combination.
Tepanake showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gunjoo.
Gunjoo moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Tepanake throws a leg kick but Gunjoo sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's two 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.

Gunjoo closes the distance and clinches.
Gunjoo lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Gunjoo's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Gunjoo misses with a knee strike.

Tepanake breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gunjoo moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Tepanake looks frusrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Gunjoo has closed the distance and engaged Tepanake in a clinch.
A short uppercut from Tepanake.
A left hand lands to the body for Tepanake.
Tepanake tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Tepanake is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Gunjoo gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Tepanake throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Tepanake lands an elbow just above Gunjoo 's eye.

Tepanake breaks the clinch.
Tepanake shoots in and drives through. Gunjoo sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shinjo Tepanake. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Tepanake shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Tepanake showed some decent athleticism there.
Nice strikes from Tepanake there.
Gunjoo is trying to stand.
Moon Gunjoo has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tepanake winds up and cracks Gunjoo with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Gunjoo wants to get back to his feet.
Gunjoo works his way to full guard. Good work.

Gunjoo has his feet on Tepanake's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Tepanake.
Some wild striking there from Tepanake.
Tepanake misses with a head kick.
Gunjoo tries to clinch up but Tepanake circles away and keeps his distance.
Tepanake shoots in but no luck this time.
Gunjoo scores with a push kick.
Tepanake moves in looking to clinch but Gunjoo pushes him off.

Gunjoo scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Tepanake takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Gunjoo works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Tepanake pushes Gunjoo away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Gunjoo gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Tepanake takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Tepanake gets back to half guard.
Gunjoo trying to mount his opponent but Tepanake defends it.
Tepanake wants to improve his position but Gunjoo is controlling well.

Gunjoo gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tepanake moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Gunjoo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gunjoo fails with a takedown attempt.

Tepanake shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Tepanake stops Gunjoo from standing up.
Tepanake trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tepanake trying to control the position from guard on top but Gunjoo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gunjoo is looking to stand up but Tepanake isn't so interested in that idea.
Tepanake working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Shinjo Tepanake will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Tepanake throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
A good leg kick by Tepanake.
Tepanake goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Tepanake shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gunjoo as he avoids it easily.
Gunjoo misses with a two punch combination.
Tepanake with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Gunjoo to score with a decent uppercut.
Gunjoo throws a shot to the body.
Tepanake fails with the takedown.
Tepanake dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Gunjoo. That did some damage!
Tepanake misses with a body shot.
Tepanake misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Gunjoo gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Gunjoo is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tepanake is controlling him.
Tepanake slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Tepanake postures up in Gunjoo's guard and throws a big left but Gunjoo blocks it.
Tepanake trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tepanake stopping the sweep attempt from Gunjoo.
Tepanake scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunjoo can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Tepanake controls the pace.
Tepanake slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Tepanake stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Gunjoo throws a nice looking combination but Tepanake bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gunjoo takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Tepanake keeps the fight on the outside.
Tepanake scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Tepanake chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Tepanake lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Gunjoo backs up against the ropes.

Gunjoo gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Gunjoo is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Tepanake has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Tepanake won't allow Gunjoo to get back to his feet.
Gunjoo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tepanake lands a couple of elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tepanake keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Gunjoo's head.
Gunjoo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tepanake landing some decent shots from guard.
Tepanake controlling from the top position.
Tepanake stops Gunjoo from standing up.
Tepanake makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Gunjoo is looking to stand back up but Tepanake counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Gunjoo.
Gunjoo takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Gunjoo is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Tepanake off and has taken his back!
Gunjoo is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Tepanake trying to control but not successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gunjoo working for a choke but Tepanake is defending well.
Tepanake controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Gunjoo is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Tepanake up.
Tepanake tries to break free.
Gunjoo is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Tepanake up.
Tepanake rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Tepanake wants to get back to his feet.

Gunjoo decides to return to a standing position.
Tepanake throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A nice combination there by Tepanake.
No joy there for Tepanake, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Gunjoo clinches with his opponent.
Gunjoo throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gunjoo breaks from the clinch.
Gunjoo throws a one two combo.

Tepanake closes the distance and clinches.
Tepanake misses with a knee strike.

Gunjoo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Tepanake clinches up against the ropes.
Gunjoo goes for a takedown attempt but Tepanake pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Gunjoo throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Tepanake counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Gunjoo throws a nice outside leg kick.
Gunjoo connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Tepanake's hands.
Tepanake throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Tepanake tries a low kick but Gunjoo avoids it.
Gunjoo connects with the punch.
Gunjoo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Tepanake decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Gunjoo actively working from the bottom here.
Gunjoo is looking to improve his position.
Tepanake stops Gunjoo from getting back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tepanake takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Tepanake is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Tepanake wants to control but Gunjoo is keeping him busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shinjo Tepanake showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Tepanake has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:28
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shinjo Tepanake!