PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hong Stephenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chang Wong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chang Wong will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Stephenson
vs
Wong

184 cm
18
140 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

175 cm
19
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hong Stephenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Chang Wong!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shigeki Sano and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Wong darts in and clinches Stephenson up against the cage.
Stephenson misses with a body punch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Wong just misses with a elbow thrown towards Stephenson's brow.
Wong being controlled against the cage.
Wong working hard to break the clinch.
Wong wants to break the clinch but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Wong successfully pulls guard.
Wong is looking to sweep but instead, Stephenson has passed into half guard.
Stephenson tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wong wants to get back to full guard.
Wong keeps trying to improve his position.

Wong looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Wong is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Wong is looking to improve his position.
Wong is trying to control but can't.

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.
Wong tries to get to full guard but Stephenson has control of the leg.
Stephenson thows a huge punch but Wong dodges it nicely.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Stephenson in particular looking to stall.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Stephenson doesn't manage to clinch there - Wong circles away.
Wong drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Stephenson defends it well.

Wong changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Stephenson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Wong taking a breather here.
Stephenson is not content to let Wong control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wong stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Wong.

Stephenson throws Wong to one side and escapes!
Stephenson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Stephenson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hong Stephenson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wong lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A punch combination from Wong misses.
Stephenson throwing a counter right hand but Wong manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stephenson gets caught flat footed, as Wong shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wong looks winded!
Stephenson keeping moving, preventing Wong from controlling successfully.
Stephenson is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Stephenson trying to control the position.

Wong avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Stephenson isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Wong stacks Stephenson on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Wong!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Chang Wong will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Wong throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Stephenson tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Wong is in Stephenson's guard.
Stephenson managing to control the position.
Stephenson trying to keep a closed guard but Wong is proving a slippery customer.
Stephenson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wong showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Stephenson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Wong doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Wong manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wong postures up.
Wong is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Wong being controlled here momentarily.

Stephenson working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Wong has passed into half guard!
Stephenson trying to control here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Stephenson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

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.
Wong trying to control the position from guard on top but Stephenson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wong controls from within his opponent's guard.
Stephenson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Wong prevents Stephenson from getting back to his feet.
Wong is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Stephenson is looking to stand up but Wong isn't so interested in that idea.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Wong drives through with a takedown into Stephenson's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Wong trying to control the position from guard on top but Stephenson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wong must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Wong lands a couple of elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wong is stalling in the full guard.
Stephenson is looking to stand up but Wong isn't so interested in that idea.
Stephenson keeping moving, preventing Wong from controlling successfully.
Stephenson is trying to keep Wong in close.

Stephenson looking for a guillotine here but Wong defends easily.

Stephenson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

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.
Wong seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Wong trying to control the position from guard on top but Stephenson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wong is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Wong has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Stephenson is proving hard to escape from.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stephenson trying to control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Wong feints and as Stephenson raises his hands in defense, Wong changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Stephenson wriggles free and stands up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chang Wong showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Wong misses with a leg kick.
It looked like Stephenson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

Wong shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Wong wants to take a breather but Stephenson is having none of it.
Stephenson tries to get to full guard but Wong has control of the leg.
Stephenson gets full guard.
Stephenson wants to stand but Wong is controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wong wants to pass the guard but Stephenson is keeping the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Stephenson is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wong is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Wong bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Stephenson's guard.

Stephenson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Wong is controlling him.
Wong wanted to stand there but Stephenson had control of the position.
Stephenson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Stephenson has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Wong has passed into side control.
Wong staying calm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson wants to control but Wong postures up.
Stephenson is looking for a sweep.

Wong decides to stand back up. Wong steps back and let's Stephenson get back to his feet.

Wong closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Stephenson did well to prevent Wong getting side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wong trying to control the action but Stephenson is working from the bottom.

Stephenson has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Wong escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Wong!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wong stands up.

Wong closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Stephenson to the mat! Stephenson manages to get full guard.
Stephenson controlling the position.
Wong pushing down on Stephenson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Stephenson controlling the position well.

Wong decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Wong fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Stephenson sprawls well initially but Wong persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Stephenson is looking to escape.
Wong content to control rather than advance.
Stephenson wants to control but Wong is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Wong is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wong missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hong Stephenson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Chang Wong is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Stephenson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Wong pulls his head out easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chang Wong comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Wong has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chang Wong!