PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Piotr Hermano (ranked 1825 p4p, 195 weight class) and Gun Seok Bak (ranked 3884 p4p, 351 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Bak's choice of entrance music: Leader, Just Give Us Your Order!. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Hermano
vs
Seok Bak

168 cm
26
150 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

165 cm
19
148 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Piotr Hermano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gun Seok Bak!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, David Schapiro and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bak throws a big shot that misses.
Hermano appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Nice uppercut there from Bak.
Hermano looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Hermano ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Hermano closes the distance and clinches.
Bak tries a body shot but Hermano blocks it.
Hermano can't find room to land a body shot as Bak controls the action.
Hermano prevents Bak from breaking the clinch.
A short right from Hermano on the inside.

Hermano breaks the clinch.
Bak paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Bak loads up on a big right hand but Hermano slips the punch.
Bak 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.
Bak slips a jab from Hermano.
A swing and a miss from Hermano.
Hermano throws a lazy uppercut
and Bak cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hermano swings widly with a right hand
letting Bak counter with a right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice body punch from Bak.
Bak misses with an uppercut. Hermano saw that one coming.
Gun Seok Bak is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hermano bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bak punishes Hermano's body with a nice straight punch.
Bak moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Hermano moves into the clinch.

Bak escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bak will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Bak looks to land a right hand but Hermano moved out of range.
Hermano misses with a jab to the body
and Bak cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bak lands a glancing blow to the side of Hermano's head.
Hermano avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hermano fails with the takedown
and Bak counters with a stiff right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bak pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A big right from Bak misses.
Hermano appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Bak uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hermano.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hermano bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Hermano misses with a looping left.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hermano, as that shot connected.
Hermano throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Bak stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Hermano gets a clinch.

Bak's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hermano loads up on a big right hand but Bak slips the punch.
Hermano misses the shot to the body.
Hermano throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Bak cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hermano lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Bak lands a nice looking body shot.
Hermano throws a body shot but no joy.
Bak throws a hook but Hermano avoids it easily.
Bak stuns Hermano with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Bak is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Hermano had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Bak tries to clinch there but Hermano circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bak works Hermano's body with a nice hook.
Bak throws a lazy right hand but Hermano sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bak lands a right hook to the body.
Hermano blocks a jab.
Bak misses with a looping right.
Bak throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hermano feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Baks jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Hermano avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bak scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Hermano misses with a lunging right hand
and Bak cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hermano throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Bak stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hermano slips under a jab.
Bak works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bak swings widly with a right hand

and Hermano decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Bak's guard.
Bak is looking to stand up but Hermano isn't so interested in that idea.
Hermano postures up and lands a big shot to Bak's brow.
Hermano controlling from the top position.
Hermano keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bak's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bak wants to get back to his feet but Hermano is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gun Seok Bak dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bak throws a series of punches but Hermano moves out of range.
Bak has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hermano thows a left - swing and a miss!
Bak fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hermano looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Bak is looking to clinch but Hermano is avoiding it.
Hermano attempts a counter takedown but Bak avoids it well and moves away.
Bak throws a hook to the side of Hermano's head but Hermano sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hermano ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Hermano uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bak.
Bak avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hermano scores with a jab. Bak acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Hermano misses with a straight left.
Hermano sets himself, and Bak steps forward looking for the clinch! Hermano avoids it this time.
Hermano throws a poor cross that misses
and Bak counters with a stiff right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hermano takes a swing at Bak's ribcage but misses.

Hermano moves into range and clinches up with Bak.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Bak creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A body shot lands from Bak.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hermano swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bak tries to throw a body punch but Hermano avoids it by throwing Bak back against the cage.
Hermano is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Bak wants to break free but Hermano has control.
Bak misses with some punches.
Hermano throws a punch but it's blocked by Bak.
Hermano lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Hermano tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bak's elbow.
Hermano effectively controlling the action here.
Bak swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hermano drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Bak gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hermano struggles to land a body shot inside as Bak controls his hands.
Hermano lands a right hand.

Bak breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bak throws a looping overhand right but Hermano ducks down to avoid it.
Hermano moves forwards but Bak connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hermano fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bak, pushing him back against the cage.
Bak lands a left hand.
Hermano lands a left hand.

Bak's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hermano throws a sloppy body shot
and Bak counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hermano throws a lazy uppercut
and Bak counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A big right from Bak misses.
Bak takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Bak lands the left hand.
No luck for Hermano with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Piotr Hermano. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hermano walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Bak checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Bak tries to clinch but Hermano moves out of range.
Bak misses with a hook.
Hermano staying out of range there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bak misses with an uppercut.
Bak lands a slapping body shot.
A lazy left from Bak finds it's target.
Bak throws a lazy right hand but Hermano sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bak falls off balance throwing a combination

so Hermano counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Bak wants to stand up but Hermano is controlling him.

Bak has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Hermano has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hermano as Bak tries to tie him up.
Bak is trying to stall.
Bak working hard to break the clinch.
Bak working aggressively here.
Bak wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hermano has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hermano blocks a body shot from Bak.
Bak tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hermano's elbow.

Hermano pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hermano is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bak.
Bak might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bak ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Bak misses with a looping right.
Left hook, right uppercut from Bak.
Bak ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
It seemed like Bak was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hermano ducks under a wild hook from Bak.
A jab lands there for Bak.
Bak fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hermano looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hermano throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hermano takes a swing at Bak's ribcage but misses.
Bak throws a lazy right hand but Hermano sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bak lands a two punch combo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gun Seok Bak showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Bak scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Good shot there by Bak.
Bak moves out of range of the strikes.
Bak rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Hermano counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Bak!
Hermano controls the position from side control.
Bak is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hermano is chipping away with strikes.
Bak is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Hermano has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Hermano lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Bak down.
Hermano prevents Bak from escaping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hermano working the ground and pound.
Hermano controls the position.
Bak is trying to get back to his feet.
Bak on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Bak takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Hermano prevents Bak from escaping the position.

Hermano is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Bak is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Bak wants to get back to his feet.
Hermano controls the position from side control.
Piotr Hermano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bak wants to get back to his feet.
Hermano looks up at the clock and then as Bak takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Hermano smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Bak is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Piotr Hermano overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hermano taking a breather here.
Bak is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Hermano is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bak on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Hermano misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Bak is trying to get back to his feet.
Hermano wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bak keeps working.
The referee asks Hermano politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Hermano prefers to stall for the moment though.

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

Hermano tries for a kimura but Bak is defending well.

Hermano looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bak is trying to buck Hermano off.
Hermano working the head with strikes.
Hermano working the ground and pound but Bak is defending the strikes.
Hermano working the ground and pound.
Hermano sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Bak is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Bak bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Bak moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Gun Seok Bak seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The fighters circling - Hermano throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Piotr Hermano showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bak 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gun Seok Bak!
Gun Seok Bak was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.