PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Freddy Thompson (ranked 5247 p4p, 0 weight class) and Man Soo Hjung (ranked 6609 p4p, 0 weight class). Hjung has chosen Korean National Anthem as his entrance music. Freddy Thompson could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Man Soo Hjung's chin.

Thompson
vs
Soo Hjung

190 cm
19
142 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
21
135 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Freddy Thompson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Man Soo Hjung!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Nard Betker and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thompson shoots in for a takedown but Hjung shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Thompson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hjung as he jumps to the side.
Thompson fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Freddy Thompson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hjung slaps away a takedown attempt from Thompson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
As Thompson backs off Hjung throws a huge counter combo but Thompson manages to avoid it all.

Hjung has managed to clinch.

Hjung wants the takedown. Thompson is fighting it off but Hjung persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Thompson's guard against the cage.
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.
Thompson striking off his back but it's not causing Hjung any problems.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hjung is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Thompson is trying to hold Hjung in close to prevent damage but Hjung has managed to pass into half guard.
Hjung thows a huge punch but Thompson dodges it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hjung prevents Thompson from standing back up.

Hjung stands up out of the half guard.

Hjung clinches up with Thompson and pushes him back against the cage.
Thompson is looking to break free of the clinch but Hjung has double underhooks.
Thompson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hjung is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Thompson pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Hjung breaks from the clinch.
Hjung throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Thompson counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Thompson.
Thompson wants to clinch.

Hjung moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hjung has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Thompson uses from the top position.
Thompson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Thompson throws a big elbow that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hjung is pulling down on Thompson's head. It's preventing any offense from Thompson, at least for the moment.
Hjung is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thompson trying to control the position from guard on top but Hjung is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hjung tries to strike from the bottom.
Hjung is adopting a defensive guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Hjung manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Hjung drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hjung misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hjung scores with a nice hook to the head.
Thompson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hjung pulls his leg out and moves away.
Thompson shoots in for a takedown but Hjung shows good takedown defense.
Man Soo Hjung seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Hjung moves into the clinch.
Hjung slows down the pace here.

Hjung pulls guard successfully.

Hjung throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Thompson escapes and throws Hjung's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Hjung sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Thompson is trying to work for a kimura but Hjung is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Man Soo Hjung dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Hjung dives in for a single leg takedown but Thompson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Hjung has managed to clinch.

Hjung pulls guard.
Hjung keeping full guard, as Thompson tries to pass.
Thompson stopping the sweep attempt from Hjung.
Thompson wants to control from the top but Hjung keeps moving.
Hjung is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hjung lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

My spies in The Dam Gym inform me that Hjung has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Thompson looking to control.
Thompson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hjung trying to control the position from guard on top but Thompson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hjung sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Thompson's guard.
Hjung is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Thompson pushes Hjung off looking to stand but Hjung dives back in and keeps control.
Thompson punching from the bottom.

Hjung decides to stand and escape the position.

Hjung has taken the fight to the clinch.
Thompson takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hjung utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Thompson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hjung walks away with a smile on his face. Thompson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Thompson takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Thompson digs a good hook to Hjung's body.
Thompson tries to clinch up but Hjung circles away and keeps his distance.
Hjung keeps the fight on the outside.
Thompson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A head kick from Hjung lands but Thompson takes it in his stride.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hjung shoots in for a takedown but Thompson shows good takedown defense.
Hjung throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Thompson dives in and grabs Hjung's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hjung pushes down on Thompson's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Freddy Thompson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Hjung has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Thompson takes a kick to the side of the head.
Thompson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hjung goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Sloppy strikes from Hjung. Those never looked like landing.

Hjung gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Thompson letting Hjung take a breather here.
Thompson tries to pull guard but Hjung forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Hjung pulls Thompson into guard.
Hjung keeping full guard, as Thompson tries to pass.
Man Soo Hjung has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hjung pushes Thompson off and gets back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice takedown defense from Hjung. No joy for Thompson on that attempt.
Thompson avoids the head kick by Hjung.
Thompson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Thompson has managed to clinch.
Hjung is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Thompson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Hjung taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Thompson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hjung to keep the fight standing.

Hjung manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Hjung manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Thompson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hjung to keep the fight standing.
Thompson tries to pull guard but Hjung holds him up against the cage and eventually Thompson drops back down to his feet.

Hjung pulls guard successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Man Soo Hjung showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Thompson tries to keep at a distance but Hjung has taken the fight into the clinch.
Thompson has Hjung pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hjung manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hjung is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Thompson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Thompson is pressed up against the cage. Hjung has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Thompson down to the mat. Thompson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Thompson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hjung manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Hjung fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Thompson, pushing him back against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Hjung scores with a nice short uppercut.
Thompson prevents a body shot from Hjung.
Hjung is struggling to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hjung.
Hjung looking to throw knees to the head but Thompson is blocking nicely.
Thompson fails to pull guard.
Hjung keeps control of Thompson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Hjung pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hjung showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Thompson.
Hjung misses with a takedown attempt - Thompson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A little feinted left hand from Thompson on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Freddy Thompson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Man Soo Hjung.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Man Soo Hjung seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hjung managing to block the knees to the body from Thompson.

Hjung pulls Thompson into guard.
Hjung manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Thompson manages to get himself to full guard.

Hjung gets to his feet. Thompson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hjung moves into the clinch successfully.

Hjung breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Thompson takes a kick to the side of the head.
Hjung shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Thompson as he jumps to the side.
Thompson appears to be looking for a big counter.
Hjung takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Thompson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
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!

Thompson looking to score a takedown here. Hjung is defending well but Thompson drives through and ends up in Hjung's guard.

Hjung is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Thompson presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Hjung pulls guard successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson looking to sit in guard and control but Hjung gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hjung accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Hjung decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Thompson, up you get!

Hjung rushes Thompson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hjung.
Thompson wants a takedown but no success here.
Hjung tries for a takedown but Thompson manages to get underhooks.
Thompson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hjung is defending well for now.

Hjung has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Thompson uses from the top position.

Hjung has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Thompson off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Thompson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Hjung checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Thompson darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Hjung has taken the fight to the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thompson stops a takedown attempt from Hjung.

Hjung pulls Thompson into guard.
Thompson wants to control from the top but Hjung keeps moving.
Thompson won't allow Hjung to sweep him here.

Hjung had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Thompson defends it easily.
Hjung has a closed guard, preventing Thompson from standing up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Man Soo Hjung comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hjung 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 27:30
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Man Soo Hjung!
Man Soo Hjung seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.