PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kyung Joong Ho (ranked 4546 p4p, 445 weight class) and Motu Te Tai (ranked 4141 p4p, 420 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Joong Ho
vs
Te Tai

181 cm
25
156 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

178 cm
25
158 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kyung Joong Ho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Motu Te Tai!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Cecil Peabody and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Te Tai moves into the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Te Tai - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Te Tai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Joong Ho throws a lazy head kick

and Te Tai counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Joong Ho tries to circle away but Te Tai has him pinned against the cage.
Joong Ho wants to get back to striking at distance but Te Tai won't allow it.
Joong Ho stops a takedown attempt from Te Tai.
Te Tai lands a knee to the body.
Joong Ho wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Te Tai has him pressed against the cage.
Te Tai crunches a lovely knee into Joong Ho's ribcage.
Te Tai keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Joong Ho's efforts to push away.
Joong Ho is looking to break free of the clinch but Te Tai has double underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Te Tai keeps control of Joong Ho as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Te Tai stalling.
Te Tai has Joong Ho pressed against the cage, preventing Joong Ho from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Joong Ho is looking to break free of the clinch but Te Tai has double underhooks.
Joong Ho wants to break free but Te Tai has control.
Te Tai jumps guard but Joong Ho turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Joong Ho's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Te Tai breaks from the clinch.
Te Tai avoids the head kick by Joong Ho.
Joong Ho pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Te Tai rushes Joong Ho and presses him up against the cage.

Te Tai's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Joong Ho is looking to clinch.
Joong Ho throws a head kick but Te Tai moves out of range.
Te Tai was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Joong Ho tries to close the distance and clinch up but Te Tai swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Joong Ho pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Joong Ho fails in his attempt to clinch.
Te Tai looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Joong Ho is fending him off so far but Te Tai persists. Nope, Joong Ho circles away and we're back to standing.
Kyung Joong Ho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Motu Te Tai.
Joong Ho stuffs the takedown attempt from Te Tai. Te Tai gets slowly back to his feet.
Joong Ho is looking to clinch.
Left hook, right uppercut from Te Tai.
Joong Ho pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Te Tai avoids the head kick by Joong Ho.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Te Tai has closed the distance and engaged Joong Ho in a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Joong Ho is trying to push Te Tai away but Te Tai has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A frustrated look appears on Joong Ho's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Te Tai is working Joong Ho over against the cage.
Come on Te Tai - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Te Tai breaks from the clinch.
Te Tai tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Joong Ho defends well and Te Tai ends up having to push Joong Ho into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Te Tai clinches up against the cage.
Te Tai stalling the fight.
Joong Ho is trying to break the clinch but Te Tai has him pressed against the cage.
Te Tai goes for a takedown attempt but Joong Ho pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Te Tai rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Joong Ho moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Joong Ho shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Te Tai eats them both and turns towards Joong Ho to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

It looks like Motu Te Tai has been cut.
Joong Ho tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Joong Ho tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Te Tai manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Te Tai avoids the head kick by Joong Ho.
Joong Ho is breathing heavily.
Joong Ho throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Te Tai swats away the attempt to clinch by Joong Ho.
Te Tai avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Te Tai moves into the clinch.
Joong Ho wants to break free but Te Tai has control.
A short right from Te Tai on the inside.
Te Tai displaying some good clinch control by pressing Joong Ho up against the cage.
Joong Ho wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Te Tai is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Te Tai avoiding damage.

Te Tai breaks from the clinch.
Te Tai avoids the head kick by Joong Ho.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Te Tai keeps the fight on the outside.
Joong Ho throws a head kick but Te Tai moves out of range.
Joong Ho is looking to clinch.
Te Tai blocks a head kick by Joong Ho.
Nice sprawl there from Joong Ho as Te Tai shoots in.
Kyung Joong Ho seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Te Tai throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Joong Ho's waist but Joong Ho gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Te Tai off to one side.
Joong Ho is looking to clinch but Te Tai is avoiding it.
Joong Ho pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Joong Ho looks to land a left hand but Te Tai moved out of range nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Te Tai moves into the clinch.
Te Tai has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Joong Ho after a bit of a struggle.
Joong Ho is looking to break free of the clinch but Te Tai has double underhooks.

Te Tai jumps guard and drags Joong Ho to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Joong Ho postures up.
Te Tai really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Joong Ho. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Te Tai is working an open guard so Joong Ho takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Motu Te Tai dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Motu Te Tai's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Te Tai clinches up against the cage.
Te Tai is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Joong Ho to keep the fight standing.

Te Tai drags the fight down to the ground.
Te Tai is trying to keep Joong Ho in close.

Joong Ho stands up and waves to Te Tai to follow him.

Te Tai instigates a clinch.
Te Tai tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Joong Ho smiles and moves away.
Joong Ho throws a right hand that Te Tai ducks under and follows up with a left that Te Tai also avoids with ease.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Te Tai shoots in for a takedown but Joong Ho shows good takedown defense.
Kyung Joong Ho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Motu Te Tai.
Joong Ho wants to clinch but Te Tai slips to the side
and Te Tai counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nice sprawl there from Joong Ho as Te Tai shoots in.

Te Tai throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Joong Ho was covering up waiting for the punch and Te Tai finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Joong Ho has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Te Tai is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Te Tai is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joong Ho has had enough of the clinch but Te Tai keeps him there for the moment.
Te Tai tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Joong Ho just stands there and leans against the cage.
Joong Ho working hard to break the clinch.
Joong Ho wants to get back to striking at distance but Te Tai won't allow it.
Motu Te Tai seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Te Tai is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Joong Ho to keep the fight standing.
Joong Ho tries to break free but Te Tai pushes him back against the cage.

Te Tai pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Te Tai shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Joong Ho as he jumps to the side.
Horrible takedown attempt by Te Tai or perhaps it was just good defense by Joong Ho, which made it look bad.
Joong Ho pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Te Tai has closed the distance and engaged Joong Ho in a clinch.
Joong Ho wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Te Tai has him pressed against the cage.
Joong Ho is pressed up against the cage. Te Tai has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Joong Ho down to the mat. Joong Ho avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joong Ho tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Te Tai manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A head kick misses from Joong Ho.

A big head kick from Joong Ho and Te Tai is sent sprawling to the canvas!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Te Tai is trying to control the position but Joong Ho postures up.

Joong Ho gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Te Tai throws a low kick but it's checked well by Joong Ho.
Te Tai takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Joong Ho pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Te Tai swats away the attempt to clinch by Joong Ho.
Te Tai tries for a takedown but Joong Ho sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Joong Ho throws a sloppy head kick and Te Tai moves out of range easily.
Joong Ho throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Te Tai.
Joong Ho lands a high kick!

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Te Tai stalling against the cage.

Te Tai pulls guard successfully.

Te Tai pushes Joong Ho off and gets back to his feet.
Te Tai circles away from the clinch attempt.
Te Tai misses with a wild body shot.
Joong Ho tries to clinch there but Te Tai circles away.
Te Tai circles away from the clinch attempt.
Joong Ho lands with a slapping head kick.
Joong Ho tries a head kick but it misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Joong Ho wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Te Tai has him pressed against the cage.
Te Tai landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Te Tai jumps guard but Joong Ho stands there with Te Tai around his waist. Te Tai gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A body shot lands from Te Tai.
Joong Ho is trying to break free.
Joong Ho working hard to break the clinch.
Te Tai tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Joong Ho smiles and moves away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Joong Ho throws a head kick that misses.
Joong Ho misses with a head kick.
Te Tai looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Joong Ho is fending him off so far but Te Tai persists. Nope, Joong Ho circles away and we're back to standing.
Joong Ho tries to close the distance and clinch but Te Tai swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Joong Ho tries to clinch there but Te Tai circles away.
Te Tai shoots in but no luck this time.
Kyung Joong Ho is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Joong Ho fails with an attempt to clinch.
Te Tai looks for a takedown but Joong Ho sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyung Joong Ho dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Motu Te Tai's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Te Tai avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Joong Ho gets tackled into the cage by Te Tai. Te Tai maintains the clinch.

Te Tai breaks from the clinch.

Te Tai closes the distance and clinches.

Te Tai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kyung Joong Ho is winning the standup battle so far.
Joong Ho pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Te Tai darts in and clinches Joong Ho up against the cage.
Te Tai tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Joong Ho smiles and moves away.
Te Tai dives in and grabs Joong Ho's left leg, looking for a takedown. Joong Ho pushes down on Te Tai's head and hops out.
Joong Ho tries to close the distance and clinch up but Te Tai swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Joong Ho scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Joong Ho tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nice sprawl there from Joong Ho as Te Tai shoots in.
Kyung Joong Ho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Motu Te Tai.
Te Tai takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Joong Ho misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Joong Ho tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Te Tai closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Te Tai keeps control of Joong Ho as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Joong Ho can't break the clinch.
Te Tai is trying to pull guard but Joong Ho turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Joong Ho tries to circle away but Te Tai has him pinned against the cage.
Joong Ho wants to break the clinch but can't.
Joong Ho is trying to break the clinch but Te Tai is controlling him.
A frustrated look appears on Joong Ho's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Te Tai leaning his opponent against the cage.
Joong Ho is trying to force a seperation but Te Tai has the dominant position.
A frustrated look appears on Joong Ho's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Te Tai jumps guard.
Te Tai is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Joong Ho stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
A head kick misses from Joong Ho.
A head kick misses from Joong Ho.
Joong Ho is looking to clinch but Te Tai is avoiding it.
Te Tai appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Te Tai shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Joong Ho pinned against the cage. Joong Ho gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Te Tai blocks a head kick by Joong Ho.
Joong Ho throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Te Tai counters by moving into the clinch.

Te Tai's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A head kick misses from Joong Ho.

Te Tai closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Joong Ho quickly recovers to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Te Tai wants to lay and pray for a moment but Joong Ho keeps working.

Joong Ho pushes Te Tai off and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joong Ho doesn't manage to clinch there - Te Tai circles away.
Kyung Joong Ho is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A nice combination there by Te Tai.
Joong Ho misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick by Joong Ho misses

and Te Tai counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Te Tai.
Te Tai drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Joong Ho wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Te Tai has him pressed against the cage.

Te Tai breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Te Tai rushes Joong Ho and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Te Tai tries to pull guard but Joong Ho holds him up against the cage and eventually Te Tai drops back down to his feet.
Joong Ho wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Te Tai breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Joong Ho tries to keep at a distance but Te Tai has taken the fight into the clinch.
Te Tai keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Joong Ho's efforts to push away.
Joong Ho is looking to break free of the clinch but Te Tai has double underhooks.
A frustrated look appears on Joong Ho's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Te Tai keeps control of Joong Ho as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Joong Ho is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Joong Ho is pressed up against the cage. Te Tai has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Joong Ho down to the mat. Joong Ho avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Joong Ho takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Joong Ho rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Te Tai moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Te Tai throws a sloppy head kick and Joong Ho moves out of range easily.
Joong Ho will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Joong Ho throws a head kick that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Motu Te Tai.
I think Te Tai 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!