By:  | October 30, 2023 5:37 pm

Soo Chul Kim won the Road FC bantamweight tournament in Wonju on Saturday. He stopped Kento Takahashi late in the second round take the trophy and the 100 million won ($74,000 USD) prize money.

The tournament took place at 134lbs and Kim demonstrated why has emerged as the most dominant fighter in Road FC’s bantamweight and featherweight divisions. It took him less than 20 seconds to take control of the bout.

He unleashed a lightning-quick right cross to break through Haraguchi’s guard and having knocked him down immediately looked to secure a submission. He threatened with a guillotine choke before landing some ground and pound.

Haraguchi managed to scramble away and pushed Kim against the cage, completing a double-leg takedown. From the bottom, the Korean fighter landed powerful shots before seeking an armbar and eventually working his way up.

Takahashi briefly took Kim’s back and brought the fight back to the ground while threatening with a kimura. It was Kim who finished the round strongly, attempting another armbar and transitioning to a guillotine attempt before the bell sounded.

Close quarters

In the second round Haraguchi attempted a single-leg takedown but found himself in a vulnerable position as Kim took his back and went for a rear-naked choke. Midway through the round both fighters traded punches.

Haraguchi connected with a pair of uppercuts, and Kim responded with two hooks to the body. The Japanese unleashed a barrage of punches followed by a low kick but decided to switch to a takedown attempt.

The decision backfired badly as Kim dropped Haraguchi with a close-quarters kick to the body and followed up with a flurry of left-handed shots to the head and body. As both fighters returned to the center of the cage, Kim landed a clean left jab which dropped the Japanese fighter.

He then followed up with a series of hammer fists to finish the fight and secure the seventh knockout of his career and become the Road FC bantamweight Grand Prix Champion. Kim’s record now stands at 21-7-1, while Haraguchi’s record drops to 9-5.

Best of the rest

Artur Soloviev (11-7) met Nandin-Erdene Munguntsooj (17-9) in the final of the lightweight Grand Prix. The Russian finished the fight fast, knocking the Mongolian out 92 seconds into the opening round.

Road FC 65, Gonju, October 29th
Soo Chul Kim def. Akira Haraguchi via KO (Punches) at 4:25 of R2
Artur Soloviev def. Nandin-Erdene Munguntsooj via KO (Punches) at 1:32 of R1
Ji Yong Yang def. Kento Takahashi via Decision (Unanimous)
Myung Hwan Kim def. Yoon Jae Shim via KO (Punches) at 4:18 of R1
Jae Nam Yoo def. Yoon Soo Han via Decision (Unanimous)
San Kim def. Min Hyung Kim via Submission (Triangle Choke) at 1:27 of R4
Jae Seong Park def. Min Hyuk Cha Min Hyuk vi TKO (Punches) at 2:11 of R2
Min Hyung Han def. Jun Seok Kim via Decision (Split)
Dong Hyuk Ko def. Young Chan Choi via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 2:48 of R1