📅 TIME & PLACE
Date: July 10, 2021
Day: Saturday
Location: Busan Exhibition and Convention Center, Busan 🇰🇷
🎪 ARENA READY
The Busan Exhibition Center was transformed into a world-class fight venue – bright lights hung over the octagon, giant screens displayed fighter stats, and over 12,000 fans filled every seat. The air was thick with excitement as the opening bell for Road FC 58 approached.
Ji-Ho sat in his locker room with his team, going through his pre-fight routine – wrapping his hands, stretching, listening to his walkout playlist. Min-Ji had decorated the room with motivational posters and photos of his journey, while Coach Kim reviewed final instructions.
"First fight starts at 5:00 sharp," Coach Park said, checking his watch. "We'll head to the cage when the first fight ends – stay warm and focused."
🥊 FIGHT #1 – CATCHWEIGHT BOUT: SONG MIN-JAE VS. PARK JIN-YOUNG
Start Time: 5:00 PM
Round 1
The opening fight was between Song Min-Jae (2-1) and Park Jin-Young (3-2) – the same fighter Ji-Ho had defeated in his pro debut. Jin-Young came out aggressively, throwing heavy power shots that had Song on the defensive early. But Song used his superior footwork to circle away, landing quick counter punches and low kicks. With 90 seconds left, Song caught Jin-Young with a sharp elbow that opened a cut above his left eye. The round ended with Song in control, landing more significant strikes.
Round 2
Jin-Young came out looking to finish, pressing forward with wild combinations. Song stayed calm, using his reach to keep Jin-Young at bay. Midway through the round, Song ducked under a punch and secured a double-leg takedown, moving immediately to mount. He landed ground-and-pound strikes until the final bell, clearly dominating the round.
Round 3
Both fighters showed signs of fatigue, but Song maintained his pace. He continued to land counter strikes and stuffed all of Jin-Young's takedown attempts. With 30 seconds left, Song landed a powerful right cross that dropped Jin-Young, but the bell rang before he could finish.
Result: Song Min-Jae wins by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
The crowd cheered as the two fighters embraced – Jin-Young raised Song's hand in a show of respect before heading to the medical room to get his cut stitched up.
🥊 FIGHT #2 – FLYWEIGHT BOUT: LEE DONG-HYUN VS. CHEN WEI
Start Time: 5:45 PM
Round 1
Lee Dong-Hyun – the wrestler Ji-Ho had defeated in the amateur semi-finals – faced China's Chen Wei (4-1). Dong-Hyun shot for a takedown just 10 seconds into the fight, securing it and moving to side control. He landed consistent ground-and-pound strikes, but Chen defended well, using his BJJ skills to avoid damage and look for submissions. The round ended with Dong-Hyun in top position but unable to finish.
Round 2
Chen came out striking, landing a hard left hook that staggered Dong-Hyun. But the Korean fighter recovered quickly and took Chen down again, this time moving to back control. He locked in a body triangle and spent the round looking for a rear-naked choke, but Chen defended brilliantly, escaping multiple times.
Round 3
The final round was back-and-forth. Chen landed clean strikes standing up, while Dong-Hyun took him down twice. With just one minute left, Dong-Hyun finally secured the rear-naked choke – Chen fought it for 15 seconds before tapping out.
Result: Lee Dong-Hyun wins by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:15 of Round 3.
The crowd erupted as Dong-Hyun celebrated – he spotted Ji-Ho backstage and gave him a thumbs up before heading to the cage center for his post-fight interview.
🚶 OPPONENT WALKOUT – TANAKA HIROSHI
Start Time: 6:25 PM
The arena lights dimmed as Tanaka Hiroshi's walkout music – traditional Japanese taiko drums mixed with modern rock – filled the venue. His team walked ahead carrying Japanese flags, while Tanaka followed slowly, his eyes fixed on the cage.
His Japanese fans waved banners and chanted his name loudly, and many Korean fans joined in out of respect for the veteran fighter. Tanaka stopped at the cage entrance to bow to the crowd, then stepped inside and began his warm-up routine – shadowboxing in his corner, stretching, and mentally preparing for battle.
During his walkout interview, Tanaka said: "I've been fighting for eight years, and every fight means more than the last. Ji-Ho is young and talented, but tonight I'll show that experience still counts for something. This win is for everyone who believed in me when I was losing."
🚶 MC WALKOUT – KIM JI-HO
Start Time: 6:35 PM
The crowd's cheers reached a deafening level as Ji-Ho's walkout music began – the same mix of Korean drums and hip-hop he'd used for his pro debut. Takeshi led the way carrying a large Dragon MMA Gym flag, while So-Yeon and Seung-Min walked alongside Ji-Ho, holding signs that read "SILENT STRIKER" and "KOREA'S FUTURE."
His family was on their feet in the front row, his sisters holding up a massive photo collage of his journey from amateur to pro. Min-Ji led the crowd in a choreographed cheer that echoed through the arena: "JI-HO! JI-HO! FIGHT LIKE A CHAMPION!"
Ji-Ho walked calmly toward the cage, high-fiving fans along the way. He stopped at the entrance, touched his grandfather's old boxing gloves that hung around his neck (now on a chain), and bowed to the crowd in all four directions – a gesture of respect he'd adopted from traditional Korean martial arts.
As he stepped into the cage, the announcer's voice boomed through the speakers: "From Seoul, South Korea – with a professional record of 1 win, 0 losses – representing Dragon MMA Gym… KIM JI-HO!"
Ji-Ho climbed into his corner and began his warm-up, his focus absolute. He could feel the energy of the crowd, but all he could see was the cage center – where Tanaka Hiroshi was waiting for him and Ji-Ho Staring to Hiroshi.
[TO BE CONTINUED...]