PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lucas Kuas (ranked 3330 p4p, 3315 weight class) and Xander Abbott (ranked 441 p4p, 437 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kuas
vs
Abbott

190 cm
25
195
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
190
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Lucas Kuas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Xander Abbott!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Dirk Anderson and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuas misses with a straight left.
Abbott slaps away a takedown attempt from Kuas, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A jab lands there for Abbott.
Kuas shoots in but Abbott avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Abbott circles away from the clinch attempt.
A little jabbing left from Abbott on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Abbott throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kuas.
Kuas has been working on his balance at Walter J Abramowitz Center for Bigness, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Abbott.
Kuas throws a low kick but Abbott moves out of range easily.
Abbott throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kuas on the side of the head.
Kuas avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abbott circles away from the clinch attempt
and Abbott counters with a stiff right hand.
Abbott throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Kuas counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Abbott!
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!
Abbott manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kuas's best efforts.

Abbott looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuas trying to control from half guard but Abbott is working away.

Abbott actively working from the bottom here.
Abbott really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kuas. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Abbott is staying active underneath Kuas, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Abbott looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kuas thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kuas passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Abbott!
Abbott sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Kuas working the head and body with strikes.
Kuas works his way into full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abbott tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kuas looking to control and managing it successfully.
Abbott can't escape the position.

Kuas working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Abbott is desperately trying to improve his position but Kuas has a good base and remains in mount.

Kuas is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Abbott throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kuas stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Abbott tries to keep at a distance but Kuas has taken the fight into the clinch.
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!
Abbott is trying to pull guard but Kuas turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abbott is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kuas pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Abbott gets control of Kuas's arms and successfully pulls guard. Abbott will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Abbott has his foot on Kuas's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kuas works his way back into a safe position though.

Abbott looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kuas landing with the ground and pound.

Abbott working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kuas doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kuas manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Abbott is looking for a triangle but Kuas pushes his legs off easily.
Kuas is pushing down on Abbott's leg trying to pass to half guard. Abbott is fighting to maintain full guard but Kuas has managed to sneak the leg through.
Kuas keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Kuas works his way into side control.
Abbott is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abbott takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Abbott is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Kuas off and has taken his back!
Abbott keeps control of the position easily here as Kuas tries to buck him off.
Kuas wants to control his opponent's hands but Abbott gets his hands free.
Abbott controlling well, preventing Kuas from escaping the position.
Abbott trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Kuas is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Abbott is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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!
Kuas rolls, trying to escape but Abbott keeps control of the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Xander Abbott will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kuas fails with a takedown attempt.
Abbott shoots in and drives through. Kuas sprawls well.

Abbott gets caught napping as Kuas dives in and scores a takedown. Abbott manages to retain guard.
Kuas sitting in guard here, content to control.

Abbott throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Kuas escapes and throws Abbott's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Kuas scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Abbott to see if he's OK.
Abbott is looking to reverse the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Abbott is looking to reverse the position.

Kuas looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Abbott tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kuas wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kuas thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Abbott is looking for a sweep.

Kuas is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Abbott knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Abbott tries to buck Kuas off but Kuas is having none of it.
Kuas working the body and head with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abbott is not content to let Kuas control the position.
Abbott takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Abbott is looking to reverse the position.
Abbott seems a little lost for a moment, as Kuas dominates the positioning.

Kuas tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Abbott is looking to reverse the position.
Abbott is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kuas wants to control but Abbott is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abbott is looking for a sweep.
Kuas working the ground and pound from side control.
Kuas lands a nice forearm strike.
Abbott tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kuas wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Kuas stands up and beckons Abbott to his feet.
Kuas shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Abbott pinned against the cage. Abbott gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kuas instigates a clinch.
Abbott jumps guard but Kuas turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Kuas decides to pull guard.
Abbott won't allow Kuas to sweep him here.
Abbott stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kuas swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kuas working a defensive guard here.
Kuas is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Abbott can do to turn this around?
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Abbott trying to control but Kuas is working from the bottom.
Abbott working some strikes from top position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lucas Kuas dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Abbott missing with a left hand there. Kuas was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Abbott throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kuas is looking to clinch.
Nice shot lands for Abbott.
Abbott misses with a wild body shot.
A big left from Kuas misses.
Abbott let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Abbott has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Kuas is landing a low percentage of strikes.
A big left from Abbott misses.
Kuas tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Abbott paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Kuas bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Kuas stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Abbott looks to land a right hand but Kuas moved out of range.
Kuas tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Abbott defends well and Kuas ends up having to push Abbott into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A nice side step and Abbott releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Kuas misses with the head strike.
Kuas stalling the fight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Kuas's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Abbott pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kuas went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abbott fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Abbott stuns Kuas with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Abbott tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kuas was well out of range. Poor timing from Abbott.

Abbott gets caught napping as Kuas dives in and scores a takedown. Abbott manages to retain guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Abbott is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kuas defends well.

Abbott has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Kuas is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Abbott.
Abbott is looking for a sweep.
Kuas trying to control the position but Abbott is working away.
Abbott is working to avoid the ground and pound but Kuas connects with a decent elbow.
Abbott manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuas is looking to take a break and control but Abbott is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Abbott is looking to improve his position.
Kuas perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Abbott keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Abbott actively working from the bottom here.
Kuas wants to take a breather but Abbott is having none of it.

Kuas wants to work for an arm triangle but Abbott is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Abbott looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Abbott on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kuas 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.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Abbott is looking for a sweep. Kuas is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuas is trying to control the action in half guard but Abbott is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Abbott looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Abbott wants to improve his position but Kuas is controlling well.

Kuas is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Abbott is just riding it out for now. Kuas eventually gives up the hold.
Kuas not doing much here.

Abbott actively working from the bottom here.
Lucas Kuas overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Kuas is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Abbott has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Kuas is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Abbott sees it coming and defends easily.
Abbott is looking for a sweep. Kuas is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Abbott is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kuas pulls his head out easily.

Kuas is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Abbott is just riding it out for now. Kuas eventually gives up the hold.

Abbott actively working from the bottom here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kuas seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Abbott does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lucas Kuas showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kuas has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lucas Kuas!
A very excited looking Lucas Kuas rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.