PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Daizen Kuroda (ranked 2041 p4p, 4266 weight class) and Rj Bell (ranked 319 p4p, 584 weight class). Rj Bell has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kuroda
vs
Bell

182 cm
20
156
5 - 5 - 0

177 cm
26
154
8 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

EFC Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Daizen Kuroda!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rj Bell!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bell darts in and clinches Kuroda up against the cage.

Bell tightens his grip and picks Kuroda up, before dumping him to the ground. Kuroda manages to land in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kuroda working for a triangle but Bell defends it easily.
Kuroda keeping full guard, as Bell tries to pass.
Kuroda has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Kuroda trying to control the position.
Bell wants to control from the top but Kuroda keeps moving.
Kuroda looking for a sweep. Not yet Kuroda, not yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuroda bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bell's guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuroda wants to control from the top but Bell keeps moving.
Kuroda stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bell swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Bell has his foot on Kuroda's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kuroda works his way back into a safe position though.
Bell has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at EFC Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuroda pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bell is keeping the position for now.
Kuroda trying to control but Bell is working from the bottom.
Kuroda pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bell is keeping the position for now.
Kuroda looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Kuroda avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Bell is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two 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.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kuroda trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Kuroda is posturing up here but Bell has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Kuroda tries to roll out but it's too tight and Kuroda has to tap! Slick submission there by Bell!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rj Bell!
Rj Bell is the new middleweight champion!