PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Frank Karuso (ranked 1410 p4p, 1457 weight class) and Daizen Kuroda (ranked 200 p4p, 207 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Karuso
vs
Kuroda

190 cm
22
195
8 - 2 - 0

182 cm
22
154
8 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
EFC Threads

EFC Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 4 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Frank Karuso!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Daizen Kuroda!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Karuso moves into the clinch.
Karuso pushes Kuroda back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Karuso struggles to land a body shot inside as Kuroda controls his hands.
Kuroda tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Karuso slows down the pace here.
Karuso lands an uppercut.
Karuso is working Kuroda over against the cage.
Kuroda jumps guard but Karuso stands there with Kuroda around his waist. Kuroda gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Karuso lands a body punch.
Karuso lands a body punch.
Kuroda is looking to take this one to the mat.
Frank Karuso has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daizen Kuroda.
Kuroda tries to pull guard but Karuso forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Kuroda tries to pull guard but Karuso won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karuso digs a right hand underneath Kuroda's ribcage. Kuroda let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kuroda fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kuroda fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Karuso digs a right hand into Kuroda's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kuroda's gas tank.
Kuroda looks winded!
Karuso lands a hook that snaps the head of Kuroda backwards.
Karuso lands a body punch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A short uppercut from Karuso.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuroda fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Karuso lands a body punch.
Karuso lands a shot to the body.
Karuso works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Karuso lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Karuso.
Karuso digs a right hand underneath Kuroda's ribcage. Kuroda let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Karuso throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Karuso stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Karuso digs a right hand underneath Kuroda's ribcage. Kuroda let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Karuso presses Kuroda against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A right hook to the body lands for Karuso.
Good body shot from Karuso.
Karuso lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kuroda.
Karuso digs a right hand into Kuroda's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kuroda's gas tank.
A right handed body shot lands from Karuso.
Karuso lands a body shot.
Karuso lands a nice shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Karuso cracks Kuroda with a nice body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karuso makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Karuso works on Kuroda's body with a couple of short punches.
Karuso lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kuroda backwards.
Karuso presses Kuroda against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Karuso lands a nice shot to the body.
Karuso is working Kuroda over against the cage.
Karuso lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kuroda or not.
Karuso looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Good body shot from Karuso.

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

Karuso rushes Kuroda and presses him up against the cage.
Nice body punch from Karuso.
A short body shot lands from Karuso as the two fighters clinch.
Karuso scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Karuso lands a body punch.
Karuso lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kuroda backwards.
Karuso scores with a hook to the body.
Karuso lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Karuso lands a body punch in the clinch.
Karuso lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kuroda or not.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karuso dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Karuso dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Karuso.
A right handed body shot lands from Karuso.
A body shot lands from Karuso.
Karuso lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Karuso lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Karuso lands a body punch in the clinch.
Karuso throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Karuso.
Karuso lands a body punch in the clinch.
Karuso scores with a hook to the body.
Karuso is working Kuroda over against the cage.
Karuso lands a body shot.
Karuso lands a nice shot to the body.
Karuso digs a right hand into Kuroda's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kuroda's gas tank.
Karuso lands a hook that snaps the head of Kuroda backwards.
Kuroda tries to pull guard but Karuso forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A left hand lands to the body for Karuso.
Karuso digs a right hand into Kuroda's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kuroda's gas tank.
A body shot lands from Karuso.
Karuso pushes Kuroda back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kuroda jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Karuso walks away with a smile on his face. Kuroda gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Karuso moves into range and clinches up with Kuroda.
A short body shot lands from Karuso as the two fighters clinch.
Karuso lands a nice uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Karuso as the two fighters clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Karuso.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
A right hook to the body lands for Karuso.
Karuso lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Karuso cracks Kuroda with a nice body shot.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice body punch from Karuso.
A right hook to the body lands for Karuso.
Karuso scores with a hook to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Karuso dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Karuso looks to land a combination. Kuroda sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Karuso pushes Kuroda up against the cage in a clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Karuso.
Karuso lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Karuso stalling against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Karuso as the two fighters clinch.
Kuroda is trying to pull guard but Karuso turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Karuso lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kuroda backwards.
Karuso is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kuroda can do to turn this around?
Nice body punch from Karuso.
A body shot lands from Karuso.
Karuso scores with a shot to the side of Kuroda's head.
Nice body punch from Karuso.
Karuso throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kurodas head.
Kuroda is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Karuso digs a right hand underneath Kuroda's ribcage. Kuroda let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Karuso lands with a short shot to the head.
A short body shot lands from Karuso as the two fighters clinch.
Karuso lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Kuroda is rocked!

Karuso manages to break the clinch.
Kuroda is still on wobbly legs! Can Karuso finish him?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Karuso has managed to clinch.
A short right from Karuso on the inside.
Frank Karuso has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Karuso stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Karuso presses Kuroda against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Kuroda seems to have recovered his senses.
Karuso lands a body shot in the clinch.

Karuso breaks from the clinch.
Kuroda throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Karuso's waist but Karuso gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kuroda off to one side.

Kuroda gets tackled into the cage by Karuso. Karuso maintains the clinch.
Karuso lands a shoulder strike.
Karuso is working Kuroda over against the cage.
Karuso is working Kuroda over against the cage.
Karuso lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kuroda or not.

Karuso pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Karuso closes the distance and clinches.
Karuso lands a body punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Karuso presses Kuroda against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Karuso cracks Kuroda with a nice body shot.
Karuso pushes Kuroda back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
We've been informed that Kuroda has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karuso scores with a hook to the body.
Karuso cracks Kuroda with a nice body shot.
Karuso digs a right hand into Kuroda's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kuroda's gas tank.
Karuso lands a shot to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Karuso.
Karuso lands a body shot in the clinch.
Karuso lands a body shot in the clinch.
Karuso is working Kuroda over against the cage.
Karuso lands a body shot in the clinch.
Karuso lands a body punch in the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Karuso.
Karuso throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Karuso pushes Kuroda back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Karuso works on Kuroda's body with a couple of short punches.
Karuso lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Daizen Kuroda has been cut.
A short body shot lands from Karuso as the two fighters clinch.
Karuso lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A body shot lands from Karuso.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuroda jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Karuso walks away with a smile on his face. Kuroda gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Frank Karuso has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daizen Kuroda.

Karuso drives through and clinches with Kuroda against the cage.
A body shot lands from Karuso.
Karuso cracks Kuroda with a nice body shot.
Karuso is working Kuroda over against the cage.
Karuso lands a shot to the body.
Karuso lands a nice uppercut.
Karuso lands with a left to the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Karuso.
Good body shot from Karuso.
Karuso taking a breather.
Karuso gets through Kuroda's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kuroda takes an elbow to the temple.
Karuso lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kuroda or not.
Karuso makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Karuso lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Kuroda tries to pull guard but Karuso won't allow it.
Karuso lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuroda letting Karuso take a breather here.

Karuso pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Karuso clinches up with Kuroda and pushes him back against the cage.
Karuso lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kuroda backwards.
Karuso lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kuroda or not.

Karuso breaks from the clinch.
Karuso misses with a jab, cross combination.
A little jabbing left from Kuroda on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Karuso cracks a nice hook into Kuroda's ribs.
Frank Karuso is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Karuso works Kuroda's body with a nice hook.
Karuso lands a body shot.

Karuso has closed the distance and engaged Kuroda in a clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Karuso taking a breather.
Karuso pushes Kuroda back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A right handed body shot lands from Karuso.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Karuso dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Daizen Kuroda's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kuroda misses with a lunging right hand
and Karuso counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Karuso darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Karuso lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Karuso fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Karuso lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Karuso connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kuroda shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Karuso as he jumps to the side.

Karuso gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Karuso lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kuroda.
Kuroda takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Karuso throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Karuso lands a body punch.
A body shot lands from Karuso.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuroda is trying to pull guard but Karuso has him pressed against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Karuso as the two fighters clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A hook to the body from Karuso.
Karuso lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Karuso lands a body punch in the clinch.
Karuso lands a nice uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Karuso as the two fighters clinch.
A body shot lands from Karuso.
Karuso lands a body punch in the clinch.
A body shot lands from Karuso.
Kuroda takes a shot to the head.
A short body shot lands from Karuso as the two fighters clinch.
Karuso digs a right hand underneath Kuroda's ribcage. Kuroda let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Karuso cracks Kuroda with a nice body shot.
Karuso throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A body shot lands from Karuso.
Karuso throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Karuso working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
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!
Kuroda jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Karuso walks away with a smile on his face. Kuroda gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Frank Karuso has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daizen Kuroda.
Karuso lands a lovely overhand right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuroda on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Karuso gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Karuso lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kuroda backwards.
Karuso is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Karuso stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Nice body punch from Karuso - that landed with a thud.
Karuso lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Karuso scores with a hook to the body.

Karuso's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kuroda takes one to the chin there.

Karuso has managed to clinch.
A hook to the body from Karuso.
Karuso lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Karuso lands a body punch.
Karuso lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kuroda.
Good body shot from Karuso.
Karuso lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karuso digs a right hand underneath Kuroda's ribcage. Kuroda let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Karuso stalling.
Karuso lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kuroda backwards.
A short right from Karuso on the inside.
Karuso lands a shot to the body.
Karuso lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kuroda.
Karuso works on Kuroda's body with a couple of short punches.
Karuso lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kuroda.
A left hand lands to the body for Karuso.
A nice left hand lands by Karuso.
Karuso digs a right hand underneath Kuroda's ribcage. Kuroda let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A hook to the body from Karuso.
Karuso lands with a light punch inside.
Karuso scores with a hook to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Karuso.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Karuso's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Karuso lands with a nice combination. Kuroda backs away looking to recover.
Karuso with a nice cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Karuso moves into the clinch.
Kuroda can't get the takedown.
Karuso lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kuroda.
Karuso lands a body shot in the clinch.
Karuso lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kuroda.
Karuso lands a shot to the body.
Karuso lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kuroda.
Good body shot from Karuso.
A right hook to the body lands for Karuso.
Karuso lands an elbow inside.
Karuso works on Kuroda's body with a couple of short punches.
Karuso lands a shot to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Karuso works on Kuroda's body with a couple of short punches.
Karuso is working Kuroda over against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Karuso.
Karuso scores with a hook to the body.
Karuso lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kuroda backwards.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Karuso clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Daizen Kuroda's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Karuso closes the distance and pushes Kuroda back into the cage.

Karuso breaks from the clinch.

Karuso rushes Kuroda and presses him up against the cage.
Karuso lands a body shot.
Karuso stalling in the clinch.
A short uppercut from Karuso.
A short body shot lands from Karuso as the two fighters clinch.
Karuso is leaning against Kuroda and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Karuso.
Karuso digs a right hand underneath Kuroda's ribcage. Kuroda let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Karuso lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Karuso throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karuso lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Karuso lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Good body shot from Karuso.
Kuroda is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A right hook to the body lands for Karuso.

Karuso breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Karuso tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karuso is looking to clinch.
Kuroda fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Karuso avoids it really well and circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Karuso presses Kuroda against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Karuso breaks from the clinch.
Karuso scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A shot to the liver by Karuso. Beautiful body shot.
Frank Karuso seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Karuso is looking to clinch but Kuroda is avoiding it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karuso lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Kuroda takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kuroda is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Kuroda manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Karuso on his heels. He'll look to pass Karuso's guard now, I'm sure.
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!
Kuroda slips nicely into half guard.

Kuroda is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Karuso sees it coming and defends easily.

Kuroda is looking for a kimura here.

Kuroda looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuroda prevents Karuso from improving his position.

Kuroda is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Karuso is just riding it out for now. Kuroda eventually gives up the hold.
Karuso is looking for a sweep. Kuroda is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Karuso is defending against the submission attempts here by Kuroda.

Kuroda looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Kuroda tries to pass to full mount but Karuso defends it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frank Karuso showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Karuso, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Frank Karuso!
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Frank Karuso!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Frank Karuso!

Frank Karuso wins by unanimous decision!
Frank Karuso decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.