PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Judge (ranked 1087 p4p, 2448 weight class) and Daizen Kuroda (ranked 123 p4p, 245 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Judge might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The Game- Disturbed. Daizen Kuroda will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Judge
vs
Kuroda

167 cm
25
146
2 - 1 - 0

182 cm
22
154
8 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

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KRAKEN Nutrition + Laundry

EFC Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ricky Judge!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Daizen Kuroda!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Judge shoots in and bounces Kuroda off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Judge got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kuroda has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Judge has managed to get both his arms back between Kuroda's legs - danger averted.
Judge stays in close to Kuroda's body and controls the position.

Kuroda is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Judge pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kuroda is keeping the position for now.
Judge works a leg free and moves into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kuroda looking for submissions off his back.

Judge is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Kuroda has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Judge is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Judge keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Judge's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Judge has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kuroda actively working from the bottom here.
Judge seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kuroda is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Judge closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Judge wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kuroda keeps working.
A control attempt from Kuroda but he's now mounted!
Judge looking to control but Kuroda is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kuroda really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Judge takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Judge dominating with strikes here.
Judge tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Kuroda regains half guard.
We've been informed that Kuroda has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Judge is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kuroda sees it coming and defends easily.
Judge controlling the action here.

Judge is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Kuroda looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kuroda trying to hold on to Judge's head to control him but Judge postures up.

Judge is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kuroda sees it coming and defends easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Judge dominated that round.
That's time! Judge's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Judge throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Judge darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Judge landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kuroda wants to get back to full guard.

Judge is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Judge controlling the action here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuroda is looking to control Judge's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kuroda avoid being mounted?
Ground and pound from Judge.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuroda wants to control but Judge is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kuroda moves into full guard.
Judge's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Kuroda throws his legs up looking for a submission but Judge uses it to pass to side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Judge tries to move to mount but Kuroda blocks the move with his legs.
Ricky Judge overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Judge moves into full mount!
Judge takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuroda holds on, trying desperately to control.
Kuroda working to try and regain half guard.
Judge punishing his opponent with strikes.
Judge landing strikes, looking to finish!
Judge lands a couple of good shots and Kuroda has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

Judge is working the back position looking for the choke. Oh, he's slid into an armbar! Beautiful transition and Kuroda taps out! Fantastic Jiu Jitsu from Judge.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ricky Judge!
Ricky Judge retains his featherweight title!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Ricky Judge waved his t-shirt featuring KRAKEN Nutrition + Laundry's logo in front of the cameras.