PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Krisko Kurtev (ranked 1037 p4p, 973 weight class) and Seppo Maki (ranked 143 p4p, 135 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kurtev
vs
Maki

189 cm
37
193
30 - 33 - 1

182 cm
25
186
8 - 2 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Shadow Realm Apparel

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 30 - 33 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Krisko Kurtev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Seppo Maki!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Radbod Blank and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kurtev.
Maki dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kurtev. That did some damage!

Kurtev drives through and clinches with Maki against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kurtev.
Maki lands a left hand.

Maki breaks the clinch.
Kurtev has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Maki.
Maki throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Kurtev's head.

Kurtev scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maki is looking for a sweep.
Kurtev postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Kurtev misses with the ground and pound.
Kurtev scores with punches from side control.
Kurtev misses with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maki dodges the ground and pound from Kurtev.
Kurtev sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Maki is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Kurtev trying to control the action but Maki is working from the bottom.
Kurtev grinds an elbow into Maki's temple.
Maki managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Kurtev.
Kurtev in side control, throwing shots but Maki defends.
Kurtev tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Kurtev working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Kurtev wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Maki, who protects the arm well.
Maki parries the strikes from Kurtev easily there. Kurtev is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Maki to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maki tries to buck Kurtev off but Kurtev is having none of it.
Maki taking punishment in the form of punches.
Maki wants to control but Kurtev postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kurtev in side control, throwing shots but Maki defends.

Kurtev thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Kurtev working the strikes but Maki uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Kurtev looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev slips a nice elbow through Maki's hands, connecting with Maki's forehead.
Kurtev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Maki on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kurtev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kurtev wants to control but Maki is keeping him busy.
Kurtev winds up and cracks Maki with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Kurtev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kurtev wants to pass the guard but Maki is defending well.
Kurtev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maki blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kurtev.
Maki taking some punishment here, with Kurtev in his half guard.
Nice strikes from Kurtev there.
Kurtev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Maki keeps working.
Kurtev is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Kurtev with the ground and pound but Maki uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Maki wants to get back to his feet but Kurtev passes into half guard.
Kurtev not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kurtev tries to clinch but Maki moves out of range.
Kurtev looks for a takedown but Maki sprawls well.
Kurtev misses with a looping right.
Krisko Kurtev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kurtev shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Kurtev 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.
Kurtev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Maki defending well though.
Maki is trying to stand.
Kurtev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maki keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kurtev thows a huge punch but Maki dodges it nicely.
Maki gets back to full guard.
Kurtev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurtev trying to control the position from guard on top but Maki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kurtev is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Maki is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Maki avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kurtev trying to control the position from guard on top but Maki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Maki working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kurtev.

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.
Kurtev working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Maki's head.
Kurtev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Maki had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kurtev defends it easily.
Kurtev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kurtev looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Maki is fending him off so far but Kurtev persists. Nope, Maki circles away and we're back to standing.
Maki misses with a looping left.
Kurtev tries to clinch but Maki is having none of it.
A nice side step and Maki releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Kurtev walks into a straight right hand from Maki.
Maki misses the shot to the body.
Kurtev tries to clinch but Maki is having none of it.
Kurtev takes a swing at Maki's ribcage but misses.
Seppo Maki is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kurtev.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Krisko Kurtev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev throws a right hand that Maki ducks under and follows up with a left that Maki also avoids with ease.
Kurtev backing away here, and Maki unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Kurtev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Maki swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kurtev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Maki but Maki pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kurtev fails in his attempt to clinch.
Maki buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kurtev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Maki misses with a head kick.
Kurtev tries to clinch but Maki moves out of range.
Kurtev slips under a jab from Maki.
Good exchange - Maki coming out on top.

Kurtev closes the distance and pushes Maki back into the cage.

Kurtev wants the takedown. Maki is fighting it off but Kurtev persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Maki's guard against the cage.
Maki working a defensive guard here.
Kurtev with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev throws a big elbow that misses.
Kurtev distracts Maki with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maki has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Kurtev is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kurtev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kurtev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Maki works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kurtev throwing strikes from guard but Maki blocks nicely.
Maki working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kurtev.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Krisko Kurtev will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Maki connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nice sprawl there from Maki as Kurtev shoots in.

Kurtev closes the distance and clinches.
Maki working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kurtev drops down looking for an ankle pick but Maki pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kurtev darts in looking for a takedown but Maki gets double underhooks and turns Kurtev into the cage.
Maki shapes to counter with a head kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Krisko Kurtev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kurtev takes a shot to the head.
Maki throws a punch but it's blocked by Kurtev.
A short right from Maki on the inside.
Maki lands a shoulder strike.
Maki softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Maki tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kurtev is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Maki pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Maki breaks from the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kurtev slips a jab from Maki.
Maki's corner calls for a 1-2. Maki obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kurtev tries to clinch up.
Maki throws out a counter right but Kurtev avoids it with no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurtev throws a low kick but Maki moves out of range easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kurtev.
An inside leg kick lands from Maki.
Maki connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Maki avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
It seemed like Maki was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kurtev wants to clinch
enabling Maki to counter with a crisp jab.
Maki throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kurtev wants to clinch.
A little jabbing left from Maki on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kurtev misses the shot to the body.
Maki looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kurtev or perhaps it was just good defense by Maki, which made it look bad.
Maki looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Seppo Maki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Maki as he jumps to the side.
Kurtev swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
enabling Maki to counter with a crisp jab.
Maki avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kurtev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Maki.
Kurtev has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Maki.
Maki scoring well with a low kick there.
Kurtev moves to clinch but Maki breaks away
and Maki counters with a stiff right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Maki missing with a left hand there. Kurtev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Maki misses with a punch on the inside.
Kurtev can't get the takedown.
Nice body punch from Maki - that landed with a thud.
Seppo Maki seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nice body punch from Maki - that landed with a thud.
Krisko Kurtev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maki throws a head punch that misses.
Kurtev has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Maki avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Maki breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A chopping leg kick lands by Maki.
Maki lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A jab lands there for Maki.
Maki tries to land a leg kick but Kurtev saw it coming and moves away.
Seppo Maki seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Kurtev looking to score a takedown here. Maki is defending well but Kurtev drives through and ends up in Maki's guard.

Maki is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
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!
Maki lands a body punch.
Maki throws a punch but it's blocked by Kurtev.
Kurtev is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Maki pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Maki digs a right hand underneath Kurtev's ribcage. Kurtev let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maki tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Maki throws a punch but it's blocked by Kurtev.
Kurtev is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Maki pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kurtev is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Maki lands a hook that snaps the head of Kurtev backwards.
Maki stops a takedown attempt from Kurtev.
Maki works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Maki lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kurtev backwards.
A shot in the inside from Maki.
Maki misses with a hook from the clinch.
Maki throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Maki lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kurtev backwards.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Maki creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Maki lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kurtev backwards.
Maki lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kurtev backwards.

Kurtev is rocked!

And that's the end of the fight!
Seppo Maki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kurtev 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 27:29
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Krisko Kurtev!
A very excited looking Krisko Kurtev made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.