PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Vino Kourov (ranked 2782 p4p, 3751 weight class) and Venice Stalanburg (ranked 193 p4p, 251 weight class). Kourov comes to the cage accompanied by COME ON. The key to victory for Vino Kourov has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Kourov
vs
Stalanburg

171 cm
20
136
2 - 2 - 0

150 cm
26
139
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

Champion Apparel
BRAZEN - Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vino Kourov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Venice Stalanburg !
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Dmitry Maklakov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stalanburg closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Kourov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Kourov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stalanburg .
Stalanburg working Kourov over with strikes.
Kourov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Stalanburg .
Stalanburg thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kourov wants to get back to his feet.
Stalanburg throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Stalanburg thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kourov's head.
Kourov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stalanburg .
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kourov is defending against the submission attempts here by Stalanburg .
Stalanburg missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stalanburg not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Stalanburg not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Stalanburg sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kourov defending well though.
Stalanburg throwing shots but Kourov is blocking nicely.
Stalanburg working over Kourov with some ground and pound. Kourov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Stalanburg landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kourov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Stalanburg missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Stalanburg lands a nice short elbow.
Kourov tries to kick Stalanburg off but Stalanburg keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Stalanburg missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Stalanburg throwing shots but Kourov is blocking nicely.
Kourov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stalanburg .
Stalanburg looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Stalanburg is nestled in close to Kourov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stalanburg sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kourov defending well though.
Stalanburg working Kourov over with strikes.
Stalanburg passes to full mount!
Kourov manages to work a leg through to get back to half guard here. Good work there by Kourov, under a barage of strikes from Stalanburg .
Kourov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kourov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stalanburg .
Stalanburg thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kourov's head.
Stalanburg with the ground and pound but Kourov uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Stalanburg throws an elbow that misses. Kourov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Stalanburg 's guard. Nice move by Kourov!

This has been an exciting period of action!
Stalanburg controlling Kourov's posture.

Stalanburg looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kourov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Stalanburg is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kourov trying to stand up but can't free himself from Stalanburg 's guard.
Stalanburg is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Kourov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

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.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Kourov closes the distance and pushes Stalanburg back into the cage.

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

Stalanburg shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kourov is trying to defend but Stalanburg finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Stalanburg missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kourov looks like he's trying to stand up.
Stalanburg thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Venice Stalanburg dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Stalanburg shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kourov napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Stalanburg misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Stalanburg lands a few punches from side control.
Kourov wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Stalanburg thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Kourov is trying to buck Stalanburg off.
Stalanburg landing a few strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stalanburg creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Kourov sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Stalanburg in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Stalanburg lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Kourov down.
Venice Stalanburg has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kourov is pushing Stalanburg 's head away, looking to escape. Stalanburg manages to hold on to the position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kourov takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Stalanburg is trying to ground and pound but Kourov uses the momentary lack of control by Stalanburg to regain half guard.
Stalanburg thows a huge punch but Kourov dodges it nicely.
Stalanburg thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kourov's head.
Stalanburg not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Stalanburg throwing shots but Kourov is blocking nicely.
Stalanburg not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Stalanburg has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Stalanburg throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Stalanburg not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Stalanburg looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kourov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Stalanburg has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Stalanburg thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kourov won't allow Stalanburg to pass to mount.
Stalanburg throws a strike but Kourov avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stalanburg missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Stalanburg postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Stalanburg accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kourov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Stalanburg passes Kourov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Stalanburg missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Stalanburg missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Stalanburg seems to be working for a kimura but Kourov defends the submission attempt.
Stalanburg thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kourov's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stalanburg not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Stalanburg not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Vino Kourov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stalanburg shoots in looking for a takedown but Kourov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Stalanburg 's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Stalanburg tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kourov swivels and escapes.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Kourov digs a good body shot into Stalanburg 's ribs.
A lazy left from Kourov finds it's target.

Stalanburg closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Kourov quickly recovers to half guard.
Kourov taking some punishment here, with Stalanburg in his half guard.
Kourov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Stalanburg throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Stalanburg tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kourov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Kourov is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stalanburg landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Stalanburg working over Kourov with some ground and pound. Kourov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Stalanburg missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Stalanburg wants to work for an arm triangle but Kourov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kourov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Stalanburg working Kourov over with strikes.
Stalanburg drops an elbow to the side of Kourov's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stalanburg sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kourov defending well though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stalanburg with the ground and pound but Kourov uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Stalanburg cracks Kourov with a solid left hand.
Stalanburg lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Venice Stalanburg showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kourov slaps away a takedown attempt from Stalanburg , before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kourov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Kourov gets a clinch.

Kourov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kourov stuffs the takedown attempt from Stalanburg . Stalanburg gets slowly back to his feet.
Venice Stalanburg is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kourov feints a jab promting Stalanburg to slip. Kourov then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Stalanburg slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Kourov lands a slapping body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stalanburg closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kourov circles away.
Vino Kourov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Venice Stalanburg .
Danga de danga de dang - Kourov scores with a four punch combination!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kourov scores with a punch to the head.
Stalanburg takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kourov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Stalanburg is rocked!
Kourov drops Stalanburg with a naaaaasty hook - Stalanburg is in real trouble here! Kourov dives in to side control and pounds out his opponent for a TKO victory! The crowd goes nuts!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Vino Kourov!
Vino Kourov was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.