PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Zane Raven (ranked 2699 p4p, 1985 weight class) and Vino Kourov (ranked 190 p4p, 147 weight class). Raven comes to the cage accompanied by 300 Violin Orchestra - Jorge Quintero. Kourov has chosen COME ON as his entrance music. Vino Kourov has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Zane Raven's chin.

Raven
vs
Kourov

172 cm
22
145
5 - 2 - 0

171 cm
21
136
4 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Silverguard Outfitters ðŸ›¡
Furnace Performance ðŸ”¥

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zane Raven!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vino Kourov!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Illya Tyunina and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kourov throws a jab when Raven was well out of range.
Raven misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kourov.
It seemed like Kourov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kourov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Raven was well out of range. Poor timing from Kourov.
Kourov throws a lazy uppercut

and Raven counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Raven.
Kourov wants to get back to his feet but Raven passes into half guard.

Raven is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kourov sees it coming and defends easily.
Raven wants to pass the guard but Kourov is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Raven is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kourov defends it well.
Kourov felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

Raven is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Raven seems to be working for a kimura but Kourov defends the submission attempt.
Kourov is trying to stand.

Raven is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kourov sees it coming and defends easily.

Raven 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.

Raven is looking for a kimura but Kourov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Raven to get the leverage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Raven is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kourov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Raven.
Raven controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raven wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kourov keeps working.
Raven is looking to advance position but Kourov won't allow it.
Well, if Raven is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Raven stops Kourov from getting back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kourov slips under a jab.
Kourov doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Kourov cracks Raven with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Raven on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kourov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Raven looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kourov lands a glancing blow to the side of Raven's head.
Kourov tries to clinch but Raven moves out of range.

Kourov gets caught flat footed, as Raven shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Raven trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Raven slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
We've been hearing good reports from Raven's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Raven tries for a kimura but Kourov is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Zane Raven dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kourov is looking to clinch.
Kourov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kourov jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kourov throws out a loose jab but Raven uses good head movement to avoid it.
Raven tries to counter with a takedown but Kourov is quick to defend against it.
Kourov just misses with a punch to the body.
Raven tries to counter with a takedown but Kourov is quick to defend against it.
A jab from Raven does it's job there.
A slow jab from Raven misses its intended target.
Kourov takes a swing at Raven's ribcage but misses.
Vino Kourov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kourov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Raven defending well as Kourov loads up on a big left hand.
Raven drops down looking for a counter takedown but Kourov sprawls and moves away.
Kourov wants to clinch

so Raven counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Raven is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Raven drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kourov looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kourov looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kourov!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raven tries to improve position but can't.
Raven is working hard here to advance position.

Kourov decides to stand back up. Kourov steps back and let's Raven get back to his feet.
Raven misses with a straight left.
Kourov is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Kourov looks to throw the jab but Raven is out of range.
A lazy left from Kourov finds it's target.
Kourov sizes up Raven with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kourov tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Raven counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Zane Raven overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Raven seems to be working for a kimura but Kourov defends the submission attempt.

Raven wants to work for an arm triangle but Kourov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Raven stops Kourov from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raven is taking a breather. Kourov says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Kourov wants to get back to his feet.

Raven is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Raven 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.
Kourov is looking to escape.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kourov throws a looping overhand right but Raven ducks down to avoid it.
Kourov throws the left hand but Raven avoids the punch easily.
Kourov misses with a body shot.
Raven tries to counter with a takedown but Kourov is quick to defend against it.

Raven gets the takedown into side control.

Raven wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kourov, who protects the arm well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raven wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kourov keeps working.

Raven tries for a kimura but Kourov is defending well.
Kourov is pushing Raven's head away, looking to escape. Raven manages to hold on to the position though.
Raven trying to control the action but Kourov is working from the bottom.
Raven moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Vino Kourov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Kourov throws a right hand that misses

and Raven counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Raven wants to control from the top but Kourov keeps moving.
Kourov wants to stand but Raven is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Raven wants to pass the guard but Kourov is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raven advances position into side control!

Raven swings around for an armbar but Kourov sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Raven's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raven is trying to keep Kourov in close.
Raven has a closed guard, preventing Kourov from standing up.

Raven throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kourov tries to stand but Raven is controlling from the bottom.
Raven looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kourov is one step ahead there.
Raven looking to control.
Raven has a closed guard, preventing Kourov from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Raven had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kourov defends it easily.

Kourov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Kourov decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Raven, up you get!

Raven closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Raven lands in his opponent's guard.

Raven is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kourov is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kourov has escaped and now he's on top!

Raven is trying to keep Kourov in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kourov tries to stand but Raven is controlling from the bottom.

Raven looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Raven working a defensive guard here.
Raven is pulling down on Kourov's head to control his posture.
Kourov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kourov is looking to stand up but Raven won't let him.
Raven tries to land a sweep but no joy.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Raven is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kourov can't keep his opponent in guard - Raven advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Raven with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Raven prevents Kourov from standing back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Raven is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kourov sees it coming and defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zane Raven showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Raven 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zane Raven!
Our winner, Zane Raven, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
Vino Kourov was interviewed post fight and said 'there's vomit on his sweat ! mom's spaghetti's !'.