PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sergey Kurmanov (ranked 3526 p4p, 3665 weight class) and Cinderella Man Ii (ranked 352 p4p, 365 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kurmanov
vs
Man Ii

195 cm
25
240
1 - 0 - 0

184 cm
25
218
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergey Kurmanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cinderella Man Ii!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Man Ii rushes Kurmanov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Man Ii breaks from the clinch.
Kurmanov fails with the takedown
and Man Ii counters with a right hand to the body.
Kurmanov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kurmanov seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Kurmanov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Man Ii lands with a hook. Kurmanov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Man Ii moves into range and clinches up with Kurmanov.

Man Ii is fighting off a takedown attempt but Kurmanov is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Man Ii to the mat. Man Ii regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Kurmanov is fighting to break Man Ii's control of his arms but Man Ii is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Man Ii can do anything to dispel that myth.
Man Ii wants to sweep but no luck.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Man Ii keeping moving, preventing Kurmanov from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurmanov stops Man Ii from standing up.
Man Ii 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.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Man Ii has Kurmanov pulled in close to control his posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Man Ii has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Kurmanov is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Kurmanov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Man Ii's waist but Man Ii gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kurmanov off to one side.
Kurmanov darts in looking for a takedown but Man Ii gets double underhooks and turns Kurmanov into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergey Kurmanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Man Ii misses with a body punch.
Kurmanov tries to land knees in the clinch but Man Ii avoids the damage to the body.
Kurmanov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Man Ii's efforts to push away.
Kurmanov prevents Man Ii from breaking the clinch.

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.
Man Ii will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Kurmanov up against the cage.
Man Ii wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kurmanov has him pressed against the cage.
Kurmanov is looking to take this one to the mat.
Man Ii stalling against the cage.
Man Ii swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Kurmanov manages to break the clinch.
Man Ii cracks Kurmanov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Kurmanov tries for a takedown but Man Ii circles away easily
and Man Ii counters with a right hand to the body.
Man Ii misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Man Ii doesn't manage to clinch there - Kurmanov circles away.
Kurmanov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Man Ii circles away.
Man Ii throws a series of strikes that have Kurmanov backpedaling.
Kurmanov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kurmanov walks into a stiff left hand from Man Ii.

Kurmanov gets a double leg takedown into Man Ii's guard.

Man Ii kicks Kurmanov off and gets to his feet.
Kurmanov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kurmanov is breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Man Ii with a jab.
Kurmanov throws a combination that misses
and Man Ii counters with a stiff right hand.
Man Ii lands a nice shot to the body.
Man Ii scores with a hook to the body. Kurmanov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Man Ii lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Kurmanov backs up against the cage.
Man Ii scores with a jab. Kurmanov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Cinderella Man Ii is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Man Ii uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Man Ii moves into range and connects with a jab.
Man Ii throws a shot to the body.
Man Ii is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Kurmanov had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.

Kurmanov drives through with a takedown into Man Ii's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Kurmanov throwing strikes but missing.
Man Ii has Kurmanov pulled in close to control his posture.
Man Ii looking for a sweep. Not yet Man Ii, not yet.
Man Ii pulls Kurmanov in close to prevent any damage.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kurmanov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cinderella Man Ii dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Man Ii misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Man Ii uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kurmanov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Man Ii throws a lazy uppercut

and Kurmanov counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Man Ii manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Man Ii fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kurmanov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kurmanov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Man Ii lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

Kurmanov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Man Ii's guard.

Man Ii scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Man Ii connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Man Ii scores with a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurmanov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Man Ii.

It looks like Sergey Kurmanov has been cut.
Man Ii has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Man Ii misses with a series of wild punches.
Man Ii fails in his attempt to clinch.

Man Ii has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kurmanov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Man Ii is trying to push Kurmanov away but Kurmanov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Man Ii wants to break free but Kurmanov has control.
Kurmanov tries for a takedown but Man Ii manages to get underhooks.
Kurmanov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Man Ii lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Kurmanov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Man Ii jabs Kurmanov right on the nose. Kurmanov blinks but takes it well.
Man Ii lands a nice looking body shot.
Kurmanov walks into a jab.
Kurmanov fails with the takedown
and Man Ii counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergey Kurmanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Man Ii feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kurmanovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Man Ii stuffs the takedown.
Kurmanov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Man Ii to score with a decent uppercut.
Man Ii throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kurmanov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Man Ii digs a good hook to Kurmanov's body.
Kurmanov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Man Ii closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurmanov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short uppercut from Man Ii.
Man Ii is trying to break the clinch but Kurmanov is controlling him.
A frustrated look appears on Man Ii's face as he tries to break the clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Man Ii takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Man Ii controlling the action here for a moment.
Kurmanov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Man Ii walks away with a smile on his face. Kurmanov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Man Ii lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kurmanov at a distance.
Man Ii jabs Kurmanov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Man Ii works Kurmanov's body with a nice hook.
Cinderella Man Ii seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurmanov takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Man Ii closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Man Ii wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Kurmanov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Man Ii sizes up Kurmanov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Man Ii lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Kurmanov drops his hands momentarily and Man Ii takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kurmanov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Man Ii connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kurmanov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Man Ii finds it's way round the side to connect with Kurmanov's head.
Kurmanov's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Man Ii connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kurmanov scrambles back to his feet.
Man Ii keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cinderella Man Ii showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Sergey Kurmanov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Man Ii cracks a nice hook into Kurmanov's ribs.
Kurmanov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Sergey Kurmanov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jab from Man Ii.
Man Ii cracks a nice hook into Kurmanov's ribs.
Kurmanov with a poor takedown
and Man Ii counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Man Ii lands a slapping body shot.
Man Ii lands a really nice looking cross but Kurmanov seems unphased.
Kurmanov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Man Ii counters with a right hand to the body.
Man Ii lands a nice hook to Kurmanov's body. Kurmanov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jab from Man Ii.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Man Ii fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurmanov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Man Ii cracks Kurmanov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Man Ii jabs Kurmanov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A punch combination from Man Ii misses.
As Man Ii looks to move away, Kurmanov throws a big counter combo but Man Ii just gets out of the way.
Man Ii shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Kurmanov eats them both and turns towards Man Ii to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Man Ii lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Man Ii clinches up against the cage.
Man Ii lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kurmanov or not.
Man Ii gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kurmanov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergey Kurmanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Man Ii wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kurmanov has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Man Ii.
Man Ii has Kurmanov pushed against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Kurmanov pulls guard successfully.
Kurmanov trying to keep a closed guard but Man Ii is proving a slippery customer.
Man Ii won't allow Kurmanov to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurmanov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Man Ii wants to get up but he can't break Kurmanov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Man Ii stopping the sweep attempt from Kurmanov.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Man Ii throws a good cross that connects.
Man Ii dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Man Ii punishes Kurmanov's body with a nice straight punch.
Kurmanov misses with a lunging right hand
and Man Ii counters with a stiff right hand.
Cinderella Man Ii is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Man Ii lands a body shot.
Man Ii scores with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Man Ii's corner calls for a 1-2. Man Ii obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Man Ii wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Man Ii lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Kurmanov backs up against the cage.
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!
Man Ii keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Man Ii lunges at Kurmanov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kurmanov's hand.
Kurmanov tries to clinch up
and Man Ii counters with a straight right hand.
Man Ii scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Man Ii scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kurmanov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Man Ii works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Sergey Kurmanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Man Ii punishes Kurmanov's body with a nice straight punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cinderella Man Ii comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Man Ii has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 26:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 26:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cinderella Man Ii!