PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Kurikka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Phil Paighn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Phil Paighn will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Kurikka
vs
Paighn

187 cm
19
220 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

200 cm
24
210 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Kurikka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Phil Paighn!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Alan Glass and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paighn throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kurikka misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Paighn instigates a clinch.
Kurikka takes a knee right on the jaw!

It looks like John Kurikka has been cut.
Paighn scores with a knee to the head.
Kurikka wants to break the clinch but can't.
Paighn connects with a knee to the head.
Kurikka is breathing heavily.
Kurikka working hard to break the clinch.
Paighn lands a nice knee to the body.
Paighn using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Paighn stalling in the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Paighn putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Kurikka in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

Paighn manages to break the clinch.
A solid body kick from Paighn.
Paighn throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Paighn throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
A slapping leg kick lands for Paighn.
Kurikka on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Paighn. Paighn obviously looking to wear him down.
Paighn scores with a leg kick.
Paighn scores with a nice body kick.
Paighn scoring well with a low kick there.
Paighn bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Paighn.
Paighn lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kurikka will feel that in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Paighn rushes Kurikka and presses him up against the ropes.
Kurikka takes a knee right on the jaw!
Paighn is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Paighn is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Kurikka has denied him.
Paighn landing knees to the head.
Paighn using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Paighn unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Paighn lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Paighn is struggling to control the position.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Paighn obliges.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Paighn with a knee to the head.
Paighn utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Paighn lands a knee to the body.
Paighn unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Paighn with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Paighn scores with a knee to the head.
Paighn connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kurikka's face.
Paighn putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Kurikka in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Paighn scores with a knee to the head.
Kurikka tries to throw a body punch but Paighn avoids it by throwing Kurikka back against the cage.
Kurikka will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Kurikka takes a knee right on the jaw!
Paighn lands a nice knee to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Paighn with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Paighn breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kurikka tries to clinch up
and Paighn counters with an outside leg kick.
Kurikka throws a series of punches but Paighn moves out of range.
Kurikka wants to clinch
and Paighn counters with a big head kick but Kurikka shrugs it off.
A chopping leg kick lands by Paighn.
Good leg kick by Paighn there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kurikka darts in trying to clinch

and Paighn counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Paighn.
Paighn connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kurikka's face.
Paighn using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Paighn blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Paighn scores a nice knee to the body.
Paighn lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Paighn using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Paighn scores a nice knee to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paighn connects with a knee to the head.
Paighn using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Paighn wants to stall.
Paighn seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
Paighn connects with a knee to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Paighn obliges.
Paighn is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kurikka is keeping busy.
Paighn putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Kurikka in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Paighn working Kurikka over with knees to the body.
Paighn utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Paighn connects with a knee to the head.
Paighn manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Paighn throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kurikka blocks it with crossed arms.
Kurikka wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Paighn has him pressed against the ropes.
Paighn connects with a knee to the head.
Paighn blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A knee to the head by Paighn.
Paighn unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kurikka lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Paighn using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kurikka throws a head punch that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paighn utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kurikka can't break the clinch.

Paighn breaks the clinch.
John Kurikka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Paighn throws a head kick that half lands.
A good leg kick by Paighn.

Paighn closes the distance and clinches.
Paighn blocking some punches.
Paighn scores a nice knee to the body.

Paighn manages to break the clinch.
Kurikka wants to clinch
and Paighn counters with a nice leg kick.
Paighn lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kurikka misses with a double jab

and Paighn counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Paighn.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Paighn stalling the fight.

Paighn breaks the clinch.
Paighn circles away from the clinch attempt
and Paighn counters with a thumping low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phil Paighn dominated that round.
The cut man is working on John Kurikka's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Paighn cracks the inside of Kurikka's front leg.
Paighn lands a nice looking kick to the body. Kurikka takes a step back to recover.

Paighn instigates a clinch.
Paighn stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Paighn connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kurikka's face.
Paighn using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Paighn lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Paighn lands a knee to the head.
Paighn landing some nice looking knees to the body.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Paighn scores a nice knee to the body.
Paighn with a knee to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Paighn unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kurikka lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Paighn putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Kurikka in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Paighn connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kurikka's face.
Paighn landing knees to the body.
Paighn unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kurikka lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Paighn scores with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kurikka tries to throw a body punch but Paighn avoids it by throwing Kurikka back against the cage.
Paighn unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kurikka lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kurikka has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Paighn taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
A knee to the head by Paighn.
Kurikka scores with a shot to the side of Paighn's head.
The is referee keeping an eye on Paighn - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurikka wants to get back to striking at distance but Paighn won't allow it.
Paighn blocks a body shot from Kurikka.
Paighn landing knees to the head.
Kurikka takes a knee to the side of the body.
Paighn tries to stall but Kurikka uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kurikka working aggressively here.
Kurikka misses with a punch to the body.
Paighn landing knees to the body.
Paighn has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Paighn escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Paighn connects with a solid leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Paighn.
Kurikka tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Paighn counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Kurikka misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Paighn lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
A nice leg kick lands there from Paighn.
Paighn turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Paighn throws a leg kick which misses Kurikka's front leg but catches the back leg as Kurikka tries to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slapping body kick lands there for Paighn.
Paighn throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Kurikka's head.
Paighn looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Good leg kick by Paighn there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Paighn rushes Kurikka and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
A knee to the head by Paighn.
Knees to the body from Paighn.
Kurikka has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Paighn is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kurikka tries to break free but Paighn pushes him back against the ropes.
Paighn landing knees to the head.
Knees to the body from Paighn.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Paighn.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Paighn lands a knee to the head.
Phil Paighn seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A shot in the inside from Kurikka.
Paighn lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Paighn.
Kurikka is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Paighn is trying to stall.
Kurikka is trying to break the clinch but Paighn has him pressed against the ropes.
Paighn lands a knee to the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Kurikka.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurikka scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kurikka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Knees in the clinch landing for Paighn.
Paighn lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kurikka scores with a nice hook to the head.
Paighn lands a nice knee to the body.
Paighn missing with knees to the body.
Kurikka is looking to break free of the clinch but Paighn has double underhooks.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Kurikka is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Kurikka is looking to break free of the clinch but Paighn has double underhooks.
Paighn connects with a knee to the head.
Paighn looking to throw knees to the head but Kurikka is blocking nicely.
Paighn taking a breather.
Kurikka misses with the head strike.
Come on Paighn - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Kurikka wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Paighn landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Paighn is trying to maintain a safe position but Kurikka gets an underhook and turns Paighn into the ropes.
Kurikka working hard to break the clinch.
Paighn landing knees to the head.
Kurikka can't break the clinch.
Knees to the body from Paighn.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
A frustrated look appears on Kurikka's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Kurikka's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A knee to the head by Paighn.
Kurikka can't break the clinch.
Kurikka takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kurikka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Paighn's elbow.
Paighn with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Paighn tries to land knees in the clinch but Kurikka avoids the damage to the body.
Kurikka lands a left hand.
Paighn landing knees to the head.
Paighn lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Paighn tries to land knees in the clinch but Kurikka avoids the damage to the body.
Kurikka lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Paighn backwards.
Paighn missing with knees to the body.
Kurikka lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kurikka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Paighn unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kurikka lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kurikka swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Paighn lands a knee to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A body shot lands from Kurikka.
Paighn stalling in the clinch but Kurikka improves position.
Kurikka tries to circle away but Paighn has him pinned against the ropes.
Kurikka tries to break the clinch but Paighn is controlling the position.
Paighn using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Paighn scores with a knee to the head.
Paighn unloads a knee to the mid-section.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phil Paighn showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on John Kurikka's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Kurikka scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Paighn thumps Kurikka with a low kick.
Paighn moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Paighn clinches.

Paighn pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Paighn throws a head kick that Kurikka semi-blocks.
Kurikka wants to clinch
and Paighn counters with a good, hard body kick but Kurikka shrugs it off.
A solid body kick from Paighn.
An inside leg kick lands from Paighn.
Kurikka tries to clinch but Paighn moves away
and Paighn counters with a slapping leg kick.
Paighn lands with a kick to the temple. Kurikka shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Paighn delivers a nice body kick.
Kurikka darts in trying to clinch
and Paighn counters with a slapping leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Paighn.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Paighn takes the fight into the clinch.
Paighn stalling in the clinch.
Paighn putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Kurikka in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Kurikka looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Paighn breaks from the clinch.
Paighn circles away from the clinch attempt
and Paighn counters with a leg kick.
Paighn scores with a leg kick.
Kurikka takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Kurikka throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Paighn holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Paighn obliges.
Paighn connects with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Paighn.
Kurikka can't break the clinch.
Paighn taking a breather.
Paighn is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Paighn with a knee to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Paighn obliges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paighn tries to land a knee to the head but Kurikka blocks with his arms.
Well,Kurikka is on his way to losing a decision here. Can he use his experience to pull something off in the closing minutes?
Kurikka on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kurikka tries to break the clinch but Paighn is controlling the position.
Paighn wants to stall.
Kurikka on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Paighn misses with a knee to the head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kurikka as Paighn tries to tie him up.
Paighn is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kurikka is defending well for now.
Kurikka stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kurikka lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Paighn scores a nice knee to the body.
Paighn lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kurikka has had enough of the clinch but Paighn keeps him there for the moment.
Paighn looking to stall.
Kurikka misses with the head strike.
Kurikka lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Paighn unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kurikka lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kurikka lands a nice uppercut.
Kurikka is trying to break the clinch but Paighn is controlling him.
Kurikka misses with a punch on the inside.
Paighn lands a knee to the head.
Paighn connects with a knee to the head.
Paighn unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kurikka lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kurikka looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paighn breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kurikka throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Paighn.
Nice body kick there by Paighn.
Kurikka throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kurikka wants to clinch
and Paighn counters with a nice body kick.
Paighn throws a quick inside leg kick.
Paighn lands with a slapping head kick.
Paighn plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Paighn goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Kurikka closes the distance but Paighn moves to the side
and Paighn counters with a leg kick.
Paighn throws a leg kick which misses Kurikka's front leg but catches the back leg as Kurikka tries to avoid it.
Kurikka throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Paighn throws a leg kick which misses Kurikka's front leg but catches the back leg as Kurikka tries to avoid it.

Paighn moves into the clinch successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paighn's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Paighn putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Kurikka in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Kurikka is working Paighn over against the ropes.
Paighn is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Kurikka throws a punch but it's blocked by Paighn.
Kurikka fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Paighn stalling in the clinch but Kurikka improves position.
Paighn with a knee to the head.
Paighn stalling.
Paighn blocks a body shot from Kurikka.
Paighn stalling in the clinch but Kurikka improves position.
Paighn connects with a knee to the head.
Paighn missing with knees to the body.
Kurikka lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kurikka lands a nice uppercut.
Paighn unloads a knee to the mid-section.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kurikka lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Paighn tries a knee to the head but Kurikka blocks it.
Kurikka lands a nice uppercut.
Paighn trying to control the position but instead, Kurikka has worked for underhooks and has pushed Paighn into the ropes.
John Kurikka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Phil Paighn is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kurikka tries to break the clinch but Paighn is controlling the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Phil Paighn comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Paighn 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight for Phil Paighn!
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight for Phil Paighn!
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight for Phil Paighn!

Phil Paighn wins by unanimous decision!