PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mark Kerr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Randy Couture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kerr
vs
Couture

191 cm
22
260 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
22
227 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mark Kerr !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Randy Couture!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kerr shoots in and bounces Couture off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Couture working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kerr .
Kerr throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Couture works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Couture throws a couple of heel strikes.
Couture looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kerr 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.
Couture is controlling Kerr 's posture.
Couture really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kerr . If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Couture with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Kerr can't handle though.
Kerr working some strikes from top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Couture is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kerr defends well.
Kerr thows a big elbow that misses.
Kerr postures up in Couture's guard and throws a big left but Couture blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture wants to get back to his feet but Kerr is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Kerr lands a couple of elbows.
Kerr is looking to work some ground and pound but Couture has wrist control.
Kerr wants to pass the guard but Couture is keeping the position.

Kerr drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kerr jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Kerr not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Couture manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Couture wants to control the pace but Kerr is squirming around nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kerr is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Couture breaks from Kerr 's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Kerr is looking to improve his position but Couture isn't that keen on the idea.
Couture wants to control the pace but Kerr is squirming around nicely.
Couture landing shots from mount.
Couture takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Kerr is trying to escape the mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerr is working hard here to advance position.
Kerr has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Couture's lack of action.
Kerr regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Couture.
Kerr looking for a sweep. Not yet Kerr , not yet.
Couture slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Kerr is not content to let Couture control the position.

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.
Couture working the head with strikes.
Kerr is trying to control Couture's posture but Couture avoids it.
Couture working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Couture working the ground and pound but Kerr is defending the strikes.
Kerr is trying to control Couture's posture but Couture avoids it.
Couture throwing strikes but Kerr manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Randy Couture will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kerr is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Couture's half guard.
Kerr wants to lay and pray for a moment but Couture keeps working.
Couture is looking to improve his position.
Kerr thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Couture's head.
Couture keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kerr connects with a nice short shot to Couture's temple.
Couture is positioning himself well to prevent Kerr advancing to mount.
Kerr looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerr throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kerr is looking to take a break and control but Couture is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kerr not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Couture is defending against the submission attempts here by Kerr .
Couture tries to get to full guard but Kerr has control of the leg.
Kerr with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Couture wants to improve his position but Kerr is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Couture rushes Kerr and presses him up against the cage.
Kerr looking to stall.
Kerr prevents a takedown attempt there.
Couture tries for a takedown. No joy.

Couture tightens his grip and picks Kerr up, before dumping him to the ground. Kerr manages to land in guard.
Kerr on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kerr tries to get out of the position.
Couture with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kerr is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Couture is controlling him.

Kerr looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Couture passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerr looks like he's trying to stand up.
Kerr missing with punches from the bottom.
Couture trying to control from Kerr 's half guard. Kerr has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Couture loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Couture makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kerr looking to hit a scissor sweep but Couture is one step ahead there.
Couture controlling from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Couture looking to pass the guard.
Kerr tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Randy Couture will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Couture shoots and misses

and Kerr counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Kerr in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kerr pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Couture is keeping the position for now.
Kerr throws a big right hand that misses.
Kerr trying to control but Couture is working from the bottom.
Couture is trying to control the position but Kerr postures up.
Kerr works over Couture with some ground and pound from guard.
Kerr stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Couture swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Couture trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Kerr content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kerr throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Couture works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kerr accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kerr wants to control from the top but Couture keeps moving.
Kerr postures up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Couture with a lazy takedown attempt

and Kerr counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Couture's guard now.
Kerr passes into half guard.
Couture blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kerr .

Kerr is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Kerr not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kerr wants to control but Couture is keeping him busy.
Kerr stalling.
Kerr is keen to just control but Couture is a slippery customer.
Couture keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mark Kerr overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Couture shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kerr napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Couture throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
The ground and pound from Couture seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Couture creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Kerr struggling a bit here.
Couture laying and praying for a moment but Kerr takes advantage and regains half guard.

Kerr manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kerr doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Couture counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Couture.

Couture pulls guard successfully.
Couture is trying to keep Kerr in close.
Kerr loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kerr throwing strikes from guard but Couture blocks nicely.
Kerr postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kerr trying to control the position from guard on top but Couture is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Couture pulls Kerr in close to prevent any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mark Kerr showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Couture has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Randy Couture!