PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Akira Kurosawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thunder Struck (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kurosawa comes into the arena with War drums blaring out of the sound system. Struck is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Thunderstruck. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kurosawa
vs
Struck

173 cm
23
183 lbs
11 - 7 - 1

185 cm
24
175 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

BioPharm Nutrition
BioPharm Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Akira Kurosawa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Thunder Struck!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Dillan Fox and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kurosawa moves forwards but Struck connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Struck lands a body shot.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kurosawa.
Struck lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Struck throws a good cross that connects.
Kurosawa blocks a head kick by Struck.
Struck connects with a nice looking jab.
Kurosawa throws a push kick but Struck slaps the foot to one side.
Struck lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Struck throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Struck lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kurosawa circles away quickly and effectively.
Thunder Struck seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Struck throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kurosawa avoids the body shot from Struck.
Kurosawa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Struck.
Struck is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Struck lands with a kick to the temple. Kurosawa shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurosawa takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Struck feints and then cracks Kurosawa's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kurosawa down.
Thunder Struck is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Struck thuds his right hand into Kurosawa's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Struck has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Struck throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Struck throws a hook but Kurosawa avoids it easily.
A lazy body kick from Struck

and Kurosawa counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Struck!
Kurosawa avoids the attempt from Struck to control.

Kurosawa goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Struck is on top in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Struck wants to stand and escape but instead Kurosawa has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Struck trying to keep a closed guard but Kurosawa is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurosawa wants to control from the top but Struck keeps moving.
Struck can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kurosawa controls the pace.
Kurosawa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Struck swivels though and keeps the full 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.
Struck is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kurosawa is controlling him.

Kurosawa has gone for a leg lock! Struck slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kurosawa's guard.

Kurosawa has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Struck can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thunder Struck dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kurosawa thows a leg kick but Struck checks it
and Struck counters with a two punch combo.
A low kick from Struck is predictable there
and Kurosawa counters with a thumping low kick.
Struck will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Struck connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A cross from Struck lands.
Struck throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Struck missing with a left hand there. Kurosawa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kurosawa ducks under a wild hook from Struck.
Struck displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kurosawa.
A low kick from Struck is predictable there

and Kurosawa decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Struck's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kurosawa throws a big right hand that misses.
Kurosawa trying to control but Struck is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurosawa is really struggling to control Struck but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Struck is controlling Kurosawa's posture.
Kurosawa with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kurosawa throws a strike but Struck rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Kurosawa has his foot on Struck's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Struck works his way back into a safe position though.

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

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

Kurosawa working for a triangle but Struck defends it easily.

That's four 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.
Struck controls from within his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Thunder Struck 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Struck throws a right hand that Kurosawa ducks under and follows up with a left that Kurosawa also avoids with ease.
Kurosawa takes a jab right on the kisser.
Struck swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kurosawa defending well as Struck loads up on a big left hand.
Struck throws a looping overhand right but Kurosawa ducks down to avoid it.
Kurosawa checks a low kick from Struck.
A low kick from Struck misses
and Kurosawa counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Thunder Struck seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Struck misses the shot to the body.
Struck throws a shot from downtown. Kurosawa moves away and avoids it.
Struck throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kurosawa sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Struck throws a wild body kick that Kurosawa sees coming a mile off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick by Struck misses

and Kurosawa counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Struck's guard now.
Kurosawa stopping the sweep attempt from Struck.
Kurosawa wants to pass the guard but Struck is keeping the position.
Struck pulls Kurosawa in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurosawa trying to control but Struck is working from the bottom.
Struck wants to get back to his feet but Kurosawa is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Kurosawa might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Struck seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Kurosawa postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Struck is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Kurosawa, into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kurosawa is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Struck defends well.
Akira Kurosawa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thunder Struck is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

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.

Kurosawa has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Struck can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Struck tries to free his leg and advance position but Kurosawa is retaining full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Akira Kurosawa showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Struck 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thunder Struck!