PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Roma Kucherov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rueso Bear Junior (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kucherov comes into the arena with The Offspring - You're Gonna Go Far, Kid blaring out of the sound system. Roma Kucherov had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Kucherov
vs
Bear Junior

150 cm
29
183 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

184 cm
26
198 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Very quick

Good takedowns
Excellent MT
Knockout power

Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Roma Kucherov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rueso Bear Junior!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Albert Achterberg and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kucherov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Bear Junior punishes Kucherov's body with a nice straight punch.

Bear Junior scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Kucherov managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Bear Junior.
Bear Junior looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Kucherov is avoiding damage well.
Bear Junior looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Kucherov is avoiding damage well.
Bear Junior throws an elbow but Kucherov slips to the side and avoids it well.
Kucherov is pushing Bear Junior's head away, looking to escape. Bear Junior manages to hold on to the position though.
Bear Junior in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Bear Junior throws a strike aimed at the side of Kucherov's head but Kucherov avoids it well.
Kucherov is looking to regain half guard here but Bear Junior keeps moving and retains side control.
Bear Junior tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Bear Junior has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Bear Junior lands a few punches from side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kucherov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Bear Junior's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bear Junior not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bear Junior missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bear Junior thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kucherov's head.
Kucherov controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Bear Junior throwing shots but Kucherov is blocking nicely.
Bear Junior thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kucherov's head.
Bear Junior sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Bear Junior missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kucherov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bear Junior is keen to just control but Kucherov is a slippery customer.
Kucherov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bear Junior.
Bear Junior missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bear Junior wants to control but Kucherov is keeping him busy.
Kucherov desperately trying to maintain half guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kucherov takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Bear Junior uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kucherov fails with the takedown.
Bear Junior cracks Kucherov with a good jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bear Junior stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kucherov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Bear Junior moves into range and connects with a jab.
Good exchange - Bear Junior coming out on top.
Bear Junior scoring well with a low kick there.
Nice takedown defense from Bear Junior. No joy for Kucherov on that attempt.
A jab lands there for Bear Junior.
Kucherov takes one to the chin there.
Bear Junior fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kucherov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Bear Junior keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Bear Junior has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A punch lands to the side of Kucherov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Bear Junior jabs at Kucherov's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bear Junior scores with a jab. Kucherov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Bear Junior scores with a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bear Junior cracks Kucherov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Kucherov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bear Junior but Bear Junior pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roma Kucherov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bear Junior dips to his left and cracks Kucherov with an uppercut!
Bear Junior fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kucherov on the side of the head.
Bear Junior dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bear Junior connects with a nice looking jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bear Junior scores with a decent looking hook.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Kucherov. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Bear Junior lands with a right hand.
Kucherov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rueso Bear Junior 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.

Bear Junior connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kucherov momentarily.

Bear Junior closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Bear Junior lands in his opponent's guard.
Bear Junior throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kucherov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kucherov wants to sweep here but Bear Junior controlling him for the moment.
Kucherov working a defensive guard here.
Bear Junior throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kucherov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bear Junior showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Bear Junior loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bear Junior wants to pass the guard but Kucherov is keeping the position.
Kucherov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Bear Junior lands a couple of digs.
Kucherov looking to control.
Bear Junior throwing strikes but missing.
Kucherov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bear Junior is one step ahead there.
Kucherov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kucherov keeping moving, preventing Bear Junior from controlling successfully.
Bear Junior postures up in Kucherov's guard and throws a big left but Kucherov blocks it.
Bear Junior postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kucherov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kucherov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kucherov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bear Junior accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kucherov 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.
Kucherov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bear Junior.
Bear Junior working some strikes from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bear Junior with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bear Junior with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kucherov looking for a sweep. Not yet Kucherov, not yet.
Bear Junior working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bear Junior trying to move into half guard but instead Kucherov has managed to sweep!
Bear Junior controlling Kucherov's posture.
Kucherov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bear Junior is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kucherov is controlling him.

Bear Junior manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Rueso Bear Junior seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bear Junior connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kucherov's hands.
A punch lands to the side of Kucherov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Bear Junior lands a lovely overhand right.
Kucherov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Kucherov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kucherov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kucherov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Bear Junior moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kucherov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bear Junior sprawls well. Bear Junior wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kucherov gets slowly back to his feet.
Bear Junior getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Bear Junior shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bear Junior showed some decent athleticism there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rueso Bear Junior showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kucherov shoots for a takedown but Bear Junior saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Rueso Bear Junior seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bear Junior's corner calls for a 1-2. Bear Junior obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Bear Junior moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Bear Junior lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Bear Junior, as that shot connected.
Bear Junior scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kucherov in his tracks.
Bear Junior swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kucherov.

Bear Junior closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kucherov to the mat! Kucherov manages to get full guard.
Kucherov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kucherov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kucherov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kucherov wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Bear Junior throws a strike but Kucherov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Bear Junior seems keen to control Kucherov's posture.
Kucherov won't allow Bear Junior to get back to his feet.
Bear Junior looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kucherov is one step ahead there.
Bear Junior is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kucherov is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bear Junior is trying to control the position from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Bear Junior looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kucherov is one step ahead there.
Rueso Bear Junior has got the better of the ground game so far.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Rueso Bear Junior hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Bear Junior lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Bear Junior uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Bear Junior shoots in for a takedown but Kucherov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Bear Junior lands with a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bear Junior connects with a nice looking jab.
Kucherov takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A jab lands there for Bear Junior.
Bear Junior connects with a looping right hand.
Roma Kucherov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bear Junior lunges at Kucherov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kucherov's hand.
Bear Junior lands the left hand.
Bear Junior throws out a powerful jab.
Kucherov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Bear Junior is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

Bear Junior gets caught flat footed, as Kucherov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Rueso Bear Junior is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kucherov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Bear Junior is trying to keep Kucherov in close.
Bear Junior wants to sweep here but Kucherov controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kucherov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Bear Junior takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bear Junior utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kucherov stopping the sweep attempt from Bear Junior.
Bear Junior has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Kucherov has passed into side control.
Roma Kucherov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kucherov is trying to get an arm triangle but Bear Junior is defending well.
Bear Junior controls the position for a moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rueso Bear Junior comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bear Junior 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight for Rueso Bear Junior!
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight for Rueso Bear Junior!
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight for Rueso Bear Junior!

Rueso Bear Junior wins by unanimous decision!