PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Elvin Church (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mate Kurtisevic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Church
vs
Kurtisevic

204 cm
23
162 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

173 cm
25
160 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Elvin Church!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Mate Kurtisevic!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, James Ackerman and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kurtisevic throws a front kick that sends Church stumbling back into the cage.
Church shoots in looking for a takedown but Kurtisevic manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Church's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Church shoots for a double leg takedown but Kurtisevic sprawls well. He's pushed Church's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kurtisevic scores with a kick to the midsection.
Church blocks a head kick by Kurtisevic.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kurtisevic looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kurtisevic stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kurtisevic wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Elvin Church. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kurtisevic tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kurtisevic tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Church counters with a left and a right that stings Kurtisevic.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kurtisevic.
Kurtisevic looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Church darts in looking for a takedown but Kurtisevic gets double underhooks and turns Church into the cage.
Church dodges an elbow strike from Kurtisevic.
Church misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kurtisevic misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Church.
Kurtisevic tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Church avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kurtisevic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kurtisevic does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Church tries a head kick but it misses.
Church avoids the head kick by Kurtisevic.
Kurtisevic moves to clinch but Church breaks away

and Church counters by moving into the clinch.

Kurtisevic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Horrible takedown by Church or perhaps it was just good defense by Kurtisevic which made him look bad.
Church is breathing heavily.
Kurtisevic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kurtisevic thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Church if he has to take too many more of those.
Church misses with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Church shoots in for a takedown but Kurtisevic shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A combination from Kurtisevic does no damage.
Church misses the jab.
Kurtisevic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kurtisevic with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Church blocks a head kick by Kurtisevic.
Mate Kurtisevic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kurtisevic tries to clinch up but Church circles away and keeps his distance.
Kurtisevic is looking to clinch.

Kurtisevic moves into the clinch.
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!
Church is trying to force a seperation but Kurtisevic has the dominant position.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Church avoiding damage as Kurtisevic throws knees to the body.
Church is working for takedown but Kurtisevic is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Church jumps guard and drags Kurtisevic to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Church keeping moving, preventing Kurtisevic from controlling successfully.
Kurtisevic looking to sit in guard and control but Church gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Kurtisevic 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.
Church will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Kurtisevic wants to get back to his feet but Church is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Kurtisevic wants to sweep here but Church controlling him for the moment.
Church is pushing down on Kurtisevic's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kurtisevic is fighting to maintain full guard but Church has managed to sneak the leg through.
Church really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Church thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kurtisevic's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurtisevic is trying to maintain the position but Church is very close to passing his half guard.
Kurtisevic has a hand on Church's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Church takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Church controlling from mount.
Church's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Church looking to control but Kurtisevic is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mate Kurtisevic dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kurtisevic has Church up against the cage in a clinch.
Church has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kurtisevic avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Church is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kurtisevic is defending well.
Church jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kurtisevic walks away with a smile on his face. Church gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Elvin Church. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kurtisevic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Church tries to land a front kick but Kurtisevic steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Church shoots in but no luck this time.
Church lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Kurtisevic tries a head kick but it misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kurtisevic doesn't manage to clinch there - Church circles away.
Church fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kurtisevic checks it well.
Church has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kurtisevic.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurtisevic lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kurtisevic looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kurtisevic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kurtisevic misses with a head kick.
Kurtisevic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kurtisevic throws a head kick that misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Church.
Kurtisevic checks a leg kick.
Kurtisevic tries to clinch
and Church counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Kurtisevic fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Church avoids the head kick by Kurtisevic.
Kurtisevic throws a head kick but Church moves out of range.
Church has a takedown stuffed.

Kurtisevic rushes Church and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kurtisevic trying to stall but Church improves his position.
Kurtisevic is struggling to control the position.
Church on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Church as Kurtisevic tries to tie him up.
Kurtisevic gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Church wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kurtisevic has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Church has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Church takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Elvin Church has been cut.
Kurtisevic misses with a hook from the clinch.
A body shot lands from Kurtisevic.
Kurtisevic lands an elbow inside that Church shrugs off.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kurtisevic misses with a body punch.
Good body shot from Kurtisevic.
Kurtisevic is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Church is keeping busy.
Church wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Church tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kurtisevic just stands there and leans against the cage.
Church is trying to pull guard but Kurtisevic turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Kurtisevic tries to land knees in the clinch but Church avoids the damage to the body.
Kurtisevic misses with a knee strike.
Church dodges an elbow strike from Kurtisevic.
Kurtisevic missing with knees to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Kurtisevic stalling the fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice elbow from Kurtisevic.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Church working hard to break the clinch.
Kurtisevic creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Church's defenses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mate Kurtisevic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Elvin Church's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Kurtisevic takes the fight into the clinch.
Kurtisevic keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Church's efforts to push away.
Kurtisevic has a couple of punches blocked by Church.
Church avoids a wild elbow strike from Kurtisevic.
Mate Kurtisevic seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kurtisevic tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Church avoids it.
Kurtisevic is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Church jumps guard but Kurtisevic turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Church is looking to take this one to the mat.
Church blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kurtisevic misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Church.
Kurtisevic lands an elbow inside that Church shrugs off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurtisevic just leaning against Church, taking a breather.
Church is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Elvin Church. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kurtisevic is trying to stall.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kurtisevic.
Kurtisevic prevents the takedown attempt.
Church tries to break free but Kurtisevic pushes him back against the cage.
Kurtisevic looking to stall.
Kurtisevic dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Kurtisevic lands a nice uppercut.
Church is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Church tries to break the clinch but Kurtisevic is controlling the position.
Kurtisevic lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Church backwards.

Church is rocked!
Kurtisevic lands a right hand that snaps the head of Church backwards.
Oh Church is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kurtisevic creates some distance for himselfand unleashes a massive uppercut that sends Church's eyes rolling into the back of his head! Church drops to his knees and Kurtisevic pours it on with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:28 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mate Kurtisevic!