PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nautica Thorn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stanimir Kurdov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nautica Thorn has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Thorn
vs
Kurdov

190 cm
22
270 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

198 cm
24
264 lbs
4 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Good knees
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nautica Thorn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Stanimir Kurdov!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Cecil Peabody and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thorn tries for a takedown but Kurdov circles away easily

and Kurdov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Kurdov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Thorn looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Thorn is trying to control but can't.
Kurdov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Thorn looks like he's trying to stand up.
Kurdov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Thorn is looking to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thorn trying to hold on to Kurdov's head to control him but Kurdov postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurdov controlling the action here.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Stanimir Kurdov.
Thorn pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Thorn looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Nautica Thorn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thorn shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Kurdov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Thorn is trying to control the position but Kurdov postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thorn is looking to stand up but Kurdov isn't so interested in that idea.

Thorn looking for a guillotine here but Kurdov defends easily.
Thorn has momentary wrist control but Kurdov slips an elbow through the middle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kurdov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kurdov works over Thorn with some ground and pound from guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kurdov trying to control the position from guard on top but Thorn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kurdov lands a couple of digs.
Thorn avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Thorn could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Thorn wants to get back to his feet but Kurdov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurdov is looking to work some ground and pound but Thorn has wrist control.
Thorn avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kurdov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Thorn works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Thorn keeping moving, preventing Kurdov from controlling successfully.
Thorn trying to keep a closed guard but Kurdov is proving a slippery customer.
Kurdov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kurdov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kurdov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kurdov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Thorn is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Thorn is working for an americana but Kurdov has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Thorn was thinking about the submission.
Kurdov has his hands on Thorn's head, controlling the position.
Thorn postures up in Kurdov's guard and throws a big left but Kurdov blocks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thorn is pushing down on Kurdov's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kurdov is fighting to maintain full guard but Thorn has managed to sneak the leg through.

Thorn is looking for a kimura here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kurdov takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Thorn shoots in for a double leg but Kurdov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Thorn tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kurdov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Thorn somewhat.
Thorn throws the kick towards the body but Kurdov avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorn looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nautica Thorn. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thorn throws a push kick but Kurdov slaps the foot to one side.
Thorn has his takedown stuffed
and Kurdov counters with a left to the body.
No luck for Thorn with that takedown attempt.
No luck for Kurdov with that takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurdov blocks a head kick by Thorn.
Thorn shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kurdov as he jumps to the side.
Thorn looks for a takedown but Kurdov sprawls well.
Thorn throws a right hand that misses

and Kurdov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kurdov.
Kurdov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kurdov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Thorn is trying to control the position but Kurdov postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Thorn throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Thorn can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kurdov controls the pace.

Kurdov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Thorn avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Thorn isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Kurdov stacks Thorn on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Kurdov!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thorn is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Kurdov has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Kurdov scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Thorn to see if he's OK.
Thorn is not content to let Kurdov control the position.
Thorn is working to avoid the ground and pound but Kurdov connects with a decent elbow.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kurdov cracks Thorn with a big elbow.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thorn wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Thorn is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Kurdov off and has taken his back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stanimir Kurdov 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. This is the final round!

Thorn tries for a takedown but Kurdov circles away easily
and Kurdov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Thorn doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Kurdov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Kurdov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kurdov trying to control but Thorn is working from the bottom.
Kurdov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Thorn escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kurdov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Thorn is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kurdov defends well.
Kurdov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurdov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Kurdov pushing down on Thorn's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Thorn looks like he's trying to stand up.
Thorn trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Thorn can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thorn wants to control but Kurdov is having none of it.
Thorn is desperately trying to improve his position but Kurdov has a good base and remains in mount.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thorn wants to hold on but Kurdov pushes him away.
Thorn is trying to escape the mount.
Thorn is working hard here to advance position.
A nice elbow there by Kurdov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Kurdov cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Kurdov trying to control but Thorn is having none of it.
Thorn is trying desperately to improve position.
Nautica Thorn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kurdov lands a big elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurdov putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Kurdov pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Kurdov controlling the position easily from mount.
Kurdov is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Thorn can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Stanimir Kurdov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kurdov trying to control but Thorn is having none of it.
We've been hearing good reports from Thorn's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Kurdov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kurdov controlling the pace for now.
Thorn is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurdov controlling his opponent.
Thorn is looking to get to half guard.
Kurdov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Thorn is looking to escape.
Kurdov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thorn is really trying hard to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stanimir Kurdov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kurdov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stanimir Kurdov!