PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matija Marinic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sukakhu Kurama (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.

Marinic
vs
Kurama

175 cm
23
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
25
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

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 The Island, Matija Marinic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Sukakhu Kurama!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Dirk Anderson and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marinic tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kurama sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Marinic somewhat.

Kurama looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Kurama lands with a punch from half guard.
Marinic manages to get to full guard.
Marinic looking for a sweep. Not yet Marinic, not yet.
Marinic is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kurama is controlling him.
Marinic manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Kurama tries to hold on but Marinic postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurama is looking to get to half guard.
Marinic content just to control the position here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kurama can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kurama's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Marinic trying to control but Kurama is having none of it.

Marinic goes for an armbar but Kurama turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Kurama.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kurama avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kurama's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kurama content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kurama is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marinic trying to control the position.
Kurama slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Marinic is looking to reverse the position.
Kurama advances to mount.
Marinic might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Kurama controlling his opponent.
Kurama scoring with strikes but Marinic is staying in there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurama controlling the position easily from mount.
Kurama lands a couple of good shots and Marinic has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Marinic trying to control the action but Kurama just sinks the hooks in.
Kurama has good solid back control here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sukakhu Kurama dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kurama looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nice takedown defense from Marinic. No joy for Kurama on that attempt.
Marinic fails with a takedown attempt.
Kurama looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Matija Marinic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sukakhu Kurama.
Marinic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Marinic misses with a head kick.
Matija Marinic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kurama tries to score a power double leg takedown but Marinic sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kurama somewhat.
Kurama goes for a double leg but Marinic avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Marinic continues to drive forward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marinic is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kurama is defending well.

Kurama is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Marinic can't fight it off and eventually Kurama manages to take the fight to the floor. Marinic looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kurama tries to stand but Marinic is controlling from the bottom.
Kurama not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Kurama lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Kurama trying to control the position from guard on top but Marinic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Marinic working for a triangle but Kurama defends it easily.
Marinic wants to sweep here but Kurama controlling him for the moment.
Marinic pulls Kurama in close to his closed guard and prevents Kurama from doing any damage or advancing position.
Sukakhu Kurama has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kurama is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Sukakhu Kurama was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Kurama closes the distance and clinches up with Marinic, looking for a takedown. Kurama pushes Marinic against the cage but Marinic circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kurama shoots in but no luck this time.
Marinic fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kurama shoots for a double leg takedown but Marinic sprawls well. He's pushed Kurama's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kurama is breathing heavily.

Marinic dives in and scores a takedown into Kurama's guard.
Marinic preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marinic stays in close to Kurama's body and controls the position.
Marinic has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Marinic won't allow Kurama to sweep him here.

Kurama looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Marinic preventing the sweep.
Kurama keeping moving, preventing Marinic from controlling successfully.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Kurama utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Marinic trying to control but Kurama is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Sukakhu Kurama will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Marinic looks for a takedown but Kurama sprawls well.
Marinic slaps away a takedown attempt from Kurama, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Marinic shoots for a takedown but Kurama saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Marinic looks to score with a jab to the body but Kurama is just out of range.
Kurama shoots in looking for a takedown. Marinic tries to sprawl out of it but Kurama keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Marinic manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Marinic is looking to clinch but Kurama is avoiding it.

Marinic scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marinic wants to take a breather but Kurama is having none of it.
Kurama desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Marinic wants to take a breather but Kurama is having none of it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kurama is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Marinic's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Marinic's back!
Marinic tries to escape but Kurama has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
I would not like to be Marinic right now.
Marinic rolls, trying to escape but Kurama keeps control of the position.
Kurama scores with punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurama biding his time, controlling Marinic.
Kurama lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kurama biding his time, looking for the opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Marinic controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Good control from Kurama.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Sukakhu Kurama wasn't active enough on the ground.
Marinic is looking to clinch but Kurama is avoiding it.
Marinic misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marinic fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matija Marinic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Marinic shoots in looking for a takedown. Kurama tries to sprawl out of it but Marinic keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kurama manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kurama misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Kurama closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kurama lands in his opponent's guard.
Marinic wants to sweep but no luck.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sukakhu Kurama comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kurama 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sukakhu Kurama!