PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Derick Sprole (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ansgar Kurucz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sprole kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Youre Gonna Go Far, Kid. Kurucz has chosen Marek Ztraceny - Sex s Ex as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Ansgar Kurucz has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sprole
vs
Kurucz

165 cm
24
145 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

169 cm
29
139 lbs
10 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Experienced

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Derick Sprole!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ansgar Kurucz!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Trevor Gratis and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kurucz misses with a takedown
and Sprole counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

Sprole rushes Kurucz and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kurucz blocking some punches.
Kurucz lands a right hand.
Sprole stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Sprole lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Sprole lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kurucz throws an elbow but it misses.
Sprole throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kurucz blocks it with crossed arms.
Kurucz connects with a knee to the head.
Kurucz utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kurucz lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kurucz on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kurucz lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kurucz missing with knees to the body.
Kurucz tries to work over Sprole's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kurucz is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sprole lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kurucz goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kurucz gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kurucz throws an elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurucz wants a takedown but no success here.
Derick Sprole has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ansgar Kurucz.
Kurucz lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Sprole backwards.
Kurucz tries to land a knee to the head but Sprole blocks with his arms.
Sprole misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sprole using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kurucz has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kurucz looking to throw knees to the head but Sprole is blocking nicely.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kurucz just misses with a elbow thrown towards Sprole's brow.
Kurucz misses with an elbow over the top.
Kurucz is looking to take this one to the mat.
Kurucz told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
Sprole throws a head punch that misses.
A shot in the inside from Sprole.
Sprole lands with a light punch inside.
Sprole can't find room to land a body shot as Kurucz controls the action.
Sprole lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kurucz backwards.
Kurucz tries a knee to the head but Sprole blocks it.
Kurucz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sprole blocks it with crossed arms.
Sprole tries for a takedown but Kurucz manages to get underhooks.
Sprole lands an uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kurucz lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Sprole tries to land a knee to the head but Kurucz blocks with his arms.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kurucz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Kurucz.
Sprole using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kurucz has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kurucz tries to score a body lock takedown but Sprole shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kurucz has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Sprole after a bit of a struggle.
Kurucz tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kurucz blocks a body shot from Sprole.
Sprole tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Sprole tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kurucz.
Sprole goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kurucz is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sprole takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kurucz lands a right hand.
Kurucz looking to throw knees to the head but Sprole is blocking nicely.
Sprole scores with a hook to the body.
Sprole tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kurucz avoids it.
Kurucz with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kurucz prevents a body shot from Sprole.
Sprole makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Sprole misses with a knee strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Sprole misses with the head strike.
Kurucz tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sprole's elbow.
Sprole is pressed up against the cage. Kurucz has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sprole down to the mat. Sprole avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Sprole throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kurucz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sprole misses with a leg kick.
Kurucz checks a leg kick nicely.
Sprole lands with a kick to the temple. Kurucz shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kurucz misses with a head kick.
Kurucz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kurucz lands a head kick!
Sprole avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sprole swings for the body but Kurucz moves out of range.
Sprole takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kurucz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sprole manages to avoid it.
Kurucz throws a chopping leg kick but Sprole manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kurucz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sprole with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurucz swings for the body but Sprole moves out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kurucz throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
A nice combination there by Kurucz.
A head kick misses from Kurucz.
Sprole looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kurucz with a body punch. A glancing blow.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kurucz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kurucz throws a chopping leg kick but Sprole manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kurucz blocks a head kick by Sprole.
A clash of legs there as Kurucz blocks the low kick.
Kurucz works Sprole's body with a nice hook.
Sprole takes one on the button.
Kurucz fakes the leg kick and cracks Sprole in the body.
Kurucz is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Sprole rather than just go for the knockout.
A head kick misses from Kurucz.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sprole throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Kurucz fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sprole moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sprole lands a jab to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ansgar Kurucz dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Sprole 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.
Ansgar Kurucz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sprole throws a front kick aimed at Kurucz's knee but Kurucz avoids it well.
Sprole takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A jab from Kurucz finds it's way through Sprole's defenses.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Sprole throws a nice inside leg kick.
Sprole tries to clinch up but Kurucz circles away and keeps his distance.
Sprole tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kurucz avoids the body shot from Sprole.

Sprole throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Kurucz tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Sprole is in Kurucz's guard.
Sprole lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Kurucz is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kurucz keeping moving, preventing Sprole from controlling successfully.

Kurucz has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Sprole is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Kurucz.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sprole working the ground and pound from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurucz throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
Sprole lands some shots froms side control.
Kurucz is looking for a sweep.
Kurucz has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sprole scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Kurucz to see if he's OK.
Kurucz is not content to let Sprole control the position.
Sprole is working Kurucz over with some ground and pound from side control.
Kurucz takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Kurucz regains half guard.
Kurucz taking some punishment here, with Sprole in his half guard.
Kurucz punching from the bottom.
Kurucz is looking for a sweep. Sprole is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sprole wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kurucz keeps working.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Kurucz looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kurucz looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sprole working the head and body with strikes.
Sprole is nestled in close to Kurucz, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Kurucz actively working from the bottom here.

Kurucz looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kurucz is breathing heavily.
Sprole sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Kurucz is refusing to be controlled, as Sprole sits in half guard.
Sprole blocks the strikes from Kurucz.
Sprole looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kurucz with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sprole drops an elbow to the side of Kurucz's head.
Sprole working the head and body with strikes.
Sprole lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Kurucz is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sprole pulls his head out easily.
Sprole lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Sprole is taking a breather. Kurucz says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Sprole wants to control but Kurucz is keeping him busy.
Sprole scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Kurucz wants to get back to full guard.
Kurucz is staying active underneath Sprole, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Kurucz looking for submissions off his back.
Sprole seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Sprole landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kurucz manages to get to full guard.
Sprole is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kurucz throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Kurucz keeping moving, preventing Sprole from controlling successfully.
Sprole is really struggling to control Kurucz but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Sprole controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

We're going to have a standup here because Derick Sprole wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Kurucz is looking to score with low kicks.
Sprole shoots in looking for a takedown but Kurucz manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sprole's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kurucz throws a low kick but it's checked well by Sprole.
Kurucz connects with the punch.
Sprole fakes the leg kick and cracks Kurucz in the body.
Kurucz lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Derick Sprole dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Kurucz avoids a kick to the body.
Sprole slips a jab and a cross from Kurucz.
Sprole throws out a leg kick but Kurucz moves out of range and Sprole only half commits.
Sprole misses with a leg kick.
Sprole moves out of range as Kurucz strikes.
An inside leg kick from Sprole misses.
Kurucz connects with a leg kick. Sprole looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Kurucz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sprole manages to avoid it.
Sprole moves out of range of the body kick from Kurucz.
Kurucz fails to land with a series of punches.
A solid body kick from Sprole.
Sprole throws a wild body kick that Kurucz sees coming a mile off.
Sprole shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Kurucz tries to sprawl but Sprole drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Kurucz missing with punches from the bottom.

Kurucz looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kurucz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kurucz taking some punishment here, with Sprole in his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sprole scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Sprole throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sprole performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kurucz manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Sprole lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kurucz 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.
Sprole trying to control the position from guard on top but Kurucz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sprole is looking to stand up but Kurucz won't let him.

Kurucz working for a triangle but Sprole defends it easily.

Kurucz is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sprole chips away with some ground and pound.

Kurucz throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Sprole escapes and throws Kurucz's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Kurucz manages to get back to half guard.
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!
Sprole wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kurucz keeps working.
Sprole winds up and cracks Kurucz with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Kurucz throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Kurucz misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Sprole is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Kurucz regains full guard. Nicely done.
Sprole cracks Kurucz with a solid left hand.

Kurucz has his foot on Sprole's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sprole works his way back into a safe position though.
Kurucz keeping moving, preventing Sprole from controlling successfully.

Kurucz throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurucz trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Sprole scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Sprole working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kurucz's head.

Kurucz is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sprole's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Sprole avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sprole working some strikes from top position.
Sprole lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Kurucz throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kurucz is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sprole defends well.
Kurucz keeping moving, preventing Sprole from controlling successfully.
Sprole slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Kurucz throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sprole slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Kurucz scores with a shot to the body.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kurucz is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Derick Sprole.
I think Sprole has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Peck scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Derick Sprole!
Our winner, Derick Sprole, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.