PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Takanaku Kuristus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Damian Rurkowiec (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Takanaku Kuristus could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Damian Rurkowiec's chin.

Kuristus
vs
Rurkowiec

185 cm
25
190 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Very strong

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Very confident

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Takanaku Kuristus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Damian Rurkowiec!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuristus tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Rurkowiec counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kuristus misses with an elbow strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rurkowiec.
Kuristus looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Rurkowiec holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Kuristus looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kuristus lands an elbow that stopped Rurkowiec in his tracks for a moment.
Rurkowiec goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kuristus is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kuristus pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kuristus.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuristus lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Rurkowiec taking a breather.
Rurkowiec swings wildly with an uppercut but Kuristus uses good head movement to avoid it.
A bit of stalling here from Rurkowiec.
Kuristus avoiding damage as Rurkowiec throws knees to the body.
Kuristus throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuristus tries to stall but Rurkowiec uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Rurkowiec stalls.
Kuristus throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Rurkowiec holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Rurkowiec avoids the elbow strike from Kuristus, against the cage.
Kuristus is struggling to control the position.
Kuristus is trying to maintain a safe position but Rurkowiec gets an underhook and turns Kuristus into the cage.
Kuristus throws an elbow but it misses.
Nice elbow from Kuristus.
Kuristus letting Rurkowiec take a breather here.
Kuristus looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Rurkowiec misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kuristus.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuristus lands an elbow that stopped Rurkowiec in his tracks for a moment.
Rurkowiec swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rurkowiec taking a breather.
Rurkowiec misses with an elbow strike.
Rurkowiec pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Rurkowiec tries to work over Kuristus's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rurkowiec lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Rurkowiec content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Rurkowiec tries a body shot but Kuristus blocks it.
Rurkowiec stalling.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kuristus just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rurkowiec's brow.
Rurkowiec misses with some punches.
Kuristus creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rurkowiec's defenses.
Rurkowiec is looking to control Kuristus's arms but Kuristus gets an underhook and turns him. Now Rurkowiec has his back to the cage.
Kuristus lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The referee calls for Kuristus to work.
Rurkowiec looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Kuristus lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kuristus just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rurkowiec's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuristus creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kuristus throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kuristus throws an elbow that misses.
Kuristus throws an elbow that misses.
Kuristus creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rurkowiec's defenses.
Kuristus holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Rurkowiec is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kuristus is defending well for now.
Rurkowiec taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Kuristus lands an elbow inside.
Rurkowiec is trying to stall.
Rurkowiec tries to throw a body punch but Kuristus avoids it by throwing Rurkowiec back against the cage.
Kuristus taking a breather.
Kuristus throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kuristus is trying to maintain a safe position but Rurkowiec gets an underhook and turns Kuristus into the cage.
Rurkowiec stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuristus blocks a body shot from Rurkowiec.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Rurkowiec blocks an elbow strike.
Rurkowiec is looking to control Kuristus's arms but Kuristus gets an underhook and turns him. Now Rurkowiec has his back to the cage.
Kuristus lands an elbow just above Rurkowiec 's eye.
Kuristus is trying to stall.
Rurkowiec misses with the head strike.
Kuristus throws an elbow that misses.
Kuristus pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kuristus pushes off an throws an elbow but Rurkowiec leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kuristus pushes off an throws an elbow but Rurkowiec leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kuristus throws an elbow that misses.
A bit of stalling here from Rurkowiec.
Rurkowiec misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takanaku Kuristus dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rurkowiec rushes Kuristus and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Rurkowiec stalls.
Rurkowiec tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuristus's elbow.
Rurkowiec blocks an elbow strike.
Kuristus pushes off an throws an elbow but Rurkowiec leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Rurkowiec dodges an elbow strike from Kuristus.
Kuristus lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Rurkowiec is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kuristus is defending well for now.
Kuristus lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Rurkowiec is struggling to control the position.
Kuristus misses with an elbow strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rurkowiec dodges an elbow strike from Kuristus.
Kuristus lands an elbow that stopped Rurkowiec in his tracks for a moment.
Kuristus lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Rurkowiec avoiding damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuristus prevents a body shot from Rurkowiec.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kuristus blocks a body shot from Rurkowiec.
Rurkowiec fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kuristus lands an elbow that stopped Rurkowiec in his tracks for a moment.
Rurkowiec slows down the pace here.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kuristus throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Rurkowiec trying to land knees to the body.
Kuristus misses with an elbow strike.
Rurkowiec lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Rurkowiec stalling the fight.
Kuristus throws an elbow that misses.
Rurkowiec tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kuristus avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuristus blocks an elbow strike.
Rurkowiec blocks the elbow strike.
Rurkowiec leaning his opponent against the cage.
Kuristus managing to block the knees to the body from Rurkowiec.
Kuristus looking to stall.
Kuristus creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Rurkowiec creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kuristus's defenses.
Rurkowiec stalling in the clinch but Kuristus improves position.
Kuristus misses with an elbow over the top.
Rurkowiec is trying to stall.
Kuristus throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kuristus avoiding damage as Rurkowiec throws knees to the body.
Kuristus misses with an elbow over the top.
Rurkowiec is looking to control Kuristus's arms but Kuristus gets an underhook and turns him. Now Rurkowiec has his back to the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuristus comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Rurkowiec is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kuristus is defending well for now.
Kuristus misses with an elbow strike.
Rurkowiec throws an elbow that misses.
Kuristus is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rurkowiec is keeping busy.
Rurkowiec blocks an elbow strike.
Kuristus just leaning against Rurkowiec, taking a breather.
Rurkowiec stalling against the cage.
Kuristus throws an elbow but it misses.
Kuristus misses with an elbow strike.
Rurkowiec struggles to land a body shot inside as Kuristus controls his hands.
Rurkowiec misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kuristus misses with an elbow strike.
Kuristus throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Rurkowiec is looking to control Kuristus's arms but Kuristus gets an underhook and turns him. Now Rurkowiec has his back to the cage.
Rurkowiec struggles to land a body shot inside as Kuristus controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kuristus avoids a wild elbow strike from Rurkowiec.
Kuristus stalling in the clinch.
Rurkowiec avoiding damage.
Kuristus on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kuristus blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Rurkowiec just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kuristus's brow.
Rurkowiec stalls.
Rurkowiec receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Kuristus creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kuristus lands an elbow just above Rurkowiec 's eye.
Kuristus managing to block the knees to the body from Rurkowiec.
Kuristus dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Rurkowiec as Kuristus tries to tie him up.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takanaku Kuristus dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kuristus throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Rurkowiec circles away from the clinch attempt

and Rurkowiec counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Rurkowiec lands an elbow inside.
Rurkowiec leaning his opponent against the cage.
Kuristus pushes off an throws an elbow but Rurkowiec leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rurkowiec tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kuristus avoids it.
Kuristus taking a breather.
Kuristus lands an elbow just above Rurkowiec 's eye.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rurkowiec misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rurkowiec avoiding damage.
Rurkowiec throws an elbow that misses.
Rurkowiec avoids a wild elbow strike from Kuristus.
Rurkowiec tries to land knees in the clinch but Kuristus avoids the damage to the body.
Kuristus is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rurkowiec is keeping busy.
Kuristus pushes off an throws an elbow but Rurkowiec leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Rurkowiec tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kuristus avoids it.
Takanaku Kuristus has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Rurkowiec fails to land.
Rurkowiec content to slow the pace in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Rurkowiec fails to land.
Rurkowiec misses with a punch on the inside.
Rurkowiec creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kuristus's defenses.
Rurkowiec's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Kuristus looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rurkowiec throws an elbow but it misses.
Kuristus creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rurkowiec's defenses.
Kuristus lands an elbow inside.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Rurkowiec takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Kuristus prevents a body shot from Rurkowiec.
Kuristus lands an elbow that stopped Rurkowiec in his tracks for a moment.
Rurkowiec misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kuristus.
Kuristus creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kuristus wants to stall.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuristus stalls.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rurkowiec blocks the elbow strike.
Kuristus is trying to maintain a safe position but Rurkowiec gets an underhook and turns Kuristus into the cage.
Kuristus looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kuristus taking a breather.
Rurkowiec blocks an elbow strike from Kuristus.
Kuristus pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kuristus looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kuristus being controlled against the cage.
Rurkowiec avoids a wild elbow strike from Kuristus.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Rurkowiec landing knees to the body.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Rurkowiec takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuristus blocking some punches.
Rurkowiec is looking to control Kuristus's arms but Kuristus gets an underhook and turns him. Now Rurkowiec has his back to the cage.
Rurkowiec holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Rurkowiec misses with some punches.
Rurkowiec throws a punch but it's blocked by Kuristus.
Kuristus throws an elbow that misses.
Kuristus looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Takanaku Kuristus is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kuristus throws an elbow but misses.
Kuristus blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kuristus is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rurkowiec can do to turn this around?
Rurkowiec tries to throw a body punch but Kuristus avoids it by throwing Rurkowiec back against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rurkowiec is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kuristus is defending well for now.
Rurkowiec is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kuristus is keeping busy.
Rurkowiec fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Damian Rurkowiec.
Well Kuristus has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takanaku Kuristus!
Takanaku Kuristus took his opportunity to call for a title shot in his post fight interview.