PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jake Gurel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Destin Craven (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Gurel
vs
Craven

180 cm
25
175 lbs
7 - 8 - 0

173 cm
32
184 lbs
13 - 12 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

V-Mask Clothing (10%)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jake Gurel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Destin Craven!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Craven is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Gurel's half guard.
Craven is taking a breather. Gurel 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.
Craven thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gurel's head.
Craven trying to pass the guard but Gurel defending well.
Craven controlling the action here.
Gurel is trying to stand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Craven is working for a submission of some sort.
Craven thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gurel's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gurel trying to control from the bottom.
Craven is keen to just control but Gurel is a slippery customer.
Gurel wants to control but Craven is keeping busy.
Nice strikes from Craven there.
Craven performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Gurel is refusing to be controlled, as Craven sits in half guard.
Gurel has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Craven controlling the pace.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Craven lands a nice short elbow.
Craven throwing shots but Gurel is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Craven thows a huge punch but Gurel dodges it nicely.
Craven controlling the action here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Craven is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Gurel's half guard.
Gurel is trying to stand back up but Craven is controlling him
Gurel is refusing to be controlled, as Craven sits in half guard.
Craven scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Craven trying to control the action but Gurel is working from the bottom.
Craven not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Gurel is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Craven perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Gurel looks like he's trying to stand up.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Craven wants to control but Gurel is keeping him busy.
Still in half guard, Craven seems content to control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Craven throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Gurel tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Craven is in Gurel's guard.
Craven controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Gurel wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Craven is now in half guard.
Gurel wants to get back to his feet.
Craven is looking to stall here but Gurel recovers full guard.
Craven sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Craven might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Craven wants to control from the top but Gurel keeps moving.
Craven slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Craven's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Craven throws a big right hand that misses.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Craven slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Gurel shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Craven as he jumps to the side.

Craven closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Craven has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Gurel uses from the top position.
Craven tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Craven has control of Gurel's left arm, preventing Gurel from doing any damage.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Craven is on top in guard.

Craven has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Craven trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Craven advances to half guard.
Craven throwing shots but Gurel is blocking nicely.

Gurel looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gurel is trying to stand back up but Craven is controlling him
Well, if Craven is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Craven is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Gurel is looking to escape.
Gurel is staying active underneath Craven, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Craven in particular looking to stall.
Gurel won't allow Craven to pass to mount.

Craven is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gurel has managed to free his arm - good work.
Gurel is looking to escape.
Gurel tries to roll over but Craven keeps him under control.
Craven controlling the action here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Craven shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Gurel manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Gurel holds on and takes a little breather.
Destin Craven has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gurel being controlled here, momentarily.
Craven has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Craven keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Gurel's head.
Craven wants to pass the guard but Gurel is keeping the position.
Craven postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Craven pushes down on Gurel's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Craven is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Craven wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gurel keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Gurel is trying to stand up here but Craven is controlling him well.
Craven wants to free his trapped foot but Gurel is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Craven trying to control from half guard but Gurel is working away.
Gurel looks like he's trying to stand up.
Craven trying to control from half guard but Gurel is working away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gurel tries to kick Craven off but Craven keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Destin Craven showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Craven dives in for a single leg takedown but Gurel sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Jake Gurel is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gurel doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Craven counters with a two punch combo.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gurel is defended easily by Craven.
Gurel has his takedown stuffed
and Craven counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jake Gurel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gurel fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Craven drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Craven looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Craven tries for a kimura but Gurel is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Craven is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Gurel knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Gurel is not content to let Craven control the position.
Gurel is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Craven just content to control the position.
Craven has knee on belly momentarily but Gurel bucks him off and regains half guard.
Craven performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Gurel has one foot on Craven's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Gurel tries to sprawl but Craven drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Still in half guard, Craven seems content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Craven wants to free his trapped foot but Gurel is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Craven controlling the pace.
Craven is looking to take a break and control but Gurel is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gurel tries to get to full guard but Craven has control of the leg.
Craven has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Craven is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Gurel is surviving well by controlling Craven's body position as best he can.
Destin Craven is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Craven controlling his opponent.
Craven won't let Gurel get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Craven tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Gurel tries to buck Craven off but he can't manage it.
Craven looking to control and managing it successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

And that's the end of the fight!
Destin Craven comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Craven has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 26:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 25:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Destin Craven!
A very excited looking Destin Craven rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.
In defeat, Jake Gurel stepped up to the mic, saying 'You win some, you lose some. Today I lost. Tomorrow I will win. Its that simple'.