PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ardian Kurniawan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shazaam McDaniels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying McDaniels's choice of entrance music: Tubthumping by Chumbawamba. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kurniawan
vs
McDaniels

170 cm
22
135 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

176 cm
31
144 lbs
24 - 12 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ardian Kurniawan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shazaam McDaniels!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yukihiro Shimada and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kurniawan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
McDaniels with the counter takedown but Kurniawan avoids it easily.
Kurniawan has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Tōshi in the buildup to the fight.
Kurniawan shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with McDaniels but McDaniels pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kurniawan changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McDaniels tries to avoid it but Kurniawan manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McDaniels to the ground. McDaniels escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
McDaniels is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ardian Kurniawan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kurniawan dives in and grabs McDaniels's left leg, looking for a takedown. McDaniels pushes down on Kurniawan's head and hops out.
Kurniawan shoots in for a double leg but McDaniels sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kurniawan darts in looking for a takedown but McDaniels gets double underhooks and turns Kurniawan into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDaniels defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kurniawan.
McDaniels leaves Kurniawan with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kurniawan shoots in and drives through. McDaniels sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from McDaniels as Kurniawan shoots in.
McDaniels drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kurniawan defends it well.
Kurniawan is trying hard to land a takedown here. McDaniels sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
McDaniels with the counter takedown but Kurniawan avoids it easily.
Shazaam McDaniels is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kurniawan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McDaniels's waist but McDaniels gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kurniawan off to one side.
McDaniels with the counter takedown but Kurniawan avoids it easily.
Kurniawan shoots in and drives through. McDaniels sprawls well.
And McDaniels tries to counter it with a takedown but Kurniawan pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kurniawan fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
And McDaniels tries to counter it with a takedown but Kurniawan pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kurniawan is breathing heavily.
Kurniawan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McDaniels's waist but McDaniels gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kurniawan off to one side.
McDaniels feints the counter takedown.
Kurniawan shoots for a double leg takedown but McDaniels sprawls well. He's pushed Kurniawan's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kurniawan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McDaniels as he jumps to the side.
Ardian Kurniawan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kurniawan shoots in for a takedown but McDaniels shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kurniawan or perhaps it was just good defense by McDaniels, which made it look bad.

Kurniawan drives through with a takedown into guard.

McDaniels has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Kurniawan is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McDaniels prevents the takedown attempt.

McDaniels breaks from the clinch.
Kurniawan shoots in but no luck this time.
McDaniels tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Kurniawan shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with McDaniels but McDaniels pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kurniawan tries for a takedown but McDaniels sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
McDaniels drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kurniawan defends it well.
Kurniawan tries to score a power double leg takedown but McDaniels sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kurniawan somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurniawan shoots in but McDaniels avoids the takedown attempt easily.
McDaniels slaps away a takedown attempt from Kurniawan, before circling back to the center of the mat.
McDaniels feints the counter takedown.
Kurniawan goes for a double leg but McDaniels avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as McDaniels continues to drive forward.
Nice sprawl there from McDaniels as Kurniawan shoots in.
Kurniawan fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
McDaniels changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kurniawan.
And McDaniels tries to counter it with a takedown but Kurniawan pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurniawan looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? McDaniels is fending him off so far but Kurniawan persists. Nope, McDaniels circles away and we're back to standing.
McDaniels is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kurniawan.
And McDaniels tries to counter it with a takedown but Kurniawan pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kurniawan shoots for a double leg takedown but McDaniels sprawls well. He's pushed Kurniawan's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kurniawan shoots in looking for a takedown. McDaniels tries to sprawl out of it but Kurniawan keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McDaniels manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
McDaniels drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kurniawan defends it well.
McDaniels stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and McDaniels wants it to stay on the feet.
McDaniels is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McDaniels slaps away a takedown attempt from Kurniawan, before circling back to the center of the mat.
McDaniels is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kurniawan or perhaps it was just good defense by McDaniels, which made it look bad.
McDaniels drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kurniawan defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shazaam McDaniels dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kurniawan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McDaniels as he avoids it easily.
McDaniels is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Kurniawan shoots in for a double leg but McDaniels sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nice takedown defense from McDaniels. No joy for Kurniawan on that attempt.
McDaniels is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ardian Kurniawan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kurniawan shoots in for a takedown but McDaniels shows good takedown defense.
Kurniawan misses with a takedown attempt

and McDaniels counters with a single leg into guard. Kurniawan didn't expect that.

McDaniels stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Kurniawan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
And McDaniels tries to counter it with a takedown but Kurniawan pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kurniawan fails with a takedown attempt.
McDaniels with the counter takedown but Kurniawan avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kurniawan shoots in for a takedown but McDaniels shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
McDaniels changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Kurniawan fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurniawan fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kurniawan shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with McDaniels but McDaniels pushes him off and we're back to square one.
McDaniels slaps away a takedown attempt from Kurniawan, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kurniawan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McDaniels's waist but McDaniels gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kurniawan off to one side.
Nice sprawl there from McDaniels as Kurniawan shoots in.
Kurniawan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McDaniels as he avoids it easily.
McDaniels changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
No luck for Kurniawan with that takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurniawan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McDaniels's waist but McDaniels gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kurniawan off to one side.
McDaniels is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Kurniawan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nice sprawl there from McDaniels as Kurniawan shoots in.
McDaniels with the counter takedown but Kurniawan avoids it easily.
Kurniawan shoots in looking for a takedown but McDaniels manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kurniawan's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
McDaniels tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
McDaniels stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and McDaniels wants it to stay on the feet.
McDaniels with the counter takedown but Kurniawan avoids it easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kurniawan.
McDaniels tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Kurniawan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kurniawan closes the distance and clinches up with McDaniels, looking for a takedown. Kurniawan pushes McDaniels against the cage but McDaniels circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kurniawan looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
McDaniels with the counter takedown but Kurniawan avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDaniels defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kurniawan.
And McDaniels tries to counter it with a takedown but Kurniawan pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kurniawan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McDaniels as he jumps to the side.
McDaniels changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Kurniawan fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but McDaniels avoids it really well and circles away.
Kurniawan looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? McDaniels is fending him off so far but Kurniawan persists. Nope, McDaniels circles away and we're back to standing.
McDaniels with the counter takedown but Kurniawan avoids it easily.
Kurniawan shoots in for a takedown but McDaniels shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
McDaniels stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and McDaniels wants it to stay on the feet.
McDaniels feints the counter takedown.
Kurniawan fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDaniels slaps away a takedown attempt from Kurniawan, before circling back to the center of the mat.
McDaniels with the counter takedown but Kurniawan avoids it easily.
Kurniawan has a takedown stuffed.
McDaniels feints the counter takedown.
Kurniawan fails with a takedown attempt.
Kurniawan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

McDaniels gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

McDaniels has his feet on Kurniawan's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shazaam McDaniels showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Nice sprawl there from McDaniels as Kurniawan shoots in.
McDaniels feints the counter takedown.
Kurniawan shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with McDaniels but McDaniels pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kurniawan fails with a takedown attempt.
And McDaniels tries to counter it with a takedown but Kurniawan pushes his down on his head and steps out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ardian Kurniawan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kurniawan is trying hard to land a takedown here. McDaniels sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
McDaniels tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
McDaniels displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kurniawan.
McDaniels with the counter takedown but Kurniawan avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kurniawan shoots in for a takedown but McDaniels shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kurniawan changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McDaniels tries to avoid it but Kurniawan manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McDaniels to the ground. McDaniels escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
McDaniels changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Kurniawan fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but McDaniels avoids it really well and circles away.
McDaniels is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurniawan tries for a takedown but McDaniels sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
And McDaniels tries to counter it with a takedown but Kurniawan pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kurniawan fails with the takedown.
McDaniels with the counter takedown but Kurniawan avoids it easily.
Kurniawan misses with a takedown attempt - McDaniels sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
McDaniels changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Kurniawan tries for a takedown but McDaniels sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
McDaniels with the counter takedown but Kurniawan avoids it easily.
Kurniawan shoots for a takedown but McDaniels saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
McDaniels slaps away a takedown attempt from Kurniawan, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurniawan shoots for a takedown but McDaniels saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
McDaniels changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
McDaniels has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kurniawan shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as McDaniels sprawls well. McDaniels wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kurniawan gets slowly back to his feet.
Kurniawan tries for a takedown but McDaniels circles away easily

and McDaniels counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Kurniawan!

McDaniels stands up.
Kurniawan shoots in for a takedown but McDaniels shows good takedown defense.
And McDaniels tries to counter it with a takedown but Kurniawan pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kurniawan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kurniawan is trying hard to land a takedown here. McDaniels sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kurniawan shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as McDaniels sprawls well. McDaniels wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kurniawan gets slowly back to his feet.
McDaniels is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurniawan goes for a double leg but McDaniels avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as McDaniels continues to drive forward.
Kurniawan darts in looking for a takedown but McDaniels gets double underhooks and turns Kurniawan into the cage.
And McDaniels tries to counter it with a takedown but Kurniawan pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kurniawan goes for a double leg but McDaniels avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as McDaniels continues to drive forward.
McDaniels with the counter takedown but Kurniawan avoids it easily.
Kurniawan shoots in looking for a takedown. McDaniels tries to sprawl out of it but Kurniawan keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McDaniels manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
McDaniels is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Kurniawan dives in for a single leg takedown but McDaniels sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kurniawan tries for a takedown but McDaniels sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
McDaniels is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Shazaam McDaniels 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.
Kurniawan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McDaniels's waist but McDaniels gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kurniawan off to one side.
Kurniawan tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but McDaniels defends well and Kurniawan ends up having to push McDaniels into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
McDaniels drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kurniawan defends it well.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kurniawan or perhaps it was just good defense by McDaniels, which made it look bad.
Kurniawan shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with McDaniels but McDaniels pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kurniawan has his takedown stuffed

and McDaniels counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by McDaniels.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Kurniawan is working an open guard so McDaniels takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
McDaniels stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and McDaniels wants it to stay on the feet.
McDaniels with the counter takedown but Kurniawan avoids it easily.
Ardian Kurniawan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice sprawl there from McDaniels as Kurniawan shoots in.
McDaniels with the counter takedown but Kurniawan avoids it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shazaam McDaniels comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well McDaniels 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 26:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 26:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shazaam McDaniels!
Shazaam McDaniels took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Outkast Clothing Line for their support in the buildup to the fight.