PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dakota Brooks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Avery McCurnin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Brooks
vs
McCurnin

180 cm
25
165 lbs
14 - 14 - 1

161 cm
24
142 lbs
7 - 10 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 14 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dakota Brooks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Avery McCurnin!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Sergei Dronov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Brooks scores with a body shot.
Brooks connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Dakota Brooks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Brooks dodges the punch combination from McCurnin.
McCurnin keeps the fight on the outside.

McCurnin drives through and clinches with Brooks against the cage.
Brooks keeps control of McCurnin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
McCurnin just leaning against Brooks, taking a breather.
Brooks has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McCurnin avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
McCurnin misses with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brooks takes a shot to the head.
Brooks landing knees to the head.
McCurnin lands a hook to the side of the head.
McCurnin is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Brooks has dropped down and is working for a takedown. McCurnin is trying to keep an underhook but Brooks manages to get the takedown into half guard.
McCurnin pushes Brooks off looking to stand but Brooks dives back in and keeps control.
Brooks wants to take a breather but McCurnin is having none of it.
McCurnin is trying to maintain the position but Brooks is very close to passing his half guard.
Brooks content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
McCurnin is concentrating on defense, preventing Brooks from advancing position.
McCurnin is pressing down on Brooks's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
McCurnin keeping full guard, as Brooks tries to pass.
McCurnin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Brooks will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brooks postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McCurnin keeping full guard, as Brooks tries to pass.
McCurnin manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Brooks manages to get himself to full guard.

Brooks knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for McCurnin on the ground.
McCurnin wants to pass the guard but Brooks is keeping the position.
McCurnin stands up over Brooks, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Brooks looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Brooks is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Bobby B's that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.

Brooks working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McCurnin doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McCurnin manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Brooks is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCurnin won't allow Brooks to sweep him here.
Brooks trying to control the position.
McCurnin pushing down on Brooks's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
McCurnin is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

McCurnin decides to stand and escape the position.

That's four 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.
Brooks connects with a solid leg kick.

McCurnin moves into the clinch successfully.
Brooks is trying to work for a single leg takedown but McCurnin pulls him back up using the underhooks.
McCurnin wants to get back to striking at distance but Brooks won't allow it.
McCurnin has Brooks pressed against the cage.
Brooks tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McCurnin tries to break the clinch but Brooks is controlling the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McCurnin jumps guard but Brooks stands there with McCurnin around his waist. McCurnin gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
McCurnin prevents the takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Avery McCurnin will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Brooks doesn't manage to clinch there - McCurnin circles away.

McCurnin clinches up against the cage.
McCurnin struggles to land a body shot inside as Brooks controls his hands.
Brooks misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Brooks keeps control of McCurnin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
McCurnin is trying to drag Brooks to the mat but Brooks just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Brooks breaks the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brooks gets cracked with a nice right hand there by McCurnin.
Brooks wants to clinch up but McCurnin keeps it at a distance.
Brooks tries to clinch up
and McCurnin counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Brooks misses.
Brooks tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McCurnin paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Brooks lands a jab to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Brooks throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Brooks tries to close the distance and clinch but McCurnin swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Brooks pushes McCurnin up against the cage in a clinch.
Brooks on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
McCurnin tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Brooks smiles and moves away.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from McCurnin.
McCurnin moves out of range as Brooks strikes.
Brooks throws a sloppy head kick and McCurnin moves out of range easily.
McCurnin darts in looking for a takedown but Brooks gets double underhooks and turns McCurnin into the cage.
Dakota Brooks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Avery McCurnin.
Brooks shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. McCurnin eats them both and turns towards Brooks to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

McCurnin rushes Brooks and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brooks fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

McCurnin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Dakota Brooks is winning the standup battle so far.
Brooks moves forwards but McCurnin connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Brooks tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Brooks keeps the fight on the outside.

McCurnin gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Brooks managing to block the knees to the body from McCurnin.

McCurnin has Brooks pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. McCurnin pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Brooks tumbling to the mat - McCurnin dives into Brooks's guard.
McCurnin is pushing down on Brooks's leg trying to pass to half guard. Brooks is fighting to maintain full guard but McCurnin has managed to sneak the leg through.
McCurnin content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brooks is looking to improve his position.

McCurnin is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
McCurnin is controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Brooks is looking to control McCurnin's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Brooks avoid being mounted?
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
McCurnin working the head and body with strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Brooks preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

McCurnin looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Avery McCurnin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

McCurnin fails in his attempt to clinch.
McCurnin lands with a hook. Brooks tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Brooks circles away from the clinch attempt.

Brooks shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
McCurnin moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as McCurnin holds on and takes a little breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCurnin throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Brooks prevents McCurnin from getting back to his feet.

McCurnin throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as McCurnin holds on and takes a little breather.
McCurnin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
McCurnin working a defensive guard here.
McCurnin 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.
McCurnin is controlling Brooks's posture.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Brooks swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McCurnin throws a big counter head kick but Brooks avoids it with no problem.

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.

Brooks drives through and clinches with McCurnin against the cage.
McCurnin working hard to break the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on McCurnin - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Brooks blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Dakota Brooks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

McCurnin has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Brooks uses from the top position.
McCurnin throwing short punches from the bottom.
Brooks is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
McCurnin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
McCurnin trying to keep a closed guard but Brooks is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brooks preventing the sweep.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Brooks misses with a wild body shot.
Brooks is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
McCurnin looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Brooks tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McCurnin paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McCurnin swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

McCurnin clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Brooks tries to score a body lock takedown but McCurnin shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Brooks turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Brooks manages to end up in side control.
McCurnin manages to work his way to half guard, despite Brooks's best efforts.
McCurnin pushes Brooks off looking to stand but Brooks dives back in and keeps control.
McCurnin desperately trying to maintain half guard.
McCurnin is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Brooks's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Brooks's back!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Brooks is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Brooks fending off the submission attempt from McCurnin.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Avery McCurnin.
I've got McCurnin 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Avery McCurnin!