PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kurtis Couturier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Hickock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Couturier comes into the arena with Forever Angel blaring out of the sound system. Hickock has chosen Why can't we be friends as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Couturier
vs
Hickock

176 cm
27
189 lbs
13 - 5 - 1

182 cm
36
193 lbs
33 - 20 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

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 13 - 5 - 1, fighting out of New York, Kurtis Couturier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 20 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Richard Hickock!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Richard Clark and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hickock moves away from the strike by Couturier.
Hickock misses with a jab to the body
enabling Couturier to counter with a crisp jab.
Hickock throws a good cross that connects.
A telegraphed right hand from Hickock misses the target.
Hickock fails to land with a series of punches.
Hickock feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Couturier's calf.
Couturier moves out of range of the strikes.
Couturier throws a nice looking combination but Hickock bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hickock tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Couturier appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Hickock lands with a straight right. Couturier didn't see that one coming.
Couturier throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hickock throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Couturier counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Couturier throws a combination. Hickock tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

It looks like Richard Hickock has been cut.
Hickock fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Couturier looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Couturier takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Hickock delivers a nice body kick.
Hickock scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hickock misses with an uppercut. Couturier saw that one coming.
Hickock cracks Couturier with a right hand to the side of the head.
Hickock misses with a straight right.
Couturier gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Hickock misses with a low kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Hickock.
Couturier walks into a jab.
Couturier throws out a powerful jab.
Hickock throws a big shot that misses.
Hickock dodges the punch combination from Couturier.
A leg kick checked by Couturier.
Couturier lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hickock's sensitive parts.
A right-left combo lands from Hickock.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hickock throws an off balance right hand

and Couturier counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Hickock!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Couturier working away.
Couturier passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Hickock!
Couturier controlling from the full mount.
Couturier can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hickock is looking to escape.
Couturier pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Couturier wants to control the pace but Hickock is squirming around nicely.
Couturier tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Hickock is working to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couturier tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Couturier jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Hickock is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Hickock and Couturier has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Hickock wants to get back to his feet.
Hickock gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Couturier looking to control but Hickock is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Couturier throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

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.
Poor strikes thrown by Couturier there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Hickock can't escape the position.
Couturier throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Hickock because Couturier loaded up on that one.
Hickock gets back to half guard.
Hickock slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Couturier has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Couturier with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hickock keeping moving, preventing Couturier from controlling successfully.
Couturier is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Couturier stands and throws Hickock's legs to the side, diving into side control.
We've been informed that Hickock has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Couturier stands up and beckons Hickock to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Richard Hickock will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Richard Hickock's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hickock checks the leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Couturier looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Couturier chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hickock can pounce on him.

Hickock instigates a clinch.
Couturier blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hickock can't find room to land a body shot as Couturier controls the action.
Hickock fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Couturier is leaning against Hickock and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hickock lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hickock blocks a punch to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Couturier fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from Hickock on the inside.
Couturier has a couple of punches blocked by Hickock.
Couturier lands a hook to the side of the head.
Couturier dodges an elbow strike from Hickock.
A shot in the inside from Couturier.
Hickock lands a left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short left from Hickock.
Hickock scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hickock is looking to control Couturier's arms but Couturier gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hickock has his back to the cage.
Couturier blocks an elbow strike.
Hickock blocking some punches.
Couturier doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Couturier blocks a body shot from Hickock.
Couturier stalling against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Hickock throws an elbow but misses.
Richard Hickock seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hickock misses with a punch on the inside.
Hickock blocks a body shot from Couturier.
Couturier doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Couturier blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Couturier blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Couturier misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hickock content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Couturier slows down the pace here.
Couturier looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hickock lands a hook to the side of the head.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Hickock just misses with a elbow thrown towards Couturier's brow.
Couturier doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right from Hickock.
Couturier misses with some punches.
Couturier has a couple of punches blocked by Hickock.
Couturier tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Couturier throws a head punch that misses.
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!
Hickock lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Couturier backwards.
Hickock misses with some punches.
Hickock stalling in the clinch but Couturier improves position.
Hickock lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hickock tries a body shot but Couturier blocks it.
Couturier misses with some punches.
Couturier misses with a punch on the inside.
Couturier gets through Hickock's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A short left from Hickock.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hickock throws a head punch that misses.
Hickock comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
A short left from Hickock.
Hickock lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hickock blocks an uppercut.
Couturier is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hickock is keeping busy.
Hickock blocks an uppercut.
Couturier lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hickock.
Couturier throws a head punch that misses.
Couturier tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hickock's elbow.
Couturier tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hickock's elbow.
Hickock lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Hickock scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Couturier lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hickock or not.
Hickock lands an elbow inside that Couturier shrugs off.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hickock working aggressively here.
Hickock lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Couturier lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hickock backwards.
Hickock is trying to stall.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hickock.
Couturier scores with a shot to the side of Hickock's head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hickock.
Hickock tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Couturier misses with a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hickock.
A right hand to the body from Couturier.
Couturier lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Couturier working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hickock.
Couturier lands a shot to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Couturier.
Couturier tries to work over Hickock's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Couturier trying to control the position but instead, Hickock has worked for underhooks and has pushed Couturier into the cage.
Couturier has a couple of punches blocked by Hickock.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Hickock showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Richard Hickock's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A leg kick checked by Hickock.
Hickock throws a head kick but Couturier moves out of range.

Hickock gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hickock misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch on the inside from Couturier fails to land.
Hickock lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Couturier.
Couturier lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hickock swings wildly with an uppercut but Couturier uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hickock blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right from Couturier.
Couturier cracks Hickock with a nice body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Couturier fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hickock tries to throw a body punch but Couturier avoids it by throwing Hickock back against the cage.
Couturier misses with a punch on the inside.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Couturier lands a shoulder strike.
Hickock swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Couturier lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hickock trying to stall but Couturier improves his position.
Couturier stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Couturier lands with a left to the head.
Hickock comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Hickock throws a punch but it's blocked by Couturier.
Couturier lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hickock or not.
Hickock takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Couturier lands a nice uppercut.
Couturier lands with a left to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Couturier fails to land.
Couturier pushes Hickock back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Couturier struggles to land a body shot inside as Hickock controls his hands.
Hickock is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Couturier is keeping busy.
Hickock working aggressively here.
Couturier blocking some punches.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Hickock lands a shoulder strike.
Couturier fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hickock misses with a short punch on the inside.
The referee is keeping an eye on Couturier - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Couturier lands with a short shot to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Hickock just misses with a elbow thrown towards Couturier's brow.
Couturier stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Hickock dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Couturier misses with some punches.
Couturier swings wildly with an uppercut but Hickock uses good head movement to avoid it.
Couturier scores with a shoulder strike.
Couturier misses with a body punch.
Couturier tries to stall but Hickock uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Hickock throws a punch but it's blocked by Couturier.
Couturier working aggressively here.
Hickock is trying to maintain a safe position but Couturier gets an underhook and turns Hickock into the cage.
Couturier lands a right hand.
Couturier throws a punch but it's blocked by Hickock.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couturier avoids the elbow strike from Hickock, against the cage.
Couturier scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hickock misses with a short punch on the inside.
Couturier misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hickock creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hickock.
Couturier avoiding damage.
Couturier working aggressively here.
Hickock stalling in the clinch but Couturier improves position.
Couturier lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Couturier doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hickock makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Couturier.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hickock.
Couturier scores with a nice hook to the head.
A shot in the inside from Couturier.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Couturier takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Couturier lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hickock backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Couturier.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Couturier pressing his opponent against the cage.
Hickock fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Couturier misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hickock being controlled against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Good body shot from Couturier.
Couturier lands a left hand.
A short right from Couturier.
Couturier lands a shot to the body.
Couturier misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hickock lands an elbow just above Couturier 's eye.
Kurtis Couturier has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Couturier lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kurtis Couturier showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hickock has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 William Gold scores the fight 29:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!