PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Troy Kirkland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Walter Kurtz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Walter Kurtz has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Troy Kirkland's chin.

Kirkland
vs
Kurtz

183 cm
22
196 lbs
15 - 5 - 0

190 cm
22
186 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Highland Clothing

On Tap (160Q & Laundry)

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 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Troy Kirkland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Walter Kurtz!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Phil Schofield and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kurtz misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kirkland swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Kirkland missing with a left hand there. Kurtz was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kurtz dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kirkland. That did some damage!
Kirkland with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kurtz to score with a decent uppercut.

Kirkland clinches with his opponent.
Kirkland prevents Kurtz from breaking the clinch.
Kirkland misses with a short punch on the inside.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kirkland.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kirkland dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Kurtz working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kirkland working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kurtz wants to take the fight to the mat but Kirkland manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Kurtz has a couple of punches blocked by Kirkland.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kirkland.
Kurtz struggles to land a body shot inside as Kirkland controls his hands.
Kurtz takes a shot to the head.

Kurtz manages to break the clinch.
Kurtz throws a wild body kick that Kirkland sees coming a mile off.
Kirkland throws a right hand that misses

and Kurtz counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Kirkland has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Kirkland is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kurtz looking to pass the guard.
Kurtz trying to control the position from guard on top but Kirkland is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurtz not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Kirkland is trying to control the position but Kurtz postures up.
Kurtz slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kirkland is looking to clinch but Kurtz is avoiding it.
Kirkland checks a low kick from Kurtz.
Kirkland tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kirkland walks into a straight right hand from Kurtz.
Kirkland gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kurtz.
Kirkland throws a lazy right hand but Kurtz sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A cross from Kurtz lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurtz throws a leg kick
and Kirkland counters with a lovely straight right hand!

It looks like Walter Kurtz has been cut.
Kurtz avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kurtz defending well as Kirkland loads up on a big left hand.
Kurtz scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kirkland misses with a looping left.
Kirkland lands with a right hand.
Kurtz shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Kirkland moves into the clinch.
Kurtz blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kurtz has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Kirkland seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Kurtz can turn it around.
Kurtz misses with a body punch.
Kirkland blocks an uppercut.
Kurtz misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kirkland misses with a short punch on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kurtz.
Kirkland is leaning against Kurtz and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Kirkland lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kurtz backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kirkland blocks a body shot from Kurtz.
Kurtz lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kirkland tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kirkland throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Kirkland softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kurtz blocks a body shot from Kirkland.
Kurtz misses with the head strike.

Kurtz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kurtz motions for Kirkland to come forward. Kurtz throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kirkland tries to clinch there but Kurtz circles away.
Kirkland takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
That kick from Kurtz tenderised Kirkland's leg. Kirkland is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kurtz will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Troy Kirkland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Walter Kurtz.
Kurtz bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kirkland's head backwards.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kirkland looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Walter Kurtz dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Walter Kurtz's cut.
That's time! Kirkland's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kirkland takes the fight into the clinch.
Kurtz wants to break free but Kirkland has control.

Kurtz breaks the clinch.
Kurtz uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kirkland has time to react.
Kirkland throws a predictable looking body shot
and Kurtz counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kirkland is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kurtz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kirkland misses with a hook to the body
and Kurtz counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kurtz lands an overhand right.
Kurtz dips to his left and cracks Kirkland with an uppercut!
Kirkland is looking to clinch but Kurtz is avoiding it.
Kurtz avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Kurtz. Kirkland shrugs it off though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kurtz.
Kirkland looks to land a left hand but Kurtz moved out of range nicely.
Kurtz looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Troy Kirkland seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kirkland throws an overhand right that lands on Kurtz's shoulder, as Kurtz tries to avoid the shot.
Kurtz lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kirkland throws a poor cross that misses
and Kurtz counters with a straight right hand.
Nice uppercut there from Kurtz.
Kurtz lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Kirkland is rocked!

It looks like Troy Kirkland has been cut.
Kurtz cracks Kirkland with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Oh Kirkland is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kirkland takes a swing at Kurtz's ribcage but misses.
Kirkland tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kurtz swings for the body but Kirkland moves out of range.
Kirkland misses with a wild body shot.
Kirkland seems to have got his legs back now.
Walter Kurtz seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kirkland throws an overhand right that lands on Kurtz's shoulder, as Kurtz tries to avoid the shot.
Kurtz throws a chopping leg kick but Kirkland manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kirkland swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kirkland tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kurtz paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kurtz swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurtz tries to land a body kick
and Kirkland counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Kirkland clinches with his opponent.
Kirkland blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kurtz takes a shot to the head.
Kirkland misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kirkland misses with a punch on the inside.
Kirkland misses with a punch on the inside.

Kurtz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kurtz has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kurtz motions for Kirkland to come forward. Kurtz throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kirkland looks to score with a jab to the body but Kurtz is just out of range.
Kurtz flicks out a counter leg kick but Kirkland steps away.
Kurtz misses with a low kick as Kirkland jumps back.
Kirkland misses with a wild body shot.
Kirkland throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kurtz appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Kurtz with a nice cross.
Kurtz has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Kirkland has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kirkland there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurtz throws a chopping leg kick but Kirkland manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kirkland is looking to counter the offense by Kurtz and move into the clinch.
Kirkland takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kirkland stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kurtz dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kirkland. That did some damage!
Kirkland looks to score with a jab to the body but Kurtz is just out of range.
Kurtz lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Kurtz uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kirkland.
Kurtz lands a leg kick that knocks Kirkland off balance momentarily.
Kirkland staying out of range there.
Kurtz throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kurtz lands an overhand right.
Kurtz scores with a jab. Kirkland acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Jab from Kurtz.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kirkland tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kurtz was well out of range. Poor timing from Kirkland.
Kirkland steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Kurtz. That one must have hurt.
Kurtz scores with a nice strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurtz is looking to slow Kirkland down with leg kicks.
Kirkland misses the jab.
Kirkland is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kirkland works Kurtz's body with a nice hook.
Kirkland tries to clinch but Kurtz is having none of it.
Kirkland throws a hook but Kurtz blocks it.
Troy Kirkland is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kirkland tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Kurtz counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Kurtz scores with a nice strike.
Kurtz lands with an uppercut that bounces Kirkland off the cage and back into range.
Kirkland tries to clinch there but Kurtz circles away.
Kurtz connects with a nice looking jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kirkland wants to clinch up but Kurtz keeps it at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Walter Kurtz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kurtz cracks Kirkland with a good jab.
Kurtz drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Kurtz throws a poor cross that misses

and Kirkland moves into the clinch.
Kurtz scores with a hook to the body.

Kurtz breaks the clinch.
Nice shot by Kurtz.
Kirkland with a nice cross.
Kirkland misses with a body shot.
Kurtz feints the counter takedown.
Kurtz tests Kirkland's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kurtz avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Kirkland fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kurtz, pushing him back against the cage.
Kirkland prevents Kurtz from breaking the clinch.
Kirkland presses Kurtz against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
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!

Kurtz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kirkland on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kurtz. Kurtz obviously looking to wear him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurtz keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kirkland tries to clinch but Kurtz moves out of range.
Kurtz unleashes a big counter combination but Kirkland bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

Kirkland closes the distance and clinches.
Kirkland misses with the head strike.
Kirkland throws a head punch that misses.
Kurtz can't find room to land a body shot as Kirkland controls the action.
Kurtz lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kirkland backwards.
Kurtz tries a body shot but Kirkland blocks it.
Kurtz lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kirkland backwards.
A short left from Kurtz.
Still in the clinch, Kurtz scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kirkland misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kirkland tries to throw a body punch but Kurtz avoids it by throwing Kirkland back against the cage.
Kirkland blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurtz misses with a punch to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kurtz.
Kirkland tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kurtz's elbow.
Kurtz swings wildly with an uppercut but Kirkland uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kirkland stalling the fight.
Kirkland misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kirkland is looking to control Kurtz's arms but Kurtz gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kirkland has his back to the cage.
Kirkland throws a punch but it's blocked by Kurtz.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head punch on the inside from Kirkland fails to land.
Kirkland prevents a takedown attempt there.
Kurtz misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kurtz works on Kirkland's body with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Kurtz.

Kurtz breaks from the clinch.
A jab from Kurtz finds it's way through Kirkland's defenses.

Kirkland moves into the clinch successfully.
Kirkland stops a takedown attempt from Kurtz.
Kurtz lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A short right from Kirkland on the inside.
Kurtz lands a nice uppercut.
Kirkland softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kirkland blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kurtz blocks a body shot from Kirkland.
Kurtz lands a left hand.
Kirkland doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Kurtz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kirkland misses with a lunging right hand
and Kurtz counters with a right hand to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurtz slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kirkland moves out of range as Kurtz strikes.
Kurtz ducks right into an uppercut from Kirkland.
Good standup being displayed there by Kurtz as he connects with a hook.

Kirkland has closed the distance and engaged Kurtz in a clinch.
A shot in the inside from Kirkland.
Kirkland stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kurtz jumps guard but Kirkland turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Troy Kirkland has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Troy Kirkland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Walter Kurtz.
Kirkland working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Good body shot from Kirkland.
Kirkland misses with a punch to the body.
Kirkland working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kirkland throws a punch but it's blocked by Kurtz.
Kirkland misses with a body punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Walter Kurtz.
I've got Kurtz 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Walter Kurtz!
Our winner, Walter Kurtz, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.