PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gunji Koizumi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Walter Kurtz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Koizumi
vs
Kurtz

176 cm
29
193 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

190 cm
23
186 lbs
9 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Great low kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

M.O. Fight Wear
KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gunji Koizumi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Walter Kurtz!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, James Glass and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koizumi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It seemed like Kurtz was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Koizumi looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Kurtz!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Koizumi works to advance to full mount. Kurtz defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Kurtz is squirming around, avoiding Koizumi's attempts to control the action.
Kurtz has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Koizumi is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Kurtz is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Koizumi is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Kurtz to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Kurtz shrugs it off.
Kurtz tries to get back to half guard but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koizumi trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Koizumi fails to take his opponent's back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurtz tries to improve his position but instead Koizumi has taken his back!
Kurtz is keeping busy.

Kurtz showing good submission defense here.
Koizumi controlling from the back.

Kurtz preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Koizumi.

Koizumi working for the choke.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurtz is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Koizumi struggling to keep hold of the position.
Kurtz trying to control the hands but Koizumi breaks the grip.
Koizumi somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
Kurtz covering up well and avoiding damage.

Kurtz preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Koizumi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koizumi wants to control the position but Kurtz frees himself and scrambles - Koizumi manages to regain control in side control.
Kurtz tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Koizumi tries to advance to mount but Kurtz denies him.
Koizumi misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Kurtz wants to control but Koizumi postures up.
Check out the look on Koizumi's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Kurtz tries to buck Koizumi off but Koizumi is having none of it.
Koizumi trying to control the action but Kurtz is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurtz sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Koizumi trying to pass the guard but Kurtz defending well.
Koizumi is working hard here to advance position.
Kurtz trying to control but Koizumi postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Koizumi tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kurtz knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunji Koizumi dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kurtz swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kurtz avoids a kick to the body.
Kurtz misses with an uppercut.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Koizumi.
Kurtz was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Kurtz throws a half hearted mid kick.
Koizumi shoots in looking for a takedown. Kurtz tries to sprawl out of it but Koizumi keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kurtz manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kurtz looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Koizumi throws a wild body kick that Kurtz sees coming a mile off.
Koizumi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kurtz's waist but Kurtz gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Koizumi off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gunji Koizumi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kurtz stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kurtz wants it to stay on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kurtz lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Koizumi shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nice body kick from Kurtz.
Kurtz tries to score with a low kick but Koizumi moves his leg out of the way.
Koizumi throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kurtz.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurtz lands a really nice looking cross but Koizumi seems unphased.
Koizumi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kurtz. That did some damage!
Koizumi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kurtz attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kurtz throws out a powerful jab.
Koizumi walks into a stiff left hand from Kurtz.
Koizumi buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kurtz has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Koizumi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kurtz swivels and escapes.

Koizumi manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Kurtz on his heels. He'll look to pass Kurtz's guard now, I'm sure.
Gunji Koizumi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Koizumi tries to free his leg and advance position but Kurtz is retaining full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kurtz holds on and takes a little breather.
Kurtz tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kurtz seems keen to control Koizumi's posture.
Koizumi is looking to work some ground and pound but Kurtz has wrist control.
Koizumi passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Koizumi controlling from side mount.
Koizumi working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Koizumi creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Kurtz sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koizumi wants to control for a moment but Kurtz uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Kurtz is controlling Koizumi's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Koizumi trying to control the action but Kurtz is working from the bottom.
Koizumi misses with a head shot. Kurtz uses the momentum to regain guard.
Koizumi is stalling in the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Koizumi wants to control from the top but Kurtz keeps moving.
Koizumi is stalling in the full guard.
Koizumi postures up in Kurtz's guard and throws a big left but Kurtz blocks it.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Koizumi trying to control the position from guard on top but Kurtz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Koizumi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kurtz is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Koizumi tries a head kick but it misses.
Kurtz misses with a kick to the body.
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.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Koizumi keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Koizumi walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Kurtz lands a left and a right that send Koizumi crashing to the mat, dazed. Kurtz thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

It looks like Gunji Koizumi has been cut.

Koizumi changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kurtz looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Koizumi lands a decent elbow from side control.

Koizumi is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kurtz is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Koizumi trying to control the action but Kurtz is working from the bottom.

Koizumi is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kurtz has escaped the position, nice work there.
Kurtz is trying to escape the position but Koizumi is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurtz prevents Koizumi from moving into mount.
Kurtz is being controlled here.
Koizumi wants to control but Kurtz is keeping him busy.

Koizumi is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kurtz knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Kurtz is not content to let Koizumi control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kurtz is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
Kurtz prevents Koizumi from improving position.

Koizumi is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kurtz is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Koizumi trying to control the position but Kurtz is working away.
Koizumi moves into full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koizumi avoids the attempt from Kurtz to control.
Kurtz is squirming around, avoiding Koizumi's attempts to control the action.
Koizumi avoids the attempt from Kurtz to control.
Koizumi misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Koizumi trying to control but Kurtz is having none of it.
Kurtz wants to hold on but Koizumi pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Koizumi sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Koizumi trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Koizumi throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Kurtz is squirming around, avoiding Koizumi's attempts to control the action.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Koizumi tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Koizumi tries to control but Kurtz wriggling away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunji Koizumi clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Gunji Koizumi's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Koizumi throws a nice head kick!
Kurtz moves out of range of the body kick.
Koizumi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kurtz pinned against the cage. Kurtz gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kurtz chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Koizumi shoots and misses
and Kurtz counters with a left to the body.
Kurtz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kurtz tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Koizumi is able to avoid easily.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kurtz.
Kurtz connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kurtz scores with a decent looking hook.
Kurtz misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koizumi shoots in for a takedown but Kurtz shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kurtz looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gunji Koizumi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice body kick there by Kurtz.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Decent striking displayed by Kurtz there.
Kurtz connects with a body shot.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kurtz. That's going to slow Koizumi down.
Koizumi looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kurtz throws out a powerful jab.
Kurtz moves into range and connects with a jab.

Koizumi is rocked!
Kurtz misses with a body kick.
Gunji Koizumi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kurtz throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

Kurtz cracks Koizumi with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Kurtz has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Koizumi to stand back up!
Oh Koizumi is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kurtz darts in and lands a big hook, right on the button! Koizumi's legs crumble underneath him as he falls to the canvas! The ref tackles Kurtz before he gets to land any more shots to his stricken foe.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:48 of round 4, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Walter Kurtz!
Walter Kurtz is the new middleweight champion!
A victorious Walter Kurtz thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.