PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ninja Gaiden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jorge Kurabas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ninja Gaiden has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gaiden
vs
Kurabas

180 cm
25
158 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

172 cm
18
163 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ninja Gaiden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jorge Kurabas!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Ryoma Takatsuka and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gaiden closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kurabas misses with a body punch.

Gaiden breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Gaiden takes the fight into the clinch.
Kurabas misses with a hook to the ribs.

Gaiden breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Gaiden pushes Kurabas up against the cage in a clinch.
Gaiden blocks an uppercut.
Kurabas is pressed up against the cage. Gaiden has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kurabas down to the mat. Kurabas avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Good standup being displayed there by Kurabas as he connects with a hook.
A left lands for Kurabas.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gaiden has closed the distance and engaged Kurabas in a clinch.
Gaiden is stalling here.

Gaiden escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gaiden shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Kurabas eats them both and turns towards Gaiden to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Ninja Gaiden seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gaiden gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Gaiden pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Gaiden darts in and clinches Kurabas up against the cage.
Gaiden is working for takedown but Kurabas is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gaiden is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ninja Gaiden. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Gaiden breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gaiden is looking to clinch but Kurabas is avoiding it.
Gaiden gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kurabas thuds his right hand into Gaiden's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Kurabas scores with a jab. Gaiden acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Good exchange - Kurabas coming out on top.
Nice straight punches there by Kurabas. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kurabas.

Gaiden moves into range and clinches up with Kurabas.
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!
Kurabas has had enough of the clinch but Gaiden keeps him there for the moment.
Kurabas is trying to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gaiden escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A punch lands to the side of Gaiden 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Gaiden takes one to the chin there.
Gaiden dives in and grabs Kurabas's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kurabas pushes down on Gaiden's head and hops out.
Kurabas scores with a jab to the head.
Kurabas fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Kurabas lands a head shot.
Gaiden shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kurabas looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kurabas takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Kurabas scores with a jab to the jaw.
Gaiden takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kurabas scores with a three punch combo!
Gaiden looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurabas misses with a wild combination.
Gaiden drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Kurabas might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Kurabas stuffs the takedown.
Kurabas lands with a cross.
Kurabas slaps away a takedown attempt from Gaiden, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Gaiden is breathing heavily.
A punch lands to the side of Gaiden 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Gaiden takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Gaiden gets a clinch.
Kurabas stalling in the clinch.

Gaiden breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurabas misses with a two punch combination.
Jorge Kurabas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kurabas scores with a body shot.
Kurabas lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Kurabas.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Kurabas tries to keep at a distance but Gaiden has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kurabas controlling the action here for a moment.
Kurabas misses with a punch to the body.
Kurabas misses with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Gaiden breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kurabas, as that shot connected.
Kurabas goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Kurabas displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jorge Kurabas dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Gaiden shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kurabas but Kurabas pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Gaiden takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kurabas keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ninja Gaiden is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kurabas getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Kurabas tries to keep at a distance but Gaiden has taken the fight into the clinch.
Gaiden tries to pull guard but Kurabas forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ninja Gaiden. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gaiden pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kurabas moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Kurabas scores with a nice right hand.

Gaiden closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Gaiden pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gaiden wants to clinch up but Kurabas keeps it at a distance.

Kurabas tries to keep at a distance but Gaiden has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kurabas doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Gaiden's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kurabas fails to land with a series of punches.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kurabas.
Jorge Kurabas seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gaiden shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kurabas circles away from the clinch attempt.

Gaiden closes the distance and clinches.
Kurabas can't find room to land a body shot as Gaiden controls the action.

Gaiden manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurabas bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Gaiden's head.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kurabas.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gaiden fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kurabas has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gaiden has a takedown stuffed.
Gaiden walks into a jab.

Gaiden drives through and clinches with Kurabas against the cage.

Gaiden breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Gaiden fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kurabas, pushing him back against the cage.
Kurabas tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ninja Gaiden has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kurabas gets underhooks to prevent Gaiden's takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Gaiden breaks from the clinch.
Kurabas lands a lovely overhand right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaiden has a takedown stuffed.
Kurabas ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Gaiden is looking to clinch but Kurabas is avoiding it.
Gaiden tries to clinch but Kurabas is having none of it.
Gaiden takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kurabas.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Kurabas takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Kurabas throws a series of punches but Gaiden avoids them all with ease.
Kurabas lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Kurabas works Gaiden's body with a nice hook.
Kurabas connects with a crisp jab.
Gaiden closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kurabas avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kurabas throws out a counter right but Gaiden avoids it with no problem.
Kurabas connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Gaiden's hands.
Gaiden shoots in but no luck this time.
Gaiden walks into a left hand.
Gaiden tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kurabas swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gaiden fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Gaiden swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kurabas lands a jab to the nose.
Gaiden fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kurabas with a nice cross.
Kurabas connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Gaiden momentarily.
Gaiden throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kurabas looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kurabas lands a right hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jorge Kurabas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Jab from Kurabas.
Nice uppercut there from Kurabas.
Kurabas lands with a hook. Gaiden tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Gaiden fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kurabas shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Gaiden eats them both and turns towards Kurabas to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Gaiden will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gaiden moves in looking to clinch but Kurabas pushes him off.
Kurabas connects with a nice looking jab.

Gaiden fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kurabas, pushing him back against the cage.
Kurabas has a couple of punches blocked by Gaiden.
Gaiden looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

Gaiden breaks from the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gaiden wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaiden misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gaiden throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kurabas counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kurabas bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Gaiden's head.
Gaiden takes a jab right on the kisser.
Gaiden tries to clinch but Kurabas is having none of it.
Gaiden looks to throw a body kick
letting Kurabas counter with a right hand.
Kurabas scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kurabas scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kurabas lands with a right hand.
Kurabas is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gaiden fails to land with a series of punches.
Kurabas goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Nice uppercut lands for Kurabas. That snapped Gaiden's head back.
Jorge Kurabas is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurabas throws a series of strikes that have Gaiden backpedaling.
Kurabas connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Gaiden momentarily.
Kurabas avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Some wild striking there from Kurabas.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gaiden.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ninja Gaiden. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kurabas scores with a jab. Gaiden acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Kurabas changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kurabas lands a slapping body shot.
Kurabas scores with a jab to the body.
Kurabas lands a nice looking body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurabas scores with a three punch combo!
Kurabas swats away the attempt to clinch by Gaiden.
Kurabas lands a really nice looking cross but Gaiden seems unphased.
Kurabas displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Gaiden needs to keep his hands up - Kurabas had a free shot at his head there.
Kurabas keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kurabas lands with a hook. Gaiden tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Gaiden takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A shot to the body from Gaiden misses
and Kurabas counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Gaiden tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kurabas paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kurabas swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kurabas uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gaiden shoots in for a takedown but Kurabas shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kurabas! But no joy.
Gaiden falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kurabas makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kurabas lands a nice looking body shot.

Gaiden gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Gaiden wants a takedown but no success here.
Gaiden scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kurabas misses with a punch on the inside.

Gaiden pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kurabas scores with a sloppy right hand. Gaiden should have avoided that one.
Ninja Gaiden has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gaiden looks to score with a jab to the body but Kurabas is just out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jorge Kurabas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kurabas 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 Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jorge Kurabas!
Our winner, Jorge Kurabas, 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.