PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Taran Chula (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kuroda Atsushii (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.

Chula
vs
Atsushii

175 cm
25
155 lbs
11 - 5 - 1

172 cm
24
144 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Aspire Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 1, fighting out of New York, Taran Chula!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kuroda Atsushii!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Sam Margolis and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Atsushii throws a hook to the side of Chula's head but Chula sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
An inside leg kick lands from Chula.
Chula moves out of range of the leg kick from Atsushii.
Atsushii keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A countering left hand to the body from Atsushii misses.
Good work by Atsushii as he checks the leg kick.
Taran Chula seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Atsushii misses with a straight left.
Chula throws a front kick aimed at Atsushii's knee but Atsushii avoids it well.

Chula moves into the clinch.
Chula tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chula lands a hook that snaps the head of Atsushii backwards.
Chula keeps control of Atsushii as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Chula tries to work over Atsushii's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Chula tries to work over Atsushii's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Chula is working Atsushii over against the cage.
Atsushii can't find room to land a body shot as Chula controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chula stalling against the cage.
Chula misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Atsushii fails to land.

Atsushii breaks the clinch.
Atsushii throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Chula ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Atsushii moves away.
Chula fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Atsushii manages to avoid it.
Chula doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Chula dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Atsushii. That did some damage!
Chula moves out of range of the leg kick from Atsushii.
Chula fires out a quick counter leg kick but Atsushii just manages to avoid it.
Chula throws a body punch but Atsushii moves out of range.
Chula throws a nice inside leg kick.
Jab, jab by Atsushii - just one landing.

It looks like Taran Chula has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atsushii walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Good standup being displayed there by Atsushii as he connects with a hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Chula takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Atsushii throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Chula.
Atsushii thows a left - swing and a miss!
Chula misses the shot to the body.
Chula is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Atsushii.
Atsushii explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Chula looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Chula bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Chula checks the leg kick nicely there.
Chula misses with a hook
and Atsushii counters with a nice body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atsushii misses with a low kick as Chula jumps back.
Chula throws a leg kick that misses.
Atsushii looks for the body kick but Chula saw that one coming.
Atsushii tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Chula throws a body shot but no joy.
A countering left hand to the body from Atsushii misses.
Atsushii comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Chula is looking to wear down Atsushii with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Chula throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Atsushii sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Chula throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Atsushii fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Chula.
Chula ducks right into an uppercut from Atsushii.
Chula takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Atsushii drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chula tries to clinch but Atsushii is having none of it.
Atsushii throws a push kick but Chula slaps the foot to one side.
A slapping leg kick lands for Chula.
Chula tries to bum rush Atsushii with a series of wild strikes but Atsushii uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Chula finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Atsushii checks a low kick from Chula.
Atsushii looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Atsushii works Chula's body with a nice hook.
Atsushii fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Atsushii throws the kick towards the body but Chula avoids it.
Chula was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Atsushii motions for Chula to come forward. Atsushii throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Chula takes one on the chin but seems OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kuroda Atsushii dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Taran Chula's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Chula jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Chula lands a nice leg kick that just misses Atsushii's sensitive parts.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Atsushii.
Chula connects with the punch.
Atsushii fakes the leg kick and cracks Chula in the body.
Chula looks to throw the jab but Atsushii is out of range.
Atsushii scores with a sloppy right hand. Chula should have avoided that one.
Chula swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Atsushii swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Chula counters with an inside leg kick.
Chula chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Chula throws a solid leg kick but Atsushii takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Chula.
It seemed like Atsushii was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Atsushii cracks Chula with a good jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atsushii throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Kuroda Atsushii seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Chula misses with a wild body shot.
Atsushii throws out a counter right but Chula avoids it with no problem.
Atsushii fakes the leg kick and cracks Chula in the body.
Chula scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Chula misses with a looping left.
Chula misses with a left hand
and Atsushii counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Chula chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Atsushii can pounce on him.
Atsushii feints and then cracks Chula's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Chula down.
Chula has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Atsushii finds it's way round the side to connect with Chula's head.
Chula throws a leg kick
and Atsushii counters with a good low kick that Chula was not able to check.
Atsushii delivers a nice body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A lazy body kick from Chula
and Atsushii counters with a nice uppercut.
Chula will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Atsushii throws a looping overhand right but Chula ducks down to avoid it.
Chula moves out of range as Atsushii throws a body kick.
Atsushii throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Chula is looking to counter punch.
Atsushii scores with a jab to the jaw.

Atsushii drops Chula with a beautiful combination! Chula stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Atsushii is looking for the KO!

Chula is rocked!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Chula.
Oh Chula is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Atsushii keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Atsushii throws out a counter right but Chula avoids it with no problem.
Chula's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Chula duly obliges.
Chula seems to have got his legs back now.
Atsushii swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Chula lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Atsushii has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Atsushii and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Chula throws out a leg kick but Atsushii moves out of range and Chula only half commits.
Chula misses with a body kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Atsushii.
Atsushii throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Chula sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Atsushii lunges at Chula with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Chula's hand.
Atsushii tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Chula is able to avoid easily.
Chula misses with a straight left.
Chula tries to move into range but Atsushii moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Atsushii throws a body kick that misses.
Chula throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Atsushii sees it coming and avoids it easily.
It seemed like Atsushii was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Atsushii crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Chula - the referee stops the clock and Atsushii gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Chula. Atsushii manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Atsushii is looking to slow Chula down with leg kicks.
Atsushii takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Atsushii slips under a jab from Chula.
Atsushii appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Chula takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Atsushii misses with a low kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Chula misses the target.
Atsushii throws a sloppy head kick and Chula moves out of range easily.
Chula appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Atsushii throws a hook but Chula avoids it easily.
Chula is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Chula throws a jab but it's blocked by Atsushii.
Chula walks into a left hand.
Atsushii ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kuroda Atsushii showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Taran Chula's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Chula misses with an uppercut.
Atsushii throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Chula.
Atsushii paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Nice shot by Atsushii.
Atsushii has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Atsushii throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Chula is looking for a counter combo.
Atsushii ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Chula moves away.
Atsushii dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nice body kick from Atsushii.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chula misses with a body kick.
Atsushii replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Chula blocks it well.
Atsushii misses with a low kick as Chula jumps back.
Atsushii throws a leg kick but Chula sees it coming and checks it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atsushii misses with an uppercut.
A jab lands there for Atsushii.
Chula throws an overhand right that lands on Atsushii's shoulder, as Atsushii tries to avoid the shot.
Chula jabs at Atsushii's body.
A swing and a miss from Atsushii.
Chula throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Chula throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Atsushii replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Chula blocks it well.
Atsushii swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Chula looks to score with a jab to the body but Atsushii is just out of range.
Atsushii tries a quick counter leg kick but Chula is wise to it.
Chula has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Chula there as he acknowledges the shot.
Taran Chula has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atsushii lands with an overhand left.
Chula steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Atsushii.
Atsushii moves out of range of the body kick.
Atsushii looks to land a body kick but Chula moved away.
A nice leg kick lands there from Chula.
Atsushii throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Chula stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
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!
Atsushii looks for the body kick but Chula saw that one coming.
Chula's corner calls for a 1-2. Chula obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Chula connects with a solid leg kick.
Chula attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Chula throws a lazy right hand but Atsushii sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Despite the aggression on Atsushii's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chula misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Atsushii swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Atsushii takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Chula throws a sloppy body shot
and Atsushii finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
The fighters circling - Chula throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Atsushii misses with an uppercut. Chula saw that one coming.
Chula tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Atsushii was well out of range. Poor timing from Chula.
Atsushii jabs Chula right on the nose. Chula blinks but takes it well.
Atsushii uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Chula has time to react.
Atsushii throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Atsushii scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chula blocks a jab.
Chula looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Atsushii lands a nice looking body shot.
Chula scores with the left hand. Atsushii knows he should have avoided that one.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Chula throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Atsushii sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Chula throws a big shot that misses.
Atsushii is trying to counter with his kicks.
Kuroda Atsushii is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nice body punch from Chula.
Atsushii takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Chula connects with an inside leg kick.
Atsushii dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Atsushii checks a leg kick.
Atsushii feints a counter leg kick.
Atsushii looks to land a body kick but Chula moved away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kuroda Atsushii comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Atsushii 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kuroda Atsushii!
A very excited looking Kuroda Atsushii made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.