PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Soul Shadow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Minobu Kurita (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kurita has chosen Game of Thrones as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Shadow
vs
Kurita

180 cm
17
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
26
170 lbs
5 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Amped Performance

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Soul Shadow!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Minobu Kurita!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Reed Andrews and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kurita moves into the clinch successfully.
Kurita pushes Shadow back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Shadow misses with some punches.
Still in the clinch, Kurita scores with a nice short uppercut.
Shadow misses with some punches.
Kurita lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Shadow backwards.
Shadow misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shadow.
Shadow's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Shadow working aggressively here.
Shadow lands an uppercut.
Kurita lands a right hand.
Shadow swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Kurita has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Shadow is trying to keep an underhook but Kurita manages to get the takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shadow moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Kurita in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Shadow lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Shadow with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shadow trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Shadow throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kurita works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Shadow throwing strikes but missing.
Kurita utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shadow accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shadow is looking to work some ground and pound but Kurita has wrist control.
Kurita working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shadow.
Shadow postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Shadow with a flurry of punches that miss.
Shadow throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kurita preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Shadow in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Shadow loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shadow in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kurita utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shadow accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shadow throws a big elbow that misses.
Shadow throws a big elbow that misses.
Shadow working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shadow loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kurita is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Kurita working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shadow.
Shadow missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Shadow working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shadow working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kurita's head.
Shadow has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Shadow postures up in Kurita's guard and throws a big left but Kurita blocks it.
Shadow throws a big right hand that misses.
Shadow throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kurita works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Shadow throwing strikes from guard but Kurita blocks nicely.
Shadow throwing strikes but missing.
Kurita working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shadow.
Shadow throwing strikes from guard but Kurita blocks nicely.
Kurita really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Shadow. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Shadow postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Shadow throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Shadow missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Shadow missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shadow in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Shadow is looking to work some ground and pound but Kurita has wrist control.
We've been informed that Kurita has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Shadow working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kurita avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Shadow postures up in Kurita's guard and throws a big left but Kurita blocks it.
Shadow throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kurita works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kurita looks winded!
Shadow is looking to work some ground and pound but Kurita has wrist control.
Kurita can't keep his opponent in guard - Shadow advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Shadow thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Shadow throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kurita keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kurita blocking the ground and pound attempt from Shadow.
Shadow throwing shots but Kurita is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Soul Shadow dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kurita clinches up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Shadow fails to land.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kurita.
Shadow is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kurita can do to turn this around?
Shadow throws a punch but it's blocked by Kurita.
Shadow swings wildly with an uppercut but Kurita uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shadow misses with a punch on the inside.
Shadow misses with a punch on the inside.
Shadow working aggressively here.
Shadow misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kurita.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kurita lands a hook that snaps the head of Shadow backwards.
Shadow throws a head punch that misses.
Kurita blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kurita doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shadow working aggressively here.
Kurita blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurita tries to land knees in the clinch but Shadow avoids the damage to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Shadow fails to land.
Kurita lands with a short head shot on the inside.

It looks like Soul Shadow has been cut.
Minobu Kurita seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Kurita tightens his grip and picks Shadow up, before dumping him to the ground. Shadow manages to land in guard.
Soul Shadow overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Shadow throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Shadow trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Shadow throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Shadow lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shadow accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shadow with a flurry of punches that miss.
Shadow postures up in Kurita's guard and throws a big left but Kurita blocks it.
Shadow is looking to work some ground and pound but Kurita has wrist control.
Shadow working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shadow accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shadow in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Shadow throws a big right hand that misses.
Shadow postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Shadow trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kurita working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shadow.
Shadow landing some decent shots from guard.
Kurita is breathing heavily.
Shadow is looking to work some ground and pound but Kurita has wrist control.
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!
Shadow throwing strikes from guard but Kurita blocks nicely.
Shadow throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kurita works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Shadow working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kurita wants to stand but Shadow is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shadow scoring with punches to the head and body.
Shadow trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kurita preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kurita working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shadow.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kurita can do anything to dispel that myth.
Shadow throws a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shadow working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shadow throwing strikes from guard but Kurita blocks nicely.
Shadow working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shadow postures up in Kurita's guard and throws a big left but Kurita blocks it.
Shadow missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Shadow trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shadow postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Shadow throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kurita works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Shadow throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kurita works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shadow accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kurita working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shadow.
Shadow throwing strikes from guard but Kurita blocks nicely.
Kurita preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Shadow postures up in Kurita's guard and throws a big left but Kurita blocks it.
Shadow throwing strikes from guard but Kurita blocks nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shadow postures up in Kurita's guard and throws a big left but Kurita blocks it.
Shadow throwing strikes from guard but Kurita blocks nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Soul Shadow dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Soul Shadow's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Kurita closes the distance and pushes Shadow back into the cage.

Kurita gets control of Shadow's arms and successfully pulls guard. Kurita will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Shadow throwing strikes but missing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shadow accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shadow trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kurita preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shadow trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Shadow is looking to work some ground and pound but Kurita has wrist control.
Kurita working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shadow.
Kurita preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kurita takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kurita avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shadow trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kurita preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kurita working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shadow.
Shadow trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Shadow works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Shadow missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Shadow missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Shadow throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Shadow not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Shadow throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Shadow thows a huge punch but Kurita dodges it nicely.
Shadow scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Shadow sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kurita defending well though.
Minobu Kurita has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurita avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Shadow.
Kurita blocking the ground and pound attempt from Shadow.
Kurita keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Shadow not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kurita keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Shadow throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kurita avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Shadow.
Shadow thows a huge punch but Kurita dodges it nicely.
Shadow thows a huge punch but Kurita dodges it nicely.
Shadow not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Shadow not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kurita on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shadow missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Shadow throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Shadow thows a huge punch but Kurita dodges it nicely.
Shadow sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kurita defending well though.
Kurita blocking the ground and pound attempt from Shadow.
Shadow thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kurita's head.
Shadow is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Shadow thowing shots but they're missing.
Shadow scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Kurita?
Shadow thowing shots but they're missing.
Shadow thowing shots but they're missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shadow landing strikes from the mount and Kurita is in trouble!
Kurita is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Shadow throws some wild stikes that Kurita manages to avoid easily.
Shadow throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Kurita blocking the ground and pound.
Shadow looking to finish with strikes here!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kurita blocking the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kurita blocking the ground and pound.
Shadow 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.

And that's the end of the fight!
Soul Shadow showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Shadow, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Soul Shadow!
A victorious Soul Shadow thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
In defeat, Minobu Kurita stepped up to the mic, saying 'Sayonara'.