PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Steve Curry (ranked 6143 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Iwanicki (ranked 6142 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Curry
vs
Iwanicki

212 cm
24
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

192 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Steve Curry!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Richard Iwanicki!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Curry pushes Iwanicki up against the cage in a clinch.
Iwanicki looking to slow down the pace here.

Iwanicki is trying to trip Curry. He has hold of a leg but Curry is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Iwanicki persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Curry wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Iwanicki manages to pass to side control.

Iwanicki wants to pass to mount but Curry is defending the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Curry wants to control but Iwanicki is keeping busy.

Iwanicki is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Curry sees it coming and defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Curry is staying active underneath Iwanicki, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Curry has hold of Iwanicki's hands but Iwanicki slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Iwanicki sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Curry defending well though.
Iwanicki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Curry keeps working.
Curry is trying to stand back up but Iwanicki is controlling him

Curry pushes Iwanicki off and gets back to his feet.
Richard Iwanicki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Curry avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Iwanicki throws a nice looking combination but Curry bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Curry tries to counter with a takedown but Iwanicki is quick to defend against it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Curry has taken the fight to the clinch.
Iwanicki looking to throw knees to the head but Curry is blocking nicely.
Curry tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Iwanicki has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Curry clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Curry is keeping busy.
Curry is really stuck here.

Curry preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Iwanicki.
Iwanicki struggling to keep hold of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Curry is really stuck here.
Curry is working hard here to advance position.
Iwanicki is trying to stick to Curry's back but Curry is turning into Iwanicki. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Iwanicki's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Curry.
Curry working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Curry lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Curry lands a couple of digs.
Curry stops Iwanicki from standing up.
Curry is in close to Iwanicki's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Curry throws a big right hand that misses.
Iwanicki utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Curry works over Iwanicki with some ground and pound from guard.
Curry really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Curry working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Iwanicki controls Curry momentarily but Curry frees himself.
Curry throwing strikes but missing.
Curry is looking to stand up but Iwanicki won't let him.
Iwanicki working a defensive guard here.
Iwanicki is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Curry gets to his feet - Iwanicki follows without any prompting.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Curry's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Curry drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Curry postures up in Iwanicki's guard and throws a big left but Iwanicki blocks it.
Iwanicki trying to keep a closed guard but Curry is proving a slippery customer.
Curry postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Curry postures up in Iwanicki's guard and throws a big left but Iwanicki blocks it.
Curry makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Iwanicki trying to keep a closed guard but Curry is proving a slippery customer.
Curry postures up and lands a big shot to Iwanicki's brow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Iwanicki is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Curry is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Curry scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Iwanicki tries to strike from the bottom.

Curry decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Iwanicki, up you get!

Iwanicki gets the takedown into side control.
Curry sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Ground and pound from Iwanicki.
Iwanicki throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Curry to regain full guard.
Curry has momentary wrist control but Iwanicki slips an elbow through the middle.

Curry working for a triangle but Iwanicki defends it easily.
Iwanicki scoring with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Iwanicki throws an elbow that misses. Curry uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Iwanicki's guard. Nice move by Curry!

Iwanicki trying to keep a closed guard but Curry is proving a slippery customer.

Curry gets to his feet. Iwanicki looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Curry closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Iwanicki wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iwanicki is trying to maintain a safe position but Curry gets an underhook and turns Iwanicki into the cage.

Iwanicki has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Curry clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Iwanicki patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Iwanicki looking for the RNC.

Iwanicki tightening his grip on Curry, looking for the choke.
Iwanicki has the hooks in. Curry is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Iwanicki wants to control but Curry is keeping busy.
Curry is in bad spot here.
Iwanicki slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Iwanicki looking for the RNC.
Iwanicki has good solid back control here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Curry dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Iwanicki manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Curry on his heels. He'll look to pass Curry's guard now, I'm sure.
Curry is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Iwanicki trying to control the position from guard on top but Curry is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Iwanicki throws a strike but Curry rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Curry distracts Iwanicki with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Curry working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Iwanicki's head.
Iwanicki working a defensive guard but Curry passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Curry is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Curry missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Curry scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Iwanicki on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Curry missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Curry lands a nice short elbow.
Curry not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Curry will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Iwanicki is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Curry is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Iwanicki can do to turn this around?
Iwanicki is trying to stand back up but Curry is controlling him
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Iwanicki tries to roll over but Curry keeps him under control.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Curry connects with a nice short shot to Iwanicki's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Curry stands up and beckons Iwanicki to join him on the feet.

Iwanicki gets a takedown into half guard.

Iwanicki is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Steve Curry overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Curry regains full guard. Nicely done.
Curry is trying to control the position from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Iwanicki accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Curry keeping full guard, as Iwanicki tries to pass.
Iwanicki trying to stand up but can't free himself from Curry's guard.

Curry is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Iwanicki throws a series of punches but Curry avoids them all with ease.
Curry tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Iwanicki manages to circle out of the way.

Curry takes the fight into the clinch.
Curry effectively controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Curry's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Iwanicki throws a head kick that misses.

Iwanicki closes the distance and clinches.
Iwanicki tries to break the clinch but Curry is controlling the position.
Iwanicki has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Iwanicki is trying to force a seperation but Curry has the dominant position.
Richard Iwanicki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Steve Curry is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Curry showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Curry, 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Curry!