PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Assan Karim Chorr (ranked 5337 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yuta Kubo (ranked 5000 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Karim Chorr
vs
Kubo

178 cm
25
157 lbs
1 - 6 - 0

175 cm
25
156 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

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 - 6 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Assan Karim Chorr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Yuta Kubo!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Sandra Marshall and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chorr shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kubo as he jumps to the side.
Kubo throws a lazy head kick
and Chorr counters with a series of strikes. Kubo will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kubo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Chorr as he avoids it easily.
Chorr tries to clinch but Kubo is having none of it.
Kubo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Chorr sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kubo somewhat.
Chorr leaves Kubo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Chorr appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Assan Karim Chorr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yuta Kubo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kubo instigates a clinch.

Kubo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Chorr tries to clinch there but Kubo circles away.

Kubo drives through with a takedown into Chorr's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kubo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Chorr has his foot on Kubo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kubo works his way back into a safe position though.
Kubo's corner is telling him to maintain position.
It looks like Kubo might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Chorr is trying to keep Kubo in close.
Kubo trying to control the position from guard on top but Chorr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kubo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Chorr works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Kubo trying to stand up but can't free himself from Chorr's guard.
Chorr trying to control the position.
Chorr avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kubo shoots in but no luck this time.
Chorr fails to land the takedown.
Kubo feints the counter takedown.
A looping hook to the body misses from Chorr. Kubo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Chorr shoots in for a takedown but Kubo shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Chorr shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kubo as he jumps to the side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chorr is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kubo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Chorr backing away here, and Kubo unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Chorr scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Kubo closes the distance and clinches.
Kubo looking for a takedown.

Kubo pulls guard successfully.
Kubo wants to stand up but Chorr is controlling him.
Chorr postures up.
Kubo pulls Chorr in to control the position.

Kubo throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Chorr escapes and throws Kubo's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Chorr working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chorr looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Kubo is avoiding damage well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Chorr looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Chorr tries to stand but Kubo is controlling his head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chorr misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Chorr trying to control the position but Kubo is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Assan Karim Chorr will probably get the nod.
That's time! Chorr's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Chorr fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Chorr is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kubo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Chorr looks for a takedown but Kubo sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Assan Karim Chorr. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chorr shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kubo defends it nicely.

Kubo clinches up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kubo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kubo circles away from the clinch attempt
and Kubo counters with a two punch combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chorr wants to clinch up but Kubo keeps it at a distance.

Kubo closes the distance and clinches.
Chorr wants a takedown but no success here.
Chorr has Kubo pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kubo manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Kubo breaks from the clinch.
Kubo fails with a takedown attempt.
Kubo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kubo closes this distance looking for a takedown but Chorr circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chorr throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Chorr tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kubo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Chorr misses with a takedown attempt - Kubo sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kubo shoots in for a takedown but Chorr shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kubo misses with a low kick.
Chorr throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kubo's waist but Kubo gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Chorr off to one side.
And Kubo tries to counter it with a takedown but Chorr pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kubo shoots in but Chorr avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kubo is breathing heavily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Chorr looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Chorr shoots in but no luck this time.
Chorr feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kubo's calf.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chorr fails with a takedown attempt.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Chorr. Kubo shrugs it off though.
A punch combination from Kubo misses.
Kubo shoots in and drives through. Chorr sprawls well.
Chorr appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Chorr fails to land the takedown.
Chorr stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Chorr wants it to stay on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chorr fails in his attempt to clinch.
Chorr has a takedown stuffed.
Nice sprawl there from Chorr as Kubo shoots in.
Chorr tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kubo swivels and escapes.
Chorr lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kubo will feel that in the morning.
Nice takedown defense from Kubo. No joy for Chorr on that attempt.
Kubo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Chorr tries for a takedown but Kubo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chorr throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Chorr misses with a hook. Kubo ducked under it nicely.
Kubo lands a high kick!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuta Kubo 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. This is the final round!

Chorr misses with a takedown
and Kubo counters with a left and a right that stings Chorr.
Chorr dives in and grabs Kubo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kubo pushes down on Chorr's head and hops out.
Yuta Kubo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Chorr throws a lazy right hand but Kubo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Kubo rushes Chorr and presses him up against the cage.
Chorr stops a takedown attempt from Kubo.
Kubo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kubo slowing the pace effectively.
Chorr is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kubo is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Assan Karim Chorr. 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.
Chorr gets underhooks to prevent Kubo's takedown attempt.
Chorr is trying to pull guard but Kubo turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Chorr is trying to force a seperation but Kubo has the dominant position.
Kubo takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kubo leaning his opponent against the cage.
Chorr looking to stall.
Kubo stalling.
Chorr has had enough of the clinch but Kubo keeps him there for the moment.
Kubo can't get the takedown.
Kubo has Chorr pushed against the cage.
Chorr throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Kubo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kubo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kubo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kubo misses with the combination.
Chorr looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Kubo rushes Chorr and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kubo drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kubo looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kubo tries to pull guard but Chorr forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Chorr jumps guard and drags Kubo to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Chorr preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Chorr 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.
Chorr is looking to stand up but Kubo isn't so interested in that idea.
Kubo is stalling in the full guard.
Chorr throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Chorr is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Chorr tries to strike from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Chorr shoots in for a takedown but Kubo shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Chorr darts in looking for a takedown but Kubo gets double underhooks and turns Chorr into the cage.
Chorr fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kubo avoids it really well and circles away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Horrible takedown attempt by Chorr or perhaps it was just good defense by Kubo, which made it look bad.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yuta Kubo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kubo has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 28:30
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yuta Kubo!