PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mini Stipe (ranked 1488 p4p, 160 weight class) and Mario Curran (ranked 1148 p4p, 132 weight class). Curran is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Shoshone Flag Song. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Stipe
vs
Curran

150 cm
32
139 lbs
17 - 9 - 0

169 cm
30
146 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Riner Clothing and Laundry (85%)
Bullet Proof System

Urban Fighter
Bullet Proof System

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 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mini Stipe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mario Curran!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Paul Tew and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Curran slips under a jab.
Stipe takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Curran has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Stipe checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Stipe drops down looking for a counter takedown but Curran sprawls and moves away.
Curran ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Stipe's corner calls for a 1-2. Stipe obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Stipe has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Talu's Boxing Club in the buildup to the fight.
Stipe looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Stipe throws a jab when Curran was well out of range.
Stipe throws a shot from downtown. Curran moves away and avoids it.
Curran appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Stipe is looking to slow Curran down with leg kicks.
Curran scores with a jab to the head.
Curran misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Stipe counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Stipe throws a shot from downtown. Curran moves away and avoids it.
Stipe throws a low kick but Curran moves out of range easily.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Stipe, right into the meat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stipe throws a big shot that misses.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Stipe, right into the meat.
Curran missing with a left hand there. Stipe was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stipe throws out a loose jab but Curran uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jab, jab by Stipe - just one landing.
Stipe with a hook.
Stipe throws a leg kick that misses.
Stipe comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Curran just misses with a punch to the body.
Stipe tries to counter with a takedown but Curran is quick to defend against it.
Stipe looks to land a left hand but Curran moved out of range nicely.
Stipe misses with a low kick.
Curran moves out of range as Stipe strikes.
Curran tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Curran, right into the meat.
Curran moves out of range as Stipe strikes.
Stipe throws the left hand but Curran avoids the punch easily.
Curran throws a jab when Stipe was well out of range.
Some bone on bone action there as Stipe checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Curran takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
A slow jab from Stipe misses its intended target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stipe checks a leg kick nicely.
Stipe throws a looping overhand right but Curran ducks down to avoid it.
Curran is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Curran connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Stipe.
Stipe misses with a right hand
and Stipe takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Curran misses with a kick to the body.
A little feinted left hand from Stipe on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Curran avoids the body shot from Stipe.
Stipe misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Curran.
Curran stuns Stipe with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Stipe tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Curran is able to avoid easily.
Stipe thows a leg kick but Curran checks it
and Curran makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Curran slips a jab from Stipe.
Curran is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.

Stipe looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Curran!
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.
Curran sneaks back into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stipe is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Curran has managed to free his arm - good work.
Curran trying to control but Stipe postures up.
Curran desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Curran trying to control but Stipe postures up.
Curran taking some punishment here, with Stipe in his half guard.
Curran is pressing down on Stipe's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Stipe working some strikes from top position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Curran is on top in guard.

Stipe looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stipe working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Curran.
Curran missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Curran with a nice head shot there.
Stipe being controlled here, momentarily.
Curran stopping the sweep attempt from Stipe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mini Stipe dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Curran will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Curran takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Curran moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Stipe lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Stipe tries a low kick but Curran avoids it.
Stipe throws a nice outside leg kick.
Stipe lands a jab to Curran's midsection.
Stipe tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Curran was well out of range. Poor timing from Stipe.
A countering left hand to the body from Curran misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stipe misses with a takedown attempt - Curran sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Curran only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Curran fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Stipe is out of range.
Stipe misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Curran.
Stipe throws a body shot but no joy.
A punch combination from Curran misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stipe tries to land a leg kick but Curran saw it coming and moves away.
Curran attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Curran throws a low kick but Stipe moves out of range easily.
Stipe cracks Curran with a good jab.
Stipe misses with a leg kick
and Curran counters with a nice uppercut.
Stipe lands a body shot.
Stipe throws a body shot but no joy.
Curran doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Stipe takes a swing at Curran's ribcage but misses.
A big left from Stipe misses.
Stipe changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Stipe connects with the punch.
Curran tests Stipe's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Stipe throws a shot from downtown. Curran moves away and avoids it.
Stipe walks into a left hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stipe fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stipe shoots in for a takedown but Curran shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Stipe turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Curran checks a leg kick.
Curran lands a nice hook to Stipe's body. Stipe takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Curran fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stipe manages to avoid it.
Curran on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Curran moves out of range of the strikes.
Curran throws a head kick that misses.
Curran on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Stipe shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Curran throws a body shot but no joy.
Curran lands with a nice body kick.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Stipe here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Stipe misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mini Stipe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stipe tries to work over Curran's front leg with a kick but Curran checks it.
Curran throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Curran has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Curran.
Curran connects with a crisp jab.
Stipe waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Curran.
A big right from Stipe misses.
Curran lands an overhand right.
Stipe swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Curran throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Stipe steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Curran.
Curran misses with a body shot.
Curran tries to score with a low kick but Stipe moves his leg out of the way.
Curran's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Stipe misses with the combination.
Stipe throws out a loose jab but Curran uses good head movement to avoid it.
Curran takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Stipe throws a big shot that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stipe takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Curran rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Stipe moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
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!
The crowd cheers as Curran lands an impressive looking overhand right. Stipe doesn't seem phased though.
Mini Stipe is winning the standup battle so far.
Curran throws a head kick that misses.
Stipe pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A jab lands there for Stipe.
Stipe takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Curran connects with a body shot.
Curran blocks a jab.
Curran looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Stipe misses with a low kick.
Stipe cracks Curran with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Curran missing with a left hand there. Stipe was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Stipe throws a big shot that misses.
Curran thows a left - swing and a miss!
Stipe checks a low kick from Curran.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mario Curran will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Stipe's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Curran has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Curran there as he acknowledges the shot.
Curran on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Stipe avoids a kick to the body.
Stipe half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Stipe missing with a left hand there. Curran was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Stipe cracks a nice hook into Curran's ribs.
Curran lands a glancing blow to the side of Stipe's head.
Curran misses with a head kick.
Curran tests Stipe's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Stipe gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
The fighters circling - Stipe throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Curran flicks out a counter leg kick but Stipe steps away.
Curran blocks a leg kick.
Curran connects with the punch.
Stipe shoots in for a takedown but Curran shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stipe lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Stipe takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stipe throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Curran counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Curran tries to land a front kick but Stipe steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A low kick from Stipe misses
and Curran counters with a nice uppercut.
Stipe throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Curran with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Stipe bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
An inside leg kick lands from Curran.
Stipe misses with a right hand
and Curran counters with a head kick. That will keep Stipe thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Stipe looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Stipe throws a big shot that misses.
Curran tries to land a front kick but Stipe steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Curran misses with a hook. Stipe ducked under it nicely.
A swing and a miss from Stipe.
Stipe tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Stipe thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Curran if he has to take too many more of those.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Curran is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Stipe.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Stipe.
Stipe misses with a leg kick.
Curran misses the shot to the body.
Stipe misses the shot to the body.
Curran throws a hook but Stipe blocks it.
Stipe bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Jab from Stipe.
Curran ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stipe moves away.
Stipe looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Stipe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Curran scores with a jab. Stipe acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Stipe walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Curran misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stipe misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stipe keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Curran.
Stipe blocks a head kick by Curran.
Curran throws a low kick but Stipe moves out of range easily.
Curran jabs Stipe right on the nose. Stipe blinks but takes it well.
Stipe looks to throw the jab but Curran is out of range.
Curran throws a lazy uppercut
and Stipe counters with a stiff right hand.
Stipe is looking to land body kicks.
Curran replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Stipe blocks it well.
Curran misses with a low kick.
Nice defenses there by Stipe.
Stipe feinted with a counter takedown.
Stipe ducks under a wild hook from Curran.
Stipe connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Curran bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Stipe keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Curran tries to score with a low kick but Stipe moves his leg out of the way.
Curran throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Curran moves out of range of the strikes.
An inside leg kick from Stipe misses.
Curran avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Curran avoids the head kick by Stipe.
A countering left hand to the body from Curran misses.
Mario Curran is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Curran throws a big shot that misses.
Stipe misses with a wild body shot.
Stipe fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Curran manages to avoid it.
Curran is trying to counter with his kicks.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Curran lands a slapping body shot.
A jab from Curran finds it's way through Stipe's defenses.
Nice takedown defense from Curran. No joy for Stipe on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mini Stipe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Curran moves out of range as Stipe strikes.
Curran misses the jab.
Curran tries a head kick but it misses.
Curran scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Stipe doesn't seem bothered though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mario Curran comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Curran 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Mini Stipe!
A relieved looking Mini Stipe thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.