PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Denis Kurlaev (ranked 6994 p4p, 618 weight class) and Stef Power Jr (ranked 2516 p4p, 341 weight class). Stef Power Jr is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Kurlaev
vs
Power Jr

185 cm
18
220 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

192 cm
21
221 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

BuriedAlive// Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Denis Kurlaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Stef Power Jr!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yuuki Gou and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kurlaev is looking to clinch.
Despite the aggression on Power Jr's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Kurlaev misses with a hook. Power Jr ducked under it nicely.
Power Jr throws a right hand that Kurlaev ducks under and follows up with a left that Kurlaev also avoids with ease.
Power Jr moves out of range as Kurlaev strikes.
Kurlaev throws a right and a left that both miss.

Kurlaev moves into the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Power Jr creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Power Jr wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Our sources have told us that Kurlaev has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Kurlaev softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Still in the clinch, Kurlaev scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kurlaev struggles to land a body shot inside as Power Jr controls his hands.
We've been informed that Power Jr has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Kurlaev stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Power Jr blocks a body shot from Kurlaev.
Power Jr misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Power Jr lands with a right to the head.
Power Jr misses with a punch on the inside.

Power Jr manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kurlaev is looking to work some ground and pound but Power Jr has wrist control.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Power Jr controls Kurlaev momentarily but Kurlaev frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Power Jr working for a triangle but Kurlaev defends it easily.
Kurlaev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kurlaev pushes down on Power Jr's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Power Jr actively working from the bottom here.

Kurlaev stands up from half guard.
Power Jr with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kurlaev to score with a decent uppercut.
Kurlaev tries to clinch up.

Kurlaev clinches.
Kurlaev lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Power Jr.
Power Jr working aggressively here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Power Jr's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Power Jr lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kurlaev backwards.
Power Jr tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Power Jr misses with a punch on the inside.
Kurlaev lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Stef Power Jr has been cut.
Power Jr misses with some punches.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.

Power Jr breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kurlaev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Power Jr was well out of range. Poor timing from Kurlaev.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kurlaev tries to clinch but Power Jr moves away
letting Power Jr counter with a right hand.
A telegraphed right hand from Power Jr misses the target.
Power Jr throws out a powerful jab.
Kurlaev blocks a head kick by Power Jr.
Power Jr connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kurlaev momentarily.
Decent striking displayed by Kurlaev there.
Kurlaev takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Power Jr will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Power Jr lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kurlaev circles away quickly and effectively.
Power Jr gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kurlaev.
Power Jr tests Kurlaev's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Power Jr has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Kurlaev doesn't manage to clinch there - Power Jr circles away.
Power Jr looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Power Jr takes one to the chin there.
Power Jr lands an overhand right.
Kurlaev throws a big shot that misses.
Power Jr swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kurlaev throws a hook but Power Jr avoids it easily.
Power Jr misses with an uppercut. Kurlaev saw that one coming.
Kurlaev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kurlaev uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A big left from Kurlaev misses.
Despite the aggression on Power Jr's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Kurlaev fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurlaev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Power Jr.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kurlaev misses with a lunging right hand
letting Power Jr counter with a right hand.
Power Jr staying out of range there.
Power Jr bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

It looks like Denis Kurlaev has been cut.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kurlaev darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Power Jr connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kurlaev. Kurlaev circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Power Jr, as that shot connected.
Kurlaev misses with a looping left.
Kurlaev throws a hook but Power Jr blocks it.
Power Jr unleashes a big counter combination but Kurlaev bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Kurlaev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A looping hook to the body misses from Power Jr. Kurlaev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Denis Kurlaev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Power Jr misses with a lunging right hand
letting Kurlaev counter with a right hand.
Kurlaev throws out a powerful jab.
Kurlaev is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Kurlaev blocks a jab.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Kurlaev closes the distance and clinches.
Power Jr misses with a punch to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kurlaev tries to throw a body punch but Power Jr avoids it by throwing Kurlaev back against the ropes.
Nice elbow from Kurlaev.
Kurlaev misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kurlaev.
Power Jr gets through Kurlaev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kurlaev misses with a knee to the head.
Kurlaev throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Power Jr wants to break free but Kurlaev has control.
A nice right hand lands inside from Power Jr.
Power Jr blocks a body shot from Kurlaev.
Power Jr fails to pull guard.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kurlaev.
A shot in the inside from Power Jr.
Power Jr tries a body shot but Kurlaev blocks it.
Kurlaev pushes off an throws an elbow but Power Jr leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Kurlaev blocking some punches.
Kurlaev lands an elbow inside that Power Jr shrugs off.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Power Jr throws a punch but it's blocked by Kurlaev.

Power Jr pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Power Jr pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Power Jr uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kurlaev.
Kurlaev tries to clinch
and Power Jr counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kurlaev is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Kurlaev misses with an uppercut
and Power Jr counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kurlaev wants to clinch
and Kurlaev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kurlaev staying out of range there.
Kurlaev doesn't manage to clinch there - Power Jr circles away.
Kurlaev throws an overhand right that lands on Power Jr's shoulder, as Power Jr tries to avoid the shot.
Kurlaev throws a hook but Power Jr avoids it easily.
Kurlaev throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Power Jr cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Power Jr throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kurlaev is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Power Jr.
Donk. Kurlaev catches Power Jr right on the button with a cross.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kurlaev misses with an uppercut
and Power Jr counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Power Jr on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Kurlaev tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Power Jr manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A punch combination from Power Jr misses.
Power Jr misses with a double jab.
Kurlaev swings for the body but Power Jr moves out of range.

Kurlaev has taken the fight to the clinch.
Power Jr managing to block the knees to the body from Kurlaev.

Power Jr gets control of Kurlaev's arms and successfully pulls guard. Power Jr will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Power Jr utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Power Jr has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kurlaev can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Power Jr working a defensive guard here.

Kurlaev avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Kurlaev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kurlaev's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Power Jr throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Power Jr is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kurlaev defends well.
Kurlaev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Power Jr works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Power Jr has his foot on Kurlaev's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kurlaev works his way back into a safe position though.
Power Jr utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Power Jr working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kurlaev doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kurlaev manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Kurlaev lands a couple of digs.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Kurlaev is in close to Power Jr's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Kurlaev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Kurlaev stands up and waves to Power Jr to follow him.
Kurlaev shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Kurlaev throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Power Jr counter with a right hand.
Kurlaev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Power Jr.
Power Jr fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Kurlaev throws a hook but Power Jr blocks it.
It seemed like Power Jr was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Power Jr on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kurlaev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kurlaev throwing a counter right hand but Power Jr manages to avoid it.
A jab from Power Jr misses.
Kurlaev throwing a counter right hand but Power Jr manages to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stef Power Jr dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Kurlaev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Power Jr on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Kurlaev clinches up against the ropes.
Kurlaev is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Kurlaev.
A head punch on the inside from Power Jr fails to land.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Power Jr.
Kurlaev trying to stall but Power Jr improves his position.
Power Jr working aggressively here.
Power Jr misses with a punch on the inside.
Power Jr tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kurlaev's elbow.
Power Jr fails to pull guard.
Power Jr blocks an elbow strike from Kurlaev.
Power Jr wants to break free but Kurlaev has control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Still in the clinch, Power Jr scores with a nice short uppercut.
Power Jr misses with a hook to the ribs.
Power Jr misses with a short punch on the inside.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Kurlaev throws an elbow but misses.
Power Jr wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kurlaev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurlaev pushes Power Jr back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Power Jr blocks a body shot from Kurlaev.
Power Jr fails to pull guard.
Power Jr swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Power Jr misses with some punches.
Kurlaev lands a body shot in the clinch.
Power Jr is breathing heavily.
Kurlaev is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kurlaev.
Kurlaev lands an elbow just above Power Jr 's eye.
Kurlaev lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Kurlaev misses with an elbow over the top.
Kurlaev lands an elbow inside.
Kurlaev lands a damaging elbow.
Kurlaev lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kurlaev missing with knees to the body.
Kurlaev presses Power Jr against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Kurlaev's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Power Jr fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurlaev comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Power Jr prevents a body shot from Kurlaev.
Kurlaev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kurlaev lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Power Jr throws a head punch that misses.
Power Jr misses with some punches.
Kurlaev lands a nice elbow.
Power Jr dodges an elbow strike from Kurlaev.
Power Jr has had enough of the clinch but Kurlaev keeps him there for the moment.
Kurlaev tries a body shot but Power Jr blocks it.
Kurlaev lands with a left to the head.
Kurlaev blocks an uppercut.
Kurlaev manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Kurlaev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kurlaev can't find room to land a body shot as Power Jr controls the action.
Kurlaev keeps control of Power Jr as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurlaev tries to stall but Power Jr uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Power Jr jumps guard but Kurlaev stands there with Power Jr around his waist. Power Jr gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Denis Kurlaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stef Power Jr.
Kurlaev lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Power Jr backwards.
Kurlaev presses Power Jr against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Power Jr misses with some punches.
Kurlaev keeps control of Power Jr as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kurlaev scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kurlaev pushes Power Jr back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Kurlaev throws an elbow but misses.
Power Jr dodges an elbow strike from Kurlaev.
Kurlaev prevents Power Jr from breaking the clinch.
Denis Kurlaev has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Power Jr is trying to break free.
Kurlaev wants to stall.
Kurlaev digs a right hand underneath Power Jr's ribcage. Power Jr let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kurlaev prevents Power Jr from breaking the clinch.
Kurlaev scores with a hook to the body.
Kurlaev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Power Jr blocks it with crossed arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurlaev misses with a punch to the body.
Kurlaev lands a hook to the side of the head.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Kurlaev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Power Jr's brow.
Power Jr jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kurlaev walks away with a smile on his face. Power Jr gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kurlaev connects with a body shot.
Kurlaev tries to clinch up but Power Jr circles away and keeps his distance.
It seemed like Power Jr was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Power Jr walks into a stiff left hand from Kurlaev.
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!
Power Jr walks into a left hand.
Power Jr closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Power Jr waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kurlaev.
Power Jr moves out of range of the strikes.
Kurlaev throws out a loose jab but Power Jr uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kurlaev misses with a hook.
Power Jr uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kurlaev.
Power Jr uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kurlaev.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kurlaev with a hook.
Power Jr listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Power Jr throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kurlaev on the side of the head.
Kurlaev throws a jab but it's blocked by Power Jr.
Power Jr looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kurlaev looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kurlaev connects with a crisp jab.
A slow jab from Kurlaev misses its intended target.
Power Jr throws a shot from downtown. Kurlaev moves away and avoids it.
Power Jr misses with a wild body shot.
Kurlaev tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Power Jr manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stef Power Jr seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kurlaev misses the jab.
Kurlaev throws a body punch but Power Jr moves out of range.
Kurlaev scores with a decent looking hook.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Kurlaev misses with a right hand
and Power Jr counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Power Jr feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kurlaevs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kurlaev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kurlaev misses the body punch
enabling Power Jr to counter with a crisp jab.
Kurlaev looks to land a right hand but Power Jr moved out of range.
Kurlaev throws a right hand that misses
and Power Jr counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kurlaev misses with a straight right.
Kurlaev works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Kurlaev throws a right hand that misses
and Kurlaev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Power Jr waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kurlaev.
Power Jr looks to throw the jab but Kurlaev is out of range.
Kurlaev seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Power Jr moves out of range of the strikes.
Kurlaev throws the left hand but Power Jr avoids the punch easily.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kurlaev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Power Jr.
Kurlaev throws a big shot that misses.
Power Jr swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kurlaev connects with a right hand. Power Jr shakes it off.
Power Jr uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kurlaev.
Kurlaev misses with a looping left.
Kurlaev looks to land a left hand but Power Jr moved out of range nicely.
Power Jr's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kurlaev connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Power Jr scrambles back to his feet.
Kurlaev thows a left - swing and a miss!
Power Jr avoids a punch combination nicely.
Power Jr connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kurlaev momentarily.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Kurlaev throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Power Jr! But no joy.
Power Jr swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kurlaev takes one to the side of the head.
A big left from Power Jr misses.
Kurlaev misses with a left hand
and Power Jr cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kurlaev moves in looking to clinch but Power Jr pushes him off.
Kurlaev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Power Jr.
Kurlaev throws a body punch but Power Jr moves out of range.
Power Jr misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kurlaev.
Power Jr is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kurlaev doesn't manage to clinch there - Power Jr circles away.
Power Jr throws a head kick that misses.
Kurlaev with a jab.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Power Jr throws a body shot but no joy.
Kurlaev uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Power Jr has time to react.
Power Jr misses with a looping right.
Power Jr slips a straight right by Kurlaev.
Kurlaev misses with a hook
and Power Jr counters with a straight right hand.
A slow jab from Power Jr misses its intended target.
A jab from Power Jr does it's job there.
Kurlaev closes the distance but Power Jr moves to the side
and Power Jr counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Power Jr uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kurlaev.
Kurlaev avoids the head kick by Power Jr.
Kurlaev seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Power Jr misses with a head kick.
Power Jr fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kurlaev manages to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Denis Kurlaev showed his dominance in that final round.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight as a draw!
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight as a draw!
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight as a draw!

The fight ends as a draw!