PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mario Curran (ranked 579 p4p, 70 weight class) and Marious La De Hoya (ranked 702 p4p, 88 weight class). Curran kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Shoshone Flag Song. La De Hoya is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Cocaine. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Curran
vs
La De Hoya

169 cm
34
154 lbs
14 - 7 - 1

169 cm
30
139 lbs
19 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

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 14 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Mario Curran!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Marious La De Hoya!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Glass and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slapping leg kick lands for La De Hoya.
La De Hoya misses with a low kick.
Curran looks to land a left hand but La De Hoya moved out of range nicely.
A low kick from La De Hoya is predictable there
and Curran counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Curran throws a low kick but it's checked well by La De Hoya.
La De Hoya tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Curran lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Curran throws a looping overhand right but La De Hoya ducks down to avoid it.
La De Hoya counters with a body kick.

Curran closes the distance and pushes La De Hoya back into the cage.

La De Hoya's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Curran lands with a thumping leg kick.
An inside leg kick from Curran misses.
Curran fails with an attempt to clinch.
La De Hoya takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
La De Hoya throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A solid leg kick lands there for La De Hoya.
Curran throws a wild body kick that La De Hoya sees coming a mile off.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
La De Hoya buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
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.
La De Hoya uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Curran.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Curran misses with a wild body shot.
Marious La De Hoya is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Curran gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Curran misses with a punch to the body.
Curran tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. La De Hoya smiles and moves away.
Curran misses with a wild body shot.
La De Hoya fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Curran has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
La De Hoya missing with a left hand there. Curran was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A quick step to the side and Curran tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
La De Hoya throws a leg kick but Curran checks it.
La De Hoya throws a wild body kick that Curran sees coming a mile off.
La De Hoya scores with a leg kick.
A clash of legs there as Curran blocks the low kick.
La De Hoya tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Curran connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between La De Hoya's hands.
Curran tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. La De Hoya manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Curran ducks under a wild hook from La De Hoya.
La De Hoya pivots, looking for a leg kick but Curran is out of range and La De Hoya settles back down.
A jab from La De Hoya does it's job there.
Curran thuds his right hand into La De Hoya's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Curran connects with a looping right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Curran throws a lazy right hand but La De Hoya sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Curran misses with a looping left.
Curran tries to clinch but La De Hoya is having none of it.
A head kick misses from La De Hoya.
La De Hoya checks a leg kick nicely.
La De Hoya throws a leg kick but Curran sees it coming and checks it nicely.

Curran clinches with his opponent.
A head punch on the inside from La De Hoya fails to land.
Curran throws a punch but it's blocked by La De Hoya.
Curran lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A head punch on the inside from La De Hoya fails to land.

Curran pulls La De Hoya into guard.
Curran looking to hit a scissor sweep but La De Hoya is one step ahead there.
Curran keeping full guard, as La De Hoya tries to pass.
Curran wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
La De Hoya is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
La De Hoya pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Curran is keeping the position for now.
La De Hoya trying to control the position from guard on top but Curran is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Curran looking to hit a scissor sweep but La De Hoya is one step ahead there.
La De Hoya trying to control the position from guard on top but Curran is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
La De Hoya fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
La De Hoya's corner calls for a 1-2. La De Hoya obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
La De Hoya ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Curran throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Curran jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Curran tries to score a power double leg takedown but La De Hoya sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Curran somewhat.
La De Hoya steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Curran. That one must have hurt.
La De Hoya scoring well with a low kick there.
Curran connects with a nice looking jab.
La De Hoya misses with a body kick.
La De Hoya misses with a low kick.
La De Hoya throws a low kick, looking for Curran's leg but Curran calmly moves out of range.
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 Mario Curran will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

La De Hoya connects with an inside leg kick.

Curran darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Curran wants to pass the guard but La De Hoya is defending well.
Curran is keen to just control but La De Hoya is a slippery customer.
Curran works his way into side control.
La De Hoya tries to get back to half guard but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Curran wants to control but La De Hoya is keeping him busy.
La De Hoya tries to bench press Curran off him but Curran keeps the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Curran working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Curran trying to control the position but La De Hoya is working away.

Curran swings around for an armbar but La De Hoya sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Curran's guard.
La De Hoya stands and throws Curran's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Curran parries the strikes from La De Hoya easily there. La De Hoya is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Curran to escape.
Curran tries to buck La De Hoya off but La De Hoya is having none of it.
Curran manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
La De Hoya is looking to take a break and control but Curran is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Curran tries to roll over but La De Hoya keeps him under control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
La De Hoya is thwarting Curran's attempts to control the position.
Curran tries to roll over but La De Hoya keeps him under control.
La De Hoya is trying to control. Curran wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The fighters are battling for position here. Curran manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
La De Hoya trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
La De Hoya trying to control but Curran is working from the bottom.
La De Hoya stays in close to Curran's body and controls the position.
La De Hoya trying to control but Curran is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Curran throws out a loose jab but La De Hoya uses good head movement to avoid it.
Curran moves in looking to clinch but La De Hoya pushes him off.
La De Hoya moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
La De Hoya slips under a jab from Curran.
La De Hoya tries to work over Curran's front leg with a kick but Curran checks it.
Curran lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
An inside leg kick lands from Curran.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Curran lands a glancing blow to the side of La De Hoya's head.
A jab from Curran misses.
La De Hoya tried to score with a low kick but Curran checks it.
La De Hoya walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
La De Hoya throws a front kick aimed at Curran's knee but Curran avoids it well.
La De Hoya misses with a leg kick
and Curran counters with a nice low kick that buckles La De Hoya's knee momentarily.
Curran misses with a hook.
La De Hoya tries a quick counter leg kick but Curran is wise to it.
Curran is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Curran checks the leg kick.
Curran moves away from the strike by La De Hoya.
La De Hoya misses with a wild body shot.
La De Hoya misses with a kick to the body
and Curran counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
La De Hoya misses the body punch
and Curran cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Curran doesn't manage to clinch there - La De Hoya circles away.
La De Hoya tries a quick counter leg kick but Curran is wise to it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
La De Hoya throws a push kick but Curran slaps the foot to one side.
As La De Hoya backs away, Curran returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
La De Hoya connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Curran momentarily.
La De Hoya connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Curran gets the takedown into side control.
La De Hoya felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
La De Hoya is trying to control Curran's posture but Curran avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Mario Curran will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as La De Hoya checks a leg kick.
La De Hoya cracks Curran with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Curran uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by La De Hoya.
Curran throws a wild body kick that La De Hoya sees coming a mile off.
Curran lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
La De Hoya fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Curran is out of range.
Curran connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Good work by Curran as he checks the leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Curran.
La De Hoya throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mario Curran is winning the standup battle so far.
La De Hoya throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Curran shoots in for a double leg but La De Hoya sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Curran throws a body shot but no joy.
La De Hoya throws a body kick that misses
and Curran counters with an inside leg kick.
Curran tries to clinch but La De Hoya is having none of it.
La De Hoya fakes the leg kick and cracks Curran in the body.
Curran slips under a jab from La De Hoya.
La De Hoya throws a jab but it's blocked by Curran.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Curran takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Some bone on bone action there as Curran checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Curran wants to land a leg kick but La De Hoya is out of range.
A low kick from La De Hoya misses
and Curran counters with a stiff right hand.
La De Hoya tries to work over Curran's front leg with a kick but Curran checks it.
Good shot there by Curran.
La De Hoya connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Curran misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
La De Hoya pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Curran quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Curran fails with an attempt to clinch.
Curran misses with a straight right.
La De Hoya avoids the body shot from Curran.
Curran keeps La De Hoya at a distance using the push kick.
Curran fakes the leg kick and cracks La De Hoya in the body.
La De Hoya looks to score with a jab to the body but Curran is just out of range.
Curran throws a leg kick but La De Hoya sees it coming and moves out of range.
It looks like Curran has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from La De Hoya misses its intended target.
Curran on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by La De Hoya. La De Hoya obviously looking to wear him down.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Curran is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
La De Hoya will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Curran avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Marious La De Hoya has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Curran has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by La De Hoya.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Curran, as that shot connected.
Curran on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Curran catches La De Hoya with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
La De Hoya blocks the body kick.
Curran blocks a jab.
It appears Curran was looking to counter with a kick there.

Curran shoots in and bounces La De Hoya off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
La De Hoya is trying to keep Curran in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

La De Hoya escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Curran gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
La De Hoya looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Curran trying to control but La De Hoya is working from the bottom.
La De Hoya 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.
Curran wants to control from the top but La De Hoya keeps moving.
Curran trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

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.
La De Hoya looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Curran cracks La De Hoya with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
La De Hoya chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Curran can pounce on him.
La De Hoya fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Curran.

Curran closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

La De Hoya pushes Curran off and gets back to his feet.
Curran lands a lovely overhand right.
La De Hoya fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
La De Hoya misses with a low kick.
Curran throws a leg kick but La De Hoya sees it coming and moves out of range.
La De Hoya was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Mario Curran is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
La De Hoya throws a lazy right hand but Curran sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Curran stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Curran throws a leg kick which misses La De Hoya's front leg but catches the back leg as La De Hoya tries to avoid it.
La De Hoya looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from La De Hoya lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Curran has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Curran and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Marious La De Hoya.
Well Curran has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Mario Curran!
A very excited looking Mario Curran rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.