PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jake Plunkett (ranked 3140 p4p, 0 weight class) and Denis Kurlaev (ranked 3954 p4p, 0 weight class). Jake Plunkett has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Plunkett
vs
Kurlaev

199 cm
26
215 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

185 cm
20
220 lbs
2 - 5 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Granite chin

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 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jake Plunkett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Denis Kurlaev!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Valeri Chadov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Plunkett instigates a clinch.
Kurlaev has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Plunkett avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Plunkett is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Kurlaev looking for a takedown.
Jake Plunkett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Denis Kurlaev.
Plunkett is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Kurlaev is trying to drag Plunkett to the mat but Plunkett just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Kurlaev has Plunkett pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Plunkett manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Plunkett misses with a punch on the inside.
Plunkett is working for takedown but Kurlaev is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kurlaev is looking for a takedown.
Kurlaev goes for a takedown attempt but Plunkett pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Plunkett misses with the body kick

and Kurlaev counters by clinching up.
A frustrated look appears on Plunkett's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Plunkett gets underhooks to prevent Kurlaev's takedown attempt.
Plunkett stops a takedown attempt from Kurlaev.
Plunkett is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Kurlaev wants a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Plunkett is defending well against a takedown attempt.
We've been hearing reports that Plunkett has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Kurlaev tries to score a body lock takedown but Plunkett shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Plunkett has had enough of the clinch but Kurlaev keeps him there for the moment.
Kurlaev drops down looking for an ankle pick but Plunkett pulls his leg out and moves away.

Plunkett has Kurlaev up against the cage in a clinch.
Plunkett stalling in the clinch but Kurlaev improves position.
Plunkett working hard to break the clinch.
Plunkett 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. Plunkett gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Kurlaev scores with a takedown into Plunkett's guard.
Kurlaev with a flurry of punches that miss.
Plunkett wants to stand and escape but Kurlaev is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Plunkett preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kurlaev wants to control from the top but Plunkett keeps moving.
Kurlaev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Plunkett tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kurlaev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Plunkett trying to keep a closed guard but Kurlaev is proving a slippery customer.
Plunkett throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Kurlaev closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Plunkett to the mat! Plunkett manages to get full guard.
Kurlaev throwing strikes from guard but Plunkett blocks nicely.
Plunkett working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurlaev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Plunkett works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kurlaev postures up in Plunkett's guard and throws a big left but Plunkett blocks it.
Plunkett preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Plunkett is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kurlaev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Plunkett not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Plunkett avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kurlaev throws a big right hand that misses.
Plunkett will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Plunkett is looking to sweep but instead, Kurlaev has passed into half guard.
Kurlaev seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Plunkett keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Plunkett is looking to improve his position.
Kurlaev working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Kurlaev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kurlaev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Plunkett looking for submissions off his back.
Plunkett is breathing heavily.
Plunkett is not content to let Kurlaev control the position.
Plunkett keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kurlaev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Plunkett blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kurlaev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Denis Kurlaev dominated that round.
That's time! Plunkett's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kurlaev shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Plunkett's guard.
Kurlaev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Plunkett holds on and takes a little breather.
Kurlaev throwing strikes from guard but Plunkett blocks nicely.
Kurlaev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Plunkett works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kurlaev throws a big right hand that misses.
Plunkett utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kurlaev is looking to work some ground and pound but Plunkett has wrist control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kurlaev is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Plunkett 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.
Plunkett preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Plunkett preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurlaev loads up on a big left hand. Plunkett felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Kurlaev looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Plunkett can't hide his disappointment, as Kurlaev celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:21 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Denis Kurlaev!
Our winner, Denis Kurlaev, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.