PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Denis Kurlaev (ranked 2126 p4p, 270 weight class) and Matola Machava (ranked 2091 p4p, 266 weight class). Machava has chosen Mozambique National Anthem as his entrance music. Matola Machava acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the ring.

Kurlaev
vs
Machava

185 cm
21
220 lbs
4 - 5 - 1

190 cm
24
210 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
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 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Denis Kurlaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Matola Machava!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, George Francis and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machava looks to land a combination but Kurlaev avoids it well.
Kurlaev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kurlaev shoots in for a takedown but Machava shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Machava! But no joy.
Machava throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kurlaev stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Machava defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kurlaev.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Denis Kurlaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kurlaev shoots in and drives through. Machava sprawls well.
We've been told by Kurlaev's head coaches at UnderGround Training Facility that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kurlaev is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Machava's half guard.
Machava holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Machava gets full guard.
Kurlaev preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurlaev being controlled here momentarily.
Machava working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kurlaev.
Machava working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kurlaev.
Machava is pulling down on Kurlaev's head to control his posture.
Machava looking for a sweep. Not yet Machava, not yet.
Kurlaev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Machava wants to sweep here but Kurlaev controlling him for the moment.
Kurlaev has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Machava wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Machava utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Machava pulls Kurlaev in to control the position.
Kurlaev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Machava utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

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.
Machava pulls Kurlaev in close to prevent any damage.
Machava avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Machava controlling the position.
Kurlaev is looking to work some ground and pound but Machava has wrist control.
Machava pulls Kurlaev in close to his closed guard and prevents Kurlaev from doing any damage or advancing position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kurlaev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Machava as he jumps to the side.
Machava is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Kurlaev with a body shot.
Machava throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kurlaev.
Machava appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Kurlaev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machava looks to land a left hand but Kurlaev moved out of range nicely.
Kurlaev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Machava as he avoids it easily.
Matola Machava is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kurlaev has his takedown stuffed
and Machava counters with an inside leg kick.
Machava displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kurlaev.
Machava lands a body shot.
Machava throws a jab but it's blocked by Kurlaev.
Kurlaev appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Denis Kurlaev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice takedown defense from Machava. No joy for Kurlaev on that attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurlaev shoots in but Machava avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Machava! But no joy.
Kurlaev shoots in for a double leg but Machava sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Machava misses with a hook.
Kurlaev shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Machava counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Machava has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Kurlaev is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Kurlaev is breathing heavily.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kurlaev or perhaps it was just good defense by Machava, which made it look bad.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Machava stuffs the takedown attempt from Kurlaev. Kurlaev gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matola Machava dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

A decent looking body kick lands there for Machava.
The fighters circle momentarily. Machava darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kurlaev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kurlaev misses with a takedown attempt

and Machava counters with a crisp one two that drops Kurlaev! Machava thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Kurlaev to his feet! Kurlaev is in big trouble!
Machava thuds a left hand into Kurlaev's body.
Kurlaev shoots in looking for a takedown. Machava tries to sprawl out of it but Kurlaev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Machava manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Denis Kurlaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kurlaev slips under a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurlaev dives in for a single leg takedown but Machava sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.
Machava throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kurlaev needs to keep his hands up - Machava had a free shot at his head there.
Machava slaps away a takedown attempt from Kurlaev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kurlaev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Machava looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Machava fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kurlaev looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Machava looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kurlaev tries to counter with a takedown but Machava is quick to defend against it.
Machava throws a hook to the side of Kurlaev's head but Kurlaev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A solid leg kick lands there for Machava.
Machava has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurlaev shoots in for a takedown but Machava shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kurlaev shoots and misses
and Machava counters with a stiff right hand.

It looks like Denis Kurlaev has been cut.
Machava works Kurlaev's body with a nice hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Machava misses with a looping left.
Machava lands a body shot.
Machava lands with a nice body punch.
Machava throws a hook but Kurlaev avoids it easily.
Kurlaev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kurlaev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Machava defends it nicely.
Matola Machava seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machava looks to land a right hand but Kurlaev moved out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Machava. Kurlaev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Machava throws a head kick but Kurlaev moves out of range.
Machava takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Machava dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Machava stuffs the takedown attempt from Kurlaev. Kurlaev gets slowly back to his feet.
Machava looks to throw the jab but Kurlaev is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machava ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kurlaev moves away.
Kurlaev doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Machava counters with a right hand to the body.
Kurlaev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Machava but Machava pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Denis Kurlaev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Machava displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kurlaev.
Machava 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matola Machava showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Denis Kurlaev's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Machava throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kurlaev fails with the takedown.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kurlaev checks a leg kick.
Kurlaev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Machava but Machava pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kurlaev walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice sprawl there from Machava as Kurlaev shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Denis Kurlaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kurlaev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Machava avoids it really well and circles away.
A nice side step and Machava releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machava smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Machava drops Kurlaev with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Kurlaev looks back up at him and smiles so Machava waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.

Kurlaev is rocked!
Kurlaev switches off momentarily and Machava cracks him with a monster right hand! Kurlaev topples backwards and makes a semi conscious attempt to cover up, as Machava dives in to land one more shot, before the referee has time to call the fight. What a finish by Machava!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:46 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Matola Machava!
A very excited looking Matola Machava made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.