PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Genjo Kurosawa (ranked 4987 p4p, 454 weight class) and Rodney Pickard (ranked 4762 p4p, 447 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Rodney Pickard was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Kurosawa
vs
Pickard

189 cm
19
211 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

184 cm
18
208 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Kore Fight Nutrition

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Genjo Kurosawa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rodney Pickard!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Valeri Chadov and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kurosawa throws a head kick that Pickard semi-blocks.

It looks like Rodney Pickard has been cut.
Kurosawa throws the kick towards the body but Pickard avoids it.
Kurosawa tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nice shot lands for Pickard.
Kurosawa misses with a head kick.
It seemed like Pickard was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kurosawa throws a lazy body kick
and Pickard counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Pickard has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Pickard tries a head kick but it misses.
Kurosawa defending well as Pickard loads up on a big left hand.
Kurosawa is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Pickard throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
We've been hearing reports that Kurosawa has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.

Kurosawa is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Pickard's half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kurosawa sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Kurosawa throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pickard is refusing to be controlled, as Kurosawa sits in half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kurosawa connects with a nice short shot to Pickard's temple.
Kurosawa thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Pickard's head.
Pickard trying to control from the bottom.
Kurosawa 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.
Kurosawa is trying to control. Pickard wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Kurosawa throwing shots but Pickard is blocking nicely.
Pickard keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kurosawa thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Kurosawa wants to work for an arm triangle but Pickard is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Pickard really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kurosawa. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kurosawa sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Pickard defending well though.

Kurosawa is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Pickard has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurosawa throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Pickard to regain full guard.
Kurosawa cracks Pickard with a solid left hand.
Pickard keeping moving, preventing Kurosawa from controlling successfully.
Kurosawa working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kurosawa accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Kurosawa is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Pickard keeping moving, preventing Kurosawa from controlling successfully.
Kurosawa stands and throws Pickard's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurosawa works to advance to full mount. Pickard defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Kurosawa controlling his opponent.
Kurosawa throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Kurosawa throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Pickard because Kurosawa loaded up on that one.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Kurosawa cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Kurosawa looking to finish Pickard with some ground and pound. This is bad for Pickard!
Kurosawa lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Pickard hang on?
Kurosawa is landing with some decent strikes but Pickard is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

Pickard is rocked!
Pickard is squirming around, avoiding Kurosawa's attempts to control the action.
Pickard is still in real trouble! Can Kurosawa finish him?

Kurosawa is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Pickard has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Pickard seems to have recovered his senses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kurosawa controlling his opponent.
Pickard is in a horrible position here. Kurosawa smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

Kurosawa throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Pickard has his hands clasped together but Kurosawa breaks the hold and Pickard is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Kurosawa!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Genjo Kurosawa!
Genjo Kurosawa seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.