PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Krisko Kurtev (ranked 685 p4p, 486 weight class) and Abdullah Zaire (ranked 98 p4p, 63 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Kurtev
vs
Zaire

189 cm
29
193
13 - 15 - 0

189 cm
31
202
9 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Altitude Clothing
Vegan Gains

Brooklyn Apothecary
Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Krisko Kurtev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Abdullah Zaire!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shigeki Fujiwara and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kurtev fails with the takedown.
Kurtev lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zaire circles away quickly and effectively.
Zaire let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Kurtev blocks a low kick nicely.
Kurtev walks into a left hand.
Kurtev shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Zaire counter with a right hand.
Kurtev misses with a takedown attempt
and Zaire counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Krisko Kurtev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zaire leaves Kurtev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kurtev takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kurtev tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Zaire throws a jab but it's blocked by Kurtev.
Kurtev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Zaire manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kurtev changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Zaire tries to avoid it but Kurtev manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Zaire to the ground. Zaire escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kurtev throws out a loose jab but Zaire uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice side step and Zaire releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurtev fails with the takedown.
Kurtev fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Zaire looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Zaire stuffs the takedown attempt from Kurtev. Kurtev gets slowly back to his feet.

Kurtev shoots in and bounces Zaire off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Zaire wants to hit a sweep here but Kurtev passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Zaire there!
Zaire working to try and regain half guard.
Zaire avoids a series of strikes thrown by Kurtev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poor strikes thrown by Kurtev there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Zaire tries to reverse the position but Kurtev maintains control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zaire tries to lock up and control but Kurtev gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Kurtev prevents Zaire from getting the reversal.
Zaire tries to lock up and control but Kurtev gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zaire is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Poor strikes thrown by Kurtev there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kurtev prevents Zaire from getting the reversal.
Kurtev thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Zaire is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Kurtev thowing shots but they're missing.
Kurtev takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Zaire tries to lock up and control but Kurtev gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaire tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kurtev misses with a head shot.
Zaire working to try and regain half guard.
Zaire prevents any damage by holding on tight.
Zaire is desperately trying to improve his position but Kurtev has a good base and remains in mount.
Zaire bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Kurtev keeping full guard, as Zaire tries to pass.
Kurtev trying to strike off his back.
Zaire looking to pass the guard.
Kurtev controls Zaire momentarily but Zaire frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kurtev escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Zaire gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Zaire tries to free his leg and advance position but Kurtev is retaining full guard.
Kurtev throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Zaire controlling from the top position.

Kurtev looking for a guillotine here but Zaire defends easily.
Zaire not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Zaire trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Kurtev is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Krisko Kurtev will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Zaire takes a swing at Kurtev's ribcage but misses.
Kurtev with a lazy takedown attempt
and Zaire connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Kurtev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Zaire lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kurtev is working for takedown but Zaire is calmly controlling the position for now.
Zaire lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kurtev backwards.

Zaire manages to break the clinch.
Zaire throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Kurtev doesn't manage to clinch there - Zaire circles away.
Zaire looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Abdullah Zaire seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zaire tries a head kick but it misses.
Kurtev takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kurtev.
Kurtev looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Krisko Kurtev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kurtev cracks Zaire with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zaire lands with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurtev with a poor takedown
and Zaire counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kurtev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Zaire swings for the body but Kurtev moves out of range.
Zaire lands a head shot.
Zaire throws a leg kick but Kurtev sees it coming and moves out of range.
Kurtev tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Zaire counters with a straight right hand.

Kurtev looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Zaire has his feet on Kurtev's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Zaire has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Abdullah Zaire is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kurtev wants to clinch up but Zaire keeps it at a distance.
Kurtev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Zaire sprawls well. Zaire wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kurtev gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kurtev throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Zaire was covering up waiting for the punch and Kurtev finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Zaire pushes Kurtev off and gets back to his feet.
Kurtev is looking to clinch.
Zaire scores with a shot to the body.

Zaire gets caught napping as Kurtev dives in and scores a takedown. Zaire manages to retain guard.
Kurtev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Zaire looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Krisko Kurtev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zaire 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.
Zaire seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev is looking to work some ground and pound but Zaire has wrist control.
Zaire is pulling down on Kurtev's head to control his posture.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zaire is on top in guard.

Zaire trying to control the position from guard on top but Kurtev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zaire is looking to stand up but Kurtev won't let him.
Zaire not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Kurtev throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kurtev wants to sweep but no luck.

Kurtev is looking for a triangle here but Zaire uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Zaire taking a breather here.
Zaire has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Kurtev is working to get back to half guard.
Zaire controlling from mount.
Kurtev flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Kurtev throwing hammer fists to the chest of Zaire. What's that going to do exactly?
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Abdullah Zaire showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Zaire throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kurtev doesn't manage to clinch there - Zaire circles away.
Kurtev tries for a takedown but Zaire sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Zaire has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Jab, jab by Zaire - just one landing.

Kurtev shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Zaire is trying to defend but Kurtev finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Zaire is controlling Kurtev's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Zaire's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Kurtev throwing shots but Zaire is blocking nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaire slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Zaire bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kurtev's guard.

Zaire sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurtev trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Zaire stays in close to Kurtev's body and controls the position.
Kurtev controls Zaire momentarily but Zaire frees himself.
Zaire's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Zaire trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zaire wants to control from the top but Kurtev keeps moving.

Kurtev is looking for a triangle but Zaire pushes his legs off easily.
Kurtev wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kurtev throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Zaire wants to control from the top but Kurtev keeps moving.

Zaire gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Kurtev gets a double leg takedown into Zaire's guard.
Zaire is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kurtev has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kurtev is looking to work some ground and pound but Zaire has wrist control.
Kurtev being controlled here momentarily.
Kurtev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zaire tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaire is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kurtev is controlling him.
Zaire looking for a sweep. Not yet Zaire, not yet.
Zaire working a defensive guard but Kurtev passes into half guard.
Kurtev wants to take a breather but Zaire is having none of it.
Kurtev trying to pass the guard but Zaire defending well.
Zaire trying to hold on to Kurtev's head to control him but Kurtev postures up.
Zaire is not content to let Kurtev control the position.
Kurtev prevents Zaire from improving his position.
Kurtev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kurtev winds up and cracks Zaire with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Zaire is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaire wants to improve his position but Kurtev is controlling well.
Kurtev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kurtev is looking to advance position but Zaire won't allow it.
Zaire trying to control but Kurtev postures up.
Kurtev is trying to control. Zaire wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Zaire wants to control but Kurtev is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Zaire preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Zaire tries to roll over but Kurtev keeps him under control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kurtev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Krisko Kurtev.
I think Kurtev has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Krisko Kurtev!
During a confident post fight interview, Krisko Kurtev thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.