PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rj Bell (ranked 3232 p4p, 2884 weight class) and Daizen Kuroda (ranked 389 p4p, 355 weight class). Rj Bell had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Bell
vs
Kuroda

177 cm
28
154
10 - 8 - 0

182 cm
22
154
8 - 11 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Insanely flexible

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

EFC Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 4 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rj Bell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Daizen Kuroda!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bell shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Bell was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Bell is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kuroda knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Kuroda is looking for a sweep.
Kuroda manages to get back to half guard.

Bell is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Kuroda as he works his way to full guard.
Kuroda keeping moving, preventing Bell from controlling successfully.
We've been hearing good reports from Bell's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

Kuroda is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Bell defends well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bell wants to control from the top but Kuroda keeps moving.
Kuroda lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

My spies in Cali Gym inform me that Kuroda has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuroda trying to control but Bell is working from the bottom.
Kuroda slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Kuroda pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bell is keeping the position for now.
Kuroda trying to control the position from guard on top but Bell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bell working for a triangle but Kuroda defends it easily.
Kuroda postures up.
Bell tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Bell looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Bell looking for a guillotine here but Kuroda defends easily.
Bell keeping moving, preventing Kuroda from controlling successfully.
Kuroda sitting in guard here, content to control.

Bell looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kuroda trying to control but Bell is working from the bottom.

Bell is looking for a triangle but Kuroda pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bell keeping moving, preventing Kuroda from controlling successfully.

Bell is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Kuroda is sitting in close to Bell's body. Bell has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Kuroda is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Kuroda is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Bell.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:35 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Rj Bell!
A very excited looking Rj Bell 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.