PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Krisko Kurtev (ranked 1710 p4p, 1573 weight class) and Joe Irwin (ranked 244 p4p, 227 weight class). Irwin has chosen Don't Take Your Guns To Town - Johnny Cash as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kurtev
vs
Irwin

189 cm
32
193
18 - 23 - 0

183 cm
29
200
8 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Vegan Gains

The Dirty Needle Project
Carnage Clothing

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 18 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Krisko Kurtev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joe Irwin!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Daniel Blasius and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kurtev shoots for a takedown but Irwin saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kurtev has his takedown stuffed
and Irwin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kurtev or perhaps it was just good defense by Irwin, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Krisko Kurtev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kurtev looks for a takedown but Irwin sprawls well.
Kurtev wants to clinch up but Irwin keeps it at a distance.
Irwin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kurtev sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kurtev is trying hard to land a takedown here. Irwin sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kurtev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Irwin avoids it really well and circles away.
Irwin let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Irwin lands with a straight right. Kurtev didn't see that one coming.
Irwin has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kurtev clinches with his opponent.
Irwin gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kurtev.

Irwin manages to break the clinch.
Kurtev shoots in for a takedown but Irwin shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kurtev tries to close the distance and clinch but Irwin swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Irwin swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kurtev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Irwin throws a jab when Kurtev was well out of range.
Krisko Kurtev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kurtev misses with a takedown
letting Irwin counter with a right hand.
Irwin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Irwin wants it to stay on the feet.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Irwin! But no joy.
Irwin throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kurtev stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev with a poor takedown
and Irwin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kurtev moves in looking to clinch but Irwin pushes him off.
Kurtev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Irwin pinned against the cage. Irwin gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Irwin looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kurtev closes the distance looking to clinch
and Irwin counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kurtev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Irwin is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kurtev.
Kurtev looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kurtev fails with a takedown attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Irwin keeps the fight on the outside.
Irwin appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kurtev or perhaps it was just good defense by Irwin, which made it look bad.
Kurtev fails with an attempt to clinch.
A little jabbing left from Irwin on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Irwin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Irwin looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Kurtev moves into the clinch.
Irwin stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kurtev wants a takedown but no success here.
Kurtev looking for a takedown.

Irwin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A big left from Irwin misses.
A big left from Irwin misses.
Kurtev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Irwin manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Irwin is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Kurtev tries to clinch up but Irwin circles away and keeps his distance.
Despite the aggression on Irwin's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev has a takedown stuffed.
Irwin looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kurtev wants to clinch but Irwin slips to the side
letting Irwin counter with a right hand.
Kurtev looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Irwin is fending him off so far but Kurtev persists. Nope, Irwin circles away and we're back to standing.

Kurtev moves into range and clinches up with Irwin.

Kurtev pulls Irwin into guard.
Irwin is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kurtev working for submissions but it's allowed Irwin to get to half guard.
Kurtev is trying to control but can't.
Irwin wants to control but Kurtev is keeping him busy.
Irwin slips a nice elbow through Kurtev's hands, connecting with Kurtev's forehead.

Kurtev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Irwin scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Irwin dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kurtev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Irwin moves away.
Kurtev tries to clinch but Irwin moves out of range.
Kurtev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Irwin appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Kurtev tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Irwin counters with a stiff right hand.
Joe Irwin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kurtev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Irwin! But no joy.

Kurtev closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Irwin did well to prevent Kurtev getting side control.

Irwin kicks Kurtev off and gets back to his feet.
Kurtev misses with a takedown
and Irwin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Krisko Kurtev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kurtev has his takedown stuffed
and Irwin counters with a stiff right hand.
Kurtev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Irwin as he jumps to the side.
It seemed like Irwin was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Joe Irwin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurtev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Irwin looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Kurtev with a poor takedown
and Irwin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kurtev closes the distance looking to clinch
enabling Irwin to counter with a crisp jab.
Irwin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kurtev shoots in but Irwin avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Irwin leaves Kurtev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kurtev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Irwin defends it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Irwin misses the target.
Irwin swats away the attempt to clinch by Kurtev.
Despite the aggression on Irwin's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Kurtev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Irwin avoids it really well and circles away.
Irwin avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Irwin throws out a counter right but Kurtev avoids it with no problem.

Kurtev closes the distance and clinches.
Irwin lands a left hand.
Irwin misses with some punches.

Irwin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Irwin keeps the fight on the outside.
Irwin swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kurtev moves to clinch but Irwin breaks away
and Irwin counters with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev misses with a jab, cross combination.
Irwin avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Irwin might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Kurtev tries to clinch there but Irwin circles away.
Irwin appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Kurtev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Irwin paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A countering left hand to the body from Irwin misses.
Kurtev defending well as Irwin loads up on a big left hand.
Kurtev closes the distance and clinches up with Irwin, looking for a takedown. Kurtev pushes Irwin against the cage but Irwin circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kurtev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kurtev tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Irwin defends well and Kurtev ends up having to push Irwin into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Irwin looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Kurtev tries for a takedown. No joy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Irwin stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Irwin looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kurtev goes for a takedown in the clinch but Irwin prevents it.
Irwin scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Irwin.

Irwin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Kurtev moves into the clinch successfully.
Kurtev is trying to pull guard but Irwin turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Irwin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kurtev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kurtev or perhaps it was just good defense by Irwin, which made it look bad.
Irwin let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Irwin lands a jab to Kurtev's midsection.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Irwin swats away the attempt to clinch by Kurtev.
Kurtev doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Irwin counter with a right hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Irwin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Irwin's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Irwin duly obliges.
Kurtev misses with a takedown attempt
and Irwin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kurtev is defended easily by Irwin.
Kurtev has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Krisko Kurtev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Irwin throws a lazy right hand but Kurtev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kurtev shoots in looking for a takedown but Irwin manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kurtev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A nice side step and Irwin releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kurtev dives in for a single leg takedown but Irwin sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Irwin lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kurtev.

Irwin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Irwin jabs at Kurtev's body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kurtev misses with a takedown attempt
and Irwin counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Irwin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Irwin scores with a hook to the body. Kurtev takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurtev takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Irwin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kurtev.
Kurtev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Irwin as he avoids it easily.
Kurtev tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Irwin counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Irwin circles away from the clinch attempt.
Irwin lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Kurtev tries to clinch but Irwin moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Irwin.
Kurtev fails with the takedown
and Irwin counters with a left to the body.
Kurtev tries to clinch up
and Irwin counters with a big head kick but Kurtev shrugs it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev tries to clinch up.
Kurtev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A combination from Kurtev does no damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Kurtev takes the fight into the clinch.
Irwin presses Kurtev against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Krisko Kurtev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Irwin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Krisko Kurtev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kurtev misses with a right hand
and Irwin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kurtev closes the distance looking to clinch
and Irwin counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Kurtev is rocked!
Irwin cracks Kurtev with a good jab.
Oh Kurtev is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Irwin paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Irwin misses the jab.
Kurtev seems to have got his legs back now.
Irwin lands a monster head kick that reverborates around the arena! The crowd goes wild as Kurtev crumples to the floor! Irwin milks the crowd's applause and if that isn't knockout of the night, I will be very surprised!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:17 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Joe Irwin!
A very excited looking Joe Irwin 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.