PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sensai Kuragi (ranked 814 p4p, 1008 weight class) and Banito Gianni (ranked 134 p4p, 157 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Kuragi
vs
Gianni

190 cm
27
195
10 - 3 - 0

188 cm
27
195
9 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Conquer

Highland 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 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sensai Kuragi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Banito Gianni!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Robert Twigg and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuragi walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A low kick from Gianni misses

and Kuragi counters with a single leg into guard. Gianni didn't expect that.
Gianni really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kuragi. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Gianni has his hands on Kuragi's head, controlling the position.
Kuragi won't allow Gianni to get back to his feet.
Gianni is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Kuragi dives into side control.
Kuragi definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Kuragi is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gianni has escaped the position, nice work there.

Kuragi looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Gianni can do anything to dispel that myth.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gianni is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Kuragi is controlling him well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gianni sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Gianni is defending against the submission attempts here by Kuragi.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kuragi prevents Gianni from improving his position.

Kuragi is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Gianni felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

Kuragi is looking for a kimura but Gianni is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kuragi to get the leverage.

Kuragi is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Gianni defends it well.

Kuragi is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Gianni defends it well.
Gianni wants to improve his position but Kuragi is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kuragi is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Gianni is just riding it out for now. Kuragi eventually gives up the hold.
Kuragi is looking to advance position but Gianni won't allow it.

Kuragi is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kuragi is looking for a kimura but Gianni is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kuragi to get the leverage.

Kuragi is trying to work for a kimura but Gianni is defending well.
Gianni is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gianni pushes Kuragi off looking to stand but Kuragi dives back in and keeps control.
Gianni gets full guard.

Kuragi 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.
Gianni is adopting a defensive guard.
Gianni is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Gianni is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Kuragi tries to roll over but Gianni keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gianni trying to control the pace.
Gianni is thwarting Kuragi's attempts to control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Well, if Gianni is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Gianni wants to stand up but Kuragi manages to regain full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Gianni lands with a nice combination. Kuragi backs away looking to recover.
Kuragi tries to clinch up but Gianni circles away and keeps his distance.
Gianni tests Kuragi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Gianni jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kuragi staying out of range there.
Kuragi wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Kuragi gets clipped by a big right hand and goes down spinning to the canvas! Gianni gets the back mount and begins to drop bombs on his rocked foe! Kuragi is too out of it to defend against the strikes and the referee jumps in to save him from the beatdown!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:33 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Banito Gianni!
After winning the bout, Banito Gianni thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.