PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Kuruvila (ranked 2940 p4p, 3186 weight class) and Filip Yumashev (ranked 162 p4p, 175 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Kuruvila
vs
Yumashev

173 cm
18
138
2 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
139
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BE Younick
Nutritional Shaved Ice

Nutritional Shaved Ice

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joseph Kuruvila!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Filip Yumashev!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Josh West and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuruvila throws out a powerful jab.
Yumashev throws a big shot that misses.
Kuruvila on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kuruvila buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Yumashev misses with an uppercut
and Kuruvila counters with a thumping low kick.
Kuruvila throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Kuruvila misses with a low kick.
Kuruvila defending well as Yumashev loads up on a big left hand.
Yumashev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kuruvila.
Kuruvila keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kuruvila is looking to chop away at Yumashev's legs.
Yumashev misses with a wild body shot.
Yumashev bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Yumashev lands a right hook to the body.
Kuruvila throws a nice inside leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yumashev just misses with a punch to the body.
Yumashev lands a jab to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Yumashev misses the target.
Yumashev looks to score with a jab to the body but Kuruvila is just out of range.
Yumashev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Joseph Kuruvila is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Yumashev just misses with a punch to the body.
Yumashev misses with a looping right.
Yumashev throws a poor cross that misses
and Kuruvila counters with a nice body kick.
Yumashev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kuruvila.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Yumashev swings wildly with an uppercut but Kuruvila uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yumashev dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Yumashev swings wildly with an uppercut but Kuruvila uses good head movement to avoid it.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Yumashev takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Kuruvila's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuruvila steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Yumashev.
Kuruvila is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Yumashev.
Kuruvila blocks a jab.
A quick step to the side and Kuruvila tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yumashev bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kuruvila's head backwards.
Kuruvila fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Yumashev is out of range.
Yumashev lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Yumashev bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kuruvila's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yumashev misses with a body shot.
An inside leg kick lands from Kuruvila.
Kuruvila looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Yumashev shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Kuruvila moves out of range as Yumashev strikes.
An attempted straight right counter from Kuruvila misses the target.

Yumashev clinches up with Kuruvila and pushes him back against the cage.
Yumashev tries to work over Kuruvila's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Yumashev takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Yumashev taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kuruvila's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Yumashev moves into the clinch successfully.
Yumashev misses with a body punch.
A short right from Kuruvila.
Yumashev has a couple of punches blocked by Kuruvila.

Kuruvila breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kuruvila defending well as Yumashev loads up on a big left hand.

Kuruvila forces Yumashev back against the cage and clinches.
Kuruvila is trying to break free.
Kuruvila tries to circle away but Yumashev has him pinned against the cage.
Kuruvila wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Kuruvila breaks from the clinch.
Kuruvila moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Yumashev throws an overhand right that lands on Kuruvila's shoulder, as Kuruvila tries to avoid the shot.
Yumashev connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kuruvila's hands.
Kuruvila scores with a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yumashev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yumashev uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kuruvila.
Yumashev misses with a straight right.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A head kick misses from Kuruvila.
Yumashev scores with a nice right hand.
Kuruvila looks to score with a jab to the body but Yumashev is just out of range.
Kuruvila avoids the body shot from Yumashev.
It looked like Kuruvila wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kuruvila throws a jab when Yumashev was well out of range.
Kuruvila looks to land a left hand but Yumashev moved out of range nicely.
Yumashev scores with a hook to the body. Kuruvila takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kuruvila looks for the body kick but Yumashev saw that one coming.
Kuruvila wants to clinch up but Yumashev keeps it at a distance.
Yumashev shoots in for a takedown but Kuruvila shows good takedown defense.
Kuruvila avoids the body shot from Yumashev.
Nice defenses there by Yumashev.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Filip Yumashev will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Kuruvila throws a body kick that misses
and Yumashev counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Filip Yumashev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yumashev moves out of range of the body kick from Kuruvila.
Yumashev cracks Kuruvila with a right hand to the side of the head.
Yumashev cracks Kuruvila with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Kuruvila lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Yumashev throws a body punch but Kuruvila moves out of range.

Yumashev pushes Kuruvila up against the cage in a clinch.
Kuruvila blocking some punches.
Kuruvila digs a right hand underneath Yumashev's ribcage. Yumashev let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Yumashev holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Kuruvila wants to break free but Yumashev has control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuruvila scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kuruvila lands a left hand.
Kuruvila wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kuruvila is looking to break free of the clinch but Yumashev has double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yumashev stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A shot in the inside from Yumashev.
Yumashev tries to throw a body punch but Kuruvila avoids it by throwing Yumashev back against the cage.
Kuruvila is trying to force a seperation but Yumashev has the dominant position.
Kuruvila blocks an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kuruvila.
Yumashev displaying some good clinch control by pressing Kuruvila up against the cage.
Yumashev works on Kuruvila's body with a couple of short punches.
Kuruvila is trying to break the clinch but Yumashev is controlling him.
Yumashev has Kuruvila pressed against the cage, preventing Kuruvila from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kuruvila tries a body shot but Yumashev blocks it.
Kuruvila wants to stall.
Kuruvila wants to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yumashev misses with a punch to the body.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Yumashev.
Kuruvila wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Yumashev has him pressed against the cage.
Yumashev holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Kuruvila looking to stall.
Kuruvila trying to stall but Yumashev improves his position.
Yumashev tries to score a body lock takedown but Kuruvila shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kuruvila lands with a right to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kuruvila.
Kuruvila leaning against his opponent.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Yumashev is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Yumashev receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Kuruvila blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuruvila is trying to break the clinch but Yumashev has him pressed against the cage.
Yumashev lands an uppercut.
A right hand to the body from Yumashev.
Kuruvila wants to break free but Yumashev has control.
Kuruvila softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Yumashev misses with a hook to the ribs.
Yumashev has a couple of punches blocked by Kuruvila.
Yumashev lands a nice uppercut.

Kuruvila manages to break the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yumashev. Kuruvila does a little dance to reset his feet.
Yumashev misses with an uppercut
and Kuruvila cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kuruvila slips under a jab from Yumashev.
Kuruvila throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Yumashev throws a lazy right hand but Kuruvila sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kuruvila is looking to counter punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yumashev looks to score with a jab to the body but Kuruvila is just out of range.
Yumashev takes a swing at Kuruvila's ribcage but misses.
Yumashev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kuruvila lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
A big left from Yumashev misses.
As Yumashev backs away, Kuruvila returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.

Yumashev clinches with his opponent.
Yumashev lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kuruvila backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuruvila blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Yumashev has Kuruvila pressed against the cage.
Kuruvila has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Yumashev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kuruvila's elbow.
Yumashev tries to score a body lock takedown but Kuruvila shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Kuruvila breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Yumashev looks to score with a jab to the body but Kuruvila is just out of range.
Kuruvila wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Filip Yumashev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sloppy strikes from Kuruvila. Those never looked like landing.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Filip Yumashev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Yumashev looks to score with a jab to the body but Kuruvila is just out of range.
Yumashev checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Yumashev misses with a body shot.
Yumashev connects with a nice looking jab.
Yumashev looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kuruvila uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Yumashev.
An attempted straight right counter from Kuruvila misses the target.
Yumashev misses with a straight left.
Yumashev rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kuruvila counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Yumashev takes the fight into the clinch.
Kuruvila holding his opponent close, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuruvila misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nice body punch from Yumashev - that landed with a thud.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kuruvila.
Kuruvila is trying to force a seperation but Yumashev has the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yumashev content to slow the pace in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Kuruvila fails to land.
Kuruvila is trying to force a seperation but Yumashev has the dominant position.

Kuruvila breaks from the clinch.
Kuruvila misses with a hook.
Yumashev throws an overhand right that lands on Kuruvila's shoulder, as Kuruvila tries to avoid the shot.
Yumashev throws a hook but Kuruvila blocks it.
Kuruvila swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Yumashev fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kuruvila looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Yumashev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kuruvila.
Yumashev checks a leg kick.
Yumashev throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kuruvila stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Yumashev misses with a wild body shot.
Yumashev slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Yumashev throws a hook but Kuruvila blocks it.
Kuruvila attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Filip Yumashev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuruvila feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Yumashevs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kuruvila throws the kick towards the body but Yumashev avoids it.
Yumashev misses with an uppercut.
Yumashev misses with a right hand

and Kuruvila holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuruvila misses with the head strike.
Kuruvila is trying to force a seperation but Yumashev has the dominant position.
Kuruvila misses with the head strike.
Kuruvila tries to throw a body punch but Yumashev avoids it by throwing Kuruvila back against the cage.
Kuruvila can't break the clinch.
Kuruvila fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Yumashev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kuruvila's efforts to push away.
Joseph Kuruvila has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yumashev has Kuruvila pressed against the cage, preventing Kuruvila from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Yumashev scores with a nice hook to the head.
Yumashev blocking some punches.
Kuruvila pressing his opponent against the cage.

Kuruvila breaks from the clinch.
Yumashev is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kuruvila keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kuruvila jabs at Yumashev's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuruvila takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A combination from Yumashev does no damage.
Jab from Kuruvila.
Yumashev misses with a body shot.
Yumashev misses with a wild body shot.
The fighters circling - Yumashev throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Yumashev misses with an uppercut. Kuruvila saw that one coming.
Kuruvila throws a quick counter head kick but Yumashev was just out of range.
Yumashev lands a body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Yumashev throws the left hand but Kuruvila avoids the punch easily.
Yumashev misses with an uppercut. Kuruvila saw that one coming.
Kuruvila on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Kuruvila is rocked!
Yumashev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kuruvila.
Oh Kuruvila is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Yumashev stuns Kuruvila with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Yumashev lands an uppercut out of nowhere! Kuruvila falls backwards - clearly groggy! Yumashev dives in and finishes the fight with more strikes for a TKO finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:54 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Filip Yumashev!