PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Krisko Kurtev (ranked 668 p4p, 1096 weight class) and Murilo Ninja (ranked 91 p4p, 152 weight class). 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
Ninja

189 cm
36
193
27 - 30 - 0

176 cm
39
187
24 - 18 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Bondi MMA 🏝️

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

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 27 - 30 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Krisko Kurtev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Murilo Ninja!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Wagner Zegers and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ninja displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kurtev.

Kurtev gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Ninja to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Ninja throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ninja in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ninja works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Ninja scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Kurtev missing with punches from the bottom.
Kurtev throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Ninja lands a nice short elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ninja is nestled in close to Kurtev, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Kurtev is looking to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ninja seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kurtev does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Ninja working his ground and pound in the gym.
Kurtev is in trouble now - Ninja has advanced to mount!
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Ninja with good strikes from the mount here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ninja with shots to the head and body - Kurtev looks very uncomfortable down there.
Kurtev is in all sorts of trouble here.
Ninja in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Kurtev tries to lock up and control but Ninja gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Kurtev in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Kurtev is wriggling around trying to escape.
Ninja punishing his opponent with strikes.
Ninja working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Kurtev is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Kurtev takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
BOOM! Ninja connects with a massive shot to the dome!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kurtev is looking to get to half guard.
Ninja scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Kurtev?
Kurtev is looking to get to half guard.
Kurtev is in a horrible position here. Ninja smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev is wriggling around trying to escape.
Kurtev is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Ninja trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Ninja lands a heavy elbow.
Kurtev is looking to improve his position but Ninja isn't that keen on the idea.
Ninja avoids the attempt from Kurtev to control.
Ninja raining down shots from the mount!
Ninja wants to control the pace but Kurtev is squirming around nicely.
Ninja lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Ninja looking to control but Kurtev is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kurtev sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ninja is nestled in close to Kurtev, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Kurtev is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ninja scores with a couple of nice shots.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Ninja connects with a nice short shot to Kurtev's temple.
Kurtev punching from the bottom.
Ninja working over Kurtev with some ground and pound. Kurtev looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Ninja wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kurtev keeps working.
Kurtev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ninja is looking to advance position but Kurtev won't allow it.
Kurtev is not content to let Ninja control the position.
Kurtev wants to control but Ninja is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kurtev on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Ninja connects with a nice short shot to Kurtev's temple.
Ninja stops Kurtev from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev taking some punishment here, with Ninja in his half guard.

Kurtev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Kurtev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kurtev wants to control but Ninja is keeping busy.
Kurtev is looking for a sweep. Ninja is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ninja seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kurtev does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kurtev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Ninja lands a nice short elbow.
Ninja looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kurtev with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Ninja looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kurtev with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Ninja slips a nice elbow through Kurtev's hands, connecting with Kurtev's forehead.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Murilo Ninja dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ninja closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kurtev did well to prevent Ninja getting side control.
Ninja controlling the pace.
Ninja is thwarting Kurtev's attempts to control the position.
Ninja slips a nice elbow through Kurtev's hands, connecting with Kurtev's forehead.
Still in half guard, Ninja seems content to control.
Ninja trying to pass the guard but Kurtev defending well.
Ninja throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ninja is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Kurtev missing with punches from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ninja working the head and body with strikes.
Kurtev is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ninja scores with a couple of nice shots.
Ninja seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Kurtev is staying active underneath Ninja, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ninja working Kurtev over with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurtev is refusing to be controlled, as Ninja sits in half guard.
Kurtev tries to roll over but Ninja keeps him under control.

Kurtev looking for submissions off his back.
Kurtev is looking for a sweep. Ninja is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ninja lands strikes from half guard.
Ninja winds up and cracks Kurtev with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Kurtev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kurtev misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Ninja drops an elbow to the side of Kurtev's head.
Ninja trying to control the action but Kurtev is working from the bottom.

Kurtev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ninja takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Ninja lands with a punch from half guard.
Kurtev is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ninja scores with a couple of nice shots.
Murilo Ninja has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kurtev is trying to maintain the position but Ninja is very close to passing his half guard.
Ninja is keen to just control but Kurtev is a slippery customer.
Kurtev is looking to improve his position.
Ninja has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ninja wants to control but Kurtev is keeping him busy.
Ninja lands with a punch from half guard.

Kurtev looking for submissions off his back.
Ninja seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Ninja content to control rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev lands with a few short shots to the body.
Kurtev is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ninja scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kurtev makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kurtev.
Kurtev has momentary wrist control but Ninja slips an elbow through the middle.
Kurtev controls Ninja momentarily but Ninja frees himself.
Kurtev with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Ninja can't handle though.
Ninja is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Ninja is in close to Kurtev's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ninja working some strikes from top position.
Ninja lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kurtev keeping moving, preventing Ninja from controlling successfully.
Ninja postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kurtev is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ninja is aware though and is defending well.

Kurtev is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Ninja with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Ninja is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Ninja keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kurtev's head.
Ninja trying to control but Kurtev is working from the bottom.
Kurtev throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Ninja distracts Kurtev with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ninja preventing the sweep.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kurtev is working hard here to advance position.
Ninja takes a decent strike to the side of the head.
Ninja lands a couple of elbows.
Ninja won't allow Kurtev to sweep him here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Murilo Ninja showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Kurtev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kurtev closes the distance and clinches.
Ninja pushes Kurtev back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ninja.
Ninja lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kurtev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ninja gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kurtev.
Ninja throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kurtevs head.
Ninja's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Ninja effectively controlling the action here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ninja misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kurtev wants to take the fight to the mat but Ninja manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Krisko Kurtev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kurtev is trying to pull guard but Ninja turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A short uppercut from Ninja.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurtev is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Ninja to keep the fight standing.

Ninja is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Kurtev can't fight it off and eventually Ninja manages to take the fight to the floor. Kurtev looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Kurtev wriggles free and stands up.

Ninja has Kurtev up against the cage in a clinch.
Ninja misses with a punch to the body.
Kurtev is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Ninja is defending well.
Ninja is working Kurtev over against the cage.
Ninja working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kurtev tries for a takedown but Ninja manages to get underhooks.
Ninja lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Ninja has clasped his hands together around Kurtev's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Ninja creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Ninja controls the position from side control.
Ninja lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ninja working away.
Kurtev takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Ninja landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Kurtev takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Kurtev is looking to reverse the position.
Kurtev can't do much from the bottom here.
Krisko Kurtev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ninja scores with punches from side control.
Kurtev tries to bench press Ninja off him but Ninja keeps the position.
Ninja working the ground and pound from side control.
Ninja lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Kurtev down.
Ninja working the head and body with strikes.

Kurtev is rocked!
Kurtev taking a bit of punishment here - Ninja scoring with strikes.
Oh Kurtev is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ninja works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurtev is looking to reverse the position.
Ninja lands a strong strike to the head of Kurtev. That's dazed him! Ninja looking to finish here. Kurtev is waving his arms around trying to block but he's hurt badly - Ninja lands more strikes and the referee steps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:21 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Murilo Ninja!
Murilo Ninja managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Altitude Clothing, into his post fight interview.