PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Liwa Kursiwa (ranked 1575 p4p, 1827 weight class) and Ibrahim Amrani (ranked 138 p4p, 161 weight class). Ibrahim Amrani has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kursiwa
vs
Amrani

165 cm
28
145
11 - 9 - 0

155 cm
32
144
17 - 12 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Sakura Style

Conquest Nutrition™ (160Q) $97
Wrestler Wayfare

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Liwa Kursiwa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 12 - 2, fighting out of London, Ibrahim Amrani!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Amrani tries to clinch but Kursiwa moves out of range.
Ibrahim Amrani seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kursiwa decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
We've been hearing that Kursiwa has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Kursiwa is pressing down on Amrani's thigh, looking to free his foot. Amrani is holding on for now.
Amrani is looking to improve his position.
Amrani is doing well to control the position and prevent Kursiwa from advancing to side control.
Amrani is trying to control but can't.
Amrani is looking for a sweep. Kursiwa is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kursiwa seems to be working for a kimura but Amrani defends the submission attempt.
Kursiwa trying to control the action but Amrani is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kursiwa not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Amrani keeping control of the position.
Kursiwa content to control rather than advance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kursiwa is thwarting Amrani's attempts to control the position.
Kursiwa working Amrani over with strikes.
Amrani controlling the position for now.
Amrani slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kursiwa controls from within his opponent's guard.
Kursiwa lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Amrani is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Amrani trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Amrani is pulling down on Kursiwa's head. It's preventing any offense from Kursiwa, at least for the moment.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Amrani is on top in guard.

Kursiwa looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kursiwa pulls Amrani in close to prevent any damage.
Kursiwa trying to keep a closed guard but Amrani is proving a slippery customer.

Kursiwa pushes Amrani off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Amrani clinches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kursiwa.
Amrani struggles to land a body shot inside as Kursiwa controls his hands.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Amrani swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Kursiwa counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Amrani dives in and scores a takedown into Kursiwa's guard.

Kursiwa is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Amrani controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Amrani missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kursiwa is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kursiwa controls Amrani momentarily but Amrani frees himself.
Kursiwa trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Amrani rushes Kursiwa and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kursiwa is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Kursiwa has picked Amrani up - he's going for a ride! Kursiwa dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Amrani trying to control but Kursiwa postures up.
Amrani controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Amrani trying to control here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Amrani wants to get back to full guard.
Kursiwa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Amrani can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kursiwa working Amrani over with strikes.
Kursiwa sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Amrani defending well though.
Amrani holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Amrani is looking to control Kursiwa's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Amrani avoid being mounted?
Kursiwa not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kursiwa performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Kursiwa thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Amrani's head.
Kursiwa working Amrani over with strikes.
Amrani is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kursiwa lands strikes from half guard.
Kursiwa is keen to just control but Amrani is a slippery customer.
Amrani tries to roll over but Kursiwa keeps him under control.
Amrani blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kursiwa.

Kursiwa seems to be working for a kimura but Amrani defends the submission attempt.
Amrani has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kursiwa is working away from the top position though.
Amrani is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Amrani manages to get to full guard.
Amrani is controlling Kursiwa's posture.
Kursiwa trying to control but Amrani is working from the bottom.
Amrani bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kursiwa's guard.

Kursiwa trying to control the position.
Liwa Kursiwa overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Amrani stays in close to Kursiwa's body and controls the position.
Amrani must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kursiwa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Amrani is one step ahead there.
Amrani is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Amrani trying to control the position from guard on top but Kursiwa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kursiwa is trying to control the position but Amrani postures up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kursiwa gets a double leg takedown into Amrani's guard.
Amrani is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Liwa Kursiwa dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Kursiwa throws out a loose jab but Amrani uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice takedown defense from Amrani. No joy for Kursiwa on that attempt.
Amrani lands a nice shot that snaps Kursiwa's head back.
Amrani tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Kursiwa throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Amrani tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kursiwa is in Amrani's guard.
Amrani preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kursiwa landing with the ground and pound.
Amrani pulls Kursiwa in close to prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Amrani is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Amrani controls Kursiwa momentarily but Kursiwa frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kursiwa trying to control but Amrani is working from the bottom.
Kursiwa looking to pass the guard.
Kursiwa has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Amrani bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kursiwa's guard.

Kursiwa keeping moving, preventing Amrani from controlling successfully.

Kursiwa looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Amrani stays in close to Kursiwa's body and controls the position.
Amrani stopping the sweep attempt from Kursiwa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Amrani trying to control the position from guard on top but Kursiwa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kursiwa trying to keep a closed guard but Amrani is proving a slippery customer.
Amrani is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kursiwa not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kursiwa keeps the fight on the outside.
Amrani tries to clinch up but Kursiwa circles away and keeps his distance.
Kursiwa changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Ibrahim Amrani has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kursiwa takes a swing at Amrani's ribcage but misses.
Amrani gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Kursiwa makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Amrani lands a body shot.
Amrani dives in and grabs Kursiwa's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kursiwa pushes down on Amrani's head and hops out.
Amrani dives in and grabs Kursiwa's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kursiwa pushes down on Amrani's head and hops out.
Kursiwa stuffs the takedown.
Liwa Kursiwa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ibrahim Amrani.

Kursiwa rushes Amrani and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Kursiwa has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Amrani is trying to keep an underhook but Kursiwa manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Kursiwa landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
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. Kursiwa connects with a nice short shot to Amrani's temple.
Kursiwa is nestled in close to Amrani, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Amrani is looking for a sweep. Kursiwa is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kursiwa working the head and body with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kursiwa seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Amrani does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kursiwa not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kursiwa is taking a breather. Amrani says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Kursiwa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Amrani keeps working.
Amrani regains full guard. Nicely done.
Kursiwa seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Amrani not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Liwa Kursiwa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kursiwa wants to control from the top but Amrani keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Liwa Kursiwa showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kursiwa, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Liwa Kursiwa!
A very excited looking Liwa Kursiwa 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.