PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Krisko Kurtev (ranked 1139 p4p, 2473 weight class) and Balal Lama (ranked 149 p4p, 325 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
Lama

189 cm
42
193
38 - 44 - 2

195 cm
41
220
28 - 26 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Experienced

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

BANZAI NUTRITION

Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 38 - 44 - 2, fighting out of Hilo, Krisko Kurtev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 26 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Balal Lama!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Aafke Stam and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lama misses with a double jab

and Kurtev counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Lama!
Kurtev working away.
Lama is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Lama defending against the ground and pound.
Lama is looking for a sweep.
Kurtev is putting a hurting on Lama here, landing some big shots from side control.
Lama pushes Kurtev away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Kurtev gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Lama avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Kurtev.
Kurtev passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Lama!
Kurtev dominating with strikes here.
Lama tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kurtev throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Lama because Kurtev loaded up on that one.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kurtev throwing strikes here but Lama is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Lama is looking to get to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
BOOM! Kurtev connects with a massive shot to the dome!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lama is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Lama is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Lama keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Kurtev scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Lama has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Kurtev can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Lama is looking to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lama tries to reverse the position but Kurtev maintains control.
Kurtev is landing with some decent strikes but Lama is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Lama tries to lock up and control but Kurtev gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
BOOM! Kurtev connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Lama tries to reverse the position but Kurtev maintains control.
Kurtev lands a heavy elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lama is in all sorts of trouble here.
Kurtev scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Lama?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lama keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Lama bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Kurtev looking for a guillotine here but Lama defends easily.
Lama working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lama wants to control from the top but Kurtev keeps moving.
Kurtev striking off his back but it's not causing Lama any problems.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lama slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Kurtev throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Lama trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kurtev lands a couple of decent looking body shots there.
Kurtev can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Lama controls the pace.
Lama passes Kurtev's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Kurtev misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Kurtev is looking to control Lama's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kurtev avoid being mounted?
Lama with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Kurtev missing with punches from the bottom.
Kurtev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Lama lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Lama keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Lama is thwarting Kurtev's attempts to control the position.
Lama content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Lama is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kurtev defends it well.
Lama tries to pass to full mount but Kurtev defends it.
Kurtev trying to control here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Krisko Kurtev dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Lama displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kurtev.
Kurtev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Lama pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Kurtev back to the cage. Lama follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Lama cracks Kurtev with a good jab.

Lama gets the takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Kurtev's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Lama wants to control but Kurtev is keeping him busy.
Lama lands a nice forearm strike.
Kurtev is trying to get back to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lama creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Kurtev wants to control but Lama postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lama is staying tight to Kurtev's torso, preventing him from escaping.

Lama working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Kurtev is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Fryes pit, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Kurtev throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
Kurtev can't do much from the bottom here.
Kurtev throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Lama wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kurtev keeps working.
Lama happy to just control the position for now.
Kurtev struggling a bit here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kurtev is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Lama works to advance to full mount. Kurtev defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Lama is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Kurtev can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Kurtev swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Kurtev is looking to improve his position but Lama isn't that keen on the idea.
Lama with good strikes from the mount here!
Krisko Kurtev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lama with the ground and pound from mount.
Kurtev throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Lama lands a heavy elbow.
Lama lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Kurtev manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Kurtev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lama slips a nice elbow through Kurtev's hands, connecting with Kurtev's forehead.
Lama is keen to just control but Kurtev is a slippery customer.
Lama is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Lama has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lama lands a nice shot to the head.
Lama takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Lama is continuing to stall.
Lama connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Lama wants to control the pace but Kurtev is squirming around nicely.

Lama working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. Kurtev turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips Lama off and cradles Kurtev's limp body as Lama celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). Balal Lama!
Balal Lama really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Altitude Clothing logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.